Welcome to Our Pad! First Grade, Track 4 Thursday, August 8, 2013

Wake County Grading Scale

Standards Based Grading Level 4 Extends targeted grade level standards. Since I can do/get this, I can figure out new things! Level 3* (This is only used on the report card) Demonstrates proficiency of targeted grade level standards with evidence of application. I get it and I can use it. Level 3 Demonstrates proficiency of targeted grade level standards. I get it! I can do it well Level 2 Needs support to meet targeted grade level standards. I almost get it but I need help. Level 1 Insufficient performance of targeted grade level standards. I just dont get it.

A vs. P You may see some of your childs work marked with a P. This means that the activity was practice, and not graded. You will see assessments marked with an A. (EX: 2A means the student scored a 2 on the assessment.)

The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. The standards have been adopted by 45/50 states.

1. Reading 2. Writing 3. Speaking and Listening 4. Language The programs used in first grade to facilitate these strands are Daily 5, CAFÉ, and Letterland. Four strands

Daily 5/ CAFÉ Children will be busy completing meaningful literacy tasks: – Read to Self – Read to Someone – Work on Writing – Word Work – Listen to Reading Children will learn reading strategies in each of the four categories: –C for Comprehension –A for Accuracy –F for Fluency –E for Expanding Vocabulary Creators, Gail Boushey and Joan Moser

Letterland …is a unique, phonics-based approach to teaching reading, writing and spelling to 3-8 year olds. The Letterland characters transform plain black letter shapes into child- friendly pictograms and they all live in an imaginary place called Letterland. …aids in: *print knowledge *alphabet awareness *phonological/phonemic awareness skills *decoding *vocabulary Creator, Lyn Wendon

Questions about 1 st grades Language Arts programs? We implement The Daily Five structure as researched by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser – the sisters. We facilitate research-based practices in literacy as outlined by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser in The CAFÉ Book. We use a systematic approach to teaching phonics with Letterland Teachers Guide by Lyn Wendon, Gudrun Freese, Sara Wiegand and Katie Baxendale. Letterland Teachers Guide

Content Standards Instructional time will focus on four critical areas: Developing understanding of addition, subtraction, and strategies for addition and subtraction within 20 Developing understanding of whole number relationships and place value, including grouping in tens and ones Developing understanding of linear measurement and measuring lengths as units Reasoning about attributes of, and composing and decomposing geometric shapes

Houghton Mifflin Math Expressions Math Expressions is the textbook program that has been adopted by Wake County. Teachers supplement Math Expressions with alignment lessons created by the county to meet all the strands of the Common Core

New to social studies is the exploration of content through five strands. Five strands include: History Geography and Environmental Literacy Civics and Government Culture Economics and Personal Financial Literacy

Areas of Focus: Balance & Motion Comparing & Measuring Organisms Pebbles, Sand, & Silt Science instruction continues to be inquiry-based The Science program is inquiry- (kit) based. Textbooks are supplemental.

Math Assessments Quarterly assessments Math Expressions Unit assessments Cumulative assessment at the end of the year. Teachers will give their own informal assessments throughout the year.

Literacy Assessments Running Records (mClass) – Used to determine students reading level – The student must be able to retell the story before going to the next reading level. It is more than just being able to call out words. Letterland Unit Tests Unassisted Writing samples

Discipline School-wide Positive Behavior System Students get SWIM tickets. They can earn special rewards. A MCES student… Stays safe Works hard Is respectful and kind Manages actions, and Succeeds!

First Grade Field Trips In-house Science field trip -Engaging hands-on activities with wonderful and energetic instructors Asheboro, NC Zoo -Exciting trip to the zoo by charter bus

Other Reminders Parent Conferences are held at the end of first quarter. We will begin using parent volunteers when children have established classroom routines. All volunteers must be registered with WCPSS each year. It may take several weeks for registration to be approved. Teacher websites will be updated often. Please check website if you have any questions..

Our preferred method of contact is , which we try to check at least twice a day. If it is urgent, or for changes in transportation, please send a note or call the school at (919) Be sure to check your childs folder daily for all important papers. Homework is sent home monthly. Please turn it in each Friday. Please refer to the first grade handbook for questions of daily policies.

Got questions? Dont let them fly away!