Classroom #: 116
Number of Students: 30
*Our classroom must be peanut free this year due to a student allergy.
Number of Students: 30
*Our classroom must be peanut free this year due to a student allergy.
About Mrs. Christopher
Learning/Education
Hi, I'm Mrs. Christopher! I have a deep passion for education - I love participating in the field as a learner and as a teacher. I graduated from BYU-Idaho in April 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood/Special Education, and began teaching Kindergarten at Pleasant Green later that year. I completed a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University in 2014, and an ESL endorsement through Weber State University in 2020. I have been teaching at Pleasant Green for 15 years, 12 in Kindergarten and 3 years in 3rd grade.
Personal Life:
I got married in 2015 - sometimes you may still hear teachers and former students calling me Ms. Little. My husband Taylor is an electrician; and we live in Bountiful with our long-haired mini Dachshund Keena. When I have spare time, I enjoy traveling, reading, cooking, walking/hiking, four-wheelers, crafting, and doing fun manicures on my fingernails.
My teaching philosophy:
I absolutely love teaching; and I hope my students feel that in my classroom. I feel strongly that it is critical to teach a love of school and create a passion for learning. I think it is often most effective to use concrete materials to teach new concepts; and I believe students will care most about learning if it applies directly to their lives. I also try to teach students that doing new/hard things can be good; and that it's okay if you're not good at something right away. Mistakes are proof that you are trying, learning, and progressing. I believe in teaching respect and responsibility. I hope to create a positive classroom environment where students feel welcome, safe, cared for, respected, valued, and willing to try new things. I believe this is an environment that best promotes learning and academic progress.
I also believe that students do best in school when they have involved parents who make education a priority in their home. You can help your student by letting them know that their success and learning is important to you. Investing time in reading at home and playing Math fact games will help you be aware of your child's academic strengths and needs.
Hi, I'm Mrs. Christopher! I have a deep passion for education - I love participating in the field as a learner and as a teacher. I graduated from BYU-Idaho in April 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood/Special Education, and began teaching Kindergarten at Pleasant Green later that year. I completed a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University in 2014, and an ESL endorsement through Weber State University in 2020. I have been teaching at Pleasant Green for 15 years, 12 in Kindergarten and 3 years in 3rd grade.
Personal Life:
I got married in 2015 - sometimes you may still hear teachers and former students calling me Ms. Little. My husband Taylor is an electrician; and we live in Bountiful with our long-haired mini Dachshund Keena. When I have spare time, I enjoy traveling, reading, cooking, walking/hiking, four-wheelers, crafting, and doing fun manicures on my fingernails.
My teaching philosophy:
I absolutely love teaching; and I hope my students feel that in my classroom. I feel strongly that it is critical to teach a love of school and create a passion for learning. I think it is often most effective to use concrete materials to teach new concepts; and I believe students will care most about learning if it applies directly to their lives. I also try to teach students that doing new/hard things can be good; and that it's okay if you're not good at something right away. Mistakes are proof that you are trying, learning, and progressing. I believe in teaching respect and responsibility. I hope to create a positive classroom environment where students feel welcome, safe, cared for, respected, valued, and willing to try new things. I believe this is an environment that best promotes learning and academic progress.
I also believe that students do best in school when they have involved parents who make education a priority in their home. You can help your student by letting them know that their success and learning is important to you. Investing time in reading at home and playing Math fact games will help you be aware of your child's academic strengths and needs.
Our Daily Schedule:
9:00-9:20 Breakfast and Self Start
9:20-10:00 Whole Group Math
10:12-11:00 Fact Fluency and Math Workshops/Small Group Math
11:00-12:00 Power Hour
12:05-12:40 Lunch
12:40-1:05 Whole Group Reading
1:10-1:55 Specials (Social Skills/STEM, PE, Music, Library)
1:55-2:15 Phonemic Awareness/Phonics
2:15-2:27 Recess
2:30-2:45 DYAD Reading
2:45-3:05 Language Arts
3:05-3:30 Writing
3:30-3:45 Read Aloud/Clean Up
Additional Procedures:
Bathroom Visits
Students should try using the bathroom outside of instructional times. Our recesses this year are very evenly spaced, so students have the opportunity to go to the bathroom every hour and a half. That said, students are given 3 bathroom tickets each week for emergencies. They can turn in a ticket to use the restroom during class (as long as I am not giving instructions). Students who can avoid using these can save up and trade 15 tickets for a piece of candy. If your student has a medical concern that necessitates immediate/frequent bathroom use, please notify me.
