1. We’re Fishing for Wisdom in First Grade! 2013-2014

2. Mrs. Brown ~ Room 4 18 years teaching K, 1 st, and 2 nd Mom of 3 (2 teenage girls and a toddler son) Lived in 5 states Love photography and music Starbucks hot cocoa is the bomb McD’s sweet tea is a close 2 nd If I could live anywhere it would be South Korea

3. Mrs. Brown Mrs. Hagenlock Mrs. Johnston Mrs. Parker Mrs. Powell Mrs. Scott Mrs. Seu

4. Language Arts The Daily 5- Read to self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Work on Writing, & Word Work Shared Reading Read Aloud/Activity Guided Reading Writing Workshop

5. Math~ The content of the mathematics standards is intended to support the following five goals for students: becoming mathematical problem solvers, communicating mathematically, reasoning mathematically, making mathematical connections, and using mathematical representations to model and interpret practical situations. Daily 5~Guided Math Math with Someone Math By Myself Math Work, Math Writing Math Technology

6. Using Communication and Reasoning skills: Pennies in Pockets Task: Kay has 17 pennies. The pennies are in her 2 coat pockets. How many pennies could be in each pocket? Use pictures, words, and numbers to show and explain all the possible answers.

7. Monthly Reading Log- 10 to 15 minutes a day September Homework: How to tie your shoes. Learn your lunch number. Practice handwriting (first and last name). Word Study, nightly math fact practice, reading logs, and homework calendar will begin in October.

8. Students in first grade have the following grading scale on their report cards: E= Exceeds Standards M= Meets Standards P= Progressing Toward Standard B= Performing Below Standard These grades should not be translated into A’s, B’s, or C’s. It is okay if students do not receive all 1’s on their reportcard.

9. The goals grow more rigorous throughout the year and students continue to fine tune their skills as the year progresses. In order to access the Clarity Parent Portal you will need to download a form online and send in the request. This will need to b e done yearly. Students will complete a lot of hands on work in first grade. Class work or homework that is checked by the teacher may often times be ungraded. It is a check for understanding. Work completed in centers is independent of the teacher. Not all center work will be graded.

10. Legacy is a PBIS school. Students are expected to BARK: Be Ready, Act Responsibly, Respect Everyone, Kindness Counts Students/classes can earn Bark Bones for displaying positive behavior. Students redeem 10 bark bones in the office and will be acknowledged in the Bark Walk. Classroom incentives are offered for earning classroom Bark Bones.

11. Lunch 11:40-12:10 Monday: PE & Guidance Tuesday: Library & Music Wednesday: PE & Music Thursday: PE & Computer Lab Friday: Search, Reading buddies & Art

12. Students have a daily take home folder that should be checked daily. Folders should be taken home each night and returned to school each day. Please use the plastic pouch for lunch money, field trip money, notes to me, etc. Every Thursday there will be a white folder coming home with graded work, notes from the PTO, and notes from the school. Please do not return anything in the white folder. Anything that needs to come back to school needs to go in your child’s BLACK daily take home folder.

13. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns. I will respond promptly within 24 hours. Please be reminded that… Email IS to be used for: *Due Date questions *Field Trip questions *Request for a phone call or conference Any time confidential issues or time-sensitive needs will need to be address via phone call or in person.

14. We are so excited to be taking 2 field trips this year in first grade. We will need 7 volunteers for each trip. Our first trip is to the National Zoo on October 18 th. Our second field trip will be to the National Mall to visit the monuments on May 16 th.

15. This year I am asking for 2 Room Parents. As a room parent you are responsible for classroom parties and dispersing PTO information. Other Volunteer Opportunities: Word Study assessment facilitator(Fridays 8:15) Computer Lab Monitor (Thursdays 10:30-11:00) Thursday Folder Stuffer (Thursday before 10am) Lunch room helper (first week only) 11:40 am Volunteer positions, parent-teacher conferences, lunch room help, field trip volunteers, and parties will all be set up through Sign-Up Genius online. This information will be emailed to you tomorrow.

16. Clinic It is county policy that any student who has a fever of 100.0 must be sent home. Students cannot return to school until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication. Please advise your child to cover their mouth with their elbow when they cough and sneeze. Please consider keeping your child home if they are ill to avoid infecting other students and staff. All medication dispensed at school will need a doctor’s orders. Please see the school nurse, if you have questions.

17. Snack Students are permitted to bring a small, healthy snack each day (think veggies, piece of fruit, crackers and cheese). Please be aware of any allergies in our classroom when packing lunches and snacks. Please DO NOT pack peanut products since children can have this particular allergy. Students snacks should be labeled clearly. Please, NO juice boxes/sodas or snacks requiring utensils. Water is available in the classroom.

18. Lunch Procedures Lunch money may be placed in the clear pocket of their DOG folder. Please put it in an envelope with your child’s full name and lunch number. Lunches can be paid for online using www.payforlunch.com A $3.00 fee is added when using this service. You can keep track of what your child is purchasing on this site as well.www.payforlunch.com Students must memorize their lunch numbers. They will be expected to enter their own numbers each day for lunch and to log in to school computers.

19. Birthdays Invitations for birthday parties will only be handed out if every child in the class is invited. Please use the class directory for mailing invitations if you are unable to invite everyone. We are a birthday treat free school. You may like to send in a book or classroom game for indoor recess in honor of your child’s birthday. The gift will be recognized as a donation with a special birthday sticker sharing your child’s name with the class.

20. Allergies Due to student allergies, our first grade classroom will be a peanut-free zone this year. Please do not send peanuts/tree nuts or peanut butter with your child for snack or classroom celebrations. We will be strictly enforcing the “no peanut rule” in each of our classrooms. Safety of all of our students is our number one concern. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

21. CONTACT INFORMATION Legacy Phone Number: 703-957-4425 Legacy Absentee Line: 703-957-4432 Email Address: susan.k.brown@lcps.orgsusan.k.brown@lcps.org Website: http://www.lcps.org/page/50626http://www.lcps.org/page/50626