Welcome to First Grade! Where Learning Grows Each Day! Mrs. Desmarais: Ms. Feller: Mrs. Hinte: Mrs. Moore: Ms. Scheerle:

Tonight, parents will… know and understand their role in the Parent Learning Community. know ways they can be involved with their child’s classroom and school. understand the expectations of a student at Samuel Beck Elementary

NISD Beliefs

Samuel Beck Elementary Mission Statement In partnership with the community, Beck Elementary is committed to success for all learners, ensuring a safe environment that implements rigorous, relevant curricula, and focused instruction.

STAAR Testing Dates DateDayGradeSTAAR Test 2-AprTues4thWriting - Day 1 Tues5thMath 3-AprWed4thWriting - Day 2 Wed5thReading 22-AprTues3rdMath Tues4thMath 23-AprWed3rdReading Wed4thReading Wed5thScience 13-MayTues5thMath - Retest 14-MayWed5thReading - Retest 24-JunTues5thMath - Retest 25-JunWed5thReading - Retest

Schedule Tardy Bell: 7:45- Doors open at 7:20! Lunch: 11:45-12:15 Recess: 12:15-12:45 Electives/Conference: 12:55-1:50 Dismissal: 2:45

Communication Student Handbook and Code of Conduct at Class websites at Select Beck Elementary>Staff>Teacher Name Daily Communication Folders Pay lunch account online: Parents>Menus/Food Services Transportation changes must be in ed to the front office at by 2:00 p.m. Parent/Teacher fall conferences

Grades Access grades online: Parents>Grades Online TEA website: - Select “T” from A-Z menu; - Select “Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills” - Scroll down to first grade

Home Access Grades Online NISD provides grades online through the Home Access Center (HAC). Paper copies of progress reports and report cards can be provided for students in grades 1 – 5 upon request. Kinder students will receive a paper copy due to the format. A letter will be sent home with each student that has the information parents need to access grades online. If you have not received this letter about the Home Access Center (HAC), please contact the front office at

Grades The grading system for NISD is as follows: 100 – 90AExcellent Progress 89 – 80BAbove Average Progress 79 – 70CAverage Progress 69 – 0FUnsatisfactory Progress (Failing) Other areas of study such as art, music, PE, work habits, social behavior, and student progress are marked as follows: E = Performs consistently at excellent/above standard expectations S = Performs consistently at standard expectations N = Performs slightly below standard expectations U = Performs consistently below standard expectations

Technology in Action Student laptops and iPad carts Electronic Chalkboards Data Projectors Document Cameras Distance Learning Media Cast CPS Receivers (think George Jetson!) Eduphoria Home Access

Homework Guidelines Check for homework in daily folder Read every night Parent involvement

Classroom Management Love & Logic Daily Communication calendar

First Graders Set Goals!

Writers’ Workshop Teacher directed opening mini-lessons to model and encourage children to become writers Independent student writing related to topics of choice, retells, nonfiction, and a variety of genres Student goal setting and guidance through individual conferring and small group work Students share work in response group and author’s chair

Readers’ Workshop Whole group reading Mini-lessons provide pre-reading activities such as directionality, concepts of print, book awareness and introduction of reading strategies. Independent reading activity

Guided Reading Small group reading according to instructional needs with teacher guidance Reading material challenges students’ instructional needs and increases comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary Reading strategies are modeled and practiced.

Social Studies Citizenship Families Communities Laws and Rules Holidays and Customs Historical Figures Time Lines Maps Goods/Services

Level CLevel J

Science Students will explore: Physical science – matter, heat and change, magnets, force, prisms Earth science – rocks, soil, water, weather, temperature, clouds, the moon, the sun, seasons Life science – animals, food chains, interdependence, lifecycles Science Inquiry Showcase- Spring, 2013

Math Units Patterns Two and three dimensional shapes Counting money Telling time Addition and subtraction up to 18 Measuring Fractions Creating graphs Problem solving strategies We love Math!

Electives Art Music P.E. Rotation Schedule

Dress Code See handbook for dress code guidelines: Shoes (sandals must have strap – no flip flops) Clothing (no tank tops or spaghetti straps)

Make-Up Work Beck’s Guidelines: Make-up work may be requested only if a child has been absent for more than two days. Parents may the front office before 9:00 a.m. to request homework on the second day of an absence. The make-up work will then be available at the front desk at 3:20 p.m. on the second day. Work will not be sent home with siblings, neighbors, or friends. Teachers often need to work with children when they return to school, so not all work will be sent home.

Birthday Celebrations Parents may provide a treat for a child’s birthday that will be served during the last hour of the day. Please provide individual servings for the celebration (i.e., cupcakes, cookies, etc.). Napkins must be provided. Treats are to be dropped off at the front office, or the student may bring them to the classroom in the morning. Parents are not to be in attendance at this time, and we do not take pictures of this celebration. Personal party invitations may not be handed out during the school day. The child, however, may stand outside the classroom door as students are leaving for the day to pass out party invitations.

Special Events Fall and Spring Field Trips Winter Party Fairy Tale Ball (Valentine’s Party) Field Day (May)

Parent Volunteers Background checks must be completed and on file with the office before parents volunteer.

We are looking forward to growing with you this year! Thanks for coming!

Questions or Concerns?