Welcome to First Grade CATS *Mrs. Hermsen *Mrs. Kamper, *Mr. Kilmer, & *Mrs. Ranson 2017-2018 L

CATS students are . . . Often perfectionists and idealists Asynchronous Sequential or spatial Problem solvers “Tell me, I forget, show me, I remember, Involve me, I understand.” -Carl Orff Crystal Often perfectionists and idealists which can lead to fear of failure Asynchronous - For example, a 5-year-old may be able to read and comprehend a third-grade book but may not be able to write legibly Spatial learners may not know how they got a "right answer." Sequential learners may get lost in the steps leading to the right answer. Gifted children are problem solvers. They benefit from working on open-ended, interdisciplinary problems; for example, how to solve a shortage of community resources. Gifted students often refuse to work for grades alone C

CATS Curriculum Encourages students to apply critical-thinking skills and to become self- directed learners. It incorporates the regular curriculum but differs in content, process, product, pacing, and environment. Crystal C

CATS Curriculum Goals I: Acceleration II: Integration III: Inquiry and Motivation IV: Critical Thinking V: Communication and Collaboration C

Classroom Routines Great Wall Snack Arrival / Dismissal Communication (REMIND; FB; Instagram, email, blog, Twitter) Daily Folder / Parent Communication Alison A

Math Place Value and Number sense Operations and Algebraic thinking Geometry Measurement Data *Children will be pre and post tested in each of these categories. Jason J

Language Arts 6+1 Writing Writer’s Process Conventions, sentence fluency, organization, voice, word choice, ideas, presentation Writer’s Process Brainstorming Drafting Revision Editing Publishing Genres: Narrative, Nonfiction, Persuasive Leah L

Language Arts Guided Reading Groups Literacy Stations Words Their Way Journeys Book clubs Literacy Stations Tied to reading and language objectives Independent and self-paced work on weekly concepts Words Their Way Leah Informative/non-fiction and fiction L

Science Digestive, Respiratory, and Circulatory Systems Inventors and their Inventions Laws of Motion States of Matter Biomes Earth Materials Simple Machines Jason J

Social Studies American History: Exploration and Colonization Pilgrims Interact: Simulation Government & Roles of Citizenship Tribes/Great Wall American Symbols and Monuments Ancient Civilizations (Egypt) Alison A

Grades Crystal

Monthly Featured Authors Homework Homework will be posted every Monday after school on our webpage. It will not be sent home. Homework for the week will be due the following Monday. Homework will NOT be returned by the teacher. Crystal 4 Box Job Sheet -1 Spelling Activity -1 Math Worksheet/Assignment -15 minutes of Nightly Reading -1 Tech/Project Task Monthly Featured Authors C

Fun Stuff/ Parent Opportunities Class Parties Birthdays Field Trips Lego Discovery Center OdySea Aquarium Idea Museum Art Masterpiece Sign Up Genius Leah L

Communication Hermsen.alison@cusd80.com Kamper.elizabeth@cusd80.com Kilmer.Jason@cusd80.com Ranson.crystal@cusd80.com Front Office: (480) 812-6100 Website: https://www.cusd80.com/Domain/5885

“Curiosity is the engine of achievement.” – Sir Ken Robinson