st 1 Welcome to Grade Meet the Teacher

st 1 Welcome to Grade “Meet the Teacher Night” Mrs. Tomaszewski Wexford Elementary School August 29, 2013

Mrs. Terrilyn Tomaszewski • Originally from Greensburg, PA. • 2003 graduate of Carlow College with dual certification in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I completed 24 post graduate credits towards the Reading Specialist Certification Program from Slippery Rock University. • This is my 10 th year teaching 1 st grade in the Pine Richland School District. I taught 4 years at Hance Elementary and this is my 6 th year at Wexford. • I am married to my amazing husband Matthew. Our daughter Madison will be 3 years old on Sept. 24 and our son Mason is 18 months old. We live in Cranberry Twp.

Mason Robert 18 months old

Madison Lyn almost 3 years old

Language Arts Reading - Harcourt: Trophies Components used: 5 Anthologies: A collection of literature Big Books Practice Book Pages Decodable Books Word Builders Dolch Words Leveled Readers Reading Centers Word Books Poetry Journals Assessments: Scholastic Dolch Words (Sight Words) Dolch words are an organized list of the most commonly seen words in children’s books and everyday text. They are sometimes called sight words because some of them can’t be sounded out and need to be learned by sight. The children will be responsible for learning a list of words each week. In order for me to check their mastery of the Dolch Words, I will be testing students every Friday. Immediate feedback will be sent home that day, so you know which words they’ve mastered and which words they’ll need to continue to work on until they’ve mastered them. I will be retesting the children at the end of every 9 weeks. Sight Word Books are to be kept at home. They do not need to come to and from school each week. • Vocabulary & Comprehension Test - Given each week on Thursday (correlates with weekly anthology story) • Holistic Test - Given after the completion of each anthology • Fountas & Pinnell- Assess reading level & development of independent reading strategies

Language Arts Continued… • Guided Reading - (Teaches kids to read all books) * A research recommended instructional approach in a small group setting * Tailors direct instruction to your child’s specific reading needs * Helps deepen understanding and processing of a wide variety of texts * Appropriate for all level readers-from the primary level reader to the most capable intermediate reader * Frequency of the group meeting will vary upon the instructional needs of the students * Groups are constructed according to instructional level, specific need, reading strategies or interest. The groups are flexible. During guided reading students are in quiet groups. These groups are… Word Work, Work on Spelling, Work on Writing, Read to Self, Work with Teacher • Writing Students will learn. . . - The Process of Writing (plan, write, revise, check, publish) - The Forms of Writing (journals, notes, stories, and poems) - Tools of Learning (listening, speaking, reading, writing) - Proofreader’s Guide (using capital letters and punctuation) (Our 1 st Grade Goal: To write 5 complete sentences on topic)

Language Arts Continued… • • • Fundations by Wilson - Provides an explicit, systematic, multi-sensory, and repetitious approach to reading and spelling. (30 -40 min. each day) I’ll send home a Parent Packet prior to each unit so that you’re aware of what we are learning. We will cover these units… - Short Vowels - Digraphs (sh, th, wh, ck) - Bonus Letter (ss, ll, ff, zz) - Glued Sounds (an, am, ang, ing, ung, ong, ink, onk, ank, unk) - Suffixes (s, es, ) - Blends (dr, ft, fl, br, st, sl, nt, sw, br, etc. ) - Compound & Multisyllabic Words - Long Vowels & R Controlled Vowels **Dictations given at the end of each unit** Spelling - Fundations (list is on the classroom newsletter the Friday before) - A list of 10 -13 spelling words will be sent home on Monday. - A practice test will be given on Wednesday and formal test will be given on Friday. Handwriting – Fundations RAZ Kids WEBSITE Lending Library – 2 books from our classroom library will be coming home every Friday. Your child is to read 40 minutes each week. Parents complete the reading log weekly. Books and reading log are to be returned every Friday morning.

Math • Math - Series: Scott Foresman - Addison Wesley *en. Vision. MATH* WEBSITE The Scott Foresman-Envision math series give students the opportunities to explore math concepts through concrete math manipulatives as well as through paper and pencil assignments. The students will learn math concepts and problem solving skills through whole class activities, small group games, and individual work. Content: counting addition to 20 subtraction to 20 money geometry patterns measurement time data & graphs two-digit addition two-digit subtraction • fractions place value Rocket Math Program (Begins in November): Students will practice and master their addition and subtraction facts through repetition and timed tests.

