Welcome Please take some time to look around

Welcome! • Please take some time to look around our room. • Find your learner’s desk. Please check the two clipboards on the Ushaped table in the back of the classroom to see how you can help in our classroom!

Mrs. Bankson My life away from Apollo: My Teaching Life: • • • I have been married 36 years to my husband, Rich. We have 4 daughters who range from age 23 to 32 years old. Our daughter Kalee is married to TJ. They live in Bothell. All 4 have graduated college and in careers! It’s an awesome feeling! • • I have taught 26 years. I have taught learners that are 3 to 17 years old. I have taught general and special education. I have worked for the Northshore and Issaquah School Districts. I love: • • • Teaching First Grade Reading books on my Kindle The beach The Seattle Seahawks Drinking Starbucks coffee

Daily Schedule 9: 15 -9: 55 -10: 25 -11: 30 -11: 50 -12: 10 12: 15 -1: 40 -2: 00 -3: 40 Writer’s Workshop P. E. or Music Daily 5 Lunch Recess Lunch Guided Math Recess Social Studies/Science/Health Dismissal

Student Expectations Positive Behavior is a skill that requires practice! In Our Room: • • • Verbal Praise Positive Phone Calls/ Emails Marble Jar Clip-Up Chart Kindness Wreath Table Points

Handwriting Without Tears • 15 minute Lessons and Practice • Change in Paper ( 2 Lines) • Fun songs and “tricks” • Start letters at the top Advantages to HWT • Follows developmental principles • Enables ease of reading and writing • Prevents reversals • Looks and feels child-friendly

Writer’s Workshop • • • Mini Lessons Independent Writing Conferencing 1: 1 Partner Sharing and Editing Author’s Celebrations

Lucy Caulkins 4 Units of Study: • Narrative: True Stories/ Small Moments • Informational: Stories we use to teach • Opinion: Reviews • Realistic Fiction: Made up stories that could happen

What Can You Do At Home? • Writing and Handwriting • Fine motor activities • Legos, coloring, drawing, beading, painting… • Please don’t correct spelling while writing! • Practice spelling Sight Words

Spelling • • • Fountas & Pinnell Spelling Best Guess Spelling Sight Words Introduced Spelling Patterns (Phonics) Environmental Print (Word Wall, Posters)

Reading Curriculum • Making Meaning • Phonics Lessons • Learn how words work to • Teaches comprehension improve reading and writing strategies • Mini Lessons • Understand think deeply about what students • Practice during Word Work and Guided Reading are reading

Daily 5 ü Read to Self ü Buddy Reading ü Guided Reading ü Listen to Reading ü Word Work

What Can You Do At Home? • Reading • Model reading as a fun activity, not a chore! • Help find “Just Right Books” • About 98% accuracy • Talk about books with your child

Guided Math you can expect to see… • • • Games/On-line Games Problem Solving Hands-On Learning Small Group with Teacher Fact Practice Rocket Math, Sprints & Fluency Practice

Eureka Math • Comprehensive curriculum • Written by a team of teachers and mathematicians • Math in a logical progression • Developed to meet the math standards Parent Resources • Parent Roadmap • Parent Tip Sheets (overview of topics and how to support)

What Can You Do At Home? • Math • Zearn • Monitor “At Your Seat” pages for understanding • Talk problem solving and strategies, not memorizing advanced math facts or procedures. • What do we need to find out? • What do we already know? • What could we try? • Does that answer make sense?

K-5 Social Emotional Learning Curriculum Second Step Builds Positive Social, Emotional and Behavior Skills + Self management +Self Awareness + Relationship Skills +Social Awareness +Responsible Decision Making

Science Investigating Skills: • Asking Questions • Observing • Describing • Comparing • Finding Patterns Sun, Moon and Stars Plants and Animals Push, Pull and Motion Magnets

1 st Grade • • • Social Studies Economics, Geography, History and Social Studies Inquiry Based Multiple Perspectives and Points of View • Taking Action • SEL Curriculum Building Global Thinkers, Collaborators and Empowered Citizens Our Families Our World Our Wants and Needs

Assessment • Students are individuals Value of small group work Observations/record keeping • Testing in First Grade Testing can be stressful Celebrate growth • Students have an active role Self assess Set individual goals (academic and behavior)

Field Trips • Off Campus: Alki Beach Science Unit: Habitats • On Campus: Science To Go • Motion Lab • Animal / Plant Classification

Homework Purpose: Create habits, good study skills • ACCORDING TO OUR TRADDITIONAL MINDSET Homework will make your first grader smarter. ACCORDING TO CURRENT STUDIES The correlations between homework and achievement in K-2 is very little, if not non-existent Facts: 1. Homework starts the first week of October 2. It goes home on Fridays and is returned the next Friday 3. Try to complete 5 to 7 menu choices

Homework

Nuts and Bolts • Parties (Allergies) Birthday Class • Illnesses/Vacations • After School Transportation: Bus Passes Parent Note • All About Me Poster • Wish List Parent Volunteers

Be apart of PTA greatness. Sign up for YOUR Apollo Elementary PTA today at: apollopta. org or by completing a membership form today. When you do, you are supporting the nation’s largest volunteer advocacy group for children in this country. Did you know? Your child is attending 1 of 3 schools in the state awarded the School of Excellence Award for 2014 -2016.

Questions • I hope we have time… • If not please feel free to email me or make an appointment to come into talk. My door is always open. Banksonk@Issaquah. wednet. edu

Remember! Before you leave… 1. Take your “All About Me” poster 2. Sign up and volunteer. Please! 3. Check to see if you are receiving updates electronically. Do you want to make a change?