Parent participation is an integral part of a young child’s school experience. I encourage you to spend time discussing your child’s class work with him/her. It is important to be aware of the skills your child needs to be successful in school. A parent and a teacher are a dynamic team, each encouraging and supporting our children through this tremendous growth year.

First graders need to be exposed to print as often as possible. Regular reading practice will help develop important skills such as phonemic awareness and comprehension of content. Building a sight word vocabulary will help your child become a more fluent reader. The more your child reads for pleasure, the more comfortable he/she will be when reading is required for class work. My reading program incorporates large group, small group and individualized activities. Children are taught at their reading level and always encouraged to “reach as far as they can” while remaining comfortable with the material.

Becoming an independent worker who is accountable for his/her own work is of utmost importance in my classroom. Being responsible for one’s own time and work management builds confidence and maturity. The shy little person who clung to your hand in September will emerge in June as a self-reliant student ready to face the challenges and excitement of the school years ahead.

Thank you for trusting me with your most precious possessions. I promise to treat them with the love and care they deserve. We are going to have a wonderful year together.

With warmest regards, Barbara Jones