First Grade: May 4 - 8

Hello first grade families!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. This past week we continued with our weekly schedule of audio stories, crafts, language arts and math games and more. I told two stories last week which included The Twins and The Greedy Old Man. This upcoming week I will only be posting one more audio story. I will still be sharing math activities and language arts activities that you and your child can participate in. I will also be giving sight words. If you would like more work please let me know. 

As the school year is coming to an end I would like to thank all of you and your children for the effort and hard work you have put into school this year. This week, I will be sending out letters to each child. Please make sure that your information is correct in the Transparent Classroom. 

On Monday, during our zoom meeting, we will be discussing our weekend but then also we will be doing an at home scavenger hunt. I cannot wait to see you all there. Also, as a reminder the zoom link is in classroom.  

Thank you,

Ki Aja 

First Grade: April 27 - May 1

Hello first grade families,

Thank you all for bearing with me last week as I was feeling under the weather. I hope you all had a great and relaxing weekend. 

Last week, I provided a story and a couple of activities. This week we are back on schedule and will be having all of our daily activities that are posted on our weekly schedule. This will include fairytales from around the world, copy work, crafts and more. 

There is still more to do for the next two weeks before our school year ends. I am asking that each of you please make sure that your address is correct in Transparent Classroom as I will be sending a note to each student. 

I will see you all Monday at 2 and hope you have a wonderful week. 

Thank you,

Ki Aja 

First Grade: April 20-24

Hello my first grade families!

I hope you all had a great weekend and I am excited to see everyone during our zoom session. The children appear to enjoy being able to talk to their friends. While I know the children are at home, I ask that they are still not discussing topics such as movies or television shows. 

This past week, the children listened to stories, received copy work to complete and were given sight words. If you feel the sight words have become too easy or too difficult for your child please let me know. I will gladly arrange something else with you. 

This next week your child will continue to listen to fairytales. As they do this please allow them a quiet area so that they are able to run wild their imagination to picture the words I am giving them. 

I hope you all have a wonderful day and please let me know if you have any questions. 

Thank you, 

Ki Aja 

First Grade: April 13 - 17

Dear first grade families, 

I hope you all are doing well and have had a great weekend. I really enjoyed seeing you all last week during our Zoom meeting, and am excited to see you all on Monday at 2. This past week, you were able to listen to stories such as Grandmother and How the Rabbit Lost his Tail. If you had chosen to do so, I had posted copywork with sentences/ phrases that could be copied as well as pictures. I hope that this new schedule that we are on is making things not only easier for your children but for you as well. If it makes it easier, print off the schedule so you don't have to go back and forth on classroom searching for it. 

This next week, I will be adding another set of sight words, more stories from different regions of the world, and beanbag activities. If you are able, please continue to have your child working on counting by 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10. If they keep this in their daily rhythm, it will be hard for them to forget it. This week, I will also be adding a new song to the circle, as well as a poem. 

Please let me know if you have any questions and I will see you all at 2! 

Thank you, 

Ki Aja 

First Grade: March 30 - April 3

Good morning first grade families! 

Last week your child was able to listen to a fairytale, The Cottager and his Cat. They were then able to act out scenes as well as draw a picture. I posted my own picture from which they could try to recreate. 

Moving forward, I am going to continue to tell stories, provide different types of form drawings, give daily suggestions for activities, sight words, and post math and language arts games. From time to time I will give assignments that your child has the option of doing, which goes along with our normal routine if we were in our classroom. 

Starting every Monday after break we will be doing a Zoom session so that the children will be able to see and catch up with each other. 

I hope you all enjoy your break and I’ll see you soon!

Ki Aja 

First Grade: March 23 - 27

Hello first grade families!

This past week the children were able to listen to the story of the White Horse Girl and the Blue Wind Boy. They had the option of doing a picture and work that came along with the story. The children also had the opportunity to have a Zoom session with Ki Gaby for handwork, and our wonderful foreign language teachers each provided an opportunity to continue to practice songs and activities.  I apologize for Friday‘s lesson not being put up, as I had thought that it had gone through!

