1. Welcome to… Back to School Night September 18, 2013 First Grade Mrs. Rotella and Mrs. Jennings

2. Introductions Mrs. Rotella Mrs. Jennings

3. Our Goals for First Grade To provide a supportive and rich learning environment that allows each child to learn at their own pace. To help your child become a confident student and a good friend to others. To develop a love of learning within each member of our class. To prepare your child for second grade.

4. Daily Routines Arrival Greeting/Morning Meeting Snack Recess and Lunch Specials Chapel Dismissal

5. Expectations Morning Routines Class Rules Acts of Kindness Tree Are You a Bucket Filler? Responsive Classroom

6. Encouraging Teacher Language Morning Meeting Setting Clear Expectations Modeling Routines Logical Consequences Responsive Classroom

7. Instead of praise: “good job” or “terrific work” Name something specific: “I noticed you______” “I see you ______” This creates an environment where it’s safe to take risks and make mistakes. Teacher Language

8. Language Arts Overview Reading Groups/Flexibility/Assessments Comprehension Skills Writing Words Their Way: Spelling and Phonics Grammar Handwriting Poetry

9. Words Their Way Words Their Way is an approach to phonics, vocabulary, and spelling instruction for students in kindergarten through high school. The program can be implemented as a core or supplemental curriculum and aims to provide a practical way to study words with students. The purpose of word study (which involves examining, manipulating, comparing, and categorizing words) is to reveal logic and consistencies within written language and to help students achieve mastery in recognizing, spelling, and defining specific words Words Their Way will begin in October after we assess the students.

10. Math Math Curriculum supported by Houghton Mifflin and Everyday Math Flexible Grouping Fast Facts and Timed Tests Typical Lesson Components Homework

11. Social Studies Units woven into Language Arts Community...class, school, local Past/Present Holidays Flat Stanley/Maps Australia

12. Homework 15 minutes of written work and 15 minutes of Reading each day. Assigned on Monday turned in on Friday. Record on Reading Log Must record in order to participate in the Book-It Program sponsored by Pizza Hut. Spelling/Math/Reading skills

13. Parent Involvement Room Parent Party Parents: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day Memory Book Birthdays: Chapel Celebration on Thursday in Historic Church Mystery Reader

14. Field Trips Rose Hill Manor: 10/24/13 BSO - Musical Trip - February

15. Communications Report Cards 11/22/13, 3/7/14 and mailed at end of year Conferences 10/4/13, 11/25 & 11/26 and 3/10/14 Email drotella@stjohnspds.orgdrotella@stjohnspds.org Email ejennings@stjohnspds.orgejennings@stjohnspds.org Daily Folders/Notes Communication Log Phone calls for emergencies

16. Questions Thank you for coming!