Ms. Morrow’s 1st Grade Class Welcome! “I feel very lucky because of my education, the opportunities that I've had, so I would like to continue working to improve the lives of others.” Hillary Clinton Ms. Morrow’s 1st Grade Class

About the Teacher Education: I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia State University in Early Childhood Education. I also have a Master of Science degree in Reading from Georgia State University. Experience: I have been teaching 22 years in various positions in GCPS—4th grade, 2nd grade, SIA, EIP, Title I Reading, Literacy Coach, and currently 1st grade.

Class Schedule 7:45-8:25 Arrival/Breakfast/Morning Notebook 8:25 – 9:40 Writing Workshop 9:40-10:55 Reading Workshop 10:55 – 11:40 Special 11:40-12:20 Math 12:20-12:50 Lunch 12:50-1:10 Recess 1:10-1:45 Math 1:55-2:40 CQI 2:40- Announcements/Dismissal * Social Studies, Science, and Health will be integrated into Reading/Writing Workshops

Reading Quarter 1: Word Work – short/long vowels, beginning blends, beginning and ending sounds, sight words Comprehension – compare/contrast, self-monitor, connections, reading 60 words per minute Quarter 2: Word Work – middle sounds, digraphs, antonyms compound words, blending 2-4 phonemes Comprehension – sequence, narrative elements, questioning

Reading Quarter 3: Word Work – Synonyms, Contractions, Inflectional Endings, Segmenting Words, R-Controlled Vowels Comprehension – Cause/Effect, Main Idea, Inferring, Retelling, Identifying Paragraphs, Dictionary Usage Quarter 4: Word Work – Word Families, Root Words, Applying phonics to decode quickly and accurately, Prefixes, Suffixes Comprehension – Recognizing and Comparing Plot, Setting, and Characters, Commas, Quotation Marks, Synthesizing  

Writing Quarter 1: Punctuation, Singular and Plural Nouns, Complete Sentences, Beginnings, Narrative, How To Writing Quarter 2: Proper Nouns, Organization, Adjectives, Verbs, Adding Details, Simple/Compound Sentences Quarter 3: Informational Writing, Research Strategies, Graphic Features, Alphabetical Order Quarter 4: Genres (Narrative, Persuasive, Opinion

Math Quarter 1: Number Sense (sequencing, skip counting), 2 & 3-Dimensional Shapes, Equal Parts, Data (charts and graphs), Money Quarter 2: Place Value, Time, Data (charts and graphs) Quarter 3: Money, Fractions, Number Sense to 100, Measurement, Data (charts and graphs) Quarter 4: Creating Word Problems, 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction, Data (charts and graphs), 2nd Grade Preview

Science Quarter 1: Weather and Climate, Hydrology Quarter 2: Natural Resources, Living Things Quarter 3: Light and Shadows, Sound Quarter 4: Magnetism, 2nd Grade Preview

Social Studies Quarter 1: Our Earth, Our Country, American Folktales, American Biographies - Benjamin Franklin Quarter 2: American Biographies – Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea Quarter 3: American Biographies – Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver Quarter 4: Personal Finance, American Biographies – Theodore Roosevelt

Assessments * CogAt Test Dates – September 15, 16 & 17 *Benchmarks will be given at the end of each 9 week period in Reading, Language Arts, and Math. * Fountas and Pinnell Reading Tests will be given at the end of each quarter to find out the reading level of each student. This level is used for an assessment grade and to guide our instruction.

Gwinnett County Grading Scale If an assignment is done independently, it will receive a grade using the following scale: E 90 – 100 S 74 – 89 N 70 – 73 U 0 – 69 If the assignment has been done with help from the teacher or classmates, it will receive a smiley face or check for participation.

