1. Welcome to First Grade Curriculum Night
Mrs. Kelly

2. Language Arts
We are implementing the Common Core Standards in English Language Arts.
Implemented through a balanced approach to literacy including:
guided reading read-alouds with accountable talk
readers workshop word study
shared reading writer’s workshop
shared and interactive writing
Common Core Standards include:
Reading: Literature
Reading: Informational Text
Reading: Foundational Skills
Writing
Speaking and Listening
Language

3. Resources We have a variety of resources to teach each of these areas.
Readers Workshop by Lucy Calkins
Good Habits, Great Readers
Words Their Way
Units of Study in Opinion, Information and Narrative Writing by Lucy Calkins
Comprehension Toolkit
District 157c created curriculum

4. Writer’s Workshop Method of writing instruction
Mini-lesson, Write Time and Confer, Share Time
Students write about their own lives
Students cycle through the writing process
Collecting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing
Students will learn how to write several different genres of writing including: narrative, opinion, poetry, and informational
Students build independence

5. Word Study-Words Their Way
Phonemic awareness and phonics sorting activity
Differentiated Instruction
Letter-Sound Connections
Routines include: sorting with the teacher and independent practice and application throughout the week

6. Why Word Study? Children are working on sorts appropriate for them
Systematic scope and sequence so it is developmentally appropriate
Multiple opportunities for hands on practice and application in reading and writing
Focus on meaning
Students explore words and relatives (Word Sums, Word Matrix)
Students are introduced to prefixes and suffixes

7. rainy raining raincoat rain rains raindrop rainbow word web
SAMPLE WORD WEB YOU COULD INCLUDE: RAINIER, RAINIEST
MODEL WORD SUMS OPTIONAL, BUT USE HAND GESTURES TO SHOW “BASE” AND “SUFFIX”
rainbow

8. Eureka Math What is Eureka?
The Eureka Math resource was built around the core principle that students need to know more than just what works when solving a problem – they need to understand WHY it works.
Why Eureka?
Eureka has received high ratings from educators nationwide and school districts are seeing growth and impressive test scores after just one year of implementation.
Eureka with Growth Mindset
Students with a Growth Mindset aren’t afraid to
make mistakes. Brain research shows that mistakes
are good and help you to learn more. Kids with a
Growth Mindset achieve more.

9. What will Eureka look like in the classroom?
Typically, there are 6 components to each lesson
Fluency – Daily math fact practice which is used to maintain skills, prepare for the current lesson, and/or anticipate skills used in future lessons
Application Problem – Word problem which can lead into the concept development or review a concept from the previous day
Concept Development – Majority of the lesson which teaches a particular skill. Can include a variety of activities (whiteboards, manipulatives, partner work)
Problem Set – Independent practice to apply the skills taught from the concept development. Sometimes students will work on only a few problems
Debrief – Reflection after problem set to review as a
whole class a few areas
Exit Ticket – Quick gauge of student understanding of the day’s skill

10. Eureka School/Home Connection
Problem Sets
Problem Sets can come home unfinished and that is okay. It is encouraged to review and complete the Problem Sets with your child at home.
Exit Tickets
Exit Tickets will be coming home frequently and it is encouraged to review the Exit Tickets with your child at home.
Assessments/Rubrics
Assessments can be informal observations, exit tickets, mid module assessments, and end of module assessments. Rubrics will be used to grade and inform you of your child’s progress on the mid module and end of module assessments.

11. Eureka School to Home Connection
Daily Extra Practice
The purpose of daily practice at home is to reinforce skills taught at school and increase the home/school connection. The expectation is that your child will be logging into Zearn and/or completing an extra practice sheet sent home in the fluency bag.
Letter/Login
Please refer to your parent informational letter with your online account login information.

12. formal, informal, formative, summative, outcome and universal.
Assessments
There are several types of assessments that will be given throughout the year.
Some include:
formal, informal, formative, summative, outcome and universal.
Information from these assessments will guide my instruction for your child.

