Welcome to FIRST GRADE Curriculum Night!

Nancy VandenBerge Dee Foster Theresa Williams Mary Baum Kim Bailey Standing Tall With Your First Grader Are… Nancy VandenBerge Dee Foster Theresa Williams Mary Baum Kim Bailey Cara Carroll

ATTENDANCE The school day is from 7:55-2:55 The earliest students may be dropped off is 7:30. First Graders arriving early to school will be seated in the cafeteria until 7:50. Students are considered tardy after 8:00.

1st Grade Curriculum Comprehensive Literacy Math Science The philosophy of the 1st grade teachers at Boon Elementary is to integrate all content areas within our comprehensive, balanced literacy and math programs. Comprehensive Literacy Shared Reading, Poetry, Big Books, Technology Based Stories, Independent Reading, Paired Reading, Guided Reading. Math Science Social Studies

Comprehensive Literacy Our goal is to instill the love of reading in each student. Daily 5 & CAFÉ Reading across the curriculum To/With/By Reading TO the students (Daily Read Alouds) Reading WITH the students (Guided Reading, Shared Reading, Poetry, One-On-One Reading) Reading BY the students READ to your child for 10 minutes every night!

Writing Writer’s Workshop - Revise, Edit, Publish Draft Books Patriot Press

Spelling/Word Work/Chunks Word Families Student created spelling words “Spell Check” on Fridays Spelling folders (review, sign, return on Monday)

Poetry Correlation to spelling/phonics, science, social studies Poetry Folder Correlation to spelling/phonics, science, social studies Skills: rhyming words, punctuation, fluency, etc.

Math Numerical fluency, conceptual understanding, and problem solving. Hands-on, concrete experiences Math Journals Math homework

Science & Social Studies New Science TEKS Science Lab Visits Hands-on experiments using scientific process Science & Social Studies integrated with reading & writing.

Parent/Teacher Communication Boon Binder – School wide effort to communicate with parents. The binder will include a Communication Report, student work, important notes & forms, and an agenda book. The agenda book will be used to inform you about our day and upcoming events. Please check this binder and clean it out daily. There is a section for comments on the Communication Report and we encourage you to write us notes when you have questions or concerns. You must initial the Communication Report and agenda daily. Don’t forget to praise your child when he/she receives a stamp or sticker on their Communication Report! Thursday Folders – a school wide folder will be sent home every week. This folder contains school notes & forms, First Grade weekly newsletter, and PTA news & information. Please check this folder every Thursday and return it to school on Friday!

Parent/Teacher Communication (Cont…) Email – Please do not hesitate to email your child’s teacher with any questions, concerns, or other comments. Because we have such a busy day interacting with the kids, we are seldom at our computers during the school day. Although we may not be able to email you back with an immediate response, we promise to return your mail within 24 hours. Because we may not have the opportunity to check our email during the school day, we ask that you send a note or call the school when dismissal plans change .

Parent/Teacher Conferences Conferences will be scheduled once the year is underway and all beginning-of-the-year testing (TPRI, AMI) is complete. Typically conferences will take place toward the end of October. If needed, we will meet again in the Spring. If at any time you feel that a conference is necessary, please contact your child’s teacher to schedule a time to visit and discuss your questions and/or concerns.

Discipline & Behavior Patriot Pride Creed Consequences Rewards Daily behavior will be noted in your child’s Communication Report Good behavior will be rewarded and celebrated!

Lunch You are welcome to eat lunch with your child for a special occasion. You and your child may “dine” on the stage, but we ask that your child not invite any friends to join you unless accompanied by their parent(s). Lunch money should be placed in a labeled envelope and turned in to the cafeteria before school begins. Healthy lunches are the best!

Snacks Your child will have a quick snack every day after recess. Please send something healthy with your child to help him/her “re-fuel”. Please send classroom friendly, finger food items for your child. (No yogurt, pudding cups, juice boxes, etc.) Please refer to the approved snack list due to food allergies.

Birthdays Due to allergies in the classroom, we must limit edible treats. Please refrain from sending cakes, cookies, candles, hats, etc. You are welcome to send small party favors to distribute (stickers, little toys, play-doh, markers, coloring books, etc.) Because we feel that birthdays are VERY important, we will make a BIG deal about your child’s big day. The birthday boy/girl will be on morning announcements with the principal! Birthday party invitations may be passed out only if ALL students are invited to the party.

Dismissal Please send a note or contact the school if your child is going home any way that is different from their normal routine. Because your child’s safety is our #1 priority, we will not let your child go home a different way without a phone call or a note. Any last minute changes to your child’s normal routine need to be communicated with the Boon office.