School Supplies
I prefer students' own personal supplies to remain at home. If they do wish to bring pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, etc., those supplies should be used for school work only. I will confiscate anything that is being used as a toy instead of a tool. In most cases, confiscated items will be returned at the end of the day. If an item becomes a significant concern, a parent may need to arrange to pick it up from me.
Please note that cell phones and tablets should never be used during school hours. Student devices need to be silenced and remain in a backpack AT ALL TIMES, including recesses. I prefer the vibration to be off as well - a vibrating cell phone is still distracting. Technology devices will be confiscated immediately if I see them. If I have to confiscate a device more than once, it will need to be picked up by a parent.
Pencil Sharpening
I do not allow students to touch my pencil sharpener. Each student is given 5 pencils - one for each day. I sharpen pencils once per week. Students who bring 5 pencils for sharpening can earn a Panther Pride ticket. Students who have lost pencils are given enough pencils to return them to a supply of 5. I have large Kindergarten pencils for borrowing throughout the week in case a student is unable to find a usable pencil.
Food
With the exception of breakfast in the classroom (and other exceptions approved by me), all food/snacks are to be consumed in the cafeteria. Students should not be sharing food/snacks with classmates for health reasons. If you would like to provide treats for your child's birthday, please contact me in advance for a student count, allergy allerts, etc. Birthday treats need to be store bought and individually packaged. Little Debbie or Hostess treats, cracker or cookie packs, and things of that sort. Drinks are not necessary. Again, if your students needs a medical exception to this policy or has any food allergies, please notify me as soon as possible.
9:00-9:20 Breakfast and Self Start
9:20-10:00 Whole Group Math
10:12-11:00 Fact Fluency and Math Workshops/Small Group Math
11:00-12:00 Power Hour
12:05-12:40 Lunch
12:40-1:05 Whole Group Reading
1:10-1:55 Specials (Social Skills/STEM, PE, Music, Library)
1:55-2:15 Phonemic Awareness/Phonics
2:15-2:27 Recess
2:30-2:45 DYAD Reading
2:45-3:05 Language Arts
3:05-3:30 Writing
3:30-3:45 Read Aloud/Clean Up
Additional Procedures:
Bathroom Visits
Students should try using the bathroom outside of instructional times. Our recesses this year are very evenly spaced, so students have the opportunity to go to the bathroom every hour and a half. That said, students are given 3 bathroom tickets each week for emergencies. They can turn in a ticket to use the restroom during class (as long as I am not giving instructions). Students who can avoid using these can save up and trade 15 tickets for a piece of candy. If your student has a medical concern that necessitates immediate/frequent bathroom use, please notify me.
School Supplies
I prefer students' own personal supplies to remain at home. If they do wish to bring pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, etc., those supplies should be used for school work only. I will confiscate anything that is being used as a toy instead of a tool. In most cases, confiscated items will be returned at the end of the day. If an item becomes a significant concern, a parent may need to arrange to pick it up from me.
Please note that cell phones and tablets should never be used during school hours. Student devices need to be silenced and remain in a backpack AT ALL TIMES, including recesses. I prefer the vibration to be off as well - a vibrating cell phone is still distracting. Technology devices will be confiscated immediately if I see them. If I have to confiscate a device more than once, it will need to be picked up by a parent.
Pencil Sharpening
I do not allow students to touch my pencil sharpener. Each student is given 5 pencils - one for each day. I sharpen pencils once per week. Students who bring 5 pencils for sharpening can earn a Panther Pride ticket. Students who have lost pencils are given enough pencils to return them to a supply of 5. I have large Kindergarten pencils for borrowing throughout the week in case a student is unable to find a usable pencil.
Food
With the exception of breakfast in the classroom (and other exceptions approved by me), all food/snacks are to be consumed in the cafeteria. Students should not be sharing food/snacks with classmates for health reasons. If you would like to provide treats for your child's birthday, please contact me in advance for a student count, allergy allerts, etc. Birthday treats need to be store bought and individually packaged. Little Debbie or Hostess treats, cracker or cookie packs, and things of that sort. Drinks are not necessary. Again, if your students needs a medical exception to this policy or has any food allergies, please notify me as soon as possible.