Differentiation

We are hitting that time of year when students become more aware of what other students around them are doing and not doing. Up to this point, they haven't really noticed when some students are doing different things than they are. There are two reasons for this:

1. The differentiation techniques that I have been using have not been very easy for a first grader to spot but they are becoming a bit more obvious.
2. They are becoming more aware of themselves and those around them and how they are the same and different.

I wanted to share with you how I deal with this so you it could help you in your discussions with your child at home. One day a while back I began a crew discussion by asking what day they all lost their first tooth. They looked at me with confusion and explained that they didn't all lose their first tooth on the same day and that some of them hadn't lost a tooth yet. I nodded and then asked them what day they all learned to ride a two-wheeled bike. This time a few of the crew figured out that I was making a point but others still needed to straighten me out and explain things to me. Just to be sure I asked one more question about what day they all learned to walk. Now they all laughed and decided that I was being silly. This is when I talked to them about how we all do things at different times and in different ways and that this is completely normal. I then began to talk about how this relates to learning to read, write and do math. I explained that we were all going to learn to do those things well but probably not on the exact same day. At the time, they seemed to understand - but understanding and feeling okay about that are two different things. We will continue to talk about this and how we all have different strengths and weaknesses but that we all continue to learn. You can help by reiterating this at home.

Important Dates
9/29 Challenge Day - Lunch from home needed. Keep those donations coming!
10/2 - 10/13 Fall Break
10/16 No School - Teacher Work Day
10/18 Crew Photos and Re-Take Photos
11/6 Vision and Hearing Screening
11/7 No School - Professional Development for Teachers
11/22 - 11/24 Thanksgiving Break

A Few More First Grade Fashion  and Other Photos

Landon dressed up for his book reading. He is writing books at home and bringing them in to read to us.