WELCOME TO

Aug u st 15, 2011

FIRST GRADE!

Vol u me 1, Issue 1

Ms. Madorskys Classroom Newsletter

Welcome to First Grade
Dear Families, My name is Ms. Madorsky and I am so excited to be your childs first grade teacher! This is my first year as a teacher and I am thrilled to be teaching first grade, it is the grade I always hoped I would teach. I am a graduate from the University of Illinois and all my experience is with first through fourth grade, so I know a lot about what first grade entails. I want to make it known that my top priorities is your childs education along with their safety in and around the school. I am 100 percent dedicated to giving your child the best education possible. I know how important first grade is and I want everyone to be successful! I look forward to getting to know your child and your families as well. Lets work together to ensure academic success along with a fun year! Sincerely, Ms. Madorsky

Save the Date

August 30, 2011: Open House I would love to meet and talk with everyone! September 15, 2011: Ice Cream Social I will have ice cream and other goodies along with your childs work up to this point on display. October 27/28, 2011: Parent Teacher Conferences First quarter is over and I would love to talk with everyone about their childs progress up to this point. This is also a great time to talk to me about any concerns you may have or ask any questions you may have.

Developing Community
Part of your child feeling safe at school is feeling comfortable in their classroom. It is very important to me that every student feels welcome and comfortable in this classroom. Therefore, I am dedicated to creating a strong sense of community amongst my students. I want my students to know that we are all working together and no one is alone when they are in my classroom. In order to establish this, I believe students need to work together on assignments, projects and on solving any conflicts that may arise. I of course will always be present to help if and when it is needed, but I believe is important for young students especially to learn to work together in order to be able to do it when they are older.

Ms. Madorskys Classroom Newsletter Page 2

Classroom Management
It is my firm belief that students need encouragement and praise whenever possible. To keep my students motivated I do a lot of positive reinforcement and reward good behavior often. My hope is that students who are not doing what they should be see the rewards and hear the praise that other students receive will cause them to reevaluate what they are doing and change their behavior. However, bad behavior cannot continue unnoticed so if and when necessary students will have consequences.

Student Expectations
I expect all my students to always do their best. I expect them to do their own work and if they do not understand something to ask for help. I expect my students to follow all the classroom rules as well as the school rules. Students should come to school prepared and ready learn. I also expect my students to have fun, I want their experience in first grade to be the best experience possible!

Homework Policy
Students will have nightly homework; only a worksheet or two. There are two reasons for sending home nightly homework: One reason is because students in the first grade will be learning fundamental information that will be vital to all learning after this. Students need to practice the new skills they learn in order to really understand what to do and why to do it. In addition, I believe the families of my students should know what their children are doing in my classroom. On Mondays students will receive their spelling words for the week and there will be an assignment sent home on Mondays as well. Spelling tests will be on Fridays so the assignment is not due until Friday. Families are encouraged to practice spelling words with their children. Every other night students will have a worksheet that relates to the math lesson that day and that is always due the next morning.

Card System
I use a green, yellow and red card system in my classroom to try and keep students on task and behave in a desirable way. If a student does not pull a card they will be on green all day. Green means good behavior. If the student does something after receiving a few warnings to stop they will be on yellow; there is a consequence depending on the severity of the behavior. They simply may not receive a green card treat or they may have to miss recess. If bad behavior persists the child will be on red which could be a visit to the principals office or a call home.

Contacting Me
I want the parents and families of my students to feel free to contact me any time. I believe that the students can only be successful with support from families as well as myself. Therefore, it is important that we form a relationship where we can communicate freely with each other. I want to establish an open door policy; parents are welcome in my classroom any time. If you ever need to talk with me about any concerns or questions you have my phone number is 224-406-0488 and my emails is madorsk1@g.illinois.edu Lets make it a great year!

Classroom Rules
1. Raise your hand to speak 2. Treat others the way you want to
be treated

3. Do your own work 4. Keep hands, feet and objects to

yourself

5. Follow directions 6. Line up quietly and quickly