Classroom Information
Responsive ClassroomIn 1st grade, along with the entire Lower School, we base our classroom management system on the Responsive Classroom approach. The approach of the Responsive Classroom integrates teaching, learning, and caring into the daily program. These components are set in the content of commonly shared values, such as honesty, fairness and respect. They are implemented through the development and strengthening social skills, such as cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self control.
Each student plays a role in the classroom by holding a classroom job. This encourages students to take ownership over their classroom. Our goal is that each child will be responsible for his or her own learning and behavior. We accomplish this by first sharing our Hopes and Dreams. The discussion then moves into how the classroom environment needs to be in order to achieve our Hopes and Dreams. Through positive reinforcement, modeling and daily practice we encourage the students to learn and to behave in a caring and responsible manner. When a student does not follow the rules, a logical consequence is applied. More information about the Responsive Classroom approach can be found at responsiveclassroom.org |
HomeworkDear 1st Graders,
Homework is a great way to practice and reinforce what you are learning at school. Each week, you will receive a packet in your special Homework Folder. It will be due back the following Monday. Some of the homework is required, while some of it is optional. I will let you and your parents know when you will start receiving homework. The most important part of your weekly homework is to READ! You can read your books alone, but sometimes reading with others is fun too. You can read with a parent, older sibling, or even your pet. Read, read, read! It is important that you bring your book baggie to and from school each day. You will also use them in class each day so try hard not to forget it. Love, Ms. Swentzel |