1. Parent Information August, 2014
The s
of First Grade
Parent Information August, 2014

2. Attendance
Unless your child is ill, please make every attempt to have your child at school and on time.
Our day begins at 8:05 and dismissal time is 3:00.
If your child is going to be out, and you know about it in advance, please let me know as soon as possible.
If it is not a planned absence, please call the office before 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence.

3. Behavior Every student is expected to follow the 5 BEEs
BEE Respectful, Always BEE working, BEE responsible, BEElieve in yourself, BEE Safe.
Students that choose to follow the rules will be rewarded through Class DoJo.
For students that choose to break the rules, consequences will be card turned, Class DoJo points taken away, parent contacts or in extreme cases, a visit to the principal’s office.

4. Curriculum Reading and Language Arts (spelling, writing, grammar)
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Specials: Phy. Ed., Art, Music, Library & Computer

5. The more sight words a student knows, the more s/he will read.
In 1st grade, we will focus on developing phonemic awareness, decoding skills, word recognition, comprehension and oral fluency.
The more sight words a student knows, the more s/he will read.
Practice reading every night!
Read to Self
Read to Others
Listen to Reading
Work with Words
Work on Writing

6. A variety of strategies will be utilized to deliver our reading and language arts curriculum. Whole class AND small group lessons will be delivered to ensure mastery of skills
We will focus on the following throughout the year:
Reading comprehension
Comprehension Skills
Reading Fluency
Vocabulary, Grammar, Usage and Mechanics
Writing
Listening and Speaking

7. We do lots of writing in first grade
We do lots of writing in first grade. Children are encouraged to use phonetic spelling when they first start. Our goal is to encourage risk taking and independence in writing. Part of this process is to stress to children that phonetic spelling is acceptable, and to build their confidence in their ability to communicate in writing even if they can’t spell the word with “dictionary spelling”.
However, as high frequency words and spelling rules are introduced children will gradually move toward more conventional spelling.

8. By the end of First Grade, students…
Add and subtract numbers to 20 with ease
Tell time to the hour and half hour
Count, write and order numbers to 120
Measure with simple units
Identify and locate shapes in their environment
Describe data and analyze and solve simple problem situations
Understand and use the concept of “ones and “tens”

9. First grade students will learn all about:
Life science (plant and animals)
Physical science
Earth science
Health (nutrition, dental, germs, exercise)

10. First Graders will learn about:
Families
Famous People
Maps & Globes
How to take care of the environment

11. Differentiated Instruction
In order to provide the best possible instruction to each child…
Not all children will be on the same page, in the same book, at the same time.
There will be different activities for the students.
Please let me know if your child is really struggling or if s/he is not being challenged.

12. Enrichment
Enrichment activities will be provided to students that need extra challenges.
Examples of this will be in reading at home (reading lists, AR levels and point goals), math . Activities.

13. Field Trips We will have several field trips this year: Fire Station
Science fair at high school
Navarino Nature Center (all first grade)
Bay Beach (all school)

14. Goals and Grades
Students receive number grades in each area: =Above expectations, 3=meets expectation, =works near expectations, 1=below expectations
Within each subject area, students receive O=Outstanding, S=Satisfactory, MP=Making Progress and N=Needs Improvement
Some areas such as work habits, math skills, study habits receive just the O, S, MP or N.

15. Homework
It is important that 1st graders read for a minimum of 15 minutes EACH night. This may include practicing the mini books, shared reading with an adult, reading book, AR books and decoding good fit books on their own. Students will have a reading log to fill out each week.
Most months, the BEARIFIC reading program sponsored by the PTO will be available for additional reading.

16. Itinerary
Another word for Schedule. You can find schedules on my website (class schedule, birthday, show and tell)

17. Just Right Books
Studies have shown that those children whose parents are actively involved in the reading process will become the best readers.
Reading to your child and listening to them read to you, taking them to the library and providing quality Just Right Books at home is of the highest importance.
They will learn by example: they need to see you read too!

