Welcome to First Grade! On your child’s desk you will find:  An order form for a College T-shirt. Our PTO will help subsidize the shirts and is requesting a $2.00 cash donation, if possible.  Math and Story Problem Dictionary and our New 300 Word Club Words  A “Surprise Your Child” Note At the back table you will find:  A “Sign up” page for Parent Conferences.  A volunteer “Sign up” sheet.  A “Preference for your child’s Dismissal Location” sheet.

My Contact Information Teacher Name: Margie Feinberg Room: 7 Address: Phone Number: (760) ext. 3107

A Look at Our Day… MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday 8:45- 9:00 9:00- 9:20 Attendance, flag English Language Development Attendance, flag English Language Development Attendance, flag English Language Development Attendance, flag English Language Development Attendance, flag English Language Development 9:20- 9:35 Phonics Computer Lab 9:25-9:55 Phonics 9:35-10:45 10:45- 11:15 Small Reading Groups Whole Group Reading Small Reading Groups Whole Group Reading Phonics Small Reading Groups 10:00-11:15 Small Reading Groups Whole Group Reading Reading Groups 10:10-10:50 Dance/Drama/Music Reading Groups 11:15-12:00Lunch 12:00 -12:45Writing P.E. 12:00-12:30 Writing 12:30-1:00 Library /Writing 12:45- 1:30 1:30-1:50 P.E. Recess writing Recess Math Recess P.E. Recess Writing Recess 1:50- 3:10math 2:10 Dismissal math math 3:10Dismissal

Character Counts This year we will implement the “six Pillars of Character” s our school wide character counts education program. Each pillar will have a specific month(s) of classroom and campus focus. August: Introduce the program and discuss character. September: Responsibility October : Respect November/December : Caring January : Fairness February/March: Citizenship April/May : Trustworthiness June: Review and acknowledge all pillars.

New Benchmark Universe: Literature, Social Studies and Science Unit 1 : Being a Good Community Member Unit 2 : Many Kinds of Characters Unit 3 : Animals Grow and Change Unit 4 : Stories Have Narratives Unit 5 : Technology Unit 6 : Stories That Teach Unit 7 : Past, Present and Future Unit 8 : Sun and Moon Unit 9 : Why Do People trade Unit 10 : Sound and Light

Reading Standards Learn Phonics Patterns and Sight Words Develop Comprehension Skills when Reading Fiction and Informational Texts 1.Ask and answer questions about key details in a text 2. Retell stories to include key details in a text 3. Read fiction and informational books and know the differences and similarities between the two kinds of texts. 4. Describe the characters, settings, and major events in a story. 5. Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories. Build a Stronger Vocabulary Develop Fluency Skills

Writing Standards A.Writing Opinion Pieces B.Writing Informative/Explanatory Texts C.Writing Narratives Mastery is expected at the end of the year. Language standards include:  Demonstrate effective use of the English grammar.  Demonstrate correct use of standard English capitalization, punctuation and spelling.  Acquires and uses grade-appropriate vocabulary and topic-specific words and phrases, including precise words which describe action, emotion, and experiences.

Math Standards Semester One Data: Represent and Interpret Graphs Geometry, Telling Time and Fractions Measurement Place Value semester Two Place Value Addition and subtraction to 100 Our Year Long Standards of Focus : Problem Solving and Fluency Students will learn addition and subtractions with 20 to solve word problems. Students will learn to add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtractions within 10.

Fluency Practice This is a sample of our Math Talk strategies we will learn in class. We will learn to use the most efficient type of strategy to solve problems like counting on, making a ten and using an open number line. Addition StrategiesSubtraction Strategies Adding with a zero (5 + 0)Subtraction with a zero (7 – 0) Commutative property (3 + 5 = 5+ 3) Subtraction with doubles (10 – 5) Doubles (2 +2, 6 + 6)Subtraction -1 (5 - 1) Doubles + 1 more (3 + 4 = ) Doubles + 2 more (3 + 5 = ) Subtraction -2 (7 – 5 ) Make a 10 (7 +9= )

Weekly Homework Homework consists of:  A Homework Resource Folder  A Weekly Reading log and Math Bingo Card  Individualized reading book bags  A weekly newsletter with highly recommended activities. Homework is due on Fridays. New homework assignments will be sent home each Friday. This will hopefully allow for flexibility within your week.

300 Word Club Words This is an individualized sight word program that compliments the new SMUSD’s Benchmark sight words  Our trained parent volunteers will run this program.  Your child’s current reading level will be recorded weekly on his/her homework cover sheet.  This is not mandatory, however it is highly recommended.

Technology: Individual and group Research Projects  We will be using iPads, and chromebooks in our classroom.  Once students learn how to log in to their SMUSD accounts, we will begin working on fun independent and group research projects!

Important Highlights:  Please send a healthy snack for our afternoon recess.  Wear comfortable shoes on our P.E. days Mondays, Thursdays, and every other Wednesday.  Homework is important. Please make sure it’s returned on Fridays.  I have duty immediately after school on Tuesdays. I can meet with you afterwards by a prearranged appointment.  We will be using iPads in our classroom. Please review iPad handling with your child.  Please remind your child to use the restroom before school, at lunch and during recess.

Classroom Wish List Thank-you in advance for contributing to our classroom! Any donation, big or small is greatly appreciated! White Xerox Copy Paper Colored Xerox Copy Paper Ticonderoga Pencils Pencil Top Erasers Thin Dry Eraser Markers You may also contribute to our school by sending in your Box Tops!

Let’s work together!