Welcome to First Grade Your Learning Adventure Begins

Welcome to First Grade! Your Learning Adventure Begins in 1 D

This is my family:

My Job: • Provide a safe, nurturing, motivating and fun environment which will engage and inspire your child to learn. • I hope to instill a love of learning that will create a lifelong learner and problem solver. • I will set up routines and structure, provide practice, make learning hands-on to develop independent learners both inside and outside the classroom. • Introduce and model procedures, expectations and rules in our classroom. • I am dedicated to helping your child reach his/her full potential in a collaborative environment.

Your Child’s Job: § § § § § Be ready and prepared to learn Be on time for school Always TRY your best Follow PAWS behaviors Unpack and pack-up everyday Assume responsibility and routines Follow directions Turn in notes, homework and lunch money Collaborate Take risks and try new things

• • • In First Grade we will. . . … Learn to read; Become authors and illustrators Learn how to add and subtract Learn how to spell Make new friends Use the i. Pad Have fun in art Enjoy making music Try new things Share our ideas and collaborate

Daily Schedule • • • 8: 50 -9: 05 Arrival (Read, Draw, Solve It, Lunch Count, Read Silently) 9: 10 -11: 00 Language Arts (ELA) 10: 15 -10: 45 WIN TIME 11: 00 -11: 30 Lunch 11: 30 -1: 00 Math 1: 00 -1: 30 Recess 1: 30 -2: 35 Science/Social Studies 2: 35 -3: 20 Special 3: 20 -3: 30 Wrap Up/Pack Up: Prepare for dismissal (Special on Friday – 9: 15 a. m. ) ELA = Grammar, Spelling, Word Building, Guided Reading, Literacy centers (Daily 5 & WIN Time), writing and Direct Instruction

Specials • • • Monday- Integrated Arts 9: 15 – 10: 15 Tuesday - Art (Mrs. Finch) Wednesday – Library (Mrs. Flaherty) Thursday – Physical Education (Mrs. Frisco) Friday – Music (Ms. Zunski) – Friday 9: 15 -10: 00 a. m.

Environment • Student centered environment • Open environment which allows for exploration and movement around the room when appropriate. • Flexible seating • Expectations: – – – use manners show respect follow rules Have a learning plan HAVE FUN!

Morning Meetings • • Calendar Greetings Weather Birthdays Counting Time Money News

Independence • • Set Goals Try our Best! Chunking Information Model, Model Practice Power of YET!!!! Simple – tying shoes, buying lunch, and unpacking

• Fixed Mindset = giving up, not trying, and avoiding challenges • Growth Mindset – taking risks, try new things, embrace challenges, and develop confidence.

Curriculum • All students will receive the same curriculum • Students are not grouped in First Grade • Teachers will assess students and provide the instruction, remediation and enrichment based on each students needs. • Ipads will be used for academic purposes • Ipads might be used daily, however they will not be used to replace a textbook. • Ipads are used in the classroom and will not be sent home until the spring.

Language Arts • The Storytown series focuses on explicit, systematic instruction with a spiraled review of key skills. • Students experience many opportunities for practice and the application of concepts. • In addition, a series of leveled activities and resource materials exist to meet the varied needs of learners. • Various types of literature (Main and Paired Selections).

Language Arts • Phonemic Awareness (oral tasks– sounds you hear – ears ONLY) • Phonics (sounds and written symbols – eyes & ears) • Phonics skills are taught with word building AND practiced by rereading at school and at home. • Spelling • High Frequency Words/non-phonetic words have to be memorized for quick recall. 3 seconds. • Comprehension (Focus Skills and Strategies) • Fluency – natural expression, appropriate speed, phrasing and accuracy. • Robust Vocabulary • Grammar • Writing

Reading • Large group instruction • Anthology – sent home/return • Guided Reading Groups • Small Group Instruction • Independent practice • Word Building • Silly Sentences/Dictation • Decodable Texts • WIN Time • Daily 5 Centers

Focus Skills/Strategies: • Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. • Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. • Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details. • Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. • Make Inferences • Draw conclusions • Predictions • Summarize • Classify/Categorize • Story Elements – Understanding Characters

Written Communication • Uses Capitalization/Punctuation • Complete Sentences • Organizes Ideas • Spelling Application • D’Nealian Handwriting

