Ecoff Elementary School Chester, VA Welcome to First Grade Ecoff Elementary School Chester, VA

First Grade Team: Beth Craig – Beth_Craig@ccpsnet.net Mary Patrick – Mary_Patrick@ccpsnet.net Emily Serfass – Emily_Serfass@ccpsnet.net Sangeeta Lovisa – Sangeeta_Lovisa@ccpsnet.net Cameron Baskerville- Cameron_baskerville@ccpsnet.net

First Grade Schedule Arrival: 9:00 Unpack/Breakfast: 9:00-9:15 Morning Meeting:    9:15-9:40           Guided Reading:       9:40-10:40 Math:              10:40-11:40 Recess:                    11:40-12:00 Lunch:                      12:10-12:39 (Exact time will vary by teacher) Shared Reading:      12:40-1:10 Word Study:                  1:10-1:30 Writing:                       1:30-2:15 Resource:                  2:15-3:00 Snack 3:00 Science/Social studies   3:00-3:45   Dismissal:                 3:50

Resource Schedule Monday- Art Tuesday- Music Wednesday- Library Thursday- Computer Friday- P.E- Remember sneakers

Math Strategy based learning. We teach with hands on games and manipulatives, so you will not see a lot of worksheets. There will be a monthly menu of math homework.

Guided Reading During this time, small groups rotate and work with the teacher, instructional assistant, and independently. The Daily 5 Small groups will change according to each student’s developmental level. RAZ-kids.com – more info to follow.

Shared Reading Whole group reading and discussion of stories. Comprehension strategies taught.

Writing Writer’s workshop daily. Writing prompt each 9 weeks. Graded using a rubric. Not all writing will come home.

Word Study Spelling assessment is given to determine word study groups. Groups will be made based on the pre-assessment. Your child may not have the same words as a neighbor. Word sort MUST stay in the zipper pouch found in your child’s binder. They must be returned to school daily for use in the classroom. The pouch is for the sort only, NOT pencils! Wall Words are also taught weekly Students will complete practice sort tests on Thursday nights for homework. Students will be tested every Friday on sort words and wall words.

Science/Social Studies Rotate topics throughout each 9 weeks. Test study guides will be sent home before the test. Most topics will last 1-2 weeks. Please keep the study guides in the binder in the page protector provided while we are studying that topic.

Assessments DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) is given each 9 weeks. Students must be reading on a level 16 by the end of the year. The benchmark at the end of Kindergarten was a level 3. PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) assessed in the fall and the spring. Will discuss DRA and PALS results at conference day in November. Math number concept assessments will be given ongoing throughout the year to show growth.

Signed Papers Graded papers are sent home for you to review with your child. Sign the envelope and return the papers back to school the next day. If any papers have a grade of M or N, please sign that individual paper as well. Report card grades should not be a surprise if you have reviewed all of your child’s graded papers. First set will come home October 2nd.

Grading Scale E 94-100 S 74-93 (big range) M 73-64 N 63 below

Supply Reminder What we use them for Why we need so many How extras are stored What is still needed

Blue Folder/Homework Students will have NIGHTLY homework M-Th. Please check your child’s blue folder/binder every day! Homework is a part of our work and study habits grade on the report card. Each child should be reading at least 10 minutes nightly. Reading to your child is a great way to build fluency. Teacher websites will list homework as well. Homework will begin Sept. 30th.

The Matthew Effect Student who do not read regularly become weaker readers each year, while their peers who read become stronger readers. This creates an ever-widening achievement gap. It is so important for students to read nightly. You may read to them, with them, or have them read to you. Exposure is key!

Classroom Management Plan We are a team! Positive reinforcement - Refocus Class rewards Parent contact No news is good news!

Show Off Learning Opportunity for parents to see what’s happening in First Grade. 2 times will be held throughout the year. December 5th 10:10-10:40 March 11th 11:10-11:40

Field Trips We will go on 3 trips this year. These trips will be related to our units of study and the SOLs. Meadow Farms (Past and Present) October 31st Swift Creek Playhouse (Seasons) December Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens (Plants) May

Attendance If possible, schedule doctors visits during lunch and resource or after school. If your child is tardy they will miss Guided Reading If your child is picked up early they will miss Science and Social Studies. Most class work is hands-on learning and difficult to make-up.

Snack Send ONE healthy snack. Be conscious of allergies in your child’s classroom. Do not send drinks (water fountain available). Please dry finger foods only! Something they can eat quickly due to snack being eaten during instructional time.

Birthdays/Food at Ecoff The following is the school policy on birthdays as written in the handbook.  First: If you bring food to your child at school, that you neither bring food for anyone else’s child nor share your or your child’s food with any other child.  Second: If you wish to send treats for other students, that – regardless of whether for a birthday or any other celebration – you send non-food treats such as pencils, bookmarks, etc.  Third: Unless specifically asked to do so, that you not send any food to school for consumption by other students. If asked, it must be pre-made, store-bought. Students will be recognized on the announcements and in our classroom for their birthday.

Sign up for a conference! Conference Day is Tuesday, Nov 5th. Please sign up for a time. There is also a sign up for Room Parent and Room Parent Helpers.

Thank you for coming! I look forward to working with you! It’s going to be a GREAT First Grade Year! Mrs. Patrick  Technology Survey Link: http://www.bbyt.es Access Code: BN7FP