lWelcome to first grade. First grade is a very exciting year. It is a year filled with growth in many different areas.  Mrs. Messina, the other first grade teacher, and I work together to provide the students with many fun and challenging learning opportunities.  We focus on math, reading, language, and writing skills through many different learning approaches.  We create “big books,” which reflect our learning and growth.  It is exciting to see how the books develop and the detail is added.  Just watching the change in spelling is very exciting.  We also address areas in science and social studies with weekly and monthly themes.  We enjoy going to our specialists on a regular basis, gym, computer, art, music, and library.  Throughout the year many changes occur.  We culminate the year by opening the time capsule we made the first week in first grade.  Wow, the changes that have occured throughout the year are unbelievable, you should see the students faces when they see how much they have grown in one school year.  Teaching first grade is a very rewarding job, I hope the students find it as fullfilling as I do. Welcome to Lanesborough School and to first grade.

We expect each day to be a positive learning experience in first grade.  We do, however, have some behavior expectations that must be met in order to establish a postive first grade classroom environment .  We establish a list, add to the list, and frequently review the three R’s , which are classroom expectations.  The three R’s include…..RESPECT….RESPONSIBILITY…and READINESS.

FIRST GRADE HOMEWORK PACKET

On Mondays a list of reading words  goes home.  These words should be cut apart and used  as reading practice each week.  Please add the new words  to the words that have previously gone home.  Please continue to practice reading the entire stack of words.  READ….READ…READ…

Also, a list of spelling words goes home each Monday.  Please complete the spelling worksheet, cut off the list of words to practice throughout the week, and return the worksheet by the due date on Thursday.  Friday is our spelling test.

Lastly, a two-sided math worksheet is also part of the Monday homework packet.  Please complete and turn in by the Thursday due date.

Thank you for your support with homework, reinforcement at home plays an important part in student success.  Also,  I hope this helps to keep you informed of what we are currently working on in first grade.

Welcome to Mrs. Messina’s grade one website.  I began teaching first grade here at Lanesborough school in 2001. I grew up in Lanesborough and attended Lanesborough Elementary School. I am so happy and proud to be a teacher here now and look forward to working with your child in first grade.

First grade is a big transition from kindergarten.  Students have their own desks and lockers! We have a very structured routine as our days are filled with new and challenging learning activities. We begin our year by preparing items for a time capsule.  During the first week of school both first grade classes put their items into the capsule to be sealed up until June! It is so exciting to open up the capsule in June after 180 days of being a first grader!  It’s really a joy to witness the growth, success, and accomplishments that first graders make by the end of the year.