Fall is Here!

Our hallway is beginning to look more and more autumnal as we learn about the changes this season brings in the world around us. We have three scarecrows guarding the cornfields we made, and pumpkins are beginning to pop up alongside them. In the classroom, we colored trees with autumn leaves. All of these projects contributed to the fine motor development and creativity of our students--they used the muscles in their hands to crumple newspaper to stuff our scarecrows, used single-finger control to add kernals to our corncobs, and squeezed eye-droppers to create colorful leaves on the trees.

Addressing some concerns...

I realize that some of you may be concerned by the worksheets we do in class--please, have no fear! These worksheets are advanced for some students, but our class has a wide range of ages and developmental stages within it. The tracing, drawing, and following lines will be difficult, but my hope is that as our year progresses, so will your child's abilities to control coloring, tracing, drawing, connecting the dots, and the many other tasks we call them to. They won't be perfect, but that's not what the worksheets are about; it is merely more practice with those fine motor skills that will make later writing skills come more naturally.

I also wanted to address our "reward system." Initially, we encouraged students to "make good choices" and had them move from happy to sad face as poor choices (not sharing, not listening to teachers, etc.) were made. Students had the opportunity to move back to a happy face if they made good choices. At the end of the day, the student received a sticker. After filling their sheet (five stickers), they received a "treat" from our treasure box. Not receiving a treat does NOT make them a "bad kid"--I love and am hugely thankful for each and every one of your kids! Some days are harder than others, and it takes more time for some students to adapt to a school environment, especially at this young age.

In light of this, I am scrapping the reward system. We will still encourage "good choices" and have the student move between happy and sad faces, but will make a greater effort to move frequently throughout the day. "(Child), how should we play with our friends? Are you making a good choice by taking that toy away? That choice made me sad. Let's move your name." A few minutes later, the same child may have this interaction: "I noticed how nicely you are sitting and listening to your teacher. You're making a good choice! Will you please put your name on the happy face because you are making your teachers and friends happy?" This will reinforce positive behavior and help children more clearly distinguish between the choices they make. At the end of the day, as a class we will look at the happy face and celebrate when all the names are on it. If not, we will encourage having ALL smiles the next time. For a happy face, a high five or sticker may be given, but no overall treat to work towards. The kids are having a difficult time grasping the old system because their time concept is limited. This new approach will encourage every student on a daily basis without incentive, other than making good choices.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this or anything else! I encourage interaction with each family because I know that my role in your child's life is limited. Be encouraged as parents! I'm blessed with a great group of kids to teach and love every day, even when I don't get to see them.

God bless,

Mrs. Marisha