1. Welcome! Please sign in at the table and then find your child’s seat.
Feel free to use the markers and paper at each table to write your child a special note. 

2. First Grade Teacher Ms. Kristen Weller Thank yous Introduce myself
Other grades
But love first grade

3. Take Home Folders
Please check your child’s Take Home Folder every night and bring it back to school.
Notes, homework that need to go home, also what I look in every morning lunch money etc

4. Snacks and Lunch All students should bring a snack and drink.
Snacks and lunches should be separate.
If your child is buying lunch, send in lunch money in an envelope with their full name, and my name.
Lunches go to the lunchroom before snack time
Send in money or pay online

5. Birthday invitations must go through Mr. Kirkby
Birthdays
If you would like to bring in a snack for your child’s birthday, it must be from the Healthy Snack List.
NO NUTS!
Birthday invitations must go through Mr. Kirkby
Holidays- can have “not healthy” items but still no nuts

6. Yogurt covered pretzels
Goody bags can’t have food

7. Students can only ride their own bus.
If there are any changes regarding dismissal, please me or send a note in your child’s folder.
Students can only ride their own bus.
Call the office if it is the day of

8. Gym Music Library Art Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
See/ specials teacher regarding any questions.
**Gym and Library
Wear sneakers!
Wear sneakers!
Return library book

9. Behavior Expectations
Students are expected to do their best listening and learning throughout the day.
A behavior chart is used in class to encourage positive behavior. It will also serve as a warning and consequence for negative behaviors.
“How Was My Day?” chart is used to inform you of their daily behaviors
Anyone who ends the day on blue, will have a note on the back explaining why
I like to focus on positive behaviors, students who are good role models- set examples for others
when parents are consistent at home, it is more effective

10. Behavior charts should stay in folders until the end of the week.
Yellow
Outstanding!
Your child has been an outstanding role model for their classmates today!
Green
Great Job!
Your child made really great choices today.
Purple
Ready to Learn
Your child followed the rules and had a good day.
Orange
Make better Choices
Your child needed a warning/reminder of our class behavior and expectations.
Blue
Parent Contact
Your child made several poor choices after being given a warning.
Purple is good, every student starts the day on purple
Behavior chart should be kept in folder until Friday each week
Behavior charts should stay in folders until the end of the week.

11. Reader’s Workshop = mini-lesson + independent reading
Encourages students to be “real readers”.
Reader’s workshop allows the opportunity to tailor instruction more individually and appropriately for each student
Reader’s Workshop = mini-lesson + independent reading
In our Reading Workshop your child will:
* Listen to and respond to literature read aloud by me
* Receive small group reading instruction
* Read books on their own at their specific reading level
* Work with a partner- read and discuss texts
What I like about it
Show book baggy and reader’s response
Talk about guided reading level- I assess them throughout the year- based on decoding skills, fluency, and comprehension
during independent reading

12. Goal: To develop life-long, passionate readers 
Reader’s Workshop
This instruction will help your child to:
* Learn word attack skills
* Learn different reading strategies
* Focus on comprehension
All students will be reading their own “Just Right” books that they are interested in
Goal: To develop life-long, passionate readers 

13. How You Can Help
The best way you can help your child to become a better reader is by helping them enjoy reading!
Students should be reading for at least 20 minutes a night. (Please keep track of the books they read on their Reading Log)
Reading to them, discussing books helps build comprehension.
Helping them choose “Just Right” books, as well as books they enjoy.
Make it a special time together, reading to them
Build stamina at home
Reading logs will start going home next week

15. “just right” books will make them a better reader
Using this chart, or scholastic book wizard- guided reading level

16. Strategies we use
Better than just telling them the word

17. Raz-Kids Great resource for on-level texts
More information will be sent home next week about how to log in
Set up by guided reading level Can put “raz kids” on reading log

