Welcome to Grade 1 Second Semester! Teacher Debbie & Teacher Iris

Self Introduction * I am from eastern Canada. * I am from eastern Canada. * I am the homeroom teacher for Class 102. * I am the homeroom teacher for Class 102. * I am married to Teacher Matt. * I am married to Teacher Matt. * We love living in this part of Taiwan. * We love living in this part of Taiwan.

Education * I hold a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from St. Francis Xavier University. St. Francis Xavier University. * I hold a Diploma in Corrections from Algonquin College. * I have completed T.E.Y.L certification which focused on teaching English to Young Learners.

Work Experience I have extensive experience and training in youth counseling including child development, behavior modification, and learning theory. Before leaving for Taiwan I was senior management within the group home system and a Model Foster Parent for the Canadian government. I have taught grade school in Taiwan for 9 years; 4 years in Taipei and 5 years in Zhongli.

Class Rules 1. Respect your teachers. 2. Respect others. 3. Follow Korrnell school rules. 4. Always do your best. 5. Speak English all morning.

Curriculum Reading Class: A. Reading Text and Practice Book B. Purple Writing Book - critical concepts C. Blue Writing Book – spelling and sentence writing Phonics Class: A. Text B. Stories within the text Language Arts: A. Language Arts Text

Parent & Teacher Cooperation * Cooperation is based on communication. Let me know if your child is having any kind of difficulty. * Second semester grade 1 is more work at a more difficult level. Let's reduce the stress. * Encouragement is the key this semester.

Objectives * My main objective is to outline ways in which 102 students will improve skills critical to grade 1. * I also want to let you know what is going on in Class 102 this semester.

ImprovementOfSkills

Improving Reading Skills * Critical grade one reading skills include: 1. Reading for meaning. 2. Recognize sequence of events, cause & effect, character, and setting. 3. Recognize possible outcomes of a story. 4. Use phonetics to break down unknown words. 5. Ability to discuss the story. * Listening skills are important. * Please don't ask students to read if I assign 'listening' homework.

Improving Reading Skills: Dolch List Improving Reading Skills: Dolch List * The Dolch List is a list of words common to texts for early readers. common to texts for early readers. * They are sometimes called “sight words” because students should know them by sight. * Lists will be sent home for review and practice.

Improving Reading Skills: Dolch List Improving Reading Skills: Dolch List * The Dolch List is a list of words common to texts for early readers. common to texts for early readers. * They are sometimes called “sight words” because students should know them by sight. * Lists will be sent home for review and practice.

Improving Reading Skills: Family Reading Night * This is a special night where you and your child sit down to discuss or read a story together. This will greatly improve your child's love of reading, their comprehension, and fluency skills. This is about quality of practice, not quantity. If your child has difficulty let me know and I will help. Help me to keep this experience very positive. * For the 1 st week of the story ask about characters and general questions about the story. * For the 1 st week of the story ask about characters and general questions about the story. * For the 2 nd week of the story ask students to read to you.

Improving Vocabulary Skills: Vocabulary Cards * This semester students will make vocabulary card. Cards will be used for review at home. Cards will be used for review at home. * One card is used for one word. On one side the word is written in large print accompanied by a picture. Written on the other side is the meaning (for math and science words) or a sentence (for Reading words). * This is meant to be a visual and tactical way of practicing vocabulary and spelling. It may help students who struggle.

Improving Speaking Skills: Superstar English Board * Iris and I continue to encourage students to correct mistakes when they speak English. * The “Superstar English” Board is a positive way to help students correct mistakes common to second language speakers. * Students have stars (with their names) which they place on the board when they are making a real effort to speak English. * Your praise will promote progress.

Improving Writing Skills * Focus is on quality not repetition. * Students will learn to write on one line with a focus on proper letter position, size, and spacing. * Your praise is more useful than repetition! * Positive feedback and correction is individualized.

Improving Phonetic Skills * Phonetics is a focus in everything we do in Class 102 including speaking, reading, and writing. * Recordings improve listening and pronunciation skills while not straining their eyes. Therefore, I will be recording parts of the phonics text this semester. * Mini books are for phonetic repetition, not vocabulary. Your child is on task if they can recognize the phonetic lesson words in the story.

Improving Class Participation 1. Superstar English Board – On special occasions the whole class will receive a token. This token is given in recognition of an effort by the whole class to speak English in the morning. This effort is reflected in the number of stars on the Superstar English Board. 2. Magic Boxes – During class magic boxes are placed on a student's desk if she/he is paying attention, very involved, or getting work done. This rewards focused students and encourages other students to follow. 3. School & Parent Recognition - Students will work harder to please you. Join in our praise of your child's progress and hard work. 4. Football – We will focus on one special day a month for a game. This is more realistic given our schedule. Regardless of our busy schedule, I think this is important and I will make it work better this semester. Students will still collect footballs to enter the game.

Improving Friendship and Citizenship “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” * This book is based on a well known system used by schools to help develop friendship and avoid bullying. * The idea is that we walk around all day with our imaginary buckets. We can be kind to others and fill their buckets (bucket fillers) or we can be mean and dip from their buckets (bucket dippers). * This is a wonderfully positive way to build a class of students who can work together, get along, and avoid conflicts. * This is a wonderfully positive way to build a class of students who can work together, get along, and avoid conflicts. * We will be starting this program within the next few weeks.

Discussion Notes Discussion Notes * E.S.L Department Weekly Schedule Please remember that we take 2 weeks to do most lessons. Therefore, students are not expected to complete all the homework for that lesson listed in the E.S.L schedule that goes home weekly. * Communication Books I want to thank parents for excellent communication during the first semester. Continue to let me know if your child needs help or if you have questions or concerns.

Taiwan S.P.C.A * Our donation was given to the S.P.C.A!! * Teacher Art and I will be planning a fund raising event for the S.P.C.A this semester focused on raising money for animal wheelchairs. * Students from 4 th grade will work with 1 st graders to help organize and run the event.

Second Semester Supplies Your child will need: 1. 1 pencil sharpener (that fits in their pencil box) box of pencil crayons package of very thin tip markers. They will be used to trace pencil writing Cards for vocabulary and spelling. 5. Small box for the cards (could be recycled). 6. The white writing mat and erasable markers. If these are at home please return them to school.

Thanks for your time. If you have any questions let me know. Grade 1 second semester is going to be awesome!

Some Fun for the Students Let's see if 102 students can pick Teacher Debbie out of some pictures of me when I was younger. Let's see if 102 students can pick Teacher Debbie out of some pictures of me when I was younger.

Students: Can you find Teacher Debbie? Students: Can you find Teacher Debbie?

How about now?

Chili