Back to school night 2017-2018 Mrs. Pendelton Welcome to Room 217 Back to school night 2017-2018 Mrs. Pendelton

School-Wide Rules: The 3 Rs Our district has implemented a behavior management initiative called PBIS. PBIS stands for “Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports.” PBIS is all about supporting students with making great choices and reinforcing POSITIVE behaviors. Students are rewarded for excellent choices in the classroom, in the hallway, at Specials, on the bus, and anywhere else in school! Be RESPONSIBLE! Be RESPECTFUL! Be SAFE!

What do we learn in First Grade? Literacy -Reading is HUGE in 1st Grade!! -Our whole group or core literacy instruction covers about 90 minutes to 120 minutes per day. -Students will have several times throughout the day in which they will be reading in whole group, small groups, with a friend, and independently. -We will also write daily. Sometimes, we will write together as a whole class; other times, students will write in small groups or independently.

What do we learn in First Grade? Reading “I Do”- During the core reading time, students will engage in Close Reading, Listening Comprehension, or an Interactive Read Aloud (this is teacher led instruction that buildings reading comprehension, vocabulary and language skills). We also have Word Work and Grammar lessons as part of our whole group instruction in Reading. “We Do”- There is also a Shared Reading time every other day in which the class reads together using shared copies of the text while I read from my book. “You Do”- Students will have the opportunity to read independently during arrival and dismissal, with partners, and “Read to Self” is also a Daily 5 routine. Here are ALL of the components that First Graders have as part of their Reading Instruction: Close Reading/Interactive Read Aloud/Listening Comp. Shared Reading Word Work (includes Spelling, Phonics, Phonological Awareness, and High Frequency Sight Words) Grammar Vocabulary Small Group Instruction & Daily 5: This is when I meet with the students in small groups (no more than 6 students per group) to instruct them with guided reading, literacy instruction, and interventions that build students’ strengths and target what they need to help them become independent readers. The students groups change often depending on what skills they need and the amount of progress they make throughout the year. While I am instructing small groups at my table, the students are actively engaged with our Daily 5 Centers and/or technology. Daily 5 Centers: Read to Self, Read to Someone, Work on Writing, Word Work, Listen to Reading + Tech Center (iPads will be used at this center for students to work on Lexia).

Reading Level Chart BAS Level Grade Level A B C *D E F G H I *J K L *M Pre-K/Kindergarten B Kindergarten C *D Kindergarten (End), 1st Grade (Beginning) E F 1st Grade G H I *J 1st Grade (End) K 1st Grade (End), 2nd Grade (Beginning) L 2nd Grade *M 2nd Grade (End) N 3rd Grade O P Q 4th Grade

What do we learn in First Grade? Writing Writing will also be taught in both whole group and in small groups. The core writing instruction is what everyone receives and will be taught in whole groups. We will use both Wonders and Writer’s Workshop to teach writing this year. When working with students in small groups, I will work on the writing skills they need. Students will be working on various types of writing throughout the year, including opinion/persuasive writing, narrative writing (story), personal narrative (story about themselves), informational (nonfiction, factual writing) and responding to reading (usually done through Wonders, our literacy program). During each marking period, students will be assessed on a writing sample in which I will collect and use for report cards.

What do we learn in First Grade? Everyday Math Just like in Kindergarten, we use Everyday Math in 1st Grade. EM includes many games and opportunities for hands-on learning. We will often use technology for Everyday Math (in addition to hands-on math manipulatives and games). Math skills to work on at home throughout the year: counting & skip-counting by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s to 100 identifying and knowing the value of a coin (counting coins if you’re child is ready) telling time addition and subtraction making up number stories with addition and subtraction counting tally marks days of the week/months of the year measuring with a ruler. Homework: not sent home at the very beginning of the year but will be later in the year.

Assessments School-Wide Assessments: GRADE- in-depth reading assessment that assesses a variety of reading and pre-reading skills; taken at the BEGINNING and the END of the year. DIBELS- 1-minute timed assessment that tests a child’s ability to accurately and fluently decode and read words both in isolation and in context. DIBELS are administered 3 times per year (fall, winter, spring). Wonders Tests- Weekly Wonders assessments are given every week in addition to a longer Unit Test (Unit Tests are given every other unit- we have 6 units to cover and will give 2 unit assessments). Spelling tests are also given each week on words taught within each unit. Fountas & Pinnell BAS: This is a reading test done 1-on-1 with each student in which they read leveled books so I can find their independent/instructional/hard level. This assessment will allow me to plan and deliver my small group instruction because it provides me with a reading level(s) and allows me to take a close look at their strengths and what we need to focus on. This test is given at the beginning and end of the year for sure, and may be given throughout the year as needed. Other Classroom Assessments: Assessments will be given throughout the year in reading, writing, and math that differ between each grade level. These tests are for planning instruction, measuring growth, and for grading purposes (report cards, progress reports, etc.).

School Procedures & FAQs What is the birthday policy? You MAY send birthday treats (please stick to finger food) IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO. Please understand that we are very limited on time (First Grade does not have daily snack time). Please send cupcakes or a birthday snack that can by eaten with fingers and please send napkins or plates along with the cupcakes (no cakes or any food that requires utensils). If you send a birthday treat, I will pass it out to the students at the end of the day, and we will sing “Happy Birthday.” Please do NOT send party invitations to school with your child UNLESS you are inviting everybody to your child’s party. You may also call ahead to Main Office (at least 24 hours in advance) if you wish to have lunch with your child on his/her birthday (see new lunchroom policy). What is the procedure for Parent Pick-Ups and Drop-Offs? Permanent Parent Pick-Ups (Car Riders) register with office. If you normally do NOT pick up your child and wish to, please call the office (that day) BEFORE 11 a.m. (this is to ensure your child is on the list and doesn’t ride the bus home) and/or put a note in your child’s Take-Home Folder so I can send it down to the office that morning. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL OR DOJO MESSAGE TEACHER REGARDING PARENT PICK UPS- it MUST go through the Main Office!  AM Drop Off: Parent drop-off will look a little different this year. ALL PARENTS MUST ENTER/EXIT THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT. Parking is in the high school lot next to fence (facing track) or next to baseball field. A crossing guard will be available to safely direct you and your child while walking to the building. A separate drop-off door will be used this year so please walk with your child from the lot to the building the first few days so you both know which door to use. 8:25 a.m. is drop off and the doors will open at 3:10 p.m. for parents who are picking up their children from school. Parents may sign in and wait (like last year) until students are called down at 3:20 p.m. PLEASE HAVE YOUR PHOTO ID AVAILABLE AND READY IF YOU ARE PICKING UP YOUR CHILD THIS YEAR DURING THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF SCHOOL.

New Parking Procedure

New Parking Map

Lunch Policy

Questions & Answers I WILL DO My BEST TO RESPOND OR DIRECT YOU TO SOMEONE WHO WILL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.