to Mrs. Williams' First Grade
Let's go on a Safari together: an adventurous journey, a learning expedition, an exploration
& an investigation into everything First Grade
Mrs. Williams
Hello! I will be your child’s First grade teacher and I could not be more thrilled to have joined the Willow Springs team!
A little about Mrs. Williams: I was a student of Wake County from Kindergarten through 12th grade in both Apex and Holly Springs! I am a Cum Laude graduate of Elon University, with a degree in Elementary Education. I am also a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. My husband and I just celebrated our first wedding anniversary! We are proud home owners who take pride in yard work (well, he does!) and decorating our home (well, I do!) When we aren’t at home, we are usually hanging out at the beach, cooking with friends or visiting with family!
I have worked with, and taught, children ranging in age from Kindergarten to 5th grade. Not only have I taught in North Carolina, but also in London, England, while studying abroad for a semester!!
I taught Kindergarten for four years in Garner so moving to first grade only seemed natural! I absolutely adore a young students’ eagerness to learn, share and grow. I am adamant in differentiating lessons and activities based on the specific needs of my students; I know that no two students are ever exactly the same! Our classroom is a creative, bustling one, exposing children to core standards and 21st century skills, such as working with technology and collaborating with one another. I teach with multi subject integration, with specific focus and authentic practice in our every day lessons, activities and projects. You can be assured your child is receiving my best! I truly love what I do!
I look so forward to working with you and your child this school year!!
Need to contact me? lwilliams10@wcpss.net
Mrs. Williams' Favorites:
Flowers: Lilies & Roses
Holiday: Christmas
Color: Pink
Candy: Reeces Cup
Drink: StarBucks Coffee
Food: Mexican
Fast Food: Chick-Fil-A
Sports Team: Someone BLUE! We have a TarHeel flag outside our house, but, my Little Brother was THE Duke Blue Devil!
So, I’m a little torn ;)
Restaurants: Fiesta Mexicana & Lucky 32
Stores: Stein Mart, TJ Maxx, Target, Stones
Collectible: Antiques & Anything Lilly Pulitzer
Hobbies: Decorating, Styling for Stella & Dot, & KickBoxing!!
The ABCs of 1st Grade
Click the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree to link to the ABCs!
Mrs. Williams’ Schedule
O.T.I.S.
“Only The Important Stuff”
General Information:
In order to establish and maintain communication links between home and school, our class uses “OTIS”. The acronym OTIS stands for: “Only The Important Stuff”.
Each child will use a plastic folder with 2 clear page protector sleeves. Each piece serves a distinct purpose.
The following is an explanation of the contents found in OTIS.
Information Pocket:
In the 1st pocket you will find a weekly newsletter and notices from the school, as well as the Central Office. Also important, you’ll find our Home-School Connection! Make sure to read and sign nightly!
You may use this pocket to put notes concerning any absences or appointments. Field trip information and book orders will also be placed here.
Homework Pocket:
In the back pocket of your folder you will find your child’s homework assignments. Please return homework in this pocket, too.
D’Nealian & 100 Chart:
In the 1st clear sleeve we’ll keep our D'Nealian handwriting guide and 100s chart. These are to stay in your OTIS for reference and practice.
Word List:
In the 2nd clear sleeve we’ll keep our word lists. These will be changed throughout the year.These are to stay in your OTIS for reference.
Building Responsibility:
It is my hope that through the use of OTIS, communication between home and school will be stellar. A second goal of OTIS is to help your child gain responsibility and independence.
Please make sure that you and your child look through OTIS each night and place any paperwork in the appropriate pockets. OTIS will be checked each school day!
Remember to keep OTIS clean and tidy!!
“How was Your Day?
Click the Kids to link to valuable tips about taking with your child!
B is for…
“No Monkey Business”
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Effects
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Causes
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Yellow Banana
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A fantastic day! Your child was safe, responsible and respectful!
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Blue Monkey
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Poor choices were made after several warnings
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Pink Monkey
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Behavior and choices did not improve
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Red Monkey
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Severe misconduct and behavior and/or endangering self & other
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Your child had the opportunity to earn his/her banana back, if their behavior and choices noticeably improve!
Zealous Zebra Take Home Totes
Click on the Zebra to link to more information about Zealous Zebra Totes!
