Welcome to First Grade!
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose."
~Dr. Suess, "Oh, The Places You'll Go"
About Mrs. Saunders
I earned my B.S. Degree in Child Development with a K-6 License from Meredith College in 2003. My first year teaching was in Chowan County at White Oak Elementary School, teaching 1st Grade. I began teaching in Suffolk Public Schools in 2004, and taught there until June 2016. I spent all of my 12 years in Suffolk teaching at Nansemond Parkway Elementary School. There, I taught 1st Grade for four years, looped to 2nd Grade and stayed in 2nd Grade for four years, and then taught 4th Grade for four years. I earned my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction through the University of Phoenix in 2007. This will be my fourth year here at T.S. Cooper; my first two years here, I taught 5th Grade Reading and Writing, and last year, I taught 1st Grade. I am so excited to be in 1st grade, again, this year!
I love teaching! Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of being a teacher. I can remember playing school with friends, and even my stuffed animals! Helping others is one of my passions, and I truly enjoy teaching my students to love learning and to have fun while doing it!
I have a wonderful family, and am forever grateful for my many blessings! My husband, Brian, and I have been married for nine years, and have two wonderful boys. Carson is seven and starting 2nd Grade this fall, and Henry is four. We enjoy living the simple country life, and are the happiest outdoors!
Some of my favorite things:
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Drinks: Coffee and Arizona Green Tea
Favorite Music: Contemporary Christian
Favorite NFL Team: Carolina Panthers (GO PANTHERS!!)
Favorite ACC Team: NC State WOLFPACK!!
Favorite Vegetable: Okra (fried is the best)
Favorite Fruit: Watermelon
Favorite Book: Charlotte's Web
Favorite Flowers: Daisies and Sunflowers
Favorite Season: Fall
I love teaching! Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of being a teacher. I can remember playing school with friends, and even my stuffed animals! Helping others is one of my passions, and I truly enjoy teaching my students to love learning and to have fun while doing it!
I have a wonderful family, and am forever grateful for my many blessings! My husband, Brian, and I have been married for nine years, and have two wonderful boys. Carson is seven and starting 2nd Grade this fall, and Henry is four. We enjoy living the simple country life, and are the happiest outdoors!
Some of my favorite things:
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Drinks: Coffee and Arizona Green Tea
Favorite Music: Contemporary Christian
Favorite NFL Team: Carolina Panthers (GO PANTHERS!!)
Favorite ACC Team: NC State WOLFPACK!!
Favorite Vegetable: Okra (fried is the best)
Favorite Fruit: Watermelon
Favorite Book: Charlotte's Web
Favorite Flowers: Daisies and Sunflowers
Favorite Season: Fall
Our Schedule
(Only 1st Graders who need breakfast will go to the cafeteria, other students will stay in the classroom and complete Morning Work.)
8:30 - 9:15 Letterland
9:15 - 10:00 Connect Class
10:00 - 11:15 Reading (Whole Group and Small Group Instruction)
11:15 - 11:45 Lunch
11:45-12:15 Writing (Each week, students will complete a writing following the writing process.)
12:15 - 1:00 Math (Whole Group and Small Group Instruction)
1:00 - 1:30 Recess
1:30 - 2:30 Social Studies/Science
2:30 - 3:10 Snack
(During snack, the teacher will read a chapter book aloud to the students and discuss the events in the story.)
Important Dates
August
22: Open House, 5-7 PM
26: First Day of School
September
2: Labor Day Holiday
18: Early Release Day, 1:00 PM
October
7: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
25: End of 1st Nine Weeks
28: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
November
11: Veteran's Day Holiday, No School
27-29: Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
December
20: Early Release Day, 1:00 PM
23-Jan. 3: Christmas Holiday Break
January
6: Students return from the Christmas Holiday Break
17: End of 2nd 9 Weeks
20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, No School
21-22: Teacher Workdays, No School for Students
February
12: Early Release Day, 1:00 PM
17: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
March
16: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
30: End of 3rd Nine Weeks
April
10-17: Spring Break
May
25: Memorial Day Holiday, No School
June
5: Last Day of School, End of 4th Nine Weeks, Early Release, 1:00 PM
22: Open House, 5-7 PM
26: First Day of School
September
2: Labor Day Holiday
18: Early Release Day, 1:00 PM
October
7: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
25: End of 1st Nine Weeks
28: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
November
11: Veteran's Day Holiday, No School
27-29: Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
December
20: Early Release Day, 1:00 PM
23-Jan. 3: Christmas Holiday Break
January
6: Students return from the Christmas Holiday Break
17: End of 2nd 9 Weeks
20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, No School
21-22: Teacher Workdays, No School for Students
February
12: Early Release Day, 1:00 PM
17: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
March
16: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
30: End of 3rd Nine Weeks
April
10-17: Spring Break
May
25: Memorial Day Holiday, No School
June
5: Last Day of School, End of 4th Nine Weeks, Early Release, 1:00 PM
News
One way that I like to keep parents informed of what is going on in the classroom as well as upcoming events is through the Remind app. This is an amazingly free app that allows me to stay in contact with parents/guardians on a daily basis! The messages come straight to your cell phone like text messages! Below, you will find ways to subscribe and join the group, Mrs. Saunders ~ 1st Grade, for my class. Choose which method is best for you!
Supply List
**It would be wonderful to have boxes of band-aids donated! As you can imagine, we go through band-aids very quickly!**
Delays and Early Dismissal Schedules
Early Release Schedule
8:30 - 9:00 Connect
9:00 - 9:45 Letterland
9:45 - 10:45 Reading
10:45-11:15 Lunch
11:15 - 12:15 Math
12:15-12:45 Writing
12:45 - 1:00 Pack-Up, Snack
2 hour Delay
*Breakfast is not served when there is a 2-hour delay.*
10:30 - 11:15 Letterland
11:15 - 11:45 Lunch
11:45 - 12:45 Reading
12:45 - 1:00 Writing
1:00-1:30 Recess
1:30 - 2:30 Math
2:30-3:10 Pack-Up, Snack
Great Websites
Online Activities for 1st Graders!
Reading:
Learning Vocabulary Fun
Starfall: lettter, number, word, direction and reading skills
Word Sort
Story Starters: Write your own stories!
Math:
Math Playground: Have fun with math!
Counting with Ten Frames
Math Skills Practice
Computer Skills:
Bees and Honey: Practice using the mouse!
Mini Mouse: Practice using the mouse!
FREE Typing Lessons and Practice!
Reading:
Learning Vocabulary Fun
Starfall: lettter, number, word, direction and reading skills
Word Sort
Story Starters: Write your own stories!
Math:
Math Playground: Have fun with math!
Counting with Ten Frames
Math Skills Practice
Computer Skills:
Bees and Honey: Practice using the mouse!
Mini Mouse: Practice using the mouse!
FREE Typing Lessons and Practice!
Contact Mrs. Saunders
Email: (This is the quickest and easiest form of communication for me.)
saundersmc@gatescountyschools.net
School Phone Number:
(252)465-4091
saundersmc@gatescountyschools.net
School Phone Number:
(252)465-4091
