The link to today's video can be found here.

It is my hope that tomorrow (Wednesday) that I will be able to share my plan for the rest of the school year with you.  Stay tuned!  I am amazed at what families are doing to help their child and other first graders out!  Keep up the good work!

I want to point out that I have heard you loud and clear.  I have an idea for submitting work and connecting kids that is able to be used on any type of device.  I have a plan, but I am waiting on the district and the state for the go ahead.  I am on it!  Here is the link for today's video!

Someone has been enjoyed playing with her new horses!

 Someone is being very studious at their kitchen table.

 Someone is reading under the table with his sister and dog!

Hello Families,

So all of Vermont heard last night that the governor made the decision to not have students return to  school in person this school year.  That decision truly pains me.  I am the type of person to focus on the things that I can control.  Something that I can control is that I am going to work hard to help your child do their best.  This situation is rapidly changing and I am going to work hard to stay up to date on the latest best practices.  In the mean time, I will be continuing to put up daily videos and develop a plan that is sustainable for all of us through the end of June. 

This groups of kids has helped me become a better teacher.  I am proud to have witnessed how far they have come as mathematicians, writers, readers, citizens, organizers, and friends.  These kids are always willing to help someone out in need or to help put a smile on someone's face.  They can certainly be a lot of work, but they all understand that together we can make magic happen.  I love each and everyone of them.  They should be expecting a massive hug on their first day of second grade. 

If you have not told your child this news, please be aware that I am about to tell them in this video. I would like to get in touch with each of the first graders over the coming days on the phone.  I have to figure out a schedule and logistics of this though.  I am here for the kids and the families if you want to reach out to me.  It is also my understanding that report cards will be sent out today.  These were written under the idea that parent teacher conferences would have taken place.  If you have a question about any of it please reach out to me. 

Thank you for the privilege of being your child's first grade teacher.   There is no bigger honor!

I had some technical difficulties uploading the video today.  I tried some new things towards the end of the video where the video shows what I have on my computer screen.  I am unsure if I like it or not.  You should have received a phone call from Superintendent Barrett Williams that the school closure is being extended.  I recognize that I only sent home paperwork through 4/3.  I am developing a plan on how to proceed.  I am unsure if I will go all digital or not. More on this soon.  Here is the link to today's video. 

Do you recognize this first grader helping her older sister with the dishes?

Thanks for all of the praise about the videos.  I am trying to learn some new video skills so that I can enhance the experience.  Hopefully, they still remain a helpful tool.  Here is the link to today's video. 

Here are two first grade friends figuring out how to read to each other while away from each other:

Here we have a first grader hard at work, do you recognize that curly hair?

I have to figure out how to rotate pictures on the blog!

Here is the video related to the paperwork for March  24, 2020.  I appreciate the input that many of  you provided me.  I encourage each of you to continue to reach out.  In case you are curious, I borrowed the idea to write a silly quote behind me from Woody Paige of ESPN's Around the Horn.  The baby in the picture in my nearly nine month old niece, Campbell.  

Here is the latest contestant of what first graders are doing at home:

Hi Families,

I made a video for the materials that are dated 3/23/20.  Here is the link to a video I made outlining what your child can work on at home.  I am learning that I will have to keep future videos shorter as this one took me a long time to upload.  I will post a link to another new video tomorrow, but I believe if you hit subscribe under the video in youtube it will make it easier to find all of the videos.  I am already working on tomorrow's video and I will probably have you reference prior videos.  Hopefully, the kids find the videos to be engaging as they have learned that you want to listen when Mr. Stevenson is talking because you never know what he is going to say!  I also hope that the parents find this useful.  If you have any tips or suggestions let me know.

Here is a video of some hardworking boys:

I keep receiving stories of the awesome things first graders have been up to. However, two kids have challenges for other first graders.

Is this the strongest first grader in the world or can you do something (with an adult’s permission) greater to prove your strength?

Looks like this next first grader has been working on her moves. Who will join Brynn and learn the Cotton Eyed Joe dance?!?

I spent a lot of time figuring out what the best way for me to make and upload videos for the kids. I am going to continue to play with a few options. I am fortunate enough that I am surrounded by people that want to help and many have thrown out some ideas for me to try. My goal is to make it easy for families to access. Stay tuned!

Can you guess who is hiding in the helmet? Looks like someone got a new four wheeler for his seventh birthday!?!

This next first grader has been reading up a storm and making messes in the kitchen. I am still waiting on word if she will deliver her yummy creations. 

Hi everyone,

I have been busy at home figuring out a system that will work for me to send out videos.  I did a goofy video today as a test.  I have received additional videos from more families that I will put up later.  My goal for this post is to make sure I am able to upload videos that are a certain size.  I am not really a computer person so it has been a lot of research and trial and error.  I hope this video makes you giggle.  To see the video try this link: https://youtu.be/UAtY_mXMQoc

Let me know if this is working for you at your home!

I was excited to hear that first grade had the best showing today for schoolwork pickup! I was in and out of school today so I missed most of you. If there was school there would have been a substitute teacher. My heart is melting every time I check my email and see a new video from you guys. I am learning that videos over 90 seconds take a long time to upload so keep that in mind for future videos. I know some of you have sent me things that I haven’t been able to access. The videos below are the ones I could make work. I will play around with a few options and let you know if I find something that works better. If you need me I am only an email away!

Do you recognize these first graders?

Keep your videos coming! I plan to make a video tomorrow of me being goofy which shouldn’t be too hard for me! Keep smiling!

Hi Families,

I called and emailed all of you today. Since then the school has put out information for schoolwork pickups. Pickups will start at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 18th on the sidewalks of Samuel Morey.  One item I mentioned in my conversations today was to send me a short video or picture of what your child has been up to. I feel like socially this will allow for kids to feel connected even when we are apart.  I had two first graders send me something to share.

At Brynn’s house, she made a leprechaun trap with her sister! I wonder if Wren or Brynn made the larger mess?!?.

At Carter’s house, he has been practicing addition facts on his wall! I wonder if Gracie has been practicing as well!

I have heard from other parents that kids are excited to work on a video for their peers. Feel free to keep them coming and I will try to get them posted. I wonder if we will get any word from the Avery house. If you want a notice as to when something gets uploaded type in your email in the box towards the top right. You will here from me soon!

Day one of kids at home! Mrs. Avery and Mr. Stevenson miss all of you!