Welcome to First Grade!

1
Welcome to First Grade!
Back to School Night 2015-2016
2
Class InformationSee First Grade Handbook on
website for detailed information

• Website (MMW---teachers---Fox)
• Snack, Lunch (learn ID numbers)
• Birthdays Will be celebrated in class, no treats
  please ?
• Star of the Week A letter will be sent home the
  week before your child is Star of the Week.
• Homework 10 mins/grade level. Homework helps to
  establish routine, Children will need your
  guidance. Dont sit there and be frustrated.
  Usually math and something else.
• Absences Missed school work will be saved and
  given to your child when he/she returns to
  school. Remember to record absences online.
• Volunteers See form in packet. Will be from
  915-1030, mostly for Journeys but at times,
  will need help in other areas. Will try to
  schedule you on the same day of the week. Thank
  you!! ?
• Conferences Sign up Genius
• Report Cards No report card in November
  (conferences), February, April and June

3
Classroom Procedures

• Morning Jobs- Helps develop classroom
  responsibility and establish a routine. (see
  pictures)
• Message Board on Smart Board- Teachers Helper,
  news for the day, special classes, school events,
  interactive question/activity.

• Classroom rules- (see poster)
• Responsive Classroom- Creates a community of
  learners and teaches kids to care and do their
  best.
• Chill Out Chair- A place to take some time out to
  think, gain control. Will contact you if
  necessary. Buddy teacher
• Marble Jar and Clip Chart

• Sharing
• Will start in October. Calendar will come home.
  Please only send in one item. Can be whatever
  the child wants to share. ?

• Communication
• Email is best tfox_at_crsd.org
• Call the office if important and needs quick
  response (ie. dismissal change, etc.)
• Blue take home folder (empty daily and return)
• Weekly progress report
• Please return every Monday!!

4
Language Arts

• Reading Series- Journeys FOCUS WALL
• Thematic hardcover books (please send back if
  sent home)
• Emphasis on phonics, blending segmenting,
  grammar
• Teacher read aloud stories - model fluency and
  encourage
• listening comprehension
• Guided Reading with decodable readers and
  leveled readers
• for small group instruction

• Goals
• Become competent readers, writers and thinkers.
• Read independently.
• Listen and speak competently, critically and
  creatively.
• Research effectively (4th marking period
  Ocean Animals).

• Sight Words Words to Know
• Word Lists Folder (red) - words sent home
• weekly. Keep at home in the folder for review
  
• and practice. Put words in sentences or omit
• words and ask your child to find the missing
• word. This helps reinforce sight vocabulary.
• Spelling- Weekly tests, practice at home.
• Focus on word families/word chunks
• Reinforce correct spelling in writing.
• Help your child to stretch words and hear as
  many sounds as possible.

5
Selecting appropriate books

• 5 finger rule
• Weekend HW books may appear easy. This is so
  that fluency can be practiced. Your child should
  not be stumbling over every few words. This will
  interfere with his/her comprehension. Guided
  Reading will focus on more challenging books.
• Scholastic Book Wizard- click here
• App literacy leveler 3.99

6
Writing Workshop

• Goal Take risks as writers and begin to write
  fluently.
• Journal Writing free write (will offer
  suggestions) Idea dice
• Formal Writing Process (brainstorming to final
  copy)
• Writing is integrated in each Journeys lesson.

• Handwriting
• Focus on
• - appropriate letter formation (top to bottom)
• - spacing between words
• - appropriate letter sizes (attic, living room
  and basement)
• - correct use of uppercase and lowercase letters.

• Domains of Writing
• 1. Focus
• 2. Content
• 3. Organization
• 4. Style
• 5. Conventions (grammar, sentence structure,
  punctuation and spelling)

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Social Studies and Science

• Social Studies
• HARCOURT HORIZONS
• About my World
• The World Around Us
• Mapping
• Seasons and Holidays
• Other Cultures
• Main Ideas and Key Questions

• Science
• Balance and Motion
• Weather
• Organisms/Planting in spring
• Inquiry based approach and discovery learning

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Mathematics

• Pearson Success enVision Math
• Topics (lessons within topics) Every topic has a
  Topic Opener with a Home-School Communication
  Letter and topic game.
• Problem of the Day
• Daily Spiral Review
• Work Mats- Interactive Learning with
  manipulatives, Visual Learning (Visual Bridge),
  Guided and Independent Practice and Problem
  Solving.
• Games for each lesson to reinforce skills
• eTools (interactive manipulatives)
• Math Homework Books (will send home nightly,
  should be quick, only few problems! Will
  accompany other HW).
• Can access the online book (login info will be
  coming soon)
• Please dont work ahead of the class!
• Opportunity for enrichment and/or extra practice
  (I will send home as needed).

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Thank you for coming! Please write
your child a note before you leave. ?