13. FASTBRIDGE
FASTBRIDGE is the district adopted assessment in ELA and Math
FASTBRIDGE will be administered 3x per year in grades 1st and 2nd. Our first assessment window opens on August 28th.
FASTBRIDGE results will be used for third grade Advanced ELA placement (students must be in the 95%ile or above in their school)
Please contact Janet McClarence, Director of Curriculum & Instruction or Kirsten Frankovich, GP Principal with questions

14. Homework will start in a few weeks-Check your newsletters!
Grand Prairie’s homework focus will be on building reading fluency and fact fluency.
Nightly reading from fluency bags
(The children will be bringing home their purple fluency bags with books they have read during guided reading. Please listen to your child read a few books each night. The children will reread the same books for several days. This will help the children build fluency. Return the book baggies to school each day.)
Math Fact Practice (
Eureka homework pages
More information to come when homework starts

15. RRC… it’s the way to be! Our classroom rules are: Be Safe Be Kind
Golden Pillar Awards
Student of the Month
Our classroom rules are:
Be Safe
Be Kind
Be Responsible
Be Respectful

16. Behavior Management: Class Dojo
Students will be held accountable for expected school behavior. He/She will earn points for displaying expected behaviors and working to his/her fullest potential. You will be able to check in on your child’s points.
Concerns will be addressed quietly with the child. A reflection sheet will come home in more serious cases, not for every point lost.
Parents will be notified if their child needs
multiple reminders about the same behavior during the
day or if there is any physical contact.

17. Parties and Volunteers
Party Sign-ups will be different than last year. (Fall, Winter, Valentine’s day)
Each party will need a ROOM MOM to be in charge!
Library is also looking for volunteers!
If you would prefer to attend a field trip instead of a party, please indicate this on the party form!
Volunteer to help at lunch. Mr. Paul and the supervisors thank you!

18. Communication
I will out a newsletter every Friday with important information such as what your child will be learning and what you can do at home to help. If you did not receive an from me already, or need to add a spouse, please let me know.
Important information can be found on the district website We have teacher pages on that website.
Remind 101 –

19. Other General Information
Most work is done in cooperative groups, on white boards, or hands on. There will not be a lot of papers sent home. Please read the newsletters to know what your child is working on weekly.
Papers may say “1-1”- This means your child needed extra support to complete the paper. He/She would benefit from practice at home.
Take Home Folders- please check them every night, empty them out, and return the next day.

20. Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent – teacher conferences are on November 19th (Monday) &
20th (Tuesday).
Please sign up for a slot at the back table.
If you are traveling, we can meet ahead of time. I can be flexible.

21. Where can I see what my kids will be learning?
District office tab
Curriculum tab
ALL curricular expectations are listed for parents

22. Hickory Creek guitars, music, green screen and PE Equipment
give. grant. grow.
MISSION: Raising funds throughout the year to fulfill teacher written grants. Over $2 million granted to date.
GRANTED TO: Grand Prairie, Chelsea and Hickory Creek
FUNDRAISERS: Annual Dinner Auction, Golf Outing, Coin Drive, Frankfort Fall Fest BETA Tent
RECENT GRANTS:
SMART BOARDS in 20 classrooms at Chelsea
Rebecca Caudill, Blue Stem and Monarch Book Programs
Electronic Signage at Chelsea
Razkids and Math Fact Programs at Grand Prairie
Hickory Creek guitars, music, green screen and PE Equipment
Netbooks and Tablet PCs at Hickory Creek
For more information and volunteering opportunities
visit our website at

23. The FSP is the Parent Teacher Organization for District 157-C
The FSP is the Parent Teacher Organization for District 157-C. Our mission is designed to strengthen the partnership between home and school through parent volunteer opportunities, student enrichment activities and fun family events.
Some of the ways that we have enriched and supported the curriculum include:
Funding for field trips
Sponsoring special assembly programs
Providing scholarships
Providing curriculum enrichment funding to each school
Coordinating volunteers for all our events and programs
Each year we also hold FREE fun family events such as:
Fall Family Fun Night and Creative Arts Showcase at Grand Prairie
Exploration Night and Family Fitness Night at Chelsea
Come visit our table at Curriculum Night and visit us at
Like us on Facebook at
Contact us via at

24. Before you leave… Sign In Sheet Parent/Teacher Conference
Sign up for a time to come in to read to the class: Fridays, 2:30
Grab a party sign up if interested.

25. Thank you for coming!
IMAGINE
with all your mind.
BELIEVE
with all your heart.
ACHIEVE
with all your might.