Moving forward, we will be listening to fairytales from around the world and drawing pictures from the stories, with the option to copy if they would like to. I will still continue to add in sight words as well. If you feel the words are too easy or too difficult at this time, please let me know and I will send separate sight words. If your child would still like to have some work, I will be more than happy to send work as well. 

I would like to thank everyone for continuing to do the best that you can at this time. If you need anything, please feel free to text me or email me. 

Thank you, 

Ki Aja 

First Grade: March 16 - 20

Hello first grade families!

I want to thank everyone for doing their best in following my lesson plans, and sending over pictures. We will continue to be in our language arts block for the following week up until spring break. 

This past week we finished our sh combination and started on th. The children heard me tell the story of The Red Piggies. They were also able to listen to the audios of our two class books: The House Above the Trees and Little House in the Big Woods. I was also able to provide the pictures for the daily lessons.

I will continue to post pictures, recordings, and the lessons daily. Please remember that I understand the difficulties that can come along with the current situation,  work, other children, and our daily lives. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know. 

Thank you,

Ki Aja

First Grade: March 9 - 13

Hello first grade families!

Last week we finished the letter E and we started the letters sh and the sound that it makes.

Moving forward we will be using Google Classroom. Each family will receive a link to Google Classroom and there you will be able to see the weekly assignments. 

I will do daily readings of our class book, stories for our letters, alliterations, instructions on how to present the letters and activities, sentences that will go with each story, and the picture. I will also be sending home math games that you and your child can play.  

On Friday, I will ask that you send in a picture of your child's main lesson book of what they have done for that week's lessons. 

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns throughout the week. 

Thank you, 

Ki Aja 

First Grade: March 2 - 6

Hello first grade families,

This past week we worked on the letters B and V. They were then introduced to the letter E which will be the last vowel for our class to go over. The students heard the story of the Boy and the Violin and The Enchanted Head. 

We were all able to get back into the rhythm of doing our language arts activities where we work independently as well as with friends. Each child was able to work independently and really focused on the work in front of them. Their ability to hold the crayon correctly, stand nice and tall, and follow the directions has come very far throughout the year. 

Next week we will continue with the letter E and start back with our letter stations. The children should continue to bring their sight words every Wednesday. I will be adding in more words as the end of the semester continues to progress. 

Reminder: 

If you are looking for volunteering hours we are looking for someone every Friday to pack up the kitchen from 2-3. If you have any questions feel free to email me. 

We are looking for parent volunteers for the Springtide. If you are interested in volunteering please keep an eye out for the sign up genius that will be on the Facebook page this upcoming week. 

Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the rainy weather. 

Thank you,

Ki Aja 

First Grade: February 24 - 28

Hello first grade families!

Last week was our final week of our math block. Everyday was filled with activities and review. Our class had fun participating in their stations and joining friends to count by 2, 3, 5 and 10's, going over our numbers 1-12 and Roman numerals, as well as reviewing groupings of tens and adding with Pixie Plus. This past week we also introduced Magnet Minus. 

Next week will conclude our language arts block for the year. We will continue to go over letters, combining letters and forming sounds to put those letters into words. They will also be copying sentences from the board and drawing pictures to reflect their writing.

We will be starting up our math games, continuing our clay class, as well as our weekly scheduled class for form drawing. 

As a reminder please make sure children are dressed appropriately for the weather. The mornings can be cold and as we are outside first thing in the morning, it is important they are dressed for cold weather. 

Thank you, 

Ki Aja

First Grade: Feb 10 - 14

Hello first grade families! 

First and foremost, I hope everyone gets well soon and that you are able to rejoin the class and friends after break!

We have been able to work on groupings of tens and ones while looking at the numbers that were <,> or =. We added numbers together by using gems/acorns and grouping them by tens and by ones. The students were then able to visualize the numbers and add them together.

