Welcome to First Grade Please write a letter back to your child. They love to hear from you the next day!
A Little About Me • B.A. from the University of Iowa • Masters from National Lewis University • Taught for many years in District 10 • Live in Itasca with my husband and our 6th grade son • We have a grown daughter who lives downtown. • ngallagher@itasca10.org • www.mrsgallaghersblog.blogspot.com
Common Core The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy. www.corestandards.org
Reading/Language Arts • Series published by McGraw-Hill • Whole-group reading…teaching foundational skills • Curriculum includes: reading, phonics, spelling, writing and grammar • Integrates a lot of technology in the day to day teaching • Weekly high frequency words are listed on yellow “Peek at the Week Sheet” • Our reading program is aligned to the Common Core Standards.
Guided Reading ➢ Starts at the end of September/beginning of October. ➢ Small group reading ➢ Use leveled fiction and non-fiction books to provide practice at the students reading level. ➢ Students should be fluent at reading these books. ➢ Books will come home in a plastic bag with a log that needs to be signed and returned the next school day. ➢ Students move up to next level after they have been assessed in fluency and comprehension.
Phonemic Awareness • Michael Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Daily Lessons • Playing with words • Looking at rhyming words and patterns • Breaking sounds apart in words • Blending sounds together to make new words • Essential for reading literacy
Grammar • Taught through lessons incorporated into our reading/language arts series • Whole group instruction in writing words, sentences and paragraphs • Daily journaling which provides a format for individual assistance in writing
Handwriting • Use Zaner-Bloser series • Practice book for instruction • Most letters and numbers start at top or middle line and go down • Check how your child holds his/her pencil and forms his/her letters • Sample in your packet
Spelling • Weekly words are listed on yellow “Peek at the Week Sheet.” • Spelling skills taught through lessons incorporated into our reading/language arts series. • Weekly test given on Friday or last day of the school week. • Practice writing the words at home • Dictation
6 + 1 Traits of Writing • This K-8 writing program is designed to teach the characteristics of good writing. • First grade focuses on ideas, sentence fluency, conventions and word choice. • We use weekly activities to help teach each trait. • Lessons are incorporated into our reading/language arts series.
Math – enVision Math • First, the children understand the concept visually and concretely through use of manipulatives. • Secondly, the children experience guided practice through teacher-directed instruction. • Lastly, there is independent practice and a problem-solving component. • Opportunities for extra practice and challenges. • List of topics covered is in your packet. • Our math series is aligned with the Common Core Standards.
Science – Parents and Their Offspring – Patterns in the Sky – Communicating With Waves – Design From Nature – Nature Center Field Trips – In-House Assembly
Health ➢ Great Body Shop Newsletter ➢ Safety and Feelings ➢ Nutrition and Medicine ➢ Human Body and Keeping Healthy ➢ How I Breathe and Exercise
Social Studies – Includes Big Books, Textbooks, and Leveled Readers – Family and Neighbors – Johnny Appleseed – Our Government – All About Earth – Life Long Ago (Native Americans, Pilgrims and Columbus) – Holidays Around the World – Presidents Lincoln and Washington – All About Work
Extension Activities • Formal identification of Talented and Gifted Students does not begin until grade 3. • Extensions/enrichment opportunities are still given in and outside of the classroom for students who need additional challenges. • Mrs. Reuter provides enrichment in the areas of reading/language arts and math to select students. • Attention Extension Stamp or Light Green Paper
Assessments AIMSweb (Reading and Math) ● Assessed three times per year ● Fall/Winter/Spring iReady (Reading and Math) ● Assessed three times per year ● Fall/Winter/Spring Curriculum content
RtI • RtI is a learning assistance program that focuses on providing additional support for at-risk students using research based interventions. • Identified students are placed in intervention groups to improve a particular skill. • Students are progress monitored and their progress is monitored by a team of teachers. • We are currently focusing on the areas of math and reading. • Target Time
Support Services • ELL-English Language Learners • Speech and Language • Learning Resource • Occupational Therapy • Social Work • Project Prevent
Project Prevent • Project Prevent is a first grade reading program for eligible students. This program provides additional one-on-one support in reading.
Birthdays • Only non-food items allowed • Pencils • Toy trinkets • Donate a book to the classroom • Invitations
Specials • Gym-Thursdays with Mrs. Engel (Gym Shoes) • Music-Wednesdays with Mrs. Berry • Art-Mondays with Mrs. Thompson (Art Shirt, Portfolio) • Library- Wednesdays Book check-out/return Fridays-Library class with Mrs. Reuter • Computers-Tuesdays & Fridays-Mrs. Guidotti
Snacks • Only fresh cut-up fruits and vegetables are allowed due to food allergies and room cleanliness. Please no fruit cups. If the item requires a spoon or fork, please provide. Snack is optional.
School/Classroom Expectations • Benson School has implemented the character education program PBIS. (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) • This program teaches expected behaviors and routines directly in all settings. • There are four clearly defined expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe and Be Proud. • Classroom Stoplight is based on the school-wide expectations of the “4 Bs.” • Daily record sheet • “Paws” given to those who demonstrate the 4 Bs. • Consequences and Rewards for whole-group and individually
Homework • Please see first grade homework policy note. • Spelling words/High frequency words • Practice basic math facts (basic facts sheet) • 10 minutes of nightly reading • Reading Wonders website • HW Correct/Return • Required Homework
Miscellaneous • Notes about transportation • Money brought to school should be in an envelope labeled with content and child’s name • Sign up for fall conference in front hallway • Check District 10 website for first grade information and first grade newsletter • Report Cards are distributed quarterly • Email Communication-Check before, noon and after school • Notes on papers-”Correct/Return” and “DT” • Please review papers with your child.
Remember • First grade is a time for developmental learning and not final achievement. Children do best when they are praised for doing what they do right and not what they do wrong. Children are more likely to take risks if they feel secure at school and at home. Our classroom is a mistake-making place!!!
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