1. Specific Parent Information Night (SPIN) First Grade Forest Pines Drive Elementary
Mrs. Cortright
Mrs. Harwood
Ms. Newton
Ms. Quinn
Mrs. Watkins

2. Agenda Welcome/Agenda Common Core Balanced Literacy Plan Daily 5/CAFÉ
High Frequency Words
Letterland
Writer’s Workshop
Math
Thinking Skills
Social Studies
Science
Homework
Testing & Assessments
Grading
Field Trips & Volunteers
Behavior Management
Home Connection
Parent-Teacher Conferences

3. Common Core
North Carolina requires that all schools follow the “Common Core Standards” for English Language Arts and Mathematics. Information pertaining to these standards can be found at the following websites:

4. Balanced Literacy Plan
9:15-10:50
Comprehension Mini-Lesson
Guided Reading
Daily 5
Letterland (Phonics)

5. Reader’s Build Good Habits Tackling the Tricky Parts
Literacy, contined
Literacy Units:
Reader’s Build Good Habits
Tackling the Tricky Parts
Connecting with Characters
Learning about the World through Informational Text
Readers are Brave and Resourceful
Exploring Genres to Learn about a Topic
Dramatizing Characters in Small Groups/Reading Clubs
Becoming Science or Social Studies Experts
Fabulous First Grade Readers: Readers Celebrate All Their Hard Work

6. Read to Self – Students will build reading stamina daily.
Daily 5/CAFE
Read to Self – Students will build reading stamina daily.
Pick “Good-Fit” books
Practice skills introduced in mini-lessons
Read to Someone – Students will practice fluency and comprehension by reading to a partner.
Word Work – Students will work on phonics skills that were focused on in Letterland lessons s, as well as high frequency word recognition.
Work on Writing – Students will work on building their writing skills in their writing journals.
Listen to Reading - Students will improve reading fluency while listening to stories on tape or computer (KidsA-Z).
KidsA-Z is also available for students to use from home.

7. High Frequency Words
There are 200 High Frequency words your child will be responsible for reading and spelling over the course of this year.
These words will be practiced in class and also need to be practiced at home nightly (located in the daily binder)

8. Letterland
Letterland is a research based program that teaches phonics, phonemic awareness, and fluency through engaging interactive lessons
Students use tapping skills to apply their knowledge of phonics when sounding out words.
Students are assessed on these skills weekly (not used as grade) and tri-weekly (used as a grade).

9. Writer’s Workshop: 10:50-11:30 Writing Units:
Personal Narratives
Opinion Writing
How To Writing
All About Writing
This year in writing, students will be working on:
Punctuation/capital letters
Illustrations matching stories
Sequencing ideas/events
Spacing between words
Phonetic spelling
Writing a complete thought

10. Addition and Subtraction within 20 Place Value Comparing Numbers Time
Math
Math: 12:55-1:55
Big Ideas:
Read, Write, and Count to 120
Addition and Subtraction within 20
Place Value
Comparing Numbers
Time
Shapes
Fluency and Accuracy for Addition and Subtraction
Equality
2-Digit Addition
Nonstandard Measurement
Partitioning Shapes
Data

11. Parent resource videos for each math standard can be found at:
Math, continued
Parent resource videos for each math standard can be found at:
*Search for the ES 1 videos only. These are designed to explain first grade math standards.

12. This program is designed to: -Create innovative learners
Thinking Skills
Monday-Thursday: 2:45-3:10
This program is designed to:
-Create innovative learners
-Promote questioning and problem solving
-Encourage thinking about thinking

13. “I am a Citizen of Many Communities” “Our Community Celebrates”
Social Studies
Social Studies Units:
“I am a Citizen of Many Communities”
“Our Community Celebrates”
“I Can Find My Way Around My Community”
“We Care for Our Community”

14. Students will be engaged with hands on science experiments. Science
journals will be kept to
record predictions/data.
Science units:
Comparing and Measuring
Balance and Motion
Pebbles, Sand, and Silt
Organisms

15. Homework is given weekly in reading, math, writing and phonics.
Homework reviews skills that students have been working on in class.
Homework is sent home on Friday and due the following Friday.
Please make homework a priority.
Set a routine when doing homework.

16. No standardized testing in first grade Assessments
Testing & Assessments
Testing
No standardized testing in first grade
Assessments
Mclass benchmark assessments
Beginning of year
Middle of year
End of year
Writing rubrics
Summative Math Assessment (Middle and End of Year)
Daily Observations
Classroom Assessments
Practice

17. 2=Approaching Proficiency 1=Non-Proficient Work Habits/Conduct:
Grading
Student Performance:
4=Exemplary
3=Proficient
2=Approaching Proficiency
1=Non-Proficient
Work Habits/Conduct:
3=Meets Expectations
2=Inconsistently Meets Expectations
1=Does Not Meet Expectations
*Please note that Literacy grades are determined based on whether or not the student is able to perform the standard using a grade level appropriate text. They must show proficiency with the standard while reading/using a grade level appropriately text independently.

18. Field Trips & Volunteers
Wakefield High School Theater Performance – “HONK” (March 11)
Blue Jay Point County Park (April 11 and 14)
Volunteers:
You MUST re-apply and be approved each school year to be approved as a classroom/field trip volunteer.

19. SLY is our school motto! Classes earn compliment cards for being “SLY”
Behavior Management
Students are rewarded with positive reinforcement when they follow school and classroom expectations.
School Wide:
SLY is our school motto! Classes earn compliment cards for being “SLY”
Show respect,
Listen and Learn,
Your safety counts!
Classroom:
Clip chart
Punch Cards
Coupons/Prize Boxes
Secret Walker

20. Practice high frequency words by making flash cards.
Home Connection
Practice high frequency words by making flash cards.
Complete homework and read nightly.
Practice basic math facts.
Encourage your child to use “KidsA-Z” at home and/or read take home baggie books.
Always praise and encourage your child’s progress.

21. Parent-Teacher Conferences
Wake County Public Schools requests 2 conferences per school year.
Conferences are usually held after the first and third quarters or on an as needed basis.
The best way to contact your child’s teacher is by .
Mrs. Cortright –
Mrs. Harwood –
Ms. Newton –
Ms. Quinn –
Mrs. Watkins –

22. Do you have any questions?
Thank you for coming to SPIN!
Do you have any questions?