1. Mrs. Kathy Rydzewski First Grade Teacher krydzewski@neshaminy.org
Welcome to First Grade!
Mrs. Kathy Rydzewski
First Grade Teacher

2. What is the benefit of being a Title I school?
Provides federal funding to schools with qualifying percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards
Schoolwide Programming: Title I funds to upgrade the entire educational program of the school and benefit all students

3. Tawanka’s Title I Plan Hired additional 8 Instructional Assistants to
support ELA instruction and provide
interventions
Title I Reading Teacher
Reading Specialist
Parent Involvement: conferences, join parent advisory group, attend district’s spring meeting, apply for free/reduced lunch
?’s: contact Jen Gross, Title I Reading Teacher

4. Our Daily Schedule 9:00—9:15 Homeroom Procedures/Class Meeting
9:15—11:35 Language Arts
(Reading, Handwriting, Writer’s Workshop, Listening, Journal, Spelling, Phonics, Guided Reading, Centers)
During this time, there will be snack break
11:35—12:15 Specials
12:15—12:50 Power Time (Interventions and Enrichment for Language Arts and Math)
12:50—1: Recess and Lunch
1:55—2: Mathematics
2:55—3: Social Studies/Science
3:30—3: Clean up and Dismissal

5. Day 1 Library Day 2 Gym Day 3 Computer Day 4 Music Day 5 Art
Specialist Schedule
Day 1 Library Day 2 Gym Day 3 Computer Day 4 Music Day 5 Art

6. Is Your Child Ready to Learn?
A good night’s sleep is necessary to be successful in first grade
Book bag with homework folder enclosed
Bring lunch or have money in their accounts
Homework that has been completed, and then checked by an adult
Supply box containing sharpened pencils, crayons, scissors, erasable markers, and glue stick
Bring morning snack

7. Language Arts Curriculum
How can Families Help?
Start a file of reading/spelling words
Model reading by reading yourself
Make sure your child reads every day
Develop the library habit
Help your child organize a personal library
Read aloud to your child
Give books as gifts
Make reading a privilege: “You can stay up 15 minutes later if you read in bed.”
Language Arts
Super Kids
Phonics
Spelling
Vocabulary
Fluency
Comprehension
Writing Workshop
Writing Fundamentals/SuperKids
Transition from kid writing
Conventions
Handwriting
Upper and Lower-Case
Fine Motor Skills

8. Math Curriculum How can Families Help? Math in Focus Numbers to 100
Addition and Subtraction to 100
Length
Picture and Bar Graphs
Mental Math Strategies
Shapes and Patterns
Calendar and Time
Money
How can Families Help?
“Math Box” of Manipulatives (counters, play money, dice, flash cards)
Find more or less
Ten frames
Count forward/backward/skip count
Doubles facts
Doubles plus one
Story problems
Measurement
“roll the dice” games
Number bonds

9. Social Studies Weekly Too Good for Violence Too Good for Drugs
Full Option Science System
Social Studies Weekly
Skills Focus:
Chronological thinking
Map, Graph, and Chart Skills
Making Decisions
Citizenship
Current Events
Too Good for Violence
Too Good for Drugs
Social Skills

10. How does the Standards-Based Progress Report compare to the traditional letter grade system?
Same student, different report.

11. Homework Usually given Monday – Thursday nights
Math and/or Language written homework
SuperKids Backpack activity or fluency story
Practice math facts or use online Math program--IXL
Practice reading/spelling words (word file) for Friday test
Read a story on RAZ Kids, practice your fluency story, or read a book
Designed to provide your child with practice of the skills taught in class.
Please let me know if your child experiences difficulty with homework, and I will re-teach the skills.

12. Homework Folders
Please check your child’s folder each evening for school communication and homework.
Take a few moments to review the school papers with your child. It is a good opportunity to recognize his or her strengths and weaknesses at a particular time, as well as to see the types of things your child is learning in class. Don’t forget to make a fuss to remind them you appreciate all the hard work they are doing all day.
Sign and return tests and office papers, but empty out the rest.
Be on the look out for First Grade Updates. I use these to inform or remind parents of important school or classroom happenings, such as upcoming tests, spirit days, or events.

13. Birthdays
Birthdays are an important part of a youngster’s life, and we will celebrate birthdays in school.
Each child will get a birthday book created by the class as a keepsake of his/her birthday. Please do not send any food items to distribute to classmates.
Birthday party invitations should be mailed from home.

14. SWPBS Classroom/ Assembly Stairwells Indoor Recess Outdoor Recess Bus
Hallways/
Stairwells
Restroom
Cafeteria
Indoor Recess
Outdoor Recess
Bus
Be Respectful
Use appropriate
voice level.
Use kind words & good manners.
Allow others to learn.
Walk silently.
Keep your hands to
yourself and away
from walls and
artwork.
Use Level 1 voices.
Respect the privacy of others.
Use Level 2 voices.
Use good manners.
Use kind words.
Raise your hand if you need help.
Share materials.
Include others.
Play fairly and take turns.
Use kind words and actions.
Listen to the adult in charge.
Share equipment.
Listen to the driver.
Use kind words and good manners.
Give personal space to others.
Be Responsible
Be cooperative.
Take care of class materials.
Be prepared to learn.
Listen to directions.
Do your best work.
Go directly to where
you need to be.
Keep restroom clean.
Put trash in can.
Use restroom quickly and quietly.
Get everything you need while in line.
Clean up after yourself.
Follow directions.
Stay in your seat until you are dismissed.
Take care of materials.
Clean up games and materials.
Line up silently.
Put equipment away.
Dress for the weather.
Line up quickly and silently after recess.
Walk silently into the building.
Keep the bus clean.
Keep your belongings with you.
Be Safe
Walk indoors.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Follow emergency plans.
Never open outside
doors for visitors.
Look forward when
walking.
Walk in straight, single-file lines.
Stay to the right on
the stairs and take
one step at a time.
Keep feet on floor.
Wash hands and keep water in sink.
Report problems to your teacher.
Enter and exit silently in an orderly line.
Stay in your seat.
Eat only your own food.
Choose indoor games and activities.
Play safely.
Use equipment properly.
Report problems to an adult.
Stay in seat facing forward.
Keep aisle clear.

15. Home/School Communication Is the Key to a Successful Year!
Absence Notes
Please provide a note for each absence.
Vacations need to be approved by the office 2 weeks BEFORE the trip. Please request a vacation form from our office.
Change in Transportation
Notes are needed for ALL changes in transportation.
If you need to send an about changes please make sure to include the office as well.
Try to inform me of last minute changes as early as possible, as my biggest concern is keeping your child safe.
Communication is Key, So Get in Touch with ME!
Folder – First Grade Updates
Please feel free to contact me whenever you and/or your child have a concern or question about our first grade program and classroom family
Check my webpage weekly for updates

16. Thank You!
Thank you for taking the time to visit your child’s school and classroom. I appreciate all that you do, because you are the key ingredient in your child’s academic success!