Mrs. stam's handbook
Please take the time to look this page over. This should answer some often asked questions that come up throughout the year.
TOP APPLES! (Discipline plan)
Although I’m sure there won’t be ANY problems, there is a system in place to help students remember to be respectful and responsible.
If you've had a student in my room over the past few years, you are familiar with how we moved our colored cards as part of our behavior incentive chart.
This year, I guess you can say that I am "branching" out from the cards and using a new apple system!
There will be three apples on our closet door--a large happy green apple, a smaller glum yellow apple, and a small very sad red apple. Each student will have a little worm with his/her name on it. All worms will begin each day on the happy green apple. Hopefully, they stay there all day! However, if students aren't quite a "happy apple" any more, worms start moving down! Here is a little more detailed explanation!
ON GREEN APPLE: Bravo! Thanks for giving your best today! You are a TOP APPLE!
FALLING OFF GREEN APPLE: WARNING! Next time will be recess minutes!
ON YELLOW APPLE: Bummer! Lose five minutes of recess.
FALLING OFF YELLOW APPLE: Mrs. Stam decides appropriate consequence.
ON RED APPLE: OH NO! Time to let parents and/or Mr. Alons know!
Recess minutes can be spent several ways…head down, visit with Mrs. Stam., writing lines, time on the wall outside, or perimeter walks.
It is my hope that we never have to end up on the red apple! It is important, though, that students understand that there are consequences for not-so-good choices.
Hopefully this is a fun incentive and reminder for students to make good choices in first grade this year!
If you've had a student in my room over the past few years, you are familiar with how we moved our colored cards as part of our behavior incentive chart.
This year, I guess you can say that I am "branching" out from the cards and using a new apple system!
There will be three apples on our closet door--a large happy green apple, a smaller glum yellow apple, and a small very sad red apple. Each student will have a little worm with his/her name on it. All worms will begin each day on the happy green apple. Hopefully, they stay there all day! However, if students aren't quite a "happy apple" any more, worms start moving down! Here is a little more detailed explanation!
ON GREEN APPLE: Bravo! Thanks for giving your best today! You are a TOP APPLE!
FALLING OFF GREEN APPLE: WARNING! Next time will be recess minutes!
ON YELLOW APPLE: Bummer! Lose five minutes of recess.
FALLING OFF YELLOW APPLE: Mrs. Stam decides appropriate consequence.
ON RED APPLE: OH NO! Time to let parents and/or Mr. Alons know!
Recess minutes can be spent several ways…head down, visit with Mrs. Stam., writing lines, time on the wall outside, or perimeter walks.
It is my hope that we never have to end up on the red apple! It is important, though, that students understand that there are consequences for not-so-good choices.
Hopefully this is a fun incentive and reminder for students to make good choices in first grade this year!
the "r" rules
There are really only two rules in our classroom. They are:
RESPECT
RESPONSIBILITY
Most everything falls under one of these two categories.
I ask that students be RESPECTFUL of others (teachers and students), things (their own belongings and those of others or the school), and themselves.
I ask that students be RESPONSIBLE in their actions—on the playground, in the hallway, in the classroom, on the bus, and even at home. Getting work done on time, keeping track of their things, following directions are all ways students can be responsible. Hopefully these two simple “R” words will be good reminders for the kids as they strive to serve God by doing the job He has put before them—to be students.
RESPECT
RESPONSIBILITY
Most everything falls under one of these two categories.
I ask that students be RESPECTFUL of others (teachers and students), things (their own belongings and those of others or the school), and themselves.
I ask that students be RESPONSIBLE in their actions—on the playground, in the hallway, in the classroom, on the bus, and even at home. Getting work done on time, keeping track of their things, following directions are all ways students can be responsible. Hopefully these two simple “R” words will be good reminders for the kids as they strive to serve God by doing the job He has put before them—to be students.
Spelling words
The spelling curriculum that we use accompanies our Vowac series. Students will not begin the spelling curriculum until the 11th week of school.
I have posted all our spelling lists on Spellingcity.com To access my lists, select "Search Teacher" and type my name. Once on the site, students will be able to practice that week's spelling words in games and other activities!
I have posted all our spelling lists on Spellingcity.com To access my lists, select "Search Teacher" and type my name. Once on the site, students will be able to practice that week's spelling words in games and other activities!
weekly reading logs
Reading at any age is important, but it is absolutely necessary in first grade. In order for students to continue to use the skills they are learning each day, they must practice.