Daily 5
Click the Reading Bugs to link to a Daily 5 description.
Treasure Books
Click the Pirate Ship to link to information about Treasure Books, Treasures, Treasure Maps, AND Book & a Bite!
Click on Tango’s picture to link to more information about our Orangutan, his busy schedule and pictures of students hangin’ with him!
Scientist of the Week & Math Marvels
Click either Group of Students to link to more information!
C.O.P.S
Capitalization
Organization
Punctuation
Spelling
We use this acronym as a tool while Writing. Ask your student about the COP in our classroom!
Cool Websites for Kids!
Click the Computer to link to a list of very cool and fun websites.
HOW FULL IS YOUR BUCKET?
The idea of Bucket Fillers is based on Dr. Donald O. Clifton's metaphor of the bucket and the dipper. Several books have been written about bucket fillers. Carol McCloud wrote a book called "Have You Filled A Bucket Today? (A Guide to Daily Happiness For Kids)". The premise of the book is the idea that we all carry an invisible bucket that contains our feelings. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When our bucket is empty, we feel sad.
A bucket filler is someone who says or does nice things for other people. By doing this, they are filling other people's buckets and filling their own bucket at the same time.
On the other hand, a bucket dipper says or does things to cause other people to feel bad. A bucket dipper empties their bucket when they say and do mean things.
In our classroom, each student has decorated a bucket hanging under our black board. Everyone is encouraged to fill peers’ buckets by writing kind words and compliments to each other. At the end of the week, we empty our buckets and read the nice things our friends left for us when they filled our buckets.
We also have a bulletin board covered in real, tin buckets! “I Filled My Bucket!” When students are caught making wise choices, being kind to others and/or working especially hard, he/she will add a sparkle stick to his/her bucket. Once a student has earned 10 sparkle sticks, their bucket is full! Students will have several reward choices!
Talking to your child about his/her day--
Does this sound familiar???
Parent: "How was your day?"
Child: "Good."
Parent: "What did you do today?"
Child: "Nothing."
Are you looking for more than one-word answers from your child/ren about their school day? Below are seven ways to find out what they're really up to...
*Ask Specific Questions:
Asking questions that only require a one-word answer will often times produce just that. You can encourage your child to give something more by asking "situation-specific" questions, such as:
"What did you do in math today?"
"Who did you play with on the playground?"
"Tell me the best story your teacher read today."
*Start a "Names I Know" list:
Have your child start a list at the beginning of the school year called "Names I Know" or "My Class." Keep it on the refrigerator. Ask specific questions about the kids on the list. Young children can have trouble keeping track of names, and your child might want to talk to you about someone whose name they can't remember. Keeping an on-going list serves as a memory jogger for your child and a conversation starter for you.
*Give your child time to unwind:
Think about your own after-work needs. Just like you, kids need time to decompress after a long day at school. Try not to jump right in with questions about school the moment your kids are dismissed. Give your child time to get home, unwind, and sit with a snack. You might even want to wait until dinner; that just might be the amount of transition time they need.
*Hone your child's conversation skills:
Helping your child practice the art of conversation will serve them well. Show them that a good conversation begins with eye contact, appropriate body language, and a warm greeting. Conversations are give and take; listening is just as important as sharing!
*Share some of your day:
By sharing how your day went, you're modeling for your child the kind of information that you'd like to hear from them: "This is what I did today that I felt really good about; This is what I did today that was a little bit hard, but I did it anyway." These statements naturally lead to questions that you can ask your child: "What was one thing that you did today that was hard (or fun) for you?"
*Play a conversation game:
Children at this age have rich imaginations and love stories. Try turning school conversations into stories. Begin by saying, "Today, I went to school and sat down right next to _________." Let your child fill in the blank. "First, we opened up our backpacks and I took out my folder and looked inside and saw ______________." Continue until you get to the end of the day, or until you're satisfied that you've heard more than your child would normally volunteer.
*Get the facts straight:
From time to time you'll hear information that may concern you about your child's day at school. Don't ponder the details -- ask the teacher! It could be that you and your child's teacher is using different terminology, and your child is confused by your questions. On the other hand, if your child complains about being teased or picked on, repeats a complaint with regularity, or complains of frequent trips to the nurse, there may be a problem; Asking the teacher is the best way to find out.
*Brought to you by the American School Counselor Association
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