The Spanish Immersion Model
In a language immersion model, a student focuses on his/her second language before learning his/her first language. I know this may seem back words, but it works! This means, at Ada Vista we focus on learning to read and write entirely in Spanish before incorporating English. In first grade, all our instruction is in Spanish. By the end of the year, your child will be reading, writing, and speaking Spanish fairly fluently. They will begin their English instruction in second grade. We have seen how this immersion model works and appreciate when families are willing to follow it. For more information, go to http://addalingua.com/
Importance of Sleep
When a child is in elementary school (5-12 years old), it is recommended for a child to receive 10-11 hours of sleep a night. I notice in the classroom when a child is sleepy. Either the child gets groggy and starts falling asleep or he becomes extra active in order to stay awake. Especially in an immersion school where your child is learning a second (or 3rd) language, they need that sleep to function at school. This means, if your child gets up at 7:00 AM, he/she should be sleeping by 8 or 9. If that is not happening, attempt to start the bedtime routine earlier.
For more information on sleep and sleep problems, see http://www.sleepforkids.org/html/sheet.html. I also have it listed under my "helpful websites" section.
For more information on sleep and sleep problems, see http://www.sleepforkids.org/html/sheet.html. I also have it listed under my "helpful websites" section.
Importance of Play
I firmly believe that play helps kids learn. It is very important that kids have time to play outside of school. In first grade 15 minutes of homework per night is plenty. Too many extracurricular activities can also be tiresome for these little ones. 10-15 minutes of reading a night is in addition to their homework time. Homework doesn't always have to be "homework time". There are many things you can do in the car, like practice counting, verbal story problems, and identifying numbers and letters. "I spy" is also a wonderful game to help kids develop language skills that will transfer to Spanish and help with including details in writing!
Be active
Studies have shown that vigorous activity stimulates the mind and body. Being active leads to improved focus and performance in the classroom. For this reason, I try to make sure kids get their physical activity during the school day. Students never miss more than 10 minutes of their first recess finish school work or for behavioral reasons. This allows them to still run around for 15-20 minutes, getting the exercise they need. On indoor recess days, we try to find time to move around either by doing exercises in class or going to the gym or cafeteria to run.
Why teach handwriting?
Every year I get the question about why we teach handwriting. With the increase of the use of technology, is handwriting still necessary? I say YES!!! Think about it, when a child is able to form letters properly, he/she tends to write quicker. When this happens, the child is able to better focus on the content of the writing. Did you know that handwriting can also increase brain activation? It has an influence on the process in which we receive and express language. This means that handwriting practice can have an impact on a child's academic achievement! Crazy, right? To read more, click on the icon to the left.
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25 Manners Everyone Should Know
I believe there are some wonderful yet basic life lessons in this list. Some we can cover in school, but there are others that are much more difficult in this setting. I hope you enjoy and find something out of it (just as I did when I stole it from Sra. daSilva who found it somewhere else).
Manner #1 When asking for something, say "Please."
Manner #2 When receiving something, say "Thank you."
Manner #3 Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.
Manner #4 If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.
Manner #5 When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.
Manner #6 The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.
Manner #7 Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.
Manner #8 When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.
Manner #9 When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.
Manner #10 Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.
Manner #11 When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.
Manner #12 Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.
Manner #13 Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.
Manner #14 Don't call people mean names.
Manner #15 Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.
Manner #16 Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.
Manner #17 If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."
Manner #18 Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.
Manner #19 As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.
Manner #20 If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.
Manner #21 When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.
Manner #22 When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!
Manner #23 Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.
Manner #24 Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.
Manner #25 Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.
Manner #1 When asking for something, say "Please."
Manner #2 When receiving something, say "Thank you."
Manner #3 Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.
Manner #4 If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.
Manner #5 When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.
Manner #6 The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.
Manner #7 Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.
Manner #8 When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.
Manner #9 When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.
Manner #10 Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.
Manner #11 When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.
Manner #12 Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.
Manner #13 Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.
Manner #14 Don't call people mean names.
Manner #15 Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.
Manner #16 Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.
Manner #17 If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."
Manner #18 Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.
Manner #19 As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.
Manner #20 If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.
Manner #21 When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.
Manner #22 When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!
Manner #23 Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.
Manner #24 Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.
Manner #25 Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.
25 Ways to Ask Your Kids 'So How Was School Today?' Without Asking Them 'So How Was School Today?' by Liz Evans (via Huffington Post)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liz-evans/25-ways-to-ask-your-kids-so-how-was-school-today-without-asking-them-so-how-was-school-today_b_5738338.html
1. What was the best thing that happened at school today? (What was the worst thing that happened at school today?)
2. Tell me something that made you laugh today.
3. If you could choose, who would you like to sit by in class? (Who would you NOT want to sit by in class? Why?)
4. Where is the coolest place at the school?
5. Tell me a weird word that you heard today. (Or something weird that someone said.)
6. If I called your teacher tonight, what would she tell me about you?
7. How did you help somebody today?
8. How did somebody help you today?
9. Tell me one thing that you learned today.
10. When were you the happiest today?
11. When were you bored today?
12. If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed someone up, who would you want them to take?
13. Who would you like to play with at recess that you've never played with before?
14. Tell me something good that happened today.
15. What word did your teacher say most today?
16. What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?
17. What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?
18. Who in your class do you think you could be nicer to?
19. Where do you play the most at recess?
20. Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?
21. What was your favorite part of lunch?
22. If you got to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you do?
23. Is there anyone in your class who needs a time-out?
24. If you could switch seats with anyone in the class, who would you trade with? Why?
25. Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school.
2. Tell me something that made you laugh today.
3. If you could choose, who would you like to sit by in class? (Who would you NOT want to sit by in class? Why?)
4. Where is the coolest place at the school?
5. Tell me a weird word that you heard today. (Or something weird that someone said.)
6. If I called your teacher tonight, what would she tell me about you?
7. How did you help somebody today?
8. How did somebody help you today?
9. Tell me one thing that you learned today.
10. When were you the happiest today?
11. When were you bored today?
12. If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed someone up, who would you want them to take?
13. Who would you like to play with at recess that you've never played with before?
14. Tell me something good that happened today.
15. What word did your teacher say most today?
16. What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?
17. What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?
18. Who in your class do you think you could be nicer to?
19. Where do you play the most at recess?
20. Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?
21. What was your favorite part of lunch?
22. If you got to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you do?
23. Is there anyone in your class who needs a time-out?
24. If you could switch seats with anyone in the class, who would you trade with? Why?
25. Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school.