First Quarter Accomplishments!

All First Graders have ...
  •  welcomed each other to Nativity! They have built a positive classroom community!
  •  learned how to create pictographs and bar graphs in Math!
  •  learned addition and subtraction strategies which has made them awesome problem solvers!
  •  developed as writers. Their daily journaling is off to a great start!
  •  learned about the four seasons in science!
  •  visited their heart home and have built strong relationships with Jesus!
  •  challenged themselves on their reading level by checking out books weekly in the classroom library.
  •  had Chinese culture instruction!


Second Quarter…Ready Set Go!

All First Graders will ...
  • study birds!
  • continue to learn addition and subtraction strategies.
  • continue to become excellent readers.
  • understand topic, main idea, and details within daily reading.
  • learn to be descriptive writers.
  • learn about the birth of Jesus and will share a breakfast in Bethlehem.
  • be attending the Cincinnati Symphony.

My name is Mrs. Paula Hoeffer and I would like to welcome you to Grade One at Nativity School!
This is a very important and exciting year of learning for your child .This is my 29th year in education and my 19th year at Nativity teaching first graders. To me each year feels exciting and new! My approach in the classroom involves the whole child. I strive to do my best to educate every child to be an academically successful student, a socially responsible citizen, and a life-long learner. To achieve this goal, I value greatly a close cooperation between home and school.

First and foremost our class will be God-centered. We will learn about God's great love for each of us. We will act in ways that respect and acknowledge the presence of God in all people. I believe that every child is a special gift of God and each gift should be cherished and encouraged to grow. Since every child is a whole and unique individual who learns with his/her head, heart, and hands I incorporate the arts (visual, song and movement) into the classroom learning environment. I believe that the single most important element in learning to read, write and do math is having the desire to read, write and do math. Therefore, I endeavor to teach with enthusiasm and joy in order to motivate my students to love learning.

My expectations concerning behavior are that each student will be a caring and sharing student. They will show this during the year by the way they act and the words they use. There will be many opportunities during the year to help students learn social skills as well as occasions when students can ask forgiveness of others when there have been social failings. A “time-out chair” is used in the classroom as a means for reflecting on ways of changing inappropriate behavior to caring and sharing behavior. Most of my emphasis will be to anticipate and prevent disruptive situations, and to continually notice and emphasize positive behavior. We will incorporate Morning Class Meetings to set a tone for respectful learning, community building, and to establish a climate of trust. Together we will grow and learn and have a great year!

Contact Information
 • Home Folders: Home folders go back and forth between home and school each day. Important papers from school will be in this     folder, including homework. Please check your child’s home folder each day. Also, use this as a way of communication – notes, lunch     money, forms for the office, etc
 • Friday Folders: These folders will go home on Fridays. They will include a general letter about your son or daughter’s week. Please     take the time to go through these folders with your child. Remember to write me a note and sign the folder before sending it back to     school on Monday.
 • Email: Feel free to contact me through email at phoeffer@wildmail.com
 • Phone: You can leave a message for me at the school office at 458-6767 and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Nativity School
Code of Conduct for First Grade Mrs. Hoeffer
2008-2009

General Conduct and Classroom Behavior
I want my classroom to be a safe, positive, and supportive environment for all children. I want it to be a caring and sharing place. To create this environment, I expect my students to treat each other with respect. I expect them to be aware of the feelings of others and to use appropriate methods to deal with conflict. We will practice appropriate and acceptable methods through discussion and role-play. I also hold my students responsible for their actions. I expect them to show self-control. The children are responsible for completing their work and putting in their best effort.

Consequences
A "time out chair" is used in the classroom as a means for reflecting on ways of changing inappropriate behavior to caring and sharing behavior. Most of my emphasis will be to anticipate and prevent disruptive situations, and to continually notice and emphasize positive behavior.

Referral to the office is a result of:
 • If the child is harming themselves or another student, I will send them to the office.
 • If the child has damaged school property, I will send them to the office.

Homework:
The children will be required to read for 15 minutes each night. They will be bringing home books each week to practice daily the reading skills that they are learning in class. Daily homework will also include math, phonics, or spelling papers that will help to reinforce the concepts they learn in school. The children are responsible for bringing home a "'home folder" each night. This folder will contain important papers. This folder returns to school each day. The children will also be bringing home a "Friday folder" at the end of the week. This folder is to be returned to school, signed, on Monday.

Consequences:
If a child is not following through on their homework assignments I will make a phone call home. I will schedule a conference with the parents and Mr. Herring if a child is falling behind .