18. Keeping Informed
Visit my classroom website frequently. You can find many questions answered there.
Please sign up for REMIND. It is a way for me to inform you of upcoming events, items due and upcoming tests.
Please also sign up for CLASS DOJO. It is a way for you to see how your child’s behavior is each day.

19. Learning Environment
I feel that the best way to help children learn is to make learning fun.
Our classroom will be an active environment where all students are expected to engage in learning process.

20. Musical: The Wizard of Oz
The first grade performs the mini musical: The Wizard of Oz each May.
It is a fun way to fulfill one of the CCSS.
The students practice their music with Miss DeLaurelle and during snack time starting in February.
All students participate, either as a Munchkin, narrator, student director or one of the characters.

21. Notes Please send a note with your child if:
You know your child will be missing school for an extended period of time. Sometimes an independent study will be arranged if your child will be out for 5 or more days.
A change in pick-up or after school care will be occurring.
You would like to schedule a conference or have any concerns.
Be sure to check the agenda each night for notes from me. You can also write notes right in the agenda, as I check them every day.

22. Other Items
Agendas (must be read and signed each day. I read and award a sticker to all of those students that have their agenda signed each night.)
Take Home Folders (there are 2 sides, take home/return)
Birthday (if you choose, you can have your child bring in a healthy snack for their birthday treat. For those that have a birthday in the summer, we celebrate ½ birthdays)
Class parties (we have a class party for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day)
Scholastic Book Orders (you will get an order each month. You can fill it out online OR send it in with payment to: Scholastic Book Clubs)

23. Parent-Teacher Conferences
Official Parent/Teacher conferences will be held in November and February. During this time, we will be discussing your child’s strengths and weaknesses, homework, behavior and any other concerns you may have.
If you wish to meet any other time, just let me know and we will find a convenient time to meet.

24. Questions
Please feel free to contact me anytime you have questions. You can do this in a variety of ways:
Write a note: (put it in the agenda)
Send an
Call me at school: (715) , or home: (920)
Make an appointment for a conference.

25. Report Cards
Report cards are online. You can access your child’s grade at any time.
Keep in mind that grades are not posted each day in every subject.
Social studies will be taught and graded by Mrs. Westrich.

26. Student of the Week
I randomly pick a Student of the Week on Friday for the following week. However, if that child has not had a positive week, I put the name back in the container and pick another name. The goal is for every child to have a turn.
Once a month, a Citizen of the Month is hand picked by me. COTM students have had a positive month and will get a certificate from Mrs. Jones and get to eat lunch with her.

27. Tests There are several tests that will be given throughout the year.
SAGE, we are a SAGE school, so there will be a test given at the beginning and end of the year.
PALS: this is a state mandated test. This is also given at both the beginning and end of the year.
NWEA test, in the fall and spring
Weekly spelling tests
Math and science unit tests
Quarterly Dolch words test and addition/subtraction times tests

28. Units of Study
There will be units of study in both science and social studies.
You can see the units by checking out your child’s online report card

29. Visitors and Volunteers
If you have time or talents to share with us, please let me know
Our school policy requires all visitors to check in at the office. Visitor badges are required. You also need to complete the background check in order to be able to chaperone a field trip or volunteer in the classroom.

30. Website
If you haven’t already checked out my website, make sure you do.
There are tons of links for your child
Many lists (spelling, Dolch words)
Oodles of tips for parents of first graders.

31. EXtra Supplies
It is always a good idea to check with your child to see if they need anymore supplies.
I keep extra pencils, erasers, scissors, crayons, colored pencils, markers and glue in a community area for all students
If you want to send in extra supplies, they are always welcome!

32. You You are your child’s first and most important teacher.
I know that we can work together to make your child’s 1st grade school year a huge success!

33. Zzzzz…
Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep each night, so that s/he is well rested and ready for the challenge of first grade. It is recommended that 6 year olds get 10 to 11 hours of sleep a night.
This year will ZOOM by, so let’s make the most of it!

34. Thank You for watching this!
Please click this link below and fill out your child’s interest and information sheet and return it to me as soon as possible.
Parent/child Survey

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