First Grade in Room 106 Lindbergh Elementary Mrs

First Grade in Room 106 Lindbergh Elementary Mrs. Laura Waggoner 2016

Welcome Parents/Guardians • Welcome and thank you to our parents/guardians for coming to Lindbergh tonight. • A positive home/school connection is an important factor in a successful school year for your child. • I encourage you to become involved in the PTA if you aren’t already. • Welcome to Room Parents:

Come join the Lindbergh Elementary PTA! • Please visit the PTA table in the hallway across from the nurse. • PTA supports our programs including 100% of field trips. • Our goal is 100% membership from our Lindbergh families. Join today!

Meet the Teacher • I am a proud graduate of the Ken-Ton Schools, attending Hoover Elementary, Hoover Middle and Kenmore West. • I have a B. S. in Psychology/Early Childhood Development from University at Buffalo and a M. S. in Elementary Education from Canisius College. • I began teaching at Lindbergh in 1995. My own children attended Lindbergh. • I live in the Village of Kenmore. My older son graduated from Kenmore West in June and my younger son is a sophomore there. • I am highly involved in the school as a member of SPT/PBIS, grade level chairperson, and am on the production team for the 4 th grade musical, Disney’s Jungle Book Kids!

Laura Waggoner’s Learning Targets for First Grade • I can greet my students with a smile every day. • I can appreciate and respect each child’s interests and learning styles. • I can make my classroom fun, engaging and challenging in order to encourage a love of learning and a love for Lindbergh. • I can communicate with parents regularly and as needed about any questions, concerns or celebrations. • I can fulfill my professional obligations and teach the Common Core and district approved curriculum while staying committed to developmentally appropriate practice and being responsive to the needs of the whole child.

Newer Programs to Lindbergh • • • Eureka Math: This is our second year teaching the research based Common Core math program K-4 this year. My students began the year at 65% proficiency in math and ended the year at 87%. Fastt. Math is scheduled to begin around January and it’s now available on the i. Pads for use at home. American Reading: This independent reading is part of our balanced literacy block and is in its second year at Lindbergh and my students made impressive gains in reading last year and LOVED books. It includes 30 minutes of independent reading in the classroom daily while the teacher meets with students and small groups. Reading needs are assessed and conferences take place to facilitate reading development and to establish and work on reaching literacy goals. Guided reading instruction will also take place to teach skills and comprehension. There is an important parent component and children will be expected to read for 30 minutes at home daily. Student incentives and celebrations are a part of the program. Information for parents about both programs will be on the district and school website.

Ken-Ton Balanced Literacy Block

Daily Schedule 9: 05 -9: 15 Arrival and Settling In 9: 15 -9: 40 Morning Meeting 9: 40 -11: 25 Eureka Math (Specials Classes in the morning at times) 11: 26 -11: 56 Lunch 12: 00 -1: 10 American Reading 1: 10 -1: 30 Recess (Inside or Outside) 1: 30 -2: 15 Writing Workshop 2: 15 -2: 30 Snacks/Read Aloud/Listening and Learning Modules 2: 30 -3: 20 Specials Classes (Music, P. E. , Art) at varying times throughout the day • 30 minute RTI block every day • Science and Social Studies are integrated throughout the day • 3: 35 Dismissal (Times vary daily) • • •

Homework • • National PTA guidelines and researchers recommend 10 minutes daily for first graders. The purpose of homework is to keep parents informed about what their children are learning (especially with new programs) and to reinforce skills learned in school. A homework schedule will be sent home each Monday (or the first day of the school week) with an approximated Math schedule to help keep all of us on track. Your child will complete the “Problem Set” in class and it will sent home with the homework sheet to help you understand what we did in class. It is up to your family to establish your own homework philosophy. Homework should not be returned to school unless your child needs help. If it is returned to school, please attach a post-it and I will review it with your child. American Reading homework steps will be required on a daily basis. 2 fifteen minute steps are required each night for a total of 30 minutes Monday-and including Friday night. One step is required each day of the weekend. One step is required each day of vacation days or holidays. Please sign or initial the Reading Log daily. If you have concerns about work at home, please let me know and we can talk about strategies. Homework should not be stressful for your child or your family. After an extended school day this year, your child’s most important homework is to play and interact with family members upon their arrival at home.

Ken-Ton Balanced Literacy Block American Reading at Lindbergh K-4! Includes the American Reading Framework Our goal is to grow Readers! Ø 30 minutes of Independent Reading at SCHOOL (2 steps) Ø 30 minutes of Independent Reading at HOME (2 steps) Steps will be tracked at home and at school. Our goal is approximately 700 steps at the end of the year.

Lindbergh Leaders • I will be recognizing positive behaviors throughout the day in all areas of the school with specific verbal praise and a Lindy Ticket. • Children can purchase items or activities from the Lindy Mart. Special items and activities will be raffled off at scheduled celebrations throughout the year.

Progress Reports and Conferences • The first progress report will go home in mid-November at conference time. Please sign up for a parents only, 15 minute conference before you leave today. The dates are November 22 nd from 4: 30 -6: 45 pm and November 29 th from 1: 00 -4: 00 pm. • Progress reports will be sent home with your child in January, another conference will take place in April (including students) and a final report will be sent home on the last day of school. • Please feel free to contact me at school via phone (before school) or email at any time if there are questions or concerns during the school year at lwaggoner@ktufsd. org

Reminders • Sneakers are necessary every day as we participate in Physical Education, Wellness, Project Aces and recess. Please do not send sneakers to change into as it is too time consuming. • Please check the District and Lindbergh websites often for updates and parent information nights. • It’s an honor and a privilege to be teaching your child this year! • Your child should bring a healthy snack (fruit, cheese stick, granola bar etc. ) and water bottle to school every day. We do not have any students with allergies so as long as it’s a healthy snack, it’s OK!

Thank You! I am looking forward to a wonderful year with your child! Thank you in advance for your support!