Kaitlyn Nowicki

First Grade - East

Teacher Information

Where are you from?  
Sayville, New York

What is your education?
Childhood Elementary, Special Education, and Technology

How long have you been a teacher:
4 years in a Catholic School, 3 years subbing, and 2 years at ESBOCES

Favorite Saint?
My favorite saint is St. Francis, I am an animal lover and admire his commitment to animals and nature. However, St. Anthony is another favorite. My grandmother always would tell me to pray to him whenever I couldn't find something.

Favorite Quote?
My favorite quote is by Benjamin Franklin, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I will learn.”

Favorite Book?
My Favorite educational book is “First Day Jitters.” The story is about a teacher who has jitters on her first day of school. I love sharing with my students that I can be nervous too and then integrating math by graphing how we all felt.

Favorite Verse?
My favorite Bible Verse is “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

 

2021 - 2022 School Year

Message to Students
First grade is such an exciting year! It is the year we focus on blending sounds, building comprehension and writing reading responses all in an effort to prepare for moving our reading levels from an A to I. Reading levels are the assessment we use in first grade. Students will begin with an A level text, one word to read, and move to an I with multiple sentences and even a content page. It is extremely exciting to witness the progress my students make from September to June. They become Readers! In my first grade class students will engage in center rotations that focus on building skills for strong readers. I believe in hands-on learning and empowering my students to be active learners. With this in mind, my centers will include hands on manipulatives to build words and strengthen our vocabulary. My students will use playdough, kinetic sand, magnetic letters, engaging ipad applications and much more to build and blend words. One of the centers will be to meet with the teacher in a small group for guided reading instruction where students will learn different skills and methods to improve reading like, “skippy the snake,” and “eagle eye”. These strategies will help to build fluency. “Eagle eye” teaches students to use picture cues to identify words.

First grade is filled with fun! Not only are students learning to read but they are strengthening their communication and collaboration skills by using small groups and partner learning. I also have a strong background in technology and use it in my classroom consistently. I believe this will help prepare my students for the future technological world that exists today. Although the main focus in first grade is becoming active readers, and hopefully lifelong lovers of books, it also focuses on social and emotional growth. My students are taught to respect each other and always are encouraged to be kind to one another. In my classroom I try to create an environment that allows every student the dignity and respect they deserve. I hope I lead by example and I hope that each one of my students will know that I care for them and do my best each day to teach them to the best of my ability.

Message to Parents
We are very grateful that you have chosen to join our family at Our Lady of Guadalupe. In choosing a Catholic school you are helping your child not only receive a great education but learn about the foundations of the catholic teachings. First grade goals are fairly simple. They teach kindness and acceptance. God is brought into our instruction daily in hopes to build a greater bond between your child and God. Jesus is the perfect role model for your child to emulate and stories of Jesus and his teachings are shared in the class. I hope all my students will find comfort in knowing that God loves them and is always with them.

I would like to conclude by saying that I look forward to building a relationship with each one of you in order to help my students have the best chance for success in first grade. Communication and collaboration are key to having positive outcomes for students. I welcome your input and encourage your participation in your child’s education. I use Class Dojo, an application with messenger, that will keep you informed. I also use Google Classroom to assign additional assignments and resources to use in the home. Please reach out whenever you have a concern.