Welcome To 1st Grade Curriculum Night

The Top 10 Things to Know About 1st Grade

#10 G.O. Book (getting organized) Goes to and from school each day Communication tool for teachers and parents Organizational binder for students All notes and money should be sent to school in the “Money & Notes From Home” pocket. Please put money in an envelope or baggie that is clearly labeled with your child’s first and last name, the amount, and what the money is for. Math and Reading homework as well as information about Word Study and High Frequency Words will be sent home in the “Homework” pocket. Please return homework to school in the “Homework” pocket. Conduct Card remains in binder—please sign each night Planner remains in binder

#9 Newsletter A newsletter will be sent every Friday via email. It contains curriculum information for the following week, important dates, upcoming events, etc. We will also send emails, known as Quick Notes, with additional information as needed.

#8 Snacks & Water Bottles Send 1 healthy snack that is convenient for your child to eat with their fingers such as: dry cereal, crackers, pretzels, granola bars, grapes, etc. Please do not send snacks that contain nuts, snacks with juices (i.e. fruit cups), or snacks that require utensils (i.e. yogurt/pudding) Water bottles should be clearly labeled with your child’s name, must have a sports cap, and may only contain plain water.

#7 Homework Homework in First Grade reinforces the important concepts and knowledge learned in school. Students will have Math and Reading homework each week. Homework is sent home on Monday and is due on Friday. Math and Reading homework is set up so that students do a small amount of practice each night Monday-Thursday, however, you are welcome to adjust the pacing to meet your family’s scheduling needs. Homework should not take more than 15-20 minutes each night. Homework papers should be neat, legible, and have the student’s name clearly visible. Reading homework is sent on your child’s reading level. Example of Reading homework… Homework will count as a 10% participation grade in Math and Reading.

#7 Homework cont’d. In addition to the weekly Math and Reading homework, your child will also need to spend time practicing the spelling patterns learned in Word Study as well as memorizing their High Frequency Words (Sight Words). Word Study and High Frequency Word information will be sent at the beginning of each grading period. Parents have an important role of providing a regular time and place for homework to be completed. Homework goes more smoothly when parents are nearby and can assist with clarification of directions and/or explanations as needed. Please check your child’s homework for accuracy and completion.

#6 Grades Numerical grades will be given in Math, Reading, and Language Arts. Your child will receive an E, S, N, or U in Science, Social Studies, and Handwriting. Graded papers will be sent home every Wednesday in your child’s Wednesday Folder. This ensures that parents are aware of their child’s weekly progress. Home Access Center

Reading Level Guides For Parents #5 Reading Reader’s Workshop In First Grade we will focus on developing phonemic awareness, decoding skills, word recognition, comprehension, and oral reading fluency. Your child will spend time each day engaged in listening to books read aloud, reading independently and with a partner, responding to their reading, and reading with their teacher one-on-one or in a small group. Reading Levels When your child enters a new grade he or she is assessed and assigned a reading level based on word-knowledge, comprehension, and fluency. The levels range alphabetically from A to Z, with level A representing the lowest level and level Z the highest. This allows the teacher to work closely with each student to help them become better readers by introducing them to increasingly challenging books while meeting the varying instructional needs of each child in the room. Reading Level Guides For Parents

#5 Reading High Frequency Words: Students are responsible for learning high frequency words (sight words) each grading period. Students must know these words by SIGHT, as “sounding them out” will not always work. When we test your child on high frequency words, we expect them to read each word in 3 seconds or less and show no indication that they are trying to “sound them out.” If students are not able to do this, they do not get credit for knowing that word. High frequency words are tested twice per grading period. The high frequency word list with assessment dates will be sent home at the beginning of each grading period.

#4 Language Arts Writer’s Workshop We do lots of writing in First Grade. Children are encouraged to use phonetic spelling when they first start. Our goal is to encourage risk taking and independence in writing. Part of this process is to build confidence in the students’ ability to communicate in writing even if they can’t spell the word with “dictionary” spelling. However, as sight words and spelling patterns are introduced, children will gradually move toward more conventional spelling.

#4 Language Arts cont’d. Word Study Katy ISD has transitioned from traditional spelling to Word Study. Word study includes phonics, spelling, and vocabulary. Students will explore a spelling pattern for 4-5 weeks and will be assessed at the end of the time period. A set list will not be sent home for the students to memorize. At the beginning of each grading period, a calendar that communicates the focus for the week as well as sample words and assessment dates will be sent home. Example of Word Study Test

#3 Math 1st Grading Period 2nd 3rd 4th Numeracy to 20 Addition/Subtraction to 10 2nd Numeracy to 100 Money & Personal Financial Literacy 3rd Geometry & Fractions Addition/Subtraction to 20 Numeracy to 120 4th Money Measurement Graphing

#2 Science 1st Grading Period 2nd 3rd 4th Health Matter & Energy Force, Motion & Energy Weather 3rd Objects in the Sky Rocks, Soil & Water Organisms & Their Environment 4th Life Cycles Plants Animals

#1 Social Studies 1st Grading Period 2nd 3rd 4th Citizenship Neighborhood & Maps 2nd Economics Patriotism Traditions & Customs 3rd Historical Figures Texas Symbols 4th Geography Technology & Inventors

Q&A…