Two Weeks of Virtual Learning

 We have finished our second week of virtual learning.  I have learned a lot over these past two weeks about technology and the best way for student's to access everything that they need to to make our learning in first grade successful.  I appreciate your patience and grace as we navigate this new world a virtual learning together!

Seesaw

Everyone now has Seesaw!  I am so excited about this!!  Friday was the first day that I was able to give out assignments and all students have the capabilities to be able to turn in their assignment to me.  Please let me know if your child is having difficulty getting into Seesaw.  Here is the Digital Technology Flyer that has login information.

Library Checkout

Schools are working on developing a system so that students can have library checkout.  Rock Bridge's Library Checkout is up and running and Midway's Library Checkout will be ready in a couple of weeks.  I will be sharing all the information as I get it.

Rock Bridge Elementary Library Checkout

• Reading Interest Inventory
• Video on the Library Checkout Process

Free Tutoring

A Way With Words and Numbers is a tutoring program that is run by graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Missouri.  Graduate students work within the College of Education to provide assistance to students in the areas of reading and math.  If this is an opportunity that you would like for me to set up for your child - please let me know!  You can find out more information about this program on their website.

Our Learning

Fundations

• During the first three weeks of Fundations, we are focusing on being able to identify (including the sound) and write all the lower case letters correctly.  When writing the the letters, I am really focusing on making sure the letters are formed correctly.  Letter reversals are still considered developmentally appropriate, but when a student forms a letter incorrectly (or backwards) it is still important to bring attention to their mistake so that it can be fixed.

Reading/Writing/Social Studies

• Our essential questions during literacy will be: What is a family?  What are my family's needs and wants?  How does my family get our needs and wants?  We will be reading The Family Book, and A Chair for my Mother.  
• Reading: We will be discussing comprehension questions, making text-to-self connections, and retelling the stories.  
• Writing: We will be writing a book about our family.
• Social Studies: We will also be discussing needs versus wants.

Math

• Our essential questions during math will be: What are the numbers 0-30 composed of?  How can I use patterns with numbers (skip counting) to help me add?  We will be practicing skip counting by 10's and utilizing different strategies to solve math problems.

Science

• Our essential questions during science will be: What are habitats? Are there different types of animal habitats around the world?  What animals live in my local habitat?  We will be learning about animals, their habitats, and what animals need to survive.  We will be discussing different habitats: desert, forest, grasslands, arctic, ocean, rainforest, and wetlands.

Trailblazer Time

Next week, during Trailblazer Time I will continue to be working with students one-on-one, and will be focusing on math assessments.  Your child's time will not change over the next couple of weeks until I have established small groups for reading and math (which will be done by early October).  If your child's time does not work, please let me know!

Have a wonderful weekend & please let me know if you have any questions or need anything!

Ms. Mottaz

First Week Was a Success!!

 It has been such a wonderful experience to get back "into" the classroom and begin establishing our classroom routines!  I have loved the opportunity to get to know each student a little bit over this week and look forward to learning and growing with them this year!

This week:

• We worked on getting into the routine of being back into school and what virtual learning will look like.  We established our Zoom Discussion Expectations and we have been practicing them this week.
• During morning meeting, we are learning about the calendar (days of the week, month of the year).  We also have a number of the day that we are working with daily to help with number fluency, money, one more and one less, etc.
• During reading, we have started learning a "First Grade Chant."  We have also been reading different books and making text-to-self connections with the books.  Today, we worked on our growth mindset and learned about the power of yet.  So instead of saying, "I can't" do something, we changed it to "I can't ____ YET!"  Ask your kiddo what goal they set for themselves.
• During math, we have been working on number fluency within 10.  The students discovered that when the addends in an addition number sentence are flipped around the sum stays the same.  We also started talking about telling time - this will be a skill we will continue to work on throughout the school year.  Math discussions is a really important way for students to learn and grow in math and this will be a strategy that we will focus on this year.  Check out Twitter for some of the examples of the Math Talks we had this week - you will be impressed!!

Next week:

• During reading, we will be starting Fundations and Heggerty, both of these programs will help your child grow in their phonemic awareness and phonics skills.  If you have not already had a chance to cut out and get your child's Fundations packet ready to go - this will be important to have ready for Monday.  Here is the video so you know how to set up these materials.
• During math, we are continued to grow as mathematicians working with addition and subtraction within 10.  We continue to have Math Talks to work on strengthening our math understanding.
• During science, we will start with thinking about what a scientist is and how we can be scientist every day!
• During Trailblazer Time
• I will be working with students 1-on-1 to see where they are as a reader and mathematician.  I sent a schedule for these times in Friday's email.  Please check this schedule and help your child set his/her alarm on their device so that they will be at their time.  These times are super important for planning my instruction to best help your child grow and learn during 1st grade!
• On Wednesdays, during the Trailblazer Time, I scheduled small groups for socialization and getting to know each other.  During these group times, we will playing games, working on social skills.
• My plan is keep these same times for the next few weeks, until all my assessments are complete and I have an opportunity to establish small academic groups for reading and math.  Please let me know if the assigned time does not work for your family & will can reschedule.  

I really appreciate your support and if you ever need anything from me - please let me know!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Ms. Mottaz

Yay! It's a New School Year!! :)

I am so excited for our new school year together in first grade!  We are Trailblazers this year!  As we begin our trailblazing year together, we will be learning together.  This is life of virtual online learning is new your family and for me as a teacher.  We are in this together and I will strive to make this your child's first grade year the BEST that it can be!  

This is what I do know that I will tell you what I do know:

• Your child will be loved and welcomed EVERY day!
• Your child will be respected.
• Your child will be cared for and taken care of.
• I will be honest and respectful.
• Mistakes will happen - that's how learning happens!
• Our classroom will be full of problem solvers and risk-takers.
• Our classroom will be full of questions, discussions, and discovering answers.
• There will be play and there will be work.
• There will be reading, writing, math, social studies and science.
• Your child will have lots of opportunities for engagement and learning.
• There will be growth this year!
• Your child will have a wonderful 1st grade year!

Due to the unprecedented circumstances, we are not able to have our regular Meet the Teacher Night.  So, I am using this blog page as a one stop shop to share information electronically.

Things to MUST do:

• Please complete Parent and Student Information Form so I can get to know your family and child a little bit better.
• Make sure that you have the apps needed on your child's iPad.  Here is the Digital Learning Family Handout that came home with your child at pickup.

Things that will HELPFUL to you:

• Here is our Bitmoji Meet the Teacher Night Classroom - this is great place for you and your child to explore together to learn about me, what we will be doing this year and other important information!
• Bookmark our classroom blog page so that you can easily access it!
• If you are on Twitter follow me at @MottazCPSMizzou.

I cannot wait to spend this year with you and your family!  Please let me know if you EVER have any questions or concerns!  I am only an email or a call away.

💓 Ms. Mottaz