The students are continuing to work on counting by 3's, 2's, 5,'s and 10's. They continue to progress through games and activities. Everyday, the children show improvement in their skills and enjoy showing their classmates how they are progressing. 

We will be ending our math block at the end of February and will be starting back up with our language arts block. The children bring home sight words every Wednesday for them to look over for the week. It is important that they bring them in every Wednesday so that everyone is able to practice different sight words. 

As a reminder please ensure that your child is bringing in the clothing that they need for the outdoors. The weather appears to be constantly changing and therefore it is a good idea that the students are prepared for the more harsh weather. 

Thank you, 

Ki Aja

First Grade: Feb 3 - 7

Hello first grade families!

Last week was an interesting one! Not only did we have almost every season in one week, we also dove further into our math block. The class split up into groups, where they formed large numbers using natural objects by grouping them in tens and by ones. 

The month of February is Black history month. We listened to stories about George Washington Carver and Harriet Tubman. Through these stories, we thoroughly enjoyed learning about these two figures in history who accomplished so many things.

The tea continues to be something we all enjoy! If your child would like to bring in their own tea so that we could try it for the week - you are welcome to! If not, I am happy to continue bringing in different types of tea for our class to enjoy together.

As a reminder please make sure that you sign up for the Parent-Teacher conferences this week.

Also, please remember that the weather does get cold. Please make sure your child has proper clothing that they need when we are outside. Please note also that a change of clothes should also be packed along with your child each day as well as a change of shoes.

Thank you,

Ki Aja

First Grade: January 27-31

Hello first grade families,

I want to thank you all for the birthday wishes. This past week we worked on grouping through our tens and ones columns. In their work, the children are given a number, and while either using gems or acorns, they count by tens to create the rounded number. Then they count out the number in the ones column. For example, the number 46 would have four groups of 10 gems and then a single group of 6 gems. 

As a reminder sight words are to be brought back every Wednesday so that we are able to switch them for the following week. If they do not bring them on Wednesday they will not be able to switch the older cards out with the new. 

Each child needs to have rain gear. We will go outside even if it is raining, and it is important that each child has the proper gear. Also, please remember to sign up for a parent conference time slot. I look forward to meeting with all of you next week!

Thank  you, 

Ki Aja

First Grade: January 21 - 24

Hello first grade families! 

This past week we started the class by walking through the journeys of Pixie Plus. We listened to how she overcame obstacles through the use of math and addied on to help others. On Wednesday and Thursday, the children brought their sight words back into class and switched them with the other students. You may choose to work on it at home with your child, or you may choose not to. That decision is up to you and your child. 

We have started a new tradition in the classroom that started the beginning of the new semester. Each week we are trying a new tea. A lot of the children have taken to this and enjoy drinking different types of tea. If you know of a certain type of tea your child likes I will be happy to get it so that we can share it with the class. 

As a reminder we will still be going outside, even if it is raining. Please ensure that your child has the following:

1. rain gear 

2. boots

3. change of clothes (including socks)

Thank you,

Ki Aja 

First Grade: January 13 - 17

Hello first grade families, and welcome back!

I am so excited as we have started our new math block. The children last week were able to review numbers 1 through 12 and use them in different equations. As we continue throughout this block, we will be discussing addition with a touch of subtraction. The children will hear math word problems with Pixie Plus, who will help guide them through the world of addition.

Last week we celebrated Linda's birthday. Both Linda and Eva Rose turned 7 over the winter break.

Thank you to those who have been packing the house shoes. If you can please make sure that all students have house shoes that they are bringing to school. Also, as a reminder we will go outside even if it is raining. It is very beneficial to the children if they have rain gear. Next week will be the start of a very cold week so please make sure your child is dressed for the weather as we will still be going outside.