How Can I Help My Child? Read with/to your child every day. Your child should read “just right” books when reading independently. Encourage your child to use reading strategies: stretching words, skipping, chunking, using pictures, and sounding out. Ask who, what, when, where, why questions about what you/they have read. Learn and discuss new words when reading , writing, and talking. Have your child study the words for the week. Use them in sentences. Write short stories about any topic of interest. Be sure to add details. Have your child count coins from your pocket/purse. Have them name shapes anywhere you visit. Play counting games counting forwards and backwards from any number up to 120. Discuss items—which is longer?/shorter?, heavier?/lighter? Practice addition and subtraction facts. Ask your child questions about their world around them. Discuss our country and continent. Share with them your knowledge of science topics. Investigate the why questions. Make learning fun!

(work habits/behavior) Discipline Outstanding •I was out of this world today! •I went above and beyond and really reached for the stars! Excellent •I followed directions the first time. •I demonstrated self control. •I produced neat and quality work Satisfactory •I did a satisfactory job today, but I can try even harder to have a better day tomorrow. •There are areas in which I can improve. Needs Improvement •I had trouble following directions today. •I need to re-think some of my choices. I did not put forth my best effort today. (work habits/behavior) Unsatisfactory •I did not respect myself and/or others today. •I disturbed the learning of others. •I did not do well when working independently or with others.

Classroom and School Procedures Absences If you know that your child is going to miss a day of school, or if you are going to check them out early, please send me a note or email letting me know. If your child is out sick, please send in a note or send an email so that the office can change their absence to excused. Birthdays Invitations can be passed out at school only if the entire class is invited to the party (all girls or all boys). Children have sensitive feelings. Simple birthday treats are allowed if they can be easily handed out by the student at lunch. These treats have to be given out during lunch in accordance to school policy. Birthdays Please do not send invitations to school unless the entire class is invited to the party (all girls or all boys). Children have sensitive feelings. Simple birthday treats are allowed if they can be easily handed out by the student at lunch.

Classroom and School Procedures Transportation Please send a note if your child’s arrangements in going home after school are different from those I have on record. The office will not accept email requests. Lunch If you would like to each lunch with your child, please sign in and meet us in front of the cafeteria. Our lunch time is 12:20 – 12:50. Lunch is $2.25 per day for students and $3.00 for adults. Fast food lunches brought in are not allowed in the classroom or cafeteria. Class parties are an exception.

Communication Agendas are used to list classroom behavior, important test dates, homework, and other information for you. It teaches the students responsibility and helps them to understand that we work together as a team. I will check the agenda daily for notes. Please feel free to write me questions or comments in the space provided. Initial the agenda daily. Thanks. In addition to the agendas, you can also email me throughout the day. My email address is roberta_morrow@gwinnett.k12.ga.us. I check my school email daily and will respond within 24 hours. If you are unable to email me, and need to speak with me, please call the school’s office at 678-344-2082. Your child will write to you each week about his/her week. This is called the Home/School Journal. This is an important journal for you and your child. They are practicing numerous skills using this journal. Please respond to your child in the journal. This will be a nice keepsake for your family for your student’s first grade year. The Homework Folder with the reading log is sent home daily. Other homework assignments may be included. Please have your child read every day and complete the reading log.

Communication Friday Folders will be sent home at the end of each week. Inside the Friday Folders, you will find 3 types of information: 1. Graded Papers and classwork: Work we have done at school. 2. Classroom Communication: A monthly newsletter and other classroom related notes. 3. School Communication: All school-wide newsletters and information. Please remove the papers and discuss them with your child. Sign the STAR behavior sheet. Don’t forget to return the Friday Folder on Monday. Thanks!

Parent-teacher conferences will be held in September and February. We can also schedule a conference when necessary, if there are more immediate needs that should be addressed.

STAR Behavior

Please stop by and check it out! Parent Center At Anderson-Livsey, we have a special place just for you! Our Parent Center is organized by Mrs. Regina Hackett. At the Parent Center, you can: *Sign-up for workshops to help your child study and practice at home. *Check out academic materials to take home and use with your child. *Find information and advice catered to your specific needs as a parent. Please stop by and check it out!

Thank You... I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a wonderful year filled with exciting learning opportunities! Ms. Morrow