Hi!  I’m Mrs. Willett, and I’m the First Grade teacher. I graduated from Roosevelt University with a BA in Education. I taught First Grade for seven years, and then stayed home to raise my boys. I’ve been happily married for 28 years, and have two amazing boys and the most loving Siberian Husky. This is my seventh year at Saint Zachary School. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching Lifetime movies, and shopping.  First grade is an exciting year where friendships blossom, children build self-confidence, expand their knowledge, and foster their independence. It is my hope that my students become lifelong learners, and learn not to be afraid of making mistakes. I look forward to getting to know each of my students and their families, as we grow and learn together.  

Important Dates:    

June 5th– Last Day of School  (10:30am Dismissal) 

*Be sure to check the ABC Countdown Calendar each day to see what we are doing!

*All library books are due on Tuesday.

*If your child wears gym shoes with laces to school, please be sure to practice tying the shoes at home.  Thank you!     

*iReady cards were sent home with login information so that lessons can be completed at home if needed.  Please be sure to keep them in a safe place.  If your child does not complete 2 math lessons and 2 reading lessons each week, I will be sending you an email.  Extra lessons can also be done at home throughout the week.  

*Please contact me if you would like to be a Mystery Reader OR if you would be interested in coming in and sharing information about your job.   

Here are some things we’ve been working on…

Reading/Writing/Spelling: We are reading Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel.  Students are completing story element pages that go with each chapter.

*We are done with our spelling tests for the year.*

Students have been working on forming their letters and numbers correctly, putting capital letters at the beginning of sentences and punctuation at the end, and sounding out words as they write. 

Math: Students are reviewing concepts learned this year.  We are also discussing money (coin values, counting coins).

Orange 120 charts were sent home for students to use when doing math.  Please keep them in a safe place, as they will be a valuable tool/resource to have and use throughout the school year.

Religion: We learned that God has given us all of creation to use and enjoy.  The world is God’s gift to us.  It is full of beautiful places and wonderful plants and animals.  God asks us to take care of his creation.  The gifts of creation are for all people.  

Our virtue for this month: Temperance 

Science: Students learned that sound is a kind of energy you hear.  Sound is made when an object vibrates.  To vibrate is to move quickly back and forth.  Loudness is how loud or soft a sound is.  Pitch is how high or low a sound is.  Sound is important to everyday life.  Some sounds give you information.  Sounds can warn you, too.  

Social Studies: We learned that a producer provides goods or services.  A consumer buys or uses goods and services.