We had a wonderful week of school!  We've been learning many classroom routines and getting to know new classmates and teachers at Sprague.  Some highlights from our week include:

*Reading the book Rainbow Fish with Mrs. Richter, reading specialist, and making a rainbow fish project.
*Putting new poems and songs into our Poetry Journals.
*Learning "The Getting Along Song" and ways we can be bucket fillers at school.
*Learning about "Good-fit" books and how to choose them for ourselves.
*Building reading stamina for "Read to Self" during reading workshop.
*Learning more about our classmates, including our likes and dislikes.  We used what we learned to make books on our own iPads!  *Using https://www.gonoodle.com/  for Brain Breaks.

Curriculum Night is Thursday, September 4th, at 7:00 p.m.  I'm looking forward to sharing important information about what we'll be doing and learning in first grade.

Lastly, follow our class on Twitter @award103 to see more frequent posts and pictures!

Dear Parent(s),

Welcome to our first grade class!  After spending our first few hours together, I am sure we are going to have an exciting year in first grade.  Team Ward did an awesome job learning some new routines in the class and getting to know one another.  Please know that you are a major player on this team.   I appreciate all of your efforts to send your children ready to learn every day!

Here are some things you might ask your child about:
·      Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton
·      Drawing a Self-Portrait
·      P.E.
·      H.O.O.T Folder

H.O.O.T Folder
Your child brought home a H.O.O.T (Helping to Organize Our Things) Folder today.  Please review the contents of this folder on a daily basis and send it back to school with your child.  Each morning we have a routine that includes checking this folder and turning it in, so your support in sending it back to school every day helps us tremendously!

Snacks 
In first grade, our lunch period starts at 12:35 p.m.  We will have a snack at about 10:30 a.m.  Please send a small snack along with your child every day. 

District 103 has a policy for food in classrooms.  Students may only bring the following healthy and safe snacks within the classrooms:  cheese, yogurt, fruit, and vegetables. We understand that while this may seem restrictive, the District has the responsibility to keep all children safe while they are at school. Due to the nature and severity of life threatening allergies, it has been determined that these snacks are the most effective way to ensure a safe learning environment for all children. 

Water Bottles & Sweatshirts
You may choose to provide your child with a water bottle to have in the classroom during hot days, however it is not absolutely necessary that they have one.  The water bottle that works best is the pull-push model.  There will be times when our classroom is chilly even though it’s hot outside.  I recommend that each child keep a sweatshirt in his/her locker for those occasions.  

Thanks again for your support!

Mrs. Ward

Hello and welcome to our FIRST GRADE TEAM!

My name is Mrs. Ward and I am so excited about being your teacher.  It’s going to be a fun year full of lots of learning and new adventures in Room 28!  I can’t wait to meet you and all of your classmates.  We will be a great team!

       I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I grew up in Chicago and went to college at Northwestern.  I live with my husband and three children in Evanston.  I have 9 year-old twins named Owen and Lauren who are entering fourth grade and a 6 year-old son named Justin who is starting first grade!  We also have a lot of pets: a cat, a hamster, a crayfish, and lots of fish.  As you might imagine, we have a lot of fun at our house!  

Here are some of my favorite things

Favorite animal: Elephant
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite season: Summer
Favorite sport to play: Tennis
Favorite sports to watch:   Football and Gymnastics
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving  
Favorite food: Thai Noodles
Favorite candy: Gummy bears
Favorite board game: Monopoly
Favorite book: Amos and Boris
Favorite grade to teach: First

I look forward to meeting you at our Open House on Tuesday, August 20th.  Maybe you can tell me about some of your favorite things too!  If you have your school supplies ready, you can bring them in that day.

This is going to be a great school year.  See you soon!!

                                                  Mrs. Ward