Sunday, October 25, 2015

Red Ribbon Week!

Join us in our Red Ribbon Week Festivities!
10/26/2015-10/30/2015
 
Monday: Pajama day!
 
Tuesday: Tacky day!
 
Wednesday: Wear red and crazy socks!
 
Thursday: College Day!
 
Friday: Book Character day!

Monday, October 5, 2015

1st Grade News Splash! October 2015!
 
 

Upcoming Events:

 

10/8 PBL Presentation Day

10/9 Teacher Workday/ Fall conferences

10/12 Columbus Day– No School

Spelling Words:

Spelling words are crucial to your child’s success in 1st grade. Practicing spelling words can help with reading fluency and comprehension. Our spelling words correlate to the phonics lessons to ensure success. Make sure to practice the words each night!
ELA:
In language arts this month, we will be focusing on singular and plural nouns (regular-adding s and irregular-adding es, ies, ves etc.), using determiners such as a, an, and the, and proper nouns.
 
Math:
In math this month, the focus is developing base ten number sense. We will be discussing grouping items to make them easier to count, place value (hundreds place, tens place, ones place), as well as comparing numbers using place values.
 
Science/Social Studies:
This month we will be finishing up our first PBL project on weather! Yay! We hope to see you on presentation day! Coming up, we will be discussing folktales as well as the historical roles of Lewis, Clark, Sacajawea, and Thomas Jefferson.
Writing:
This month, we are focusing on narrative fairy tale writing. Narrative story that starts with "Once upon a time" and has a beginning middle and end. We will also continue to work on informative writing.
Reading:
 
We will continue to work on building reading comprehension and fluency. When reading books with your child, have them discuss the characters and setting. Also, discuss with the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
 
 
Nightly Reading:
Please make sure your child is reading every night!
  • Your child can read to you.
  • Your child can read independently.
  • You can read to your child.
  • As long as they are reading!! :)



 
Twitter
Follow us on
Twitter
@bunchdses
@kimwood4353
@msdiffley
@dses_Mscormier
 
 


Tuesday, September 22, 2015


Project Based Learning
TAKE COVER
Come and see what our first grade meteorologists have created!
 "How can we as meteorologists inform the community on how to stay safe during different types of weather?"
 
 
Our students have acted as meteorologists as they researched, and created their own weather safety videos.   Come and check out our final projects!
 
When: October 8, 2015
 
Time: 8:00 am-9:00 am
 
Where: 1st grade hall
 
Remember Picture Day!
 
 Tuesday September 29, 2015
 
Come to school dressed to impress along with your best smile!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Meet the First Grade Team!
 
 
 
 
 
Katherine Herrin
Hello! My name is Katherine Herrin and I am so thrilled to be on the First Grade team this year! I graduated from Jacksonville State University in December 2014, and am over the moon to be able to start my career this year as a First Grade Teacher at Dunwoody Springs Elementary!

 
A little bit about me!
 
  • I LOVE to read! Mystery books are my favorite!
  • I also love to exercise.
  • If I pick the restaurant, it is usually Mexican!
  • My favorite color is blue! (I also love tie dye!)
  • I appreciate all types of music!
  • I grew up dancing (all types) and also taught for several years. I love to catch a class when I can!
  • I was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama and moved to Georgia this past summer!
  • Sour patch kids and Reeses cups are my favorite!
  • Most of all, I am blessed to do what I love every day. TEACH!
  • Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or for any reason at all! herrink@fultonschools.org
A few words that inspire me daily.


"Teaching is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." ~William Butler Yeats
 
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" ~Dr. Seuss.
 
"A child is like a butterfly flying in the wind. Some can fly higher than others, but each flies the best they can. Why compare one against the other? Each one is different. Each one is special. Each one is beautiful." ~unknown
 
"A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence stops." ~Henry Adams
Kim Wood 

Hello! My name is Ms. Wood, and I am a first grade teacher at Dunwoody Springs Elementary School. This is my fourth year at DSES, but my fifth year overall. I am so excited to be back to school!



Some things about me...

  • I am originally from Newnan, Georgia, which is about 40 minutes south of Atlanta.
  • I have one older brother.
  • I attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 2011.
  • I have a Master's Degree in Early Child Education through Kennesaw State University.
  • I am proud to represent Dunwoody Springs Elementary as the Teacher of the Year for 2015.
  •  I have a dog named Charlie, whom I adore!
  • My favorite restaurant is the Chessecake Factory. I love to get their Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake...yum!
  • My favorite color is green.
  • I am a big UGA fan. Gooooooooooo Dawgs!
  • I love sweets!
  • When I have free time, I like to relax, shop, and go to the gym.
  • I am currently training for a half marathon.
  • Most of all, I love teaching!
  • Feel free to email me anytime at woodkl@fultonschools.org
 
Chelsey Cormier
 

My name is Chelsey Cormier and I am so excited to be your child’s teacher this year! This is my first year with Dunwoody Springs Elementary so it’s going to be a year of fun firsts for everyone!

 

I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with my parents, brother, and sister. I graduated from LSU with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2014 and graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching in 2015.

 

Here are a few quick tid-bits about me!

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Food: Chicken Pot Pie

Favorite Season: Spring

Favorite Flower: Pink Peony

Favorite Hobby: Going to LSU football games

Favorite Animal: Dog! I have a dog back home in Louisiana named Tucker and a puppy here in Georgia named Ralph!

Favorite Subject: Science

Favorite Teaching Quote: “Every student can learn- just not on the same day or in the same way.” George Evans
Sarah Diffley

Hi! My name is Ms. Diffley and I am excited to start my fifth year of teaching at Dunwoody Spring Elementary as a first grade teacher. I have taught special education for the past 4 years in Fulton County schools. I am so excited to have my own first grade class this year!

 

I was born in Chicago and lived in Birmingham, South Florida, and Tampa, all before moving to Peachtree City, GA at the age of 9! I attended The Florida State University, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. After graduating in 2007, I attended the University of West Georgia, where I obtained my Masters of Education in Special Education. 

 

Fun Facts!

I have 7 nieces and nephews that mean the world to me! 

I am the youngest of 3 siblings (My brother and sister are 18 and 19 years older than me!)

I have 2 sweet dogs, Ailey and Charley (they currently live in St. Louis with my parents)

Reading is something I love to do in my free time

I have completed 2 half marathons and a full marathon (26.2 miles)

Mexican is my favorite type of food! 

My Saturdays in the Fall are spent watching Florida State Football!

 

I am so excited for this year! Please feel free to contact me any time at DiffleyS@fultonschools.org

 
Sarah Bunch

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and I grew up going to Fulton County Schools. I graduated from the Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. This will be my fourth year teaching here as DSES, and my seventh year teaching. I have experience in grades Pre-K through 3rd grade, I’m comfortable with every age; but I love the little ones!

 My family means the world to me; I have a wonderful husband, daughter who is in 3rd grade and a 1 year old son.   My favorite things to do when I have free time are reading, shopping, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends.

I If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Bunchs1@fultonschools.org and I will be happy to assist you!

 

    First Grade Goals!

    BAS Goal- 85% of students will meet or exceed the benchmark for BAS by May 20, 2016 (date tentative).

     
    STAR Reading and Math- Students will show a 3% increase in scores from fall to spring. There will be a 3% decrease of students in Urgent Intervention.
    It is going to be a GREAT year!