Science/Social Studies/Health • Science - Inquiry-based FOSS/ASSET science curriculum 2 Big Units: Weather and Solids & Liquids - Introduce the process of the scientific method - predict, explore, test - Students will also learn about mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds & insects. • Social Studies - Series: Houghton Mifflin - School and Family (My Family, Community, Country, Heroes, World Near & Far, Map Skills) - Time for Kids, Weekly Reader “Weekly News” & National Geographic • Health - Units covered throughout the year: 5 senses, nutrition, teeth, healthy habits

Homework Practice & Master DOLCH words weekly Spell & Write spelling words weekly Read Lending Library Books 40 minutes/week Utilizing the Reading A to Z website (RAZ Kids) for reinforcement & enrichment • Utilizing the Math Website as needed for reinforcement & enrichment • Practicing addition & subtraction math facts (once we begin those math topics) • •

Specials • Monday - Music 2: 55 -3: 35 (Mrs. Campbell) • Tuesday - Gym 2: 55 -3: 35 (Mr. Beam) • Wednesday - Gym Art 9: 45 -10: 15 2: 55 -3: 35 (Mrs. Scheller) (t-shirt with child’s name on it) • Thursday - Computer 2: 55 -3: 35 • Friday - Library 2: 55 -3: 35 (Mrs. Fournaridis) (library books returned on this day) (Mr. Sargent)

Daily Schedule • • • • 8: 55 -9: 15 Morning Work (Journal Writing) 9: 15 Morning Announcements 9: 15 -9: 30 Morning Work Continued 9: 30 Calendar/Daily Math Equation & Sentence of the Day 9: 45 -10 Bathroom Break 10: 00 -11: 15 Language Arts (Fundations, Dolch Words, Harcourt, Guided Reading) 11: 25 - 11: 55 Lunch 11: 55 -12: 25 Recess 12: 30 -12: 50 Story Time/Weather Book/Bathroom Break 12: 50 -1: 30 Math 1: 30 -2: 10 Science/Social Studies/Centers/Craft 2: 10 -2: 40 Customization 2: 40 Clean up/Pack up 2: 55 -3: 35 Special (Gym, Music, Art, Library, Computer) 3: 45 Dismissal

Grading - assessments, daily work, daily observation Report Cards - Issued Quarterly • (P) Proficient: Student independently demonstrates consistent mastery of the skill/concept • (D) Developing: Student is making steady progress towards proficiency • (B) Beginning: Student is making inconsistent progress/Student may need reinforcement • (N) Not Yet Evident: Student is making limited progress/Needs continued reinforcement

Student Responsibilities - Being a Bucket Filler • Listening attentively (listening ears, watchful eyes) • Staying on task (paying attention, staying with me, completing work in a timely manner, working well in centers) • Demonstrating self control (keeping hands & feet to self, controlling actions & emotions, making good choices) • Participating constructively in activities (doing what is asked/ when it’s asked, raising hand to speak, working well in groups) • Being respectful and polite to all teachers, classmates, and property • Following classroom and school rules consistently (walking in the halls, inside voices, proper bathroom & cafeteria behavior) • Completing all homework, assignments, and projects neatly and on time • Bring Take Home Folder to and from school every day * Please help your child to keep his/her toys at home *

Encouragement/Enforcement “At Wexford Elementary We Care for Ourselves, We Care for Others and We Care for Our School” Be A Bucket Filler!!! Encouragement: Verbal praise, Coins, Structured Free Time, Special Privilege, Special Recognition, Wexford WOW Ticket Enforcement: Verbal warning, Loss of coins, Loss of recess & reflection form, Family conference or phone call home, Referral to office Mrs. Tomaszewski’s Classroom Store The students will be earning coins throughout the school year in my classroom as part of my classroom management program. Coins can be earned for following rules, having a positive attitude, being respectful and polite to their classmates, property, and myself, and completing homework, assignments, and projects neatly and on time (just to name a few). Coins can also be taken away for unacceptable behavior. Every other Friday, students can visit my classroom store to spend their coins if they wish. ** I’m looking for parent volunteers interested in setting up, running, and cleaning up my store every other Friday from about 9: 15 -9: 45. Please sign up tonight! **

Important Items • Take Home Folder - Check for Take Home/Stay Home Papers & Homework daily • Classroom Newsletter - Sent home every Friday via email -The newsletter recaps what was taught from the past week and it includes information about upcoming classroom events. • Arrive at school no earlier than 8: 55 and be in the classroom before 9: 15 • Bus Number - Help your child memorize his/her number before the first day of school. • Lunch - If your child is buying a lunch, please help him/her to memorize their pin number prior to the first buying experience. It will help to make things run more smoothly. • Early Dismissals - IMPORTANT- Please send a note to school with your child that morning addressed to your child’s teacher. Include your name, your child’s name, and the time of pick up. Please report to the office when picking up your child. • Car Rider - Daily Car Rider: Fill out “Daily PM Car Pick Up” form from the office. - Occasional Car Rider: Please send in a note with your child that morning. • Child going home with a friend - If your child is going home with a friend on a different bus, on the same bus but different bus stop, or as a car rider, a note is required from BOTH families.

