Specific Parent Information Night (SPIN) First Grade Forest Pines Drive Elementary Mrs. Cortright Mrs. Harwood Ms. Newton Ms. Quinn Mrs. Watkins

Agenda Welcome/Agenda Common Core Balanced Literacy Plan Daily 5/CAFÉ High Frequency Words Letterland Writer’s Workshop Math Thinking Skills Social Studies Science Homework Testing & Assessments Grading Field Trips & Volunteers Behavior Management Home Connection Parent-Teacher Conferences

Common Core North Carolina requires that all schools follow the “Common Core Standards” for English Language Arts and Mathematics. Information pertaining to these standards can be found at the following websites: www.corestandards.org http://www.wcpss.net/parents/guides/new-standards/

Balanced Literacy Plan 9:15-10:50 Comprehension Mini-Lesson Guided Reading Daily 5 Letterland (Phonics)

Reader’s Build Good Habits Tackling the Tricky Parts Literacy, contined Literacy Units: Reader’s Build Good Habits Tackling the Tricky Parts Connecting with Characters Learning about the World through Informational Text Readers are Brave and Resourceful Exploring Genres to Learn about a Topic Dramatizing Characters in Small Groups/Reading Clubs Becoming Science or Social Studies Experts Fabulous First Grade Readers: Readers Celebrate All Their Hard Work

Read to Self – Students will build reading stamina daily. Daily 5/CAFE Read to Self – Students will build reading stamina daily. Pick “Good-Fit” books Practice skills introduced in mini-lessons Read to Someone – Students will practice fluency and comprehension by reading to a partner. Word Work – Students will work on phonics skills that were focused on in Letterland lessons s, as well as high frequency word recognition. Work on Writing – Students will work on building their writing skills in their writing journals. Listen to Reading - Students will improve reading fluency while listening to stories on tape or computer (KidsA-Z). KidsA-Z is also available for students to use from home.

High Frequency Words There are 200 High Frequency words your child will be responsible for reading and spelling over the course of this year. These words will be practiced in class and also need to be practiced at home nightly (located in the daily binder)

Letterland Letterland is a research based program that teaches phonics, phonemic awareness, and fluency through engaging interactive lessons Students use tapping skills to apply their knowledge of phonics when sounding out words. Students are assessed on these skills weekly (not used as grade) and tri-weekly (used as a grade).

Writer’s Workshop: 10:50-11:30 Writing Units: Personal Narratives Opinion Writing How To Writing All About Writing This year in writing, students will be working on: Punctuation/capital letters Illustrations matching stories Sequencing ideas/events Spacing between words Phonetic spelling Writing a complete thought

Addition and Subtraction within 20 Place Value Comparing Numbers Time Math Math: 12:55-1:55 Big Ideas: Read, Write, and Count to 120 Addition and Subtraction within 20 Place Value Comparing Numbers Time Shapes Fluency and Accuracy for Addition and Subtraction Equality 2-Digit Addition Nonstandard Measurement Partitioning Shapes Data

Parent resource videos for each math standard can be found at: Math, continued Parent resource videos for each math standard can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNDkuWRw1gGRpuFSgmHjf07KamFfjq8Gz *Search for the ES 1 videos only. These are designed to explain first grade math standards.

This program is designed to: -Create innovative learners Thinking Skills Monday-Thursday: 2:45-3:10 This program is designed to: -Create innovative learners -Promote questioning and problem solving -Encourage thinking about thinking

“I am a Citizen of Many Communities” “Our Community Celebrates” Social Studies Social Studies Units: “I am a Citizen of Many Communities” “Our Community Celebrates” “I Can Find My Way Around My Community” “We Care for Our Community”

Students will be engaged with hands on science experiments. Science journals will be kept to record predictions/data. Science units: Comparing and Measuring Balance and Motion Pebbles, Sand, and Silt Organisms

Homework is given weekly in reading, math, writing and phonics. Homework reviews skills that students have been working on in class. Homework is sent home on Friday and due the following Friday. Please make homework a priority. Set a routine when doing homework.

No standardized testing in first grade Assessments Testing & Assessments Testing No standardized testing in first grade Assessments Mclass benchmark assessments Beginning of year Middle of year End of year Writing rubrics Summative Math Assessment (Middle and End of Year) Daily Observations Classroom Assessments Practice

2=Approaching Proficiency 1=Non-Proficient Work Habits/Conduct: Grading Student Performance: 4=Exemplary 3=Proficient 2=Approaching Proficiency 1=Non-Proficient Work Habits/Conduct: 3=Meets Expectations 2=Inconsistently Meets Expectations 1=Does Not Meet Expectations *Please note that Literacy grades are determined based on whether or not the student is able to perform the standard using a grade level appropriate text. They must show proficiency with the standard while reading/using a grade level appropriately text independently.

Field Trips & Volunteers Wakefield High School Theater Performance – “HONK” (March 11) Blue Jay Point County Park (April 11 and 14) Volunteers: You MUST re-apply and be approved each school year to be approved as a classroom/field trip volunteer.

SLY is our school motto! Classes earn compliment cards for being “SLY” Behavior Management Students are rewarded with positive reinforcement when they follow school and classroom expectations. School Wide: SLY is our school motto! Classes earn compliment cards for being “SLY” Show respect, Listen and Learn, Your safety counts! Classroom: Clip chart Punch Cards Coupons/Prize Boxes Secret Walker

Practice high frequency words by making flash cards. Home Connection Practice high frequency words by making flash cards. Complete homework and read nightly. Practice basic math facts. Encourage your child to use “KidsA-Z” at home and/or read take home baggie books. Always praise and encourage your child’s progress.

Parent-Teacher Conferences Wake County Public Schools requests 2 conferences per school year. Conferences are usually held after the first and third quarters or on an as needed basis. The best way to contact your child’s teacher is by email. Mrs. Cortright – dcortright@wcpss.net Mrs. Harwood – yharwood@wcpss.net Ms. Newton – enewton2@wcpss.net Ms. Quinn – cquinn@wcpss.net Mrs. Watkins – swatkins@wcpss.net

Do you have any questions? Thank you for coming to SPIN! Do you have any questions?