Welcome Please put on your child’s nametag and read the clues they have written for you! Your challenge is to use the clues to find your child’s seat. Have fun!

Welcome to First Grade! Important Items Yellow Folders Allergies Snack time If your child will be absent or a change in dismissal Birthdays Homework Newsletters Class donations

Important info cont. Class parents Conferences Lunch numbers Water bottles Toys from home Listening skills Our Day (Brain breaks)

How To Reach Us - E-Mail at dtucker@mtsd.us; ncoffey@mtsd.us - Via backpack mail - (609)466-7605

First Grade Reading First Grade Reading Units Reader’s Workshop Format Mini-lesson (Whole Class Direct Instruction) Independent Reading Individual Reading Conferences Reading Partnerships Guided Reading Shared Reading (Big Books) Interactive Read-Alouds Partnership with Teachers College Reading and Writing Project First Grade Reading Units Building Good Reading Habits Word Detectives Learning About the World (Nonfiction) Readers Get To Know Characters by Performing Their Books Readers Have Big Jobs To Do (Fluency, Phonics, Comprehension) Meeting Characters and Learning Lessons

First Grade Writing First Grade Writing Units Focus on writing instruction at all grade levels through Writer’s Workshop Writer’s Workshop Daily Format Mini-lesson (Whole Class Direct Instruction) Independent Writing Individual Writing Conferences Strategy Groups Share Interactive Writing (sharing the pen) Partnership with Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project First Grade Writing Units Small Moments (Narrative) How-To Writing Non-fiction Chapter Books From Scenes to Series (Realistic Fiction) Writing Reviews (Opinion writing) Poetry and Songs or Independent Writing Projects

First Grade Word Work Word Work = spelling, phonics, vocabulary Words Their Way (Developmental Spelling Program) Flexible groups based on spelling stages Goal is transfer of spelling patterns to writing Weekly Word Work Students will work in groups throughout the week, focusing on a particular feature or pattern i.e. Short /a/ word families Students will meet with the teacher for direct instruction and work individually/in groups on work work activities i.e. Word Hunts, sorting, partner games Students will be tested weekly on any words that fit the feature or pattern studied that week Remember, our goal is transfer!

K-4 Mathematics Math in Focus Math Workshop Approach Mini-lesson Whole Class Direct Instruction using a Concrete- Pictorial-Abstract progression. Includes opportunities for students to discuss concepts and big ideas in each unit. Practice Games, Activities, & Written Practice Small Group Instruction Infused Technology Goal Based Fact Fluency Practice Problem Solving Experiences Tonight’s Year at a Glance document will provide more information about grade level topics and information about Think Central online textbook access is coming soon.

First Grade Science 3 Units of Study: How you can help at home? Changes in the sky Observing patterns in our sky over time Light and Sound Discovering how sound and shadows are made Living Things: Why do they look like that? Identifying why some animals may look the same and others look different First Grade Focus: To verbally communicate thinking How you can help at home? Stop answering questions Work with your child to discover answers Ask questions and problem solve together Model how to solve a problem and what steps you take to find the answer.  

Before leaving tonight: Please leave a note for your child on the heart writing paper If you would like to help by donating supplies for the classroom, please take an apple!