Saints Peter and Paul School First Grade 2016-2017

Back to School Night About the teachers First Grade Curriculum Testing and Screenings Communication Volunteers Field Trips and Special Events Questions and Concerns

About the Teachers Mrs. Van Wyk B.S. in Early Childhood Education from WCU, Certification in Elementary Education 12th year teaching 2 children Avery & Quinn PIAA Referee

Ms. Anna Kates B.S. in Elementary (PK-4) and Special Education (PK-8) Working on Masters in Special Ed at WCU 2nd year at SSPP

Mrs. Halvorsen 16th year at SSPP 3 children, two sons, one daughter, two grand children Is an important asset in working one on one with students

Mrs. McGeehan 16th year at SSPP 2 children (Billy 26 & Ashley 25) Ashley recently got engaged Has a great knowledge of working with a center-based curriculum and differentiated instruction

First Grade Curriculum E.L.A.- Journeys is a research-based, comprehensive English Language Arts program designed to provide solid instruction that is clear and focused with realistic pacing and manageable resources. It integrates both Science and Social Studies throughout the curriculum. We will continue our Fundations program which is geared to enhance our phonics curriculum. Math- We will work on addition and subtraction facts through 20, graphing, money, time, fractions, symmetry, and early multiplication skills. Religion- Creation is the beginning, we stress God’ s love for the children and teach well known prayers. Science- we will be using the FOSS curriculum for air and weather and continue the year with inquiry in many different scientific aspects. Social Studies- we will be using our Social Studies series to teach our children about communities, families, and being a good friend.

E.L.A./Fundations Our E.L.A. curriculum will be changing this year Trick words can be studied and memorized There will be at least four graded Writing assignments per trimester There will be at least two graded Reading Assessments per trimester There will be at least two Listening and Speaking Assessments per trimester Weekly Words need to be written every Monday on note cards and kept at home to study, we will periodically ask them to be sent in to check and practice Weekly “check-in” assessments. These will include words that go with our skill for the week, nonsense words, and trick words.

Fundations Emphasis on systematic phonics and study of word structure Skills taught explicitly and systematically Instruction is cumulative and scaffolds presented skills Teachers model with “Echo” the owl puppet directing students to repeat sounds, words, and sentences Assessments monitor students throughout the program The manual provides direction for support staff to meet individual student needs Extensive practice provides multiple opportunities for skills application

Math There will be weekly assessments given in Math There will be at least six assessments per trimester Timed math facts

Review sheets will be sent home for tests and prayers. Religion Students will be assessed on prayers and knowledge of the First Grade Religion Curriculum. Review sheets will be sent home for tests and prayers. Saint Project

Social Studies and Science Social Studies and Science are integrated throughout the E.L.A. and Math curriculum. We also spend 30 minutes twice a week on both subjects and visit the lab for Science.

Homework Homework Monday-Thursday Please check and initial assignments Encourage neatness 10 minutes Please read with your child every night and sign the reading log Study Weekly Words including Trick Words, place new words on note cards every Monday

Testing and Screenings Reading Specialist-Sheila Mulhearn Reading Support- Jen Gilligan Learning Support- Anna Benoit Speech and Language- Tina Borst Guidance Counselor- Janette Ordway Math Specialist- Mary Joe Thompson Sight Word Monitoring DIBELS IST- Instructional Support Team- works cooperatively to meet any special needs of students

Screening by Sheila Mulhearn Mrs. Mulhearn, the Reading Specialist from the Chester County Intermediate Unit, is at our school on Tuesdays and Thursdays this year. Mrs. Mulhearn screens and assesses the beginning reading skills of our first grade students throughout the school year. If additional assessments need to be administered, you will be notified by Mrs. Mulhearn. It is our goal to assure that all the first grade students are making progress in reading skills.

Communication Weekly Behavior Charts www.teacherweb.com Conferences: October 18th & 19th Test Folders

General Information Covering Books with clear contact paper Health Office and Vaccination Papers 24 hours after having no fever, students may return to school Clearances

Volunteers Homeroom Parents Art Volunteers (no art volunteers if we have a 2hr delay) Field Trip Chaperones Lunch Parents Mystery Readers

Field Trips and Special Events Cherry Crest Farms and Camden Aquarium Saint Project Parties- all Holidays All About Me/ Student of the Week Class Pet Scholastic Book Orders

Questions and Concerns Parent questions and concerns