The ABCs of st 1 Grade

Orientation August 29, 2013

is for Attendance
Unless your child is ill, please make every attempt to have your child present at school and on time. Our day begins at 7:45am and the dismissal time is 2:45pm. Students that arrive late are a disruption and waste valuable instruction time for the rest of the class. If your child is going to be out, please provide a written note on the first day that your child returns to school. Please include date, duration and specific reason for absence.

is for Behavior
Every student is expected to follow school and classroom rules. Students that choose to follow the rules will move up the clip chart and earn rewards. Likewise, there will be consequences for students that CHOOSE to break the rules (moving down the clip chart, time outs, parent contact, or in extreme cases a visit to the principals office, etc. )

is for Curriculum
Reading and Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies Physical Education

Reading and Language Arts

In 1st grade, we will focus on developing phonemic awareness, decoding skills, word recognition, comprehension and oral reading fluency. The more sight words a student knows, the more fluently he/she will read. Practice reading the high frequency words nightly. Whole class and small group lessons will be delivered to ensure mastery of skills. We will focus on the following throughout the year: Reading Strategies Comprehension Skills Reading Fluency Vocabulary and Wo rd Analysis Spelling, Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Writing Listening and Speaking We do lots of writing in first grade. Children are encouraged to use phonetic spelling when they first start. Our goal is to encourage risk taking and independence in writing. Part of this process is to stress to children that phonetic spelling is acceptable, and t o build their confidence in their ability to communicate in writing even if they cant spell the word with dictionary spelling.. However, as high frequency words and spelling rules are introduced children will gradually move toward more conventional spel ling..

Mathematics
By the end of first grade, students Understand and use the concept of ones and tens Add and subtract numbers to 20 with ease Tell time to the half hour Count, write and order number to 120 Measure with simple units Identify and locate shapes in their environment Describe data and analyze and solve simple problem situations Each day begins with students recording todays number in Math Folders. Math instruction includes a lesson in our Go Math books.

Science

1st grade students will learn that:

Weather can be observed, measured and described Matter exists in three forms Plants and animals meet their needs in different ways

 1st grade students will learn about: Families People from other cultures People today and long ago Holiday origins and traditions Responsibility of citizenship in a free society Symbols, icons, and traditions of the United States Maps and globes Life skills

Social Studies

Physical Education
Coach Murray and Coach Owens will meet with each class daily for 50 minutes. Please make sure your child comes to school each day with proper shoes and clothes for running, jumping, climbing, and participating in physical education activities.

is for Differentiated Instruction

In order to provide the best possible instruction to each child Not all children will be on the same page, in the same book, at the same time. Please let me know if your child is really struggling or if he/she is not being challenged.

is for Enrichment
Art Ms. McClendon will meet with each class once a week for 40 minutes. Library Mrs. Peoples will meet with each class once a month for 30 minutes. Counseling Ms. Williams will meet with each class once a month for 30 minutes.

is for Field Trips

We will have 2 field trips this year. Our goal is to provide students with real life connections to our curriculum. We have currently planned to go to Moundville on October 9 th.

is for Grades
Every week the children will be assessed in reading, and spelling. Students will be assessed in mathematics once a chapter is completed. These tests will usually be administered on Friday, sent home on Tuesday and must be returned by Thursday. Please take the time to look them over each week and review any skills or areas of weakness with your child. If your child makes a C, D, or F on any assignment, it must be signed and returned.

is for Homework
Every week students are expected to complete Reading, Math and Spelling homework. Students must also complete the reading log daily. It is important that 1st graders read for a minimum of 15 minutes EACH night. This may include practicing their decodable, shared reading with an adult or older sibling, and reading and decoding good fit books on their own.

is for Itinerary
Oh, the places we will go and the things we will learn this year as we go through 1st grade! To find out exactly where we are headed each week you will want to visit our websites. Our daily schedule and calendar are all posted there.

is for Just Right Books

Studies have shown that those children whose parents are actively involved in the reading process will become the best readers. Reading to your child and listening to them read to you, taking them to the library and providing quality just right books at home is of the highest importance.

is for Keeping Informed

Visit our classroom website frequently. The itinerary will let you know what we are learning about each week, and our calendar will keep you up-to-date, reminding you about upcoming projects, due dates, and events. Make sure to read the Newsletter. Watch for emails

is for Learning Environment

We feel that the best way to help children learn is to make learning fun. Our classrooms will be an active environment where all students are expected to engage in the learning process.

is for Money
Any money sent to school must be in an envelope with your childs name, the purpose and amount. Classroom donation $40 Agenda books $5

is for Notes
Please send a note with your child if: You know your child will be missing school for an extended period of time. An independent study can be arranged if a student will be out for 5 or more consecutive days. A change in pick-up or after school care will be occurring. You would like to schedule a conference or have concerns. Your child has been absent and you have not yet notified the office about the absence. Watch for notes from the office and me, and dont forget to check the Take Home folder nightly. This will be our primary way to communicate with you.

is for Other Items

The 7 Habits of Happy Kids Parties
No food, beverages, or balloons (cupcakes/cakes, etc.) for individual student birthday parties will not be permitted during the instructional day as it interferes with the school learning environment and causes hurt feelings when all students do not have the opportunity to celebrate at school. Distributing party invitations at school for a home party will not be permitted.

Take home folders and agendas(review every night) Newsletters (sent every Friday)

 Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on September 26th and April 8th & 10th. During these conference, we will be discussing your child's strengths and weaknesses, homework, behavior and any additional concerns you may have. A sign up schedule will be sent home.

is for Parent-Teacher Conferences

is for Questions
Please feel free to contact us anytime you have questions. You can do this in a variety of ways: Write a note Send an email Call us at school Make an appointment for a conference

is for Report Cards

Report cards will be distributed at the end of each nine weeks.

Progress reports will be distributed half way through each nine weeks.
September 24th , November 26th , February April 29th 18th , and

October 24th , January 16th , March 20th and May 28th

is for Snack
Only water drinks will be allowed and the schools preference would be that each student provide their own reusable water bottle to refill at the water fountain. MES is using guidelines from US Healthy Schools Challenge; only snack items from these guidelines will be sold in school vending machines or the school cafeteria.

is for Test
Every Friday students will be tested on Reading and Spelling skills. Math test will be given once a chapter is complete. Review your childs agenda and newsletter for weekly test.

is for Using the Library

Students will be able to check books out from the library every week. Students may check 2 books out at a time. Birthday Book Club- $10 donation will buy a library book to be placed in honor of your child. Members will get a special snack at the end of their birthday month.

is for Volunteers & Visitors

If you have time or talents to share with us, please make sure your teacher knows. Our school policy requires all visitors/volunteers to check in at the school office. Visitor Badges are required if you will be in the school hallways or entering a classroom.

is for Website
You may find our classroom websites by going to http://margaretelementaryschool.com/ .

is for EXtra Supplies

There will be times throughout the year where extra supplies are needed. We will send a note home with the requested items. We always appreciate your support!

is for You
You are your childs first and most important teacher. We hope that we can work together this year to make your childs 1st grade school year a huge success!

is for Zzzz
Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep each night, so that he/she is well rested and ready for the challenges of first grade. This year will ZOOM by, so lets make the most of it.

Thank You for Coming

Once again, thank you for coming this evening and for showing an interest in your childs education.
Welcome to 1st Grade!