First Grade: August 18-22, 2025
Dear First Grade Families,
Now that the class is two weeks into the school year, they are settling into a strong routine. Mastering those transitions from home to school, from class to lunch, from class to class, and then back home again is an important part of First Grade. To assist students with managing their belongings, they have been provided with visuals that break tasks into steps for a few of their key transitions during the school day. In addition to gaining a sense of empowerment by going through each step without verbal teacher reminders, students have benefited from this method of planning ahead for smoother transitions. By using this tool, the children are developing their executive functioning skills and learning the value of planning ahead! Many thanks to Renee for her assistance with the production of the visuals!
Each school day, students experience a healthy rhythm of in-breaths, which involve focused learning, balanced with out-breaths in the form of more expansive activities. The day begins with a movement activity where the children learn new skills, socialize, and transition from home to school. The current morning movement activity is skipping rope. Additional out-breath activities throughout the day so far have included play dough and beeswax modeling, free drawing, and playing in the forest and on the playground. During focused learning, students have learned a folk dance called “Old Brass Wagon,” practiced partner handclapping to “Miss Mary Mack,” deepened their knowledge of the alphabet sequence, learned about the letters “M” and “V,” developed their block crayon drawing skills, and enjoyed a picture book about a blue-tailed skink (and subsequently seeking said creature outside!). Some of these activities take a good deal of energy, so learners benefit from relaxing moments with books, modeling, etc. Even the focused activities, such as making a pom-pom in Handwork, can be restful and meditative. The old adage about laughter being the best medicine is exemplified when tired First Graders find their belly laughs while listening to the antics of Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad. Lots more to come!
Announcements & Reminders:
September 1: Labor Day (No School)
September 2: Early Childhood Curriculum Night, 6:00-7:00 pm (adults only, please)
September 3: Grades Curriculum Night, 6:00-7:00 pm (adults only, please)
September 13: Community Work Day
Warmly,
Ki Michelle
