1. Welcome to First Grade’s Curriculum Night 2016-2017

2. Meet The First Grade Team! Tiara Atkinson AtkinsonT1@fultonschools.orgAtkinsonT1@fultonschools.org Deirdre Forde FordeD@fultonschools.orgFordeD@fultonschools.org Kristen Hanley HanleyK@fultonschools.orgHanleyK@fultonschools.org Lisa Jeffcoat Jeffcoat@fultonschools.orgJeffcoat@fultonschools.org Keziah Massalene MassaleneK@fultonschools.orgMassaleneK@fultonschools.org Nicole Williamson WilliamsonN@fultonschools.orgWilliamsonN@fultonschools.org

3. SCHOOLSCHOOL EXPECTATIONSEXPECTATIONS

4. First Grade Class Schedule SCHEDULESCHEDULE 7:45-8:15W.I.N. 8:15- 9:15Math 9:15-10:00Specials 10:15-10:45Word Work 10:45-12:00Reading 12:05-12:35Lunch 12:35-1:15Science/S. Studies 1:15-2:15Writer’s Workshop

5. Math instruction is presented in a guided math format. Students are taught a mini-lesson (10 minutes) at the beginning of each math block. Students then work in math groups for the remainder of math time. Groups are flexible and are determined by unit pre-tests at the beginning of each unit. MATHMATH Math Units 1. Creating Routines with Data 2. Developing Base Ten Number Sense 3. Operations & Algebraic Thinking 4. Measurement / Time & Data 5. Understanding Place Value 6. Shapes and Fractions ** Students should spend a few minutes each night practicing their addition and subtraction facts.

6. READINGREADING  Reading instruction is presented in a Readers’ Workshop format. Mentor texts are used to model good reading in a whole group setting. Targeted instruction takes places daily in small, guided reading groups. Independent practice is offered during ‘Read to Self’ time. Groups are flexible and are determined by unit pre-tests, DRA levels, and anecdotal notes. Reading Units Focus: Fluency & Comprehension 1. Literary (fictional) 2. Informational (research-guided) 3. Literary/Informational/Opinion (author’s purpose) 4. Literacy/ Informational (independent research) ** Daily reading practice is essential for success in reading at this age. Children who practice reading for 10 minutes nightly do significantly better in school than those who do not read.

7. WRITINGWRITING  This year Summit Hill will use the Lucy Calkins Writing Curriculum in a writers’ workshop format. Students will have one hour of instruction each day dedicated to the writing process. Writing 1. Narrative: Small Moments (writing with focus, detail, and dialogue) 2. Information: Nonfiction Chapter Books 3. Opinion: Writing Reviews 4. Narrative: Writing Fiction (from scenes to series)

8. SCIENCESCIENCE Science Units 1. Sound 2. Light & Shadows 3. Magnets 4. Weather/Changes in Water 5. Plants & Animals  First grade will study the following units in science this year. They will also have opportunities to explore through our S.T.E.A.M projects.  **First Graders will participate in the Discovery Lab again this year. Please consider volunteering for this program if you can. It is a lot of fun!

9. SOCIAlSOCIAl STUDIESSTUDIES Social Studies Units 1. Geography – Continents & Oceans, Landforms 2. Lewis & Clark with Sacajawea 3. Thomas Jefferson 4. Harriet Tubman 5. George Washington Carver 6. Teddy Roosevelt 7. Needs & Wants / Goods & Services  The first grade goal is to teach these units in an integrated format in the classroom. Students will explore the topics in math, reading, and language arts.

10. 1. Technology 2. Engineering 3. Math 4. Project Based Learning Rotations SUPERSUPER SPECIALSSPECIALS  On Wednesday afternoons, typically once a month, first graders get to take part in Super Specials. During this two hour block students will rotate through 4 classes. Here the focus will be on S.T.E.A.M. **Students will attend sessions from 12:10-2:10 pm. On these days first graders will have an earlier lunch.

11. HOMEWORKHOMEWORK Establishing Routines Focus Skills 1.Reading fluency and Comprehension 2. Math Computation (start with addition facts and then move to subtraction facts)  In first grade our goal with homework is to help our students establish routines for school. Homework should take no more than 15 minutes a night. First graders will take home their homework folders on Monday and they should return them every Friday. **Spelling with be integrated into the instructional day this year. We will not give students spelling tests each week. Instead, we will monitor to ensure that students are applying correct spelling in their daily writing.

12. COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION Summit Hill Folder Husky Folders are sent home weekly every Friday. Signed Papers will be included in this folder bi-weekly. Please review with your child, sign and return the complete packet on Monday. Changes in How Your Child Goes Home Please send in a note if your child will be going home a different way. Teachers will not always have access to emails. Emergency changes will be handled through the front office. Absences Email or send a note within THREE days if any absence is to be excused. If a trip out of town is planned it should be approved by Principal Gray. Students will receive the work they miss when they return. Contacting The Teacher * Email is the best way to touch base with your child’s teacher. You will receive a response within 24 hours. Teachers are happy to schedule conferences with parents as needed.