18. Email me if you are interested! 
Mystery Reader
I am looking for Mystery Readers to share their love of reading with us this year!  If you would like to surprise your child by coming to read to us, we would love to have you! 
We will be welcoming Mystery Readers throughout the year on Fridays at 11:10.
me if you are interested! 
Another way to make kids excited about reading

19. Scholastic Books Sent home once a month
Can be ordered from catalog (send in a check made out to Scholastic Reading Club)
Or ordered from website (can choose books from any grade level catalog)
Class Code: MBLJ8
Points are used to expand our classroom library 
Show catalog
Sent home in October
Only if you choose to

20. Writer’s Workshop = mini-lesson + independent writing
Students are REAL writers. They will go through the writing process just like every author does.
Writer’s Workshop = mini-lesson + independent writing
Focus on Four Writing Pieces:
“Small Moments”
Information
Opinion
Narrative
Goal: Promote confidence in students’ ability to express ideas through their writing
During independent writing
Focus on writer’s craft and story telling- using details, making characters come alive, teaching using pictures

21. Writing Folders
Each child will have a writing folder that will serve two purposes:
Hold their writing throughout the year
Be used to help with ideas for their writing
Due Thursday, September 22nd
Show writing folder

22. How You Can Help Encourage writing in any way
Journals, To Do lists, reminders, grocery lists…
Focus on how writing can be used, NOT on spelling (stretching and spelling the best you can)
Inventive spelling
Inventive spelling is age appropriate
Still time to practice capital letters, punctuation

23. *Students will be tested on these skills every Friday.*
Word Work
Sight Words
Word Study
Words that students should be able to read immediately.
They should also be able to spell these words correctly.
Four words a week
Students will explore patterns and relationships in words.
This knowledge can then be applied to reading and writing more words.
Focus on one pattern each week.
Examples
Sight words will be practice for homework
Sight words are foundation for reading- practice at home
*Students will be tested on these skills every Friday.*

24. Math Go Math! Aligned with the Common Core
Students will be using models, manipulatives, pictures, and symbols to build mathematical understanding.
Focuses on solidifying understanding of basic concepts before learning new concepts
Differentiated instruction for all learners
Students will be focusing on:
Addition
Subtraction
Comparing Numbers
Two Digit Addition and Subtraction
Measurement
Data
Geometry
Show math book
Online component used in class
More information about online logins will be provided
Reading and writing component

25. Students will have homework each day.
Please encourage your child to work on their homework independently.
1. Math- sent home/returned daily
2. Sight Word practice
3. Reading Log

26. Word Study Homework
Word Study Homework will help your child practice writing the four sight words and word patterns.
Each night they have to choose one activity to do from the choices. This will be checked at the end of each week.
They MUST DO sentences one night.
Show homework notebook
Four times a week
Homework notebook should stay in folder

27. Students should be reading for at least 20 minutes a night.
Reading Logs
Students should be reading for at least 20 minutes a night.
Use the reading log to keep track. It should be kept in your child’s folder until the end of each month. I will check it periodically.
Can be time spent reading to your child, with your child, or their independent reading
Build stamina
Use “tricky word” strategies provided on previous slide
Raz kids

28. Subscribe to “e-alerts”
Class Website
My class website is used to keep you informed of important information, events, homework assignments, and what we are learning.
I will update the website every Monday with the week’s homework and events.
Ms. Weller's Website
Subscribe to “e-alerts”
Will update during the week if anything changes, important event comes up
E-alerts will let you know
Show homework board
Show reading resources

29. Parent/Teacher Conferences November 16th and November 17th
Important Dates
No School October 3rd
No School October 10th
No School October 12th
Parent/Teacher Conferences November 16th and November 17th

30. Email me with any questions, comments, or to set up a time to meet.
Thank you! 
8:15
Take handouts at table if you have not done so yet.
Writers/Readers workshop info, mystery reader, “homework” for caregivers
Take and bring back at any time, or put in basket
PTC