• • Developing concepts with manipulatives Practicing for understanding Developing fluency of numbers & facts Topics: – – Operations and Algebraic Thinking Number and Operations in Base Ten Measurement and Data Geometry • Text/Resource Go Math! (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

• • • All students will receive the same curriculum. Students are not grouped in First Grade. Enrichment will not begin until routines are established. Enrichment will take place during math exploration. All children are exposed to enrichment on a daily basis. It may not necessarily be written work, but exposure!!! Large Group Instruction Small Group and Differentiation Instruction (REVIEW CREW) Guided Practice Independent Practice Investigation Stations Math Fact Practice (paper/pencil & i. Pad)

Learning Basic Facts (Jan. ) Two Resources: Otter Creek Basic Facts (Rocket Math) - paper/pencil Reflex Math - i. Pads How to Practice • Use practice sheet that comes home to have your child verbally read the problem and the answer. • If your child hesitates or gives an incorrect answer, tell the correct answer, your child repeats it, then goes back 3 • Practice on the i. Pad app We will be transitioning from paper/pencil to i. Pads throughout the 3 rd and 4 th Qtr. The assessment will be a 2 minute written quiz twice a week. Starts 3 rd quarter

Science – Scott Foresman • • • Living and Nonliving Habitats How Plants and Animals Live Life Cycles Food Chains Weather Observing Matter Movement and Sound Energy

Social Studies – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Kids Discover Families Living and Working Together • • • Rules and Laws Neighborhood Helpers Maps and Globes Where We Live Weather U. S. Symbols Holidays Yesterday and Today The American People Goods and Services • Magazine style format • Connects students to the world • Combines Social Studies and Literacy

Skills for Success • • • Completes assigned work Works independently Works cooperatively Demonstrates appropriate behaviors Follows directions Listens attentively Stays on task Participates in class activities Organizes and manages personal space Shows consistent effort

Report Cards – Tyler System • Children earn the following marks: • • • + (Strength), √ (Appropriate Progress) - (Needs Attention). Tyler System - Parents must register. Reading: Comprehension/Strategies, High Frequency Words, Phonics/Word Analysis, and Fluency Written communication: Conventions (Uses Capitalization/Punctuation), Sentence Structure, Organizes Ideas, Handwriting, and Spelling Application Spelling Skills for Success Math Social Studies and Science • Expect √

Classroom Discipline Emphasis on positive behavior Motivational Cones Proximity & Non-Verbal Reminders Verbal reminders Natural Consequences - “ You Break it – Please Fix It” If a negative behavior is demonstrated, the child changes his/her slip from green to yellow. (1 -2 min. ) • This is a time to “Stop, Think and Reflect”. • If behavior continues, yellow to red. This will earn the child 5 minutes away from recess. • If problem continues, the child will need to sign the REMINDER BINDER. • • •

Reflection • If the behavior still continues then the child will need to complete the “Oops…. Reflection Letter” • “What Could I do differently? ” • Please sign and return.

Positive Rewards Class Rewards: Dance Parties Spy Day Party PJ Party Game Day Extra Recess Classroom DJ for the Day Stuffed Animal Day Movie Day & Popcorn “Eat N Park” Cookies Safari Day & Animal Crackers • Class Lunch • • • Individual Rewards: Sit at teachers desk Personal Assistant Move your seat for the day Gum Wear socks in classroom Bring a stuffed animal Invite a friend to indoor recess • Lunch with the teacher • PAWS tickets • •

PIN Number • Every NA student is assigned a six-digit PIN • PIN will verify student identity and reference important student information, like food allergies, dietary restrictions, and limitations on purchases established by parents. • PIN will subtract monies from student accounts that conveniently eliminate the need for students to pay with cash. • All students have the option to pay by cash or with their PIN number • I post the daily lunch choices; however, please study the menu with your child so they already know what they are ordering upon arrival. It is suggested that you use the school prepay account system for lunch line efficiency.

Lunch (11: 20 -11: 50) • Lunch is $2. 45 • Milk is $. 75 • Water $. 65 • Your child should know his/her PIN student number

Lunch Money • PLEASE SEND MONEY IN A MARKED ENVELOPE WITH THE STUDENT ID NUMBER LISTED. • If you are writing a check for a specific amount, make checks payable to, NA Cafeteria Fund OR YOU CAN PAY AT www. payforit. net. • “Packers”- If your child is packing lunch please make sure your child can OPEN ALL CONTAINERS UNASSISTED. • Please remember to send the necessary plastic utensils and napkins. • Your child needs to know if you pack ANY snacks with peanuts or peanut butter on it so they can move to the nut table due to allergies.

