2. We are going to have so much fun learning together this year! I am so excited to meet you and for you to meet your new teacher and our class pets. You will find out that I love frogs!!!

3. Some other things you will discover is how much I love reading and writing and I get to share that love with all of you!! My favorite children’s books are Charlotte’s Web, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, You are Special, and Sneetches. This year we will read stories from some of my favorite authors, read poems, and learn all about animals, one of my favorite units. Not only will you read, you will get to publish your very own books!!! Yes, you are going to be an author in first grade!!!

4. Do you like math? Wait until you see the games and activities I have in store for you. Math is so fun because you get to solve problems and use numbers in many different ways. You are going to discover shapes, measure things with math tools, and have fun learning to count money. Doesn’t that sound AWESOME! Oh, and you will gain some Fact Power as we learn to add and subtract numbers.

5. I hope you want to be a scientist because I have some really cool things we are going to investigate and discover like; What animal does a tadpole become? How does that happen? What happens to liquid if it stays in the heat too long? How does a plant grow and what does it need to grow? Can a solid object become a liquid or even a gas in the air? If there are cumulus nimbus clouds in the sky, what does that mean? As you can see, there are a lot of new discoveries in first grade and I can’t wait to try some experiments with you!!

6. Some of my favorite activities when I’m not teaching are biking, dancing, and playing games with my family.

7. My family is very special to me. I can’t believe I am this old, but I was married 27 years on July 27 th of this year to my husband, John. I have a daughter, Paige, 24, that lives in Shang Hai, China teaching fourth graders. My son Michael, 21, is studying to be a policeman at Iowa State; and finally, my baby, Maddy, 18, is at the University of Arizona as a freshman studying to be a teacher, as well. That means I am home all alone, my husband and I. I am so happy I get to come to school everyday to see your smiling faces!!!!

8. When you come to school, there is no need to be nervous or worried. I am going to be there to help you whenever you need a helping hand. So, hop on into Mrs. Sandoz’s Learning Pad and see what you are going to discover in first grade!!! I am looking forward to it.