Welcome. I know it’s as much of a transition for the parents as for the students when they move from kindergarten at Orchard School to first grade. Please know that even though there may be more teachers, we all care about them and for them and discuss their welfare.

The first graders are beginning to settle into their new routines; they mostly know which class and teacher they have next, and are adjusting to more responsibility and independence. In math class they have weekly assigned jobs which include math skills such as graphing and counting, as well as jobs that help our classrooms to run smoothly. We have a weekly sharing circle for sharing compliments and appreciations and as a container for discussing and problem solving situations that may arise.

For curriculum, we have been following the Everyday Math curriculum thus far and students have been remembering how to use tally marks and playing games which involve money, tally marks, numbers, and place value. Students have played Top It (card game of War), the Penny Dice Game, Dice Roll and Tally, Rock Paper Scissors Tally, Bunny Hop (using number lines) in partnerships. As a group, we play the game of Monster Squeeze to practice place value and familiarity with number lines.

They are enthusiastic and active and I am enjoying all of us getting to know each other. They seem to truly care for each other and have been welcoming to Penny, as the newest member of their class. At home, I would love for families to encourage proper pencil grip and the writing of numbers and letter from sky to earth, practice using tally marks, play card games, and incorporate math into family life.

As I write this in the math cabin, a covey of quail wander past the back of the open math cabin door and it reminds me of the frog we saw in the sink outside. How lucky we are to learn in this beautiful, natural environment!