1. Miss Swain’s First- Grade Class Welcome to Curriculum Night!

2. Our First Grade Schedule  8:35-9:00Student Arrival/Announcements  9:00-9:30D.L.R and JOT time, Poem of the Week  9:35-10:45Math  10:50-11:40Recess/Lunch  11:45-12:05Calendar/ Story time/Text talk  12:05-1:35Language Arts/Readers’ Workshop  1:40-2:25Special  2:30-3:10Science/Social Studies  3:15-3:25Pack up/Dismissal

3. Attendance  Very important for your child’s success.  Please send in a written excuse when your child returns from an absence.  Please call the office before 10:00 if requesting homework to be sent home.  If your child is not attending school due to illness, please call the office and let them know (412-366-7170).  If you are planning a vacation during the school year and you are going to request missed work please send in a note at least a week in advance.

4. Dismissal  If you are picking your child up please send in a note. If we do not receive a note your child will be put on the bus!  Your child can be picked up in the cafeteria at the end of the day.  The office requires a note for early dismissals. The office will notify us when it is time to send your child down for the dismissal.

5. Recess  Twenty minutes for lunch and twenty minutes for recess.  Two recess monitors  Our rule: 32 degrees and above and we will go out.  Dress your child for the weather (We do go out in the cold and even when it is snowing).  They need boots, hat, gloves and scarves on cold days.

6. Lunch  Please do not send in loose change and bills for lunch money. Put it in a baggy or envelope and mark it with your child’s name, my name and first grade. That way there will be no mistakes on whose account it should be credited to. If you want you can write a check to “Avonworth Elementary Cafeteria”.  We tell the students to not throw away untouched food.  When your account runs out the cafeteria workers will send a note home for you.  Breakfast $1.00, lunches $1.80 and milk 50 cents.  Menus are sent monthly.

7. Homework  Take home folder  Practice weekly vocabulary words.  Read the weekly story (book sent home every Thursday and test given on Friday). Please remember to send the book back on Friday!  Practice the spelling words nightly (test given on Thursday).  Monday: Phonics homework.  Tuesday: Math homework.  Wednesday night give your child a spelling practice test on paper that is sent home. Check it and return on Thursday. Please emphasize proper printing.  Practice high frequency words nightly.  Read at home for enjoyment.  Review your child’s math page daily.  Extra vocabulary or reading homework will be given on an as need basis.

8. Suggested Homework Schedule  Monday: Spelling words, Phonics worksheet  Tuesday: Weekly vocabulary, Math page, Spelling words  Wednesday: Practice spelling test, Weekly vocabulary  Thursday: Read weekly story (Practice questions at the end of the story).New Spelling words will come home stapled to previous test.  Enjoy the Weekend!!  Homework should take about 10 minutes per evening.  Take home folder should be reviewed and emptied every night.

9. Donations  Donations are always welcome.  Kleenex, Kleenex, Kleenex, Kleenex!!!!!  Clorox Wipes  Large, small and snack size Ziploc baggies  Napkins  Paper Plates (cheapest kind)

10. Reading  Reading instruction is made up of: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency.  Harcourt Trophies Basal Readers levels 1 – 5  Text Talk  Readers’ Workshop  Guided Reading Leveled Books  Phonemic Awareness/Phonics  Writing and Writer’s Workshop  Poem of the Week

11. Spelling  Pretest to assess  Three lists  Tests on Thursday  During the test there will be an emphasis for good printing (please reinforce good handwriting for their homework)

12. Math  Pretest each chapter  Parent letter, with important vocabulary  Calendar  Spiral Review/ Problem of the Day  Review their math paper nightly  Tiered Groups  Math Centers

13. Science  Four units we cover: Weather, Organisms, Solids and Liquids, and The Solar System  Social Studies units: Time for school, In my community, Work, work, work, Our Earth and resources, This is our country, Our country and world  Science and Social Studies grades are not reported on Edline. Look for a grade on the report card supplement.

14. Handouts  Newsletter  Scholastic Book Orders  High – Frequency Words  Examples of what to look for!

15. Let’s Have a Great Year! Thank you for coming tonight! First grade is a wonderful time of a child’s life and I am grateful to share it with you. Together we will make sure that your child has a fantastic year of growing and learning.