Lunch Menu • 5 Every day lunch choices • 2 Special Menu Lunches Baked Potato Chicken Patty Garden Salad Grilled Chicken Salad Peanut Butter & Jelly

All Visitors • Anyone in the building going anywhere must check in at the office.

Volunteers • • • Mystery Readers (Mondays at 3: 00) Homeroom parent PFA- Publishing center TAG Library Traditions/Culture Presentations Assemble Practice Page Workbooks Classroom Parties End Of Year Portfolio Suitcase • Hallway Bulletin Board

Mystery Reader • • • Please sign in at office between 2: 50 -2: 55 p. m. Mrs. Hunter will send parents to classrooms at 3: 00 p. m. Students will ask Mystery Reader approx. 5 questions Students will try to guess the guest Please bring 2 -3 books to read to our class. Great opportunity to get to know our class!!

Birthdays • We love to celebrate birthdays and do so with a special birthday pillowcase. • Signed by each student with a fabric marker. • Pre-washed, therefore they are machine washable. • Memory for your child to mark their special day. • Day includes: birthday banner, chair banner, birthday bear and singing happy birthday! • PLEASE SEND IN A NON-EDIBLE TREAT. Non-Edible Treat Examples: crayons, mini notebooks, colored pencils, book mark, mini playdough, glow sticks, crazy straws, bubbles, or book donation to classroom library

Homework Policy • The district states: “In first grade, homework should be approximately 10 to 20 minutes per evening, Monday through Thursday”. • Types of Homework Assigned: – Practice weekly high frequency words and story vocabulary (rapid word recognition) – Practice weekly spelling words – Math: • Math Facts – addition and subtration • Go. Math practice pages – Reading: • Reading Anthology • Decodable Books

Attendance Policy • Illness - Student’s must return to school from an illness with a parent note or doctors excuse. • Family Educational Trip – Please complete the written request form 5 days prior to the trip • Missed Work – Missed work is excused, however your child is responsible for passing missed exams. 1. Work will be sent home with your child. 2. Please work on these assignments with your child to reinforce skills and strategies in reading and math. 3. Missed work does NOT need to be returned.

Communication • • e. Mail Phone calls Written notes Newsletter Webpage TAKE HOME Folder SEESAW

Seesaw § A powerful and simple communication app that families can access via a mobile device, i. PAD or computer. § Seesaw is a way to record and share what is happening in the classroom. § Student driven individual portfolio. § Seesaw gives students a place to document their learning, be creative and learn how to use technology. Each student gets their own journal and will add things to it, like photos, videos, writing, drawings, or recordings.

Supplies • • • • 1 Box of Crayola Crayons 1 Box of #2 Pencils - Sharpened 6 Jumbo Glue Stickers (Elmer’s preferred) 1 Highlighter (Yellow or Green is preferred) 2 Dry Erase Markers (any color) Pink erasers Ear Buds for i. Pad (NO Headphones PLEASE!!) Labelled Travel Soap Container to store Ear Buds 2 Boxes of Tissue (any size) Hand Sanitizer Gel or Wipes Disinfectant Wipes (Lysol or Clorox) 1 Poster Board – (any color for End-of Year Portfolio) 1 Labelled Water Bottle Ziploc Baggies – any size would be greatly appreciated!! PLEASE do not send in any extra folders, gel pens, colored markers, spiral notebooks, binders, or pens. These classroom supplies are not necessary for 1 st grade.

Hydration Station • I encourage the students to bring a water bottle. • Please label the water bottle with your child’s name. • The water bottles are to be left by the sink during the day throughout instructional time to avoid spills and accidents. • This will help keep our learning environment safe.

Dismissal Activities Marker Monday Tic Tac Toe Tuesday Wiki Stick Wednesday Think & Draw Thursday Mystery Video Friday

Thank You! • Thank you for attending this evening. • I understand that teaching your child is a joint effort between parents and teachers. • I value and appreciate your partnership in your child’s education. • I feel privileged to be entrusted with your most prized possession; your child.