Wilcox's Class

MEET YOUR TEACHER

HOP ON BY.  GIVE KINDERGARTEN A TRY!

Hello new friends!  I am so EXCITED that we have been brought together.  My name is Helen Wilcox.  I have been teaching at Powers Ferry for 8 years.  I have taught fourth, kindergarten, and third grade for 14 years.  Our classroom maintains a friendly atmosphere where you are ALWAYS WELCOME and are treated like family.  See you soon in room 406!

Our classroom motto:  There is no right or wrong; just different. All children can and will learn.  We will do it in our own way on our own day. 

Tips for Contacting Your Child's Teacher

Welcome to my blog.  I am available to parents most days 7:15AM-4:30PM.  Calls can be made to the school.  Dial 770-578-7936 and leave a message with the office staff. A note will be placed it my mailbox and I will call at my first available time. Ms. Wilcox will call you back during a break or afterschool.  Please feel free to contact me through email.  I can also be contacted with a written note, fax, or email.  A written note will be answered and returned with your child that afternoon.  Email and fax have a one day delay.  Please remember that I want what is best for your child and check daily folder to see if I have tried to contact you.  I also leave messages on voicemail, so please check if you receive a message from the school telephone numbers.  (All school numbers begin 770-578-XXXX with different ending four digit numbers.)

Eric Carle Interactive Study

The students are reading and listening to Eric Carle books in class.  After each story we are discussing the elements found in many of his texts.  Things you can talk about with your child include colors, days of the week, repetitive text, and basic sight words.  What is your favorite book by Eric Carle?  We have read The Grouchy Ladybug, Today is Monday, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and more. 

Get Off to a Great Start

Being on time to school makes the entire day move smoothly. 

Please arrive at school between 7:15-7:40AM.

"Read with a Friend"

The class has weekly guest readers.  Mrs. Doak or Mrs. O'Donnell stop in and read with two students.  We are trying to start understanding books. Children who begin reading with adults learn concepts of print, sight words, environmental print, and story elements by mimicking and interacting with the adults that read the text with them. Reading means so much to our students.  Talk with your child about the stories that Mrs. Doak and Mrs.O'Donnell are reading with them and how they scored on the test questions.

Math and Beans

We have studied the basics of number names and items in a set.  The kids were able to complete concrete activities with beans.  Photos will soon be posted to demonstrate some of their work in action.

GA State Fair Field Trip- September 2008

Our class will spend a day traveling through the animals of the Georgia State Fair.  We fed goats, looked at animals with the alphabet letters E, K, T, Z, O, S, G, C, H, D, and T.  We even saw great prizes that kids in GA won for their drawings and other items.    The kids were very active listeners and enjoyed the day tremendously. They even tried to wake the bull up.

Writing in Action

Children write everyday.  Kindergarten children can tell a bunch about themselves in a personal Narrative.  We use Writer's Workshop which is also a program for America's Choice.  Students interact with the teacher in a large group lesson that generates ideas about the topic for the day.  We also discuss specific standards to focus on during the writing work period.  As children produce work the students participate in conferences with the teacher to edit and revise what was previously written.  When the child feels confident or at the request of the instructor, the child sits in the Author's Throne and shares the skill that has been mastered.  So children become teachers, as well as, learners.  Ask your child to tell you a story from his/her journal.

Reader's Workshop

Daily instruction in reading takes place in our America's Choice format known as Reader's Workshop.  We begin with a mini-lesson focusing on a specific skill.  Next, the children split into three groups.  One group is reading independently and completing tasks that demonstrate what each child has acquired.  Another group works directly with a teacher in guided reading.  In guided instruction, the children and teacher read and discuss the selected text.  Each group is created based on the needs of the children for that group.  This allows for the children to mastery various strategies at a pace that is functional for the indidvidual child.  The final group rotates between a listening center and a word building station.  Each child will rotate through this process weekly.

Weekly Homework (Your child will have one activity sheet plus any of the following)

Reading

Each night your child should have a book read to him or her.  A new library book is checked out to your child each day a book is returned.  We also visit the library weekly.  Please remind your child to put the book in the backpack nightly. Reading should take place for 15-30 minutes daily.  Additionally, every student is expected to independently practice alphabet cards and sight word flashcards everyday.

Math

Children can play on websites from the internet.  We have a link of items that we have done in school for your child to access.  We are working on number recognition, patterns, identifying set size, and counting skills.  (15 minutes  twice a week)

Science/Social Studies

Assignments will vary based on topic of study.  Total work time should take 20-30 minutes discussion or exploration weekly.  These items are more about exposure and building blocks for the future.  Currently our class is working on consisentcy of items.  Have your child identify hard, soft, bumpy, smooth, hot, and cold items that they touch.  See if they can name more textures you have around the home.   We are working with the other senses too.  Don't be surprised if your child starts stiffing around for sweet tasting snacks after school.