Hello families. We have a lot of information to cover in this weeks blog. Some things I only have limited information about for now but I will share what I know and update as more information comes along. Let's start with what we are learning about for now...

Math:  This week we began working on data interpretation. We are learning on how to write and read tally marks as well as how to create various graphs and read and interpret the data from them to answer various types of questions about the graphs. We will continue this into next week.

ELA:  We began our 6th unit in our Nat Geo curriculum, which is all about weather. We will tie this into our upcoming science unit. This week we worked on the spelling sound ie/igh and next week we will work on oa/ow. 

Social Studies: Last week the students learned all about the bald eagle. This week we spent time learning new facts about the Statue of Liberty, and tomorrow we will wrap up our unit on American symbols with  learning about the Liberty Bell.

Science:  Next week we will begin our unit on the weather. We will track the weather for the month of March and learn about different weather tools. 

Return to School:  On Tuesday night's Governing Board meeting a return to school was decided by the board. This means that on March 22nd our first graders may return to in person instruction. If you prefer your child stay in remote learning for the remainder of the year, this option is available to you as well. At Marshall there are still factors to take into consideration before we know what exactly this will look like for either option. We have been meeting as a team with Principal Reasor to discuss what this may look like in first grade at Marshall. We are in a unique situation at our grade level, one of the reasons being is that two of us have an accommodation to teach remotely for the rest of the year. I am one of the two, which means I will not be returning to the building, but I will be in the classroom everyday. This means that for those who choose to return to in person learning, I will be zooming into the room to lead the day's learning. I will have who the district is calling a sub-aide, but who I will be calling my co-teacher in the room to help me focus and teach the in person kiddos. These details are also being worked on, and I am excited about the possibilities that this will bring. What we are hoping to accomplish is that the other teacher with an accommodation will then remain the FRL teacher, and all our first graders who opt to remain in remote learning will finish the fourth quarter with her. This is an unique situation to just our grade level, with a lot of pros. The biggest pro being educational equity. The remote kiddos will remain with a teacher that will be able to focus solely on a schedule and a day that fits their needs, and the in person kiddos will have the same advantages. As the person who will be zooming in with a co-teacher or two I have lots of ideas already playing through my head that will benefit the learning of the kiddos in our classroom. Now, keep in mind this is just the plan depending on how numbers work out. We still need you in order to make this work! If you have not made a decision if your child will be returning to in person or stay in remote learning we need you to please let us know now!! Feel free to email me at ashaw@fusd1.org or to call the front office at 773-4044 and let them know your back to school plans today. Once we have heard from every family a firm decision we can finalize what first grade will look like on the 22nd. I hope this information will help you with this decision. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. 

Material Distribution:  We do need to do a material pick up for March. I am probably even sending home the remainder of March materials, but even that is subject to change. Materials will be ready for pick up on Sunday morning (February 28th). If I get them out earlier I will let you know. 

Report Cards and Parent/Teacher Conferences: Spring Conferences have traditionally always been optional. This year will be no different, Your child's report card will be ready for viewing by Friday of next week (March 5th).  If you are choosing to remain in remote learning and wish to have a conference please reach out to me via email and we will set up a conference for the week of March 8th-12th. If you are going to be returning to the classroom and would like a conference you can reach out and we will set up a conference for the first week of April. I believe we will probably have a bit more to talk about if we wait until the week after we return than if we do so before. If you do not feel we need a conference, that is fine as well. As I mentioned, spring conferences have always been optional.  We will do what works for you.

Book Fair:  Traditionally we always hold our ever popular book fair during conference week. The book fair will take place this year as well, but as with everything else, it will look a little different. Here is a link explaining how the book fair works and here is a link to our Marshall School Scholastic Website. When you go to the website there is an active link to online shopping, and if you spend $25 dollars on book only purchases you get free shipping. Happy reading!

I know this was a ton of information. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out. Happy Friday! -Ms. Shaw