".-ry.

,s*
!,*{;1,:: i
-1flr':"' '

24^ 2AI4 Januarv

Dear Parents. Sadly,the end of the school year is fast approachingand the natter of my angels going to first grade will start to weigh heavy on my heart (mostly due to my separation andety). Each year, arotmd this time, I begin to question if I am doing every4hingto preparemy sweet friends for the next step in their educationaljoumey. Five years ago I startedbrainstorming ways I could easethis transition for them and wanted to shareone idea that got positive feedbackfrom my parents. When Auburn City Schoolsadoptedthe Wonders reading program this suntmer, teachersreceived loads of wonderful resourcesto aid in our instruction. In addition to thesegreat tools, we obtained a practice book, also known as a workbook, for eachchild. My proposal is to offer tlris rvorkbook for ),our child to take home so that you may use them at your discretion. Each practice book is t'illed with items that usethe sameformat 'big kids', whetherit is siblings, idolize they will seenext year. Plus, kindergarteners 'big kid' friends,cousins.etc., and love the idea of homervorkas they envisionit being stuff. as a teaching tool in the I am not an advocatefor using rvorkbooks or r,vorksheets however,I think thesecan be useful for familiarizing vour child with someof classroom. the expectationsthat next year may hold for them. It is not required that you use these practice books or that you return your child's completedwork to school (unless,of 'celebrate' it with their peers.) I am hopeful that if usedin an course,they would like to appropriatervay at home, thesebooks can be one way to help easethe shift from kindergarten to first grade. 'Your Tum PracticeBook' rn Monday afternoon, I will sendhome the Wonders' your child's backpack. lf you find it useftrland would like more, I will gladly sendhome additional workbooks from previously adoptedreading series. You may contact me. by email, note, phonecall, or text message. r,vhen 1'ourchild has completedthis first one and would like another. By sendingone at a time, I feel we will cut down on waste.(I will haveto make copiesof the other, older rvorkbooksI have sinceI haveusedall of the to sendall I have at once, in case original ones over the past several1'ears.) I do not r,vant a family decidesagainstusing them or a child is exhaustedofthe implementation. Ifthe latter does occllr, pleasedo not force your child to complete the workbook. This will only causeharm in their motivation to learn and problems could arise before ever entering first grade. I have more ideasto help with problems relatedto the transition from one grade to another,but rvantedthis to be the first. If you have any questionsor concernsiplease feel free to contact me. I look forward to any feedbackyou might have, now or later, in regardsto this plan! With much respect(for all you do), StacyeA. Jones 'Respondto the Interactive P.S. lhere are onlt three activities in the workbook. ftled Read Aloud', that require additional materisls. In each of the./irst three secfions there are lessonsthat require a book that .your child cotild check outfrom the vou don't alreadv have at home

,l'[r--r,
',td*,

r/%: .# ,l'

,,".ru

/w

f, efr

,#to

s" sh r,f tff"-*

n

?:

#
i""

#
'"' ,,...- ,,

ffiF
\r
, ?*f