Welcome to First Grade Orientation Mrs Sanders Graduated

Welcome to First Grade Orientation

Mrs. Sanders • • • Graduated from Wren High Graduated from Furman Married 19 years 2 Kids : Jared 13 and Mackenzie 10 Taught 4 K and first grade My seventh year at Wren

We Are W. R. E. N. • • We Work Responsibly. We Respect All. We Expect Excellence. We Notice Others. • Matrix of Expectations in Notebook • Schoolwide, Class, and Individual Rewards

Star Behavior Sheet • Students get stars colored in by using the WREN behavior • Students count their stars on Friday and choose a reward • The star sheet will be sent home on Friday for parents to sign and return on Monday.

W. R. E. N Folder Work Responsibly Respect Everyone Expect Excellence Notice Others • Folder comes home each day • Contains all needed information for the week’s assignments - Weekly newsletter and weekly words - Behavior matrix Class schedule Reading log Homework Folder Reader’s Response Journal Word Wall Word List

Homework • • • Students bring home their WREN folder each day Homework is important Homework is given on Mon. , Tues. , and Thurs. Due back the next day When no homework is turned in, the student does makeup work at recess The word list should be studied each day PLEASE! Check the homework folder everyday and clean out all notes and other papers. Send notes and money in the zipper pouch Math sheet on Mon. , Tues. , and Thurs. , study words in spelling notebook, Reader’s Response journal.

Important Pointers • Restroom Breaks • Students report to the PE room upon arrival to school • Students report to the cafeteria if they need to eat breakfast • Independent Learners • Lunch Money : try to send by the week or more • PLEASE help your child memorize his/her lunch account number

Guided Reading Groups • • Guided Reading : Small Groups at varying levels Move in and out of groups as the levels change Leveled books are sent home each week in bags. They are to be returned on Friday. • Focus on word calling and COMPREHENSION • Will level in January and at end of the year

Centers • The students will have time in centers while the teacher is working with the small reading groups. • There will be activities and work to be completed in the centers.

Reading & Writing • • Phonics & Fluency Story Sight Words Spelling Words Handwriting & Journal Writing Projects Fill out names for Word Book at home There will be a spelling and sight word test each week • Reading tests will be bi-weekly

Spelling • Each week students have a spelling list • The beginning lists will all be the same words • Later in the year the spelling list will be differentiated to accommodate different levels, skills, strengths and needed practice

Math • • Addition & Subtraction to 18 Measurement Solid Figures & Plane Shapes Numbers to 999 Graphing Data Time & Money Tests are given when a chapter is completed. Daily grades will also be given. Parent explanation pages are sent when we begin a new skill. • Math groups with different teachers

Social Studies • School • Community • Service Learning Project • Family • Christopher Columbus • When I Grow Up… • Thanksgiving **** A study guide will be sent home to review before a test. *** • • My Country Presidents Our Land My World Mexico Weekly Reader *** Students work on projects during guided reading. ***

Science • Scientific Process Skills • Plants • Earth Materials • Motion • The Sun & Moon • Measurement • Weekly Reader Science Spin • **** A Study guide will be sent home to review before a test. ****

Tests Thursday • Vocabulary and Comprehension quiz Friday • Spelling Test • Standards Reading Test- Every 2 weeks Other tests as we finish units-study guides will be sent home for Science/Social Studies.

Report Cards & Parent Communication • Students do not receive an official district report card first nine weeks • Grades will be taken on work and reported to parents at a conference after the first nine weeks. • Second, Third, and Fourth nine weeks parents will receive a district issued report card. Grades will be displayed as A, B, C, D, or F. • If there is a concern the teacher will contact parents to arrange other conferences as needed. • Parents may request a conference at any time by phone, letter, or e-mail.

Grading Scale • • • A B C D F 93 -100 85 - 92 77 - 84 70 - 76 Below 70

Weekly Test Folder • Test grades come home weekly • Sign folder and return the next day • Sign any paper below 85 and return it in the test folder

Volunteering • Classroom parties and seasonal activities planned throughout the year • Share about careers during our “When I Grow Up” Unit in October. • Garden Day, Field Day, and other Special School Events

Water Bottles & Snack • Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school. • ONLY WATER, No Kool-Aid, Tea, or Soft Drinks Please • Students will have a morning snack each day, if they choose to bring one. • Snacks will not be provided. • Snacks should be easy for the student to open, healthy, and neat. • Students will not be allowed to eat candy for snack.

Field Trip Information • Students will have two field trips this school year. ** The Peace Center (possibly) ** The Greenville Children’s Museum • Due to seating and other space restrictions we may have to limit the number of chaperones. • If so, Teachers will send out a form to be completed by parents. When signed and returned teachers will draw names for the parents to chaperone. • All chaperones must follow buses in their own vehicle.

School Supplies – Always need quart/gallon ziploc bags and liquid soap, and Kleenex. – Throughout the year, we will need to replenish our glue sticks, pencils, and hand cleaner. – Special requests for items during the year.

SMILE You are entering the wonderful world of first grade. I know it will be a year filled with smiles!!!