Welcome to Grade 1 My Background Born in

Welcome to Grade 1!

My Background • Born in Ontario, Canada • BA and BEd from York University in Toronto while also studying abroad in the UK and India. • Master of Arts in Education from the University of Northern Iowa in the USA • Teaching for 7 years • This is my fifth year teaching at UAS. • Taught in South Korea, Qatar and the UAE • I love to read, watch documentaries and play ice hockey on a weekly basis in Dubai!

Useful information • Morning entry (all children should assemble in the playground and enter together at 7. 35 am) and pick-up in the classrooms at 3. 05 (children should go to the elementary office if parents are delayed to pick up) • Birthdays – please be mindful of nut, dairy and gluten allergies. • Class Rewards – Class Dojo points for VIP of the week

• Communication via blog: sites. uasdubai. ae/ashutsa/ • Please check the blog at least once a week, it will be updated on Thursday for the following week. I will also post pictures and videos from time to time. The portal will show a link to my blog.

UAS Expectations Students should: arrive to school on time, prepared and ready to learn have their homework done each week use the washroom after transitions and fill their water bottles outside when possible be kind and respectful to all staff and students at UAS do their personal best everyday

PYP Our six inquiry units are: § How We Express Ourselves § Who We Are § Where We Are in Place and Time § How the World Works § How We Organize Ourselves § Sharing the Planet

Field Trips • We will take a field trip for most of our PYP units. We also have many theatrical presentations from touring companies who visit.

Balanced Literacy Program • Reading – Guided reading – Partner reading – Individual reading – Whole class shared reading – Read aloud * Readers Workshop program throughout Grade 2, aided by literacy coach Michelle Webster

Reading • Reading comprehension is a huge focus in grade 1. Students should be able to retell stories in their own words. • Students should be able to read grade level texts at an appropriate speed, with accuracy and expression. • Nightly practice may be necessary to build fluency and build vocabulary.

Balanced Literacy Program Writers’ Workshop Components: 1. Mini lesson 2. Independent writing – conferences and small group strategy lessons. 3. After the workshop… share

Everyday Mathematics • The program is based on research that shows children learn best when information can be connected to what they already know. • As the name implies, it seeks to relate math to everyday life. • Everyday Math teaches children that there are many ways to get to the same answer

Math • Students need to know their basic addition and subtraction facts to 20. • Practicing math facts at home is IMPORTANT!!!! • www. math-drills. com, www. ixl. com and www. mathplayground. com are great websites

Teaching the Grade Level Standards Student Friendly “I CAN” Learning Targets Parent Friendly Examples of Learning Targets Shared with parents at the beginning of each unit of study

Post Assessment Progress Towards Mastery of Mathematical Standards The scoring aligns with the semester school report card

Home. FUN • Home Learning Menu – Homework in Grade 1 is given in the form of a Home Learning Menu. • All homework is given on Thursday and students will have the week to do it. It will be review of what students learned the previous week.

Read, read! Students are expected to read for 10 minutes a night and fill out their reading log. Parents should sign to say this was done. This is part of the Home Learning Menu but we strongly encourage parents to push their child with this. Some work not completed in class will be sent home to be completed.

Folders • Folders: Homeroom – goes home every daily. • Arabic / AFL/ Islamic – depends on the teacher. Please email Mahmoud Ali with any Arabic or Islamic questions/concerns. mali@uasdubai. ae • A helpful suggestion for you: keep your own folder at home with important information, previous spelling lists, newsletters, etc. for easy access and review throughout the year.

Cafeteria • Please stop by the cafeteria to see what lunch options are available for your child. • Children need about 12 dhs to get lunch and a drink. • If you are going to send your child with lunch, please try to make it healthy.

Notes to School • Please write an email or send a note if your child: – is absent (attendance@uasdubai. ae) – has an appointment – is leaving early – has a transportation change • It is the student’s responsibility to give the note to me. • When picking up your child from school early you must sign them out from the office.

How to Support Your Child at Home • Read to your child everyday, even after they have learned to read. • Talk as you read. Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next? , Why do you think the character did that? , What would you do? ” • Story tell with your child. Ask them what they will write about and help your child discover stories from their own lives.

Responsibility and Independence It is our goal for your child to become an independent and responsible learner. Here is how you can help: Teach and encourage your child to tie his/her own shoes, zip coat, snap and button clothing. Learn and practice address, phone number, parents cell number, and birth date. Help your child by holding them responsible for their own homework and behavior. Let them pack their own backpacks the night before school and carry their own backpacks while at school.

• Literacy: WEBSITES www. abcteach. com www. starfall. com • Math: www. ixl. com www. math-drills. com • General www. brainpop. com username: uasdubai password: uasd 1234

Contact Information • The key to a successful school year is communication between home and school. Please email me at ashutsa@uasdubai. ae with any questions or concerns. • If your child is sick please call the office at 04 -2325222 First Grade Teachers Nancy Salem – room 203 Thao Tozin – room 206 Veronica Jones – room 208 Chanun Caine – room 204 Please make sure to read the weekly newsletter on the class blog. Problems with the Portal, please contact: portalsupport@uasdubai. ae

PARENTS Thank you for coming tonight. I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning with your children. Any questions?