Welcome to the
“Under the Sea” Split Class
Marengo Elementary
Mrs. Sander
2009-2010
Welcome to the K-1 Split Class!
This is the second year that a split class has been offered here at Marengo
Elementary, and I am very excited to be a part of it! In a split class the children will
learn all kinds of skills unique to any other classroom; it will be a wonderful
experience for all. I have very high expectations for both grade levels.
The students will be expected to listen, follow all the rules and instructions,
be a leader, be a cooperative group member, and a helper to fellow classmates. The
children will be expected to be responsible for their work and even be able to work
independently at times. We do a lot of learning together as a whole class, but
certain topics must be separated due to state standards. Therefore, most of the
graded curriculum learning will be done in small groups or pairs.
The kindergarten and first graders in this class will have the unique
opportunity to form a bond with one another. Although they will be attending
specials together, they will get the chance to see their own grade level of
classmates at lunch and recess.
This classroom will be a wonderful working environment to teach the children
problem solving and how to work together!
I am very excited to start this school year and have the opportunity to work
with you and your child. This will be an exciting year, full of learning for all of us!
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please always feel free to contact
me. I am generally fastest at email, but sending a note with your child or calling the
school is fine too.
 Mrs. Sander
jsander@cccs.k12.in.us
812-365-2116
Things to Know
Student Planners
Students have an agenda planner that will go home every night. In the
behavior section, I will give the students a colored dot sticker every day,
depending on what color their behavior card was on. (Hopefully you will
see green stickers every day!) I would like you to sign or initial the
behavior sticker every night and return the planner to school the next day.
Also, on Monday the first grade spelling list will be stapled into their
planner so you can study the words from home.
Take- Home Folders
Every night your student will have a blue take-home folder in their
backpack; empty it out, look over the work, and send the folder back to
school the next day.
Wednesday Folders
Every Wednesday a Crawford County folder will come home in the
backpack. This will have important notes from the office, send the folder
back to school by the following Wednesday.
Weekly Newsletter
In the Wednesday Folder I will send home a weekly newsletter. Please
read and be aware of what is going on in our classroom! I will keep you
posted on upcoming assessments, field trips, classroom parties, and
other important dates.
Library Books
On Wednesdays our class will visit the school library. They will get to
check out one book each week. The book needs to be returned to school
by the following Wednesday.
Spelling Tests – 1st grade
Spelling words will be sent home in the student planner on Monday. We
will practice the words all week here at school and there will be one final
test on Friday. Towards the end of the year, kindergarten will also start
having spelling words.
Homework
We will be having homework in both kindergarten and first grade.
Each week a homework packet will go home in the yellow Homework
Folder on Mondays. The students are expected to do one assignment
from the weekly assignment sheet each night. I would appreciate it if
you did not have your child work ahead unless absolutely necessary. The
packet should be completed and returned in the yellow Homework Folder
on Friday.
The homework should not take more than 10-15 minutes each night.
The assignments will coincide with the topics we are studying in class
and will be grade-level specific.
If not a worksheet, other assignments might include:
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Counting, saying the ABC’s, or reviewing letter sounds
Practicing the spelling words
Practicing word wall words
Practicing math facts
Reading a passage or story to someone at home.
Homework is a wonderful opportunity to reinforce what we are
learning at school and time to bond with your child. It is also a way for
you to learn what we are doing at school and how your child is doing
academically. If the homework packet is not returned completed the
day it is due, recess time will be taken away.
Classroom Management Plan
Mrs. Sander
2009-2010
Behavior Rules for my Classroom
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Raise your hand if you have a question or wish to tell me something
Listen carefully and follow all directions
Work quietly and carefully
Cooperate with everyone
Keep your hands, feet, and other objects to yourself
Discipline Plan for my Classroom
*** All students start at a green card on the behavior chart
1st consequence – Verbal Warning
2nd consequence – Yellow Card - Warning and short discussion
3rd consequence – Blue card – 15 minute “sit-out” from recess
4th consequence – Red card – 30 minute “sit-out” from recess
5th consequence – Student must call home and/or talk with the principal
Severe action – Student will be sent directly to the principal’s office.
Conference with parents to determine consequence.
Positive Reinforcements
 Individual praise
 Group Praise
 Special projects
 Center time
 Games
 Star Student
tickets/prizes
It is in your child’s best interest that we work together in relationship to his or
her schooling. If you have any questions about my discipline or classroom
management plan please feel free to contact me include them. Please keep the
above plan for your reference.