Other Items Continued… • • • Absences - Homework Buddy - Please sign up to have a homework buddy. All work missed will be sent home with the homework buddy unless you request differently. - Advanced notice for vacations (School policy : 2 weeks in advance and forms are in the office) -All work will be sent home prior to leaving for vacation. -All work must be completed upon returning to school. * Nurses Office - If your child isn’t feeling well, yet still attending school, please send in a note/email notifying me. Birthdays There has been a revision to school board policy (246) on wellness. “Celebrations and classroom parties are a privilege afforded to students as social functions that deviate from the normal academic program and instructional day. Classroom celebrations and parties should focus on the interactive social benefits of such activities. Food items should not be offered or made available for consumption by students during such events. ” Since food items are not permitted, an acceptable replacement would be pencils, erasers, or stickers. Birthday Book Program - Your child may participate in the Birthday Book Program. Your child can treat his/her class to a book. The book doesn't need to be an expensive one. A paperback book is more than generous. I encourage you to include a special inscription in the Birthday Book prior to wrapping it and sending it to school. This becomes a very special present, one that will long outlast a treat. The class will wish your child a Happy Birthday. He/She will open the present, and I will read the book to the class. If you decide to participate, I want to thank you ahead of time for your support and cooperation with this program. Birthday Lunch – You may have lunch with your child in the café 11: 25 -11: 55 on his/her birthday or anytime throughout the school year.

Other Items Continued… • Scholastic Book Order - The printed flyer will be sent home at the beginning of each month. Parents can order directly online using our classroom code GVBLG. It’s a great way to order “just right” books for your child and earn free books for our classroom! Simply SIGN UP at www. scholastic. com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the "Register" button in the "First Time Here? " section. Register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code GVBLG. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me. Select the books you'd like to order. Send your order to me online by the due date and your child's books will be delivered directly to my classroom. • Optional Monthly Homework - Sent home at the beginning of each month. It’s a month-long homework assignment. It’s extra work that is meant to be challenging and enriching. In order for your child to receive a certificate at the end of the month, you will need to choose at least three activities each week for your child to do as homework. Please put a check in the square when the activity has been completed. At the end of the month, please sign the sheet and have your child return it to school. A new homework assignment will be sent home at the beginning of each month. Remember, this is an optional assignment. • Star of the Week - “It’s All About Me Tee” Beginning the week of September 16 th. Your child will have the opportunity to be the “Star of the Week. ” This is a special week that will focus solely on him/her. Please sign up and select a week that works best for you and your child tonight and take home an “All About Me Tee”. (See additional handout in handbook. )

Other Items Continued… • Reader Rabbit - We will begin “Reader Rabbit” in January, and it will continue throughout the rest of the school year. This is a special time when one child takes a turn reading a story to his/her classmates each day. Students will read on a rotating basis. I will send home monthly calendars so you will know when your child is scheduled to read. Please help your child choose a book from home or the library. The story should take about eight minutes or less to read. Please help your child to be prepared for this special moment by practicing the story at home for fluency and expression. (More information will follow as we get closer to Dec. ) * Scholastic Weekly News - $6. 98 check made payable to Scholastic due Friday, September 6 th • Donating items for the class - Tissues, hand wipes, hand sanitizer, hand soap, zip lock bags, class store donations, etc. Thanks! • Holiday Parties If you are interested in helping out at a classroom party throughout the school year, I’ll have sign-up sheets available tonight. The parties are Halloween, Winter, Valentine’s, and the End of the Year Party.

Thank You!!! Thank you for taking the time to attend “Meet the Teacher Night. ” I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities! If you need to reach me anytime throughout the year, please don’t hesitate to call at school, the extension is #394 (8: 15 - 8: 50 or 3: 45 -4: 00). You can also email me at ttomaszewski@pinerichland. org. I check my e-mail periodically throughout the day and will get back to you within 24 hours.