Welcome Your Adventure Begins in 1 D Who

Welcome! Your Adventure Begins in 1 D

Who is Mrs. Ferguson? This is my family:

My Job: • I am your child’s First Grade Teacher! • I am passionate about education and I love teaching children. • We are going to explore and learn many new things together this year. • We have procedures, expectations and rules in our classroom. • I am dedicated to helping your child reach his/her full potential in a caring environment.

Your Child’s Job:

Expectations

• • • 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 a computer Have fun in art Enjoy making music Try new things

Arrival Procedures Main Entrance Primary Entrance • When students are arriving by bus they will enter the main door. (If they arrive by car OR walk, they will not be “buzzed” in. ) • There will be two adults in the entrance - one at the outside entry door and one at the inside office hall door by red line. • An assistant will be at the entrance at 8: 50. • Children walking or arriving by car will enter this door at 8: 50. The door will be monitored the entire time by the assigned assistant or staff member. • This door will never be unlocked.

Dismissal Procedures Walkers and Pick-ups • Students will line up in the Rainbow Hall. • An assistant will monitor them. • Students may enter through the library OR from the LGI end of the hall way. • The “A” bus proctor will sign-out each child. • The “B” bus proctor or the assistant will remain at the door to the Rainbow Hall OR the door will be kept closed.

After School Programs • Since all doors to the building will be locked, parents should wait outside. • Students with an activity on the stage, in the gym, or in the cafeteria will be dismissed through the gym door. • All other students will be dismissed through the main entrance.

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

• • • 8: 50 - 9: 10 Arrival, Read it, Draw it, Solve it, Lunch Count, Read Silently 9: 10 -10: 40 Language Arts: (Grammar, Spelling, Word Building, Guided Reading, Literacy centers, and Direct Instruction) 10: 40 -11: 00 Writing 11: 05 -11: 15 Morning Meeting 11: 15 - 11: 45 Lunch 11: 45 - 12: 30 Specials 12: 35 - 1: 45 Math 1: 00 - 1: 45 Specials 1: 45 – 2: 15 Recess 2: 15 – 2: 45 Centers/Daily 5 2: 45 - 3: 20 Science or Social Studies 3: 20 Wrap Up/Pack Up: Prepare for dismissal

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

Specials • Monday- Integrated Arts 9: 15 – 10: 15 (schedule is on school’s webpage under Thursday E Blast) • Tuesday- Library (Mrs. Flaherty) • Wednesday – Art (Mrs. Finch ) • Thursday – Music (Mr. Schmidt) • Friday – Physical Education (Mrs. Frisco)

Lunch (11: 10 -11: 40) • Lunch is $2. 25 • Milk is $. 70 • Your child should know his/her student number

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

Language Arts • Harcourt – 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. Sample skills that are developed through these resources include: – Various types of literature (Main and Paired Selections) – Phonemic Awareness – Phonics/Spelling – High Frequency Words – Comprehension (Focus Skills and Strategies) – Fluency – Robust Vocabulary – Grammar – Writing

Reading • Large group instruction • Guided practice • Independent practice • Reading Achievement Center Instruction: • Word Building • Silly Sentences • Dictation • Decodable Texts • Centers • Syllasearch (beginning of 4 th quarter)

Guided Reading • Small flexible groups • Leveled books A-J • Goal by the end of First Grade is Level J • Opportunity to work with children on skills they need most. • Enrichment and Reinforcement with leveled passages.

Reading

Communication Arts • D’Nealian Handwriting • Parents reinforce top to bottom • Spelling – Review letters and sounds • Fridays-Test • Two grades for spelling

• All students will receive the same curriculum. • Students are not grouped in First Grade. • Teachers will assess students and provide the instruction and enrichment needed within their group. • 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!!! • Memorizing math facts – Start NOW!!! – Rocket Math–Begins in January

New Mathematics Curriculum We have updated the curriculum in grades K-8. Instruction will focus on inquiry-based methodology. Problem solving will be emphasized in all units. All Pennsylvania Core Standards for Mathematics will be addressed. • GO MATH! will be our new textbook series. • Each student will receive “mini-books” for all units. Students can write in their consumable books. • There are new online resources that can be used at home for additional practice and reinforcement. • •

1 st Grade • • 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/Resources: – Calendar Math – Go Math! (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) – Otter Creek Mastering Basic Facts (Rocket Math)

GO MATH! Online Resources For best results, use Chrome as your Internet browser. 1. From the North Allegheny Homepage, click on “+Parents. ” 2. Then select “Online Textbook Resources. ” 3. Select “Elementary Level Resources. ”

Science and Social Studies • Science: - Scott Foresman: Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Space and Technology • Social Studies: Scott Foresman • Unit 1 Time For School • Unit 2 In My Community • Unit 3 Work, Work • Unit 4 Our Earth, Our Resources • Unit 5 This is Our Country • Unit 6 Our Country Our World

Report Cards – Tyler System • Children earn a: • • • + (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 √

Gifted Education • Please visit the NA Website for detailed information.

Gifted Education • NA Website for detailed information

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

Environment • Open environment which allows for exploration and movement around the room when appropriate. • Expectations: – – – use manners show respect follow rules take responsibility for learning HAVE FUN!

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. This is a warning. 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. • If the behavior still continues then the child will need to another red slip with an “Oops Letter” • • •

Positive Rewards Class wide and personal positive rewards for earing compliments in the “Compliment Jar” and earing positive cones: • • • Dance Parties Lunch with the teacher (small group) Spy Day Party PJ Party Personal Assistant to the teacher Sitting in the pink chair /red chair/blue & yellow chair or teacher chair Verbal Recognition for good choices and behaviors Sitting at the teachers desk Game Day or Extra Recess Sit with a friend Classroom DJ for the Day!

DREAM BIG

D oing our best… What does it look like? • I will try to do my best everyday. • I will try to use positive words. • I will never give up.

Responsible and Ready… What does it look like? • I will come to school prepared. • I will bring my homework. • I am are ready to learn.

Eager to Learn… What does it look like? • I am eager to see, explore and wonder. • I am eager to learn new skills and strategies. • I am eager to share ideas. • I am eager to listen to and learn from others.

A lways R espectful… What does it look like? • I am respectful to other students and their feelings. • I am respectful to teachers. • I am respectful to the classroom and materials. • I am respectful to the school.

M. anage M yself… What does it look like? • I can manage myself by staying in my own space. • I can manage myself by keeping my hands at my side when walking in the hallway. • I can manage myself by using walking feet.

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 – Reading: • Reading Anthology • Reading Guided Reading Books/leveled

Wellness • We adhere to the District Policy #3441 regarding wellness. • We strongly discourage edible birthday treats. • Guest Readers and TAG presenters may not distribute food. • Teachers may not use food as a reward. • Food for any class events, must have an ingredient list presented 48 hours in advance to the nurse.

Volunteers • • Mystery Readers (Fridays at 3: 00, sign up today. ) Homeroom parent PFA- Publishing center TAG Library Traditions/Culture Presentations Assemble Practice Page Workbooks Classroom Parties

Communication • Email • Phone calls- Leave a message at school. • Written notes • Weekly newsletter

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

Language Arts

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.