Thank you,

Ki Aja

First Grade: December 16 - 19

Hello my first grade families,

This past week we finished our language arts block. We were able to do some reviews adding in new stations. The children enjoyed using the cards to sound out the letters and using their cards to do arm taps to spell out the words. Each child has progressed in such a beautiful way, and I am proud of each of them. 

We had our holiday party on Thursday and it went very well. The children enjoyed doing crafts with the parent volunteers and eating delicious food, and drinking hot chocolate. They listened to Christmas stories with siblings and truly had a great time. 

The class is not saying goodbye, but see you later, to two of our friends, Chris and Kennedy. I have been able to watch them grow and learn since their kindy days. They will truly be missed. 

I would like to wish you all happy holidays, a very merry New Year, and I will see you all second semester. 

With so much love,

Ki Aja

First Grade: December 9 - 13

Hello first grade families!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend! This past week we went over our first digraph CH and started our letter U. The children continue to work on sounding out the letters and forming them into words. The children have become better with counting backwards from 120 by 2 and from 200 by 10. 

This week we will be continuing to work on the letter U.

On Thursday is our holiday party. I would like to thank all of those who are doing a craft and those who are bringing in food.

As a reminder Thursday is a full day and it is also the last day of school for this semester.  There is no school on Friday.

Thank you all for a wonderful first semester,

Ki Aja

First Grade: December 2- 6

Hello first grade families!

This week the children heard the story of The Prince and the Three Fates, which is an Egyptian fairytale. With this story, we worked with the letter P. We continue review along with our blending board, sounding out sounds, and some of the children continue to put those sounds together to make words.

In our morning circle, we are continuing to count up to 120 by 2 and then counting backwards, as well as up to 200 by 10 and counting backwards. We have reached 106 tally marks for our thumbprint tree and the children have been counting by 5's in order to determine how many we have. We will be adding in some new songs, verses, and saying goodbye to ones that are no longer in season.

Our Advent Spiral was a wonderful experience for our entire class. I would like to thank everyone for ensuring their child had an apple for the Advent spiral. As some of you saw, it was a beautiful moment where the children were able to focus on lighting the candle and placing it on a star. Each child did such a wonderful job, and handled each apple with care.

Thank you,

Ki Aja

First Grade: November 18 - 22

Hello First Grade Families! 

I lift my arms to the clear blue sky,

I stretch them wide and I stretch them high.

Firmly on the earth I stand,

To my neighbor I give my hand.

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving break. This past week we worked on our letters, and did a lot of review. They are taking such strides in sounding out the letters and then forming the letters into words. 

The children will be participating in the advent circle, just as we did last year. We are asking that each child bring their own apple. I will do a reminder email a day prior, as well as for next Monday’s Messenger. Enjoy your turkey! 

Thank you,

Ki Aja 



First Grade: November 11 - 15

Hello First Grade Families!

I lift my arms to the clear blue sky,

I stretch them wide and I stretch them high.

Firmly on the earth I stand,

To my neighbor I give my hand.

“What’s New in First Grade”

• Current Block: We are still in our language arts block, which will continue over into December.

• Letters: This week we will be going over the letters n, k and p.

• Math: We will continue with our math games, as well as continue practicing counting backwards

from 200 by 10’s and 120 by 2’s.

• Story: I will be telling the North American fairy tale Never Kick your Slipper to the Moon, and

an Egyptian fairytale, The Prince and the Three Fates.

Dates to remember:

This Friday at 11:45 is our Thanksgiving Luncheon!! Pack a picnic lunch and a blanket and join your child for lunch on the playground.

We are keeping it simple this year, and asking parents to sign up below to bring a dessert, drink or paper goods to share. Each class will be sharing a song or poem during the picnic. We hope to see you there!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054AA9A72FA1FD0-thanksgiving

Please also keep in mind it is early dismissal as we start our Thanksgiving break.

November 25th through the 29th no school for Thanksgiving break.

Reminders:

If your child will not be in school please make sure you are sending myself or hello@thegardenmarietta.org an email.

Thank you,

Ki Aja