Class Disclosure

Mrs. Denson’s First Grade Class

Phone: 801-402-3550

Website: www.davis.k12.ut.us Links to an external site. - Faculty & Staff – Canvas Website

Welcome to your child’s second grade year at Windridge! I look forward to watching your child learn and grow as they explore their world. There are many exciting changes in education, and I feel privileged to be a part of the wonderful world of teaching.

My Philosophy - I love to watch children learn and to see their eyes light up when they learn or accomplish something new. I know your child is so precious to you and I will do everything I can to make every day in my classroom a positive learning environment for your child. I want my students to have a growth mindset in that mistakes are ok, and learning is more than just getting the right answer. I want them to learn and explore until they can’t help but be excited about our subject matter, so they will become lifelong learners. I also want our classroom to be a place where students know they are important, and everyone feels safe and looks out for one another. Please provide a good breakfast, plenty of rest and a positive attitude about school so their focus can be on learning instead of those basic needs.

Classroom Rules

We are kind and help everyone
We make choices that keep us safe
We do our personal best.

Classroom Management - If there is a problem in our classroom, I will take a student aside and kindly talk to them to see if I can get to the bottom of what is going on. Many times, this will be all it takes. I believe in providing lots of positive praise for students that are making great choices and letting their good example be an incentive for good behavior. I will set up specific guidelines, so the students are clear about what to expect from me and what I expect from them. I will help the students understand that there are natural consequences to their choices, but that they are always loved. I will give each student money for positive behavior. If I catch them doing great things or if they are on task right as the bell rings, I will give them coins. If they are doing something they shouldn’t, they will lose some of their coins. They can always earn their coins back if the behavior improves. At the end of the week, they will get to choose from the store. If the problem continues or is bigger than just a nice talk, I will call you and let you know what took place, not with the idea that you punish the student, but that you can discuss and reinforce the lesson that needed to be learned.

Curriculum:

Reading – Facts show that students who read 15-20 minutes a day to better in school. I will send home a newsletter and reading log and each week. Please fill out and return it on Monday. Talk about what you are reading, the characters, what the story was about. Try to keep reading time a positive, happy time. Enjoy reading together – this time passes by way too quickly!

Writing - We will incorporate science, social studies and health into our writing. The goal is that students will write with a main topic, three supporting sentences and a conclusion and with correct punctuation. We will write expository, narrative and opinion pieces throughout the year.

What I need help with:

Attendance – Your child’s prompt, regular attendance at school each day is very important. We start right as the first bell rings. If your child is absent, the work that they missed will be in their cubbie. Feel free to send a sibling to pick up the work at the end of the day, or you can stop by and grab it. Make up work will be provided after the absence, not before.

Drop Off/Pick Up – If your child arrives after 8:50 am they will need to check in at the office before they come to class. If you need to check out your child, please do that through the office. For safety reasons the office needs to call them down for them to be able to check out.

Backpack – make sure your student has their backpack every day and CHECK IT. There will be important notes and communication in there and maybe sometimes a birthday treat you can sneak before they see you. They will have a Take Home Folder for important notes or papers from the day.

Lunch Money – Payments can be made online at myDSD, www.davis.k12.ut.us.

Clothing – All clothing should be clearly labeled. Your child will need gym shoes on our PE day (Wednesday). Please help your child dress for the weather, including footwear. We go out to recess everyday unless the temperature is below 32 degrees, or it is raining. When you purchase shoes that tie, please teach your child how to tie. Thank you! You will save me a bunch of time each day (think 20 students x 2 feet=# of shoelaces to tie!)

Birthdays – Birthdays are very important in a child’s life. Your child may share a treat with the children on his/her special day. Please send individual items (these cannot be homemade, awww, this is a district health policy) that your child can pass out at a good time in our schedule. If your child has a summer birthday, we can celebrate at the beginning of the year or at the end of the year.

Star Student of the Week - Each student will have a week to be the star of the week. Please help them fill out the paper I will send home with them. It has questions about them. I want them to color it and make it like they want. Please send the paper back as soon as it is finished. No treats for V.I.P. week. We will just do this as a class on Friday to get to know each student a little better.

Homework – I will send a reading log and class newsletter each Monday. Homework is reading, spelling words and any work not completed at school. Anything else that you would like to do with your student for extra practice is up to you. They can use I-ready at home (math) and also McGraw Hill (reading). I will keep you up to date through the newsletter as to what items we are currently working on.

Safety – If your child walks to school, he/she should have a “buddy” to walk with. Talk to them about the buddy system and the importance of coming straight home from school before going to play at a friend’s house. If your child doesn’t arrive home at a reasonable time, please call the school immediately so we can help locate him/her.

Parents at School – We love parents to volunteer at our school, however, we want to provide the safest environment possible for our students. Everyone in the building always needs a badge. Please check into the office with your ID – it can be on your phone, but tickets for programs need to be a hard copy.

What Parents Can Do at Home To Help

Read interactively with your child every day!

Go over work that comes home. Establish a routine when homework should be done. Reinforce good writing; best work, good habits, etc.
Talk with your child about everything going on in their world.
Allow your child to be responsible for chores, belongings and actions encouraging responsibility.
Expect your child to obey you...encourage respect.
Allow your child to do as much for him/herself as possible encouraging resourcefulness.

I am looking forward to a great year! Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions. Learning happens best when there is a partnership between student, home and school. Please come talk to me first if there is a problem so we can both be aware of what is going on. If we all work together it will be a great year! Your support is greatly appreciated! My email address is jdenson@dsdmail.net. My website is at www.davis.k12.ut.us, under faculty and staff, find my name and click on “Canvas Website.”

Mrs. Denson