To help encourage making reading a daily habit, I will send home a weekly reading log each Friday. You will be able to keep track of how many minutes your first grader reads each day.
I ask that students read 75 minutes per week…that’s about ten minutes per day! Your student should return his/her completed reading logs each Friday. Start now to make reading a fun part of your daily routine!
To help encourage making reading a daily habit, I will send home a weekly reading log each Friday. You will be able to keep track of how many minutes your first grader reads each day.
I ask that students read 75 minutes per week…that’s about ten minutes per day! Your student should return his/her completed reading logs each Friday. Start now to make reading a fun part of your daily routine!
MEMORY VERSE
Typically, students will be given a new memory verse each week. There will be some occasions, however, where students will have several weeks to learn a passage.
Memory verses will be sent home on the Friday newsletter, and will be said to Mrs. Stam the following Thursday. Learning the reference is important as well! If a student earns an “excellent” grade, he/she will get a sticker.
I encourage both parents and students to think of memory work not just as homework, or another assignment to complete, but rather the opportunity to hide God’s Word in their hearts. I have found that still today, I am able to recall the verses I learned with my first and second grade teacher. I consider it to be a privilege and blessing!
Memory verses will be sent home on the Friday newsletter, and will be said to Mrs. Stam the following Thursday. Learning the reference is important as well! If a student earns an “excellent” grade, he/she will get a sticker.
I encourage both parents and students to think of memory work not just as homework, or another assignment to complete, but rather the opportunity to hide God’s Word in their hearts. I have found that still today, I am able to recall the verses I learned with my first and second grade teacher. I consider it to be a privilege and blessing!
M&M
Each week, a student will be featured on our M&M board. M&M stands for “Magnificent and Marvelous.” This is our way of sharing our magnificent and marvelous blessings with each other in first grade.
Please watch the website to see if your student is the M&M for the coming week. If so, you are welcome to send along up to 9 photos to school of some of the blessings in your student’s life! In turn, we as a class will also remind the M&M of the blessing that he/she is to our class!
Please watch the website to see if your student is the M&M for the coming week. If so, you are welcome to send along up to 9 photos to school of some of the blessings in your student’s life! In turn, we as a class will also remind the M&M of the blessing that he/she is to our class!
Take home folders
Each day, your student will bring home a take home folder. In it will be corrected papers, reading logs, Crusader Chronicles, and other important info. Please do take the time to empty it each night. This is also a great way to send notes/papers to me. I try to check folders each day. It is most helpful if your student’s folder is returned each morning.
supplies
In order to help your student learn the importance of responsibility, there will be few “community” supplies. Students will keep the necessary pencils, glue stick, etc. in their desks. The extras will be stored in a cubby. When it’s time to replace a glue stick, pencil, marker etc., I will get one from his/her storage cubby. If he/she runs out of a certain supply during the year, I will send home a note letting you know that it’s time to “re-order”! J
Bus or no bus
In order to make sure that students get home the right way each night, please do send a note along if there is a change in the usual plan (“bus kid” is being picked up or “not-bus-kid” is riding the bus).
Boots and old shoes
I ask that students have either a pair of old shoes or boots at school. They may just stay at school. This way, no missed recess!
Restroom policy
Students are encouraged to use the restroom at recesses; however, sometimes the need comes up at other times. Students may write their initials on the board and go. I just ask that they make up three minutes of work time at one of the following recesses. However, this is subject to the individual needs of each student! If there is a special situation I need to know about, PLEASE don't hesitate to give me a heads up--I would certainly appreciate it!
birthdays
The day we all (at least in first grade!) look forward to—our birthday! Here’s how we usually do the “birthday thing” in our room.
Students are welcome, but certainly not required, to bring in a treat to share. I do not have a set time in the day to do this, and I try to be flexible. Students may bring their treats to school in the morning or you may drop them off during the day. We will pass them out when it fits in our schedule!
Students are welcome, but certainly not required, to bring in a treat to share. I do not have a set time in the day to do this, and I try to be flexible. Students may bring their treats to school in the morning or you may drop them off during the day. We will pass them out when it fits in our schedule!
Snacks
I am aware that many children like to bring a snack for the morning or afternoon recess. No problem (Mrs. Stam enjoys one too!). I do ask, though, that students do not bring big bags of yummies (particularly candy!). One treat per recess works great! Also, since we get such fabulous lunches here, I also do not typically allow students a snack at the noon recess. Hopefully their tummies have gotten full from the meal!