Welcome to Our Class Welcome to First Grade

Welcome to Our Class

Welcome to First Grade! · Hold on…I have lots of information to give you in a short amount of time · Please let me know if you have any questions!

All About Mrs. Stingle · My background · I grew up in Washington Twp. · I graduated from West Chester University. · I finished my Masters in Reading at Wilmington University last spring. I also hold a reading specialist certificate · I recently moved! · I have a wonder husband named Mike. We have a 16 month old daughter named Delaney. She is the best thing that’s ever happened to us!! · My experience · This is my 16 th year teaching in this district. · I taught kindergarten for one year before moving to first grade. I LOVE teaching first grade!

All About Mrs. Ellis · My background · I grew up in Mantua. · I’ve lived in Woodbury for 15 years. · I graduated from the College of NJ. · I have a wonderful husband, a 19 year old son, 2 step-sons, and two beautiful grandchildren. · My experience · I have worked in the district for many years. · I have watched the district grow from 2 schools with two of every grade-to 4 schools with over 10 in each grade! · Even after all of these years I feel blessed to come to work everyday!

This year your child will… · make new friends and discover new interests. · show amazing growth. · be in a supportive and fun learning environment. · take an active role in their learning.

Targets and Learning Goals For your child to take an active role in their learning…they need to know what they are learning and why This will be taught through learning targets and learning goals.

*A Learning TARGET is a small skill needed to reach the Learning GOAL. Students often need to reach many small targets before achieving the learning goal. A learning goal make take weeks or longer to meet. Example… Targets: I know letter sounds. I can decode (sound out) words. I can read sight words. Learning Goal: I can read grade level text fluently. As we all know…goals often take time to achieve. They take hard work and practice. Giving students targets to achieve along the way help them to be successful and provide support and practice to achieve the learning goal.

4 3 2 Above the Target: I can double knot my laces. **I can tie my shoes. *I can cross my laces. *I can make a loop. *I can make two loops. *I can cross my loops. *I need help to tie my shoe. I am ready to learn! **I can tie my shoes. Frame formatted by Betty Sanchez Our Learning Goal: Frame formatted by Betty Sanchez 1

Class Subjects · The subjects we cover in first grade are: · · · Reading (Whole Group and Daily 5) Being a Writer (Writer’s Workshop) Working with Words (Fundations and Sight words) Math (Whole Group and Daily 5 Math) Science Social Studies

Whole Group · Whole group instruction is when I work with the whole class on a skill or topic. I will be using the Reading Wonders program during this time.

Guided Reading · Guided reading is when I work with small groups. Students read appropriate leveled readers that reinforce a skill or topic learned during whole group. These groups can also be based on interest or specific skill.

FACE of a reader · Fluency-I can read with accuracy and expression. · Accuracy-I can read the words correctly. · Comprehension-I can understand what I read. · Expanded Vocabulary-I know, use, and can find interesting words.

The Daily 5 What is Daily 5 Literacy? It’s a 5 component literacy framework to help develop literacy skills. 1. Read to Self- Individual “Good Fit” bags 2. Read to Someone- Individual “Good Fit” bags 3. Listen to Reading- Interactive stories on-line or books on CD 4. Work on Writing- Individual Writing Folders 5. Word Work/Spelling- Individual Word books Benefits: • Keep students focused on literacy while the teacher is working with small groups. • Gives students the chance to be independent in their choices and have some ownership over their learning.

Fundations is an intensive phonics based program that teaches kids the spelling rules so they can figure out words when reading or when spelling. This program lets me… *use multisensory, structured phonics quickly and successfully to reach all learners. *review and reinforce handwriting. Fundations has been successful in both remediation of difficulties in reading as well as challenging gifted readers.

Spelling/Working with Words • Each student will be introduced to their own 5 sight words each week. Students will work with their words all week. Students will be expected to read (sometimes spell) words before getting new words. I will also introduce 5 word wall words every week that will be added to our class word wall for students to use as a resource. • Students will learn how to review, sort, classify and analyze words. This helps students learn how to spell words not just for assessments but for life. Students will manipulate letters to form words, clap and chant words, find smaller words using a Big Word, etc, .

Writer’s Workshop · I will use Being a Writer for writing mini-lessons. · Examples of Mini-Lessons: · Choosing a Topic · What to Do if You Can’t Spell a Word · Punctuation and Grammar · Adding On to a Piece · Revising · Editing Students will learn how to write: • about their own experiences and interests (narratives). • informational pieces (all about books, how to, etc). • opinion pieces (Example: Writing about why purple is their favorite color).

Writer’s Workshop continued Four Squares Four Square Graphic Organizers are often used for seasonal writing, science, and social studies topics. They are a great way to help students organize their writing into paragraph form. Handwriting Students will focus on correct letter formation, configuration of each letter, spacing, proper use of upper and lower case letters, learning to write on lines, etc. These skills will be reinforced during Fundations.

Math I will use My Math for the Whole Group Lesson of the Day • Operations & Algebraic Thinking • Geometry • Number and Operations in Base Ten • Measurement and Data During whole group, students will use a handson approach to explore their knowledge of the lesson. Students will extend their knowledge of learned skills during Daily 5 Math.

Daily 5 Math What is Daily 5 Math? It’s a 5 component math framework to help develop math skills. 1. Math By Myself-Skills practiced using wipe off boards, hundred charts, flashcards, etc 2. Math with a Friend- Math games that reinforce learned skills 3. Math with Technology- Interactive smart board and computer activities 4. Math Work- Differentiated math folders 5. Math with Teacher- Remediate, reinforce, and extend learning Benefits: • Keeps students focused on math while the teacher is working with small groups. • Gives students the chance to be independent in their choices and have some ownership over their learning.

Science/Social Studies Harcourt Supplemental Series · · · Social Studies Units Science Units Rules and Laws Where People Live Meeting People The Marketplace We Love Our Country · Plants and Animals All Around · Living Together · About Our Earth · Weather, Seasons, and the Sky

Assessment Folders and Learning Binders · When assessments are conducted, your child will bring the assessment home in an Assessment Folder. Please remove the assessment, sign the attached paper and send the folder back. The assessment if for you to keep. The students have already recorded the score (if applicable) in their learning binder. · Learning binders will be used as a portfolio of the learning your child is doing throughout the year. They are meant to be cumulative. Papers should not be removed. These binders will be sent home in the middle and end of each trimester for you to review.

Classroom Community · Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other. · Our class rules are: · · · Respect yourself, others, and our classroom Safe hands and feet Be a good listener Work as a team Always try your best

Homework · Each student is expected to read for 10 minutes every night. · Additional homework may be sent home (see weekly newsletter). · Additional activities can be found on the 1 st Grade Homework Website.

Goals • To give your child the academic and social skills needed to progress to second grade. • To foster independent work habits. • To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. • To help your child make new friends, discover new interests, and develop their excitement for learning.

Just a Note… Never feel that any question is too small. I am here to help and answer any question or help with concerns you may have. I maintain a very supportive and encouraging classroom. I want your child to feel free to take risks, to learn from their mistakes, and to be excited about learning. If your child isn’t feeling that way, please let me know. I want to work with you to make this a great year for your child!

Let’s Have a Great Year!