Welcome to First Grade!

Mrs. Kuzmenkos Class of 2012-2013

Hello everyone. My name is Elena Kuzmenko. My husband Joey and I have two wonderful kids, Izabella 3 years old and Victor 11 months. I was born in Estonia and I speak 3 languages. I love crafts, pumpkin pie, Scrabble, and good books. My favorite number is 7 and I still love to swing.

Class Expectations
- Be a good listener - Be kind to everyone and everything - Be safe - Be the best student you can be

Important topics in our class

Science - Life cycle of a plant and an animal (1.S.3.1.1) (1.S.3.1.2)* - Four seasons (1.S.4.1.1) Social Studies - Timeline of personal and family history (1.SS.1.1.1) - Using a map and globe (1.SS.2.1.1) Language Arts - Retelling stories (1.LA.2.3.4) - Editing drafts for errors (1.LA.3.4.1) Math - Counting forward by 1s and 10s to 100 - Counting backward by ones from 20 (1.M.1.1.1) Art - Painting with watercolors, tempera - Sculpting with clay *In parenthesis is the Idaho Standard met Idaho Content Standards Our educational goals for the first grade are guided by the Idaho Content Standards. To become more familiar with these standards please visit the website I have provided below. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding these standards. We are in this together to make sure your student is successful and provided with all the help they may need. www.sde.idaho.gov/site/co ntent_standards/

Technology in First Grade

Technology can always make learning a little more fun and add to the variety. We have a few computers in our classroom that we will be using during centers to work on math, spelling and reading skills. One of our reading activities will be to listen to a book read aloud with the use of a CD player and headphones. For those of you who have access to the internet, I will provide a few websites for extra practice in various subjects. Technology is a part of our everyday lives and I want each child to become comfortable and knowledgeable.
Here are a few examples of extra practice websites. Click on the icons.

Class Highlights
Show and Share Each student will be assigned a specific day to bring something from home to show and share with the class. This is a great way for me to get to know each student and their interests. Please only bring toys on share day. Book Orders Book orders will come home monthly. You are by no means obligated to purchase books.

Homework A homework packet will go home on Friday and will need to be returned the following Friday. It will include nightly reading, spelling words, sight words, and math practice.

Schedule
9:05- 9:45 Opening 9:45- 10:45 Literacy Centers 10:45- 11:00 Morning Recess 11:00- 11:30 Snack and Finish Morning Centers 11:30- 12:00 Group Reading/ Word Skills 12:05- 12:45 Lunch and Recess 12:45- 2:10 Math 2:10- 2:25 Afternoon Recess 2:30- 3:30 Specials 3:30- 3:45 Closing Specials: Monday- Computers and Library Tuesday- Music and P.E. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes Wednesday- Music Thursday- Art wear appropriate clothing Friday- Health and P.E.

Please make sure that your child has a nutritious snack every day.

Parent Involvement
In October I will start having volunteers. I will send a schedule home for those who would like to help. No siblings please. If you cant be here please let me know in advance. I understand, life happens. In order for me to better communicate with you, I would like to have every parents email. Please email me with your childs name as the subject, include your name and contact information. Email is the easiest way to get a hold of me. I check it twice a day, before and after class.

Reminders to Parents
1. Weekly Homework Folders will go home every Friday and need to be returned the following Friday. 2. P.E Tuesdays and Fridays 3. Art Thursdays 4. Nutritious snack every day 5. Volunteers in October!

I look forward to working with all of you so that together we can make this year both enjoyable and time filled with learning. Please do not hesitate to contact me. No question is a waste of my time and I am happy to help.

Mrs. Elena Kuzmenko Phone: 208-250-1234 Email: kuzmenko.elena@meridianschools.org