Please take a moment to write a short, simple response in your child’s journal before we begin.

All About Me  Education Occidental College, BA in English Claremont Graduate University, MA in Education  9 th year teaching at Saint Mark’s  West Covina Unified

The Basics  Chip Chart and Rules : earn a chip when “caught” following the rules, can’t ask for one, chips can be taken away  V.I.P.: “Very Important Person.” Students fill out form and decorate board for their week. May bring up to 3 non-board items.  Birthdays: optional treats at the end of the day, setup at 2:30 at outside tables, napkins/drink optional

Curriculum  Language Arts:  Reading acquisition is a developmental skill.  Children learn to read at different ages, usually between Kindergarten and 2nd grade.  In order to best meet your child at his/her current reading level, we will “switch” for Language Arts.

“Switching” for Language Arts  Both language arts classes use the same curriculum (Harcourt Trophies), but tailor the lessons to meet the needs of our students (Reading a-z).  The grouping is fluid, and we look at student progress each quarter and reevaluate.  Our goal is for all students to leave first grade with confidence in themselves and their reading ability.

Math  We are piloting Math in Focus/Singapore Math this year.  We spend significant time establishing number sense and developing the concept of ten. We use the number line, songs, concrete manipulatives, and games to reinforce this important skill.  Math binders are used to challenge students on an individual level. They can choose to work in these binders whenever they have completed an in-class math assignment.

 Touchmath : a transitional tool used to support students in their understanding of number sense, addition, and subtraction. It is not meant to be used in place of ultimately memorizing math facts, but as a starting point for exploring how numbers work together.

Practice = Kim Sutton  Even/Odd Addition strategies  Plus/Minus Zero strategies  Addition Combinations to Make 10 strategies  Doubling strategies  Double Plus/Minus one strategies  Adding Ten strategies  Adding/Subtracting Nine strategies  Inverse Operational strategies

Theme Topics of Study  Beginning in November, first grade creates passports and boarding passes and begins a tour of all seven continents!  If you have any firsthand knowledge of specific countries, we welcome you to visit!

Organizers  Must be brought to school daily.  Students should be responsible for placing organizers in basket.  Work from the previous week is sent home on Mondays.

Homework  The homework contract should be sent back to school daily.  Students should use pencil to complete homework.  Please review your child’s homework after completion.  When we begin switching for Language Arts, homework will be given by your student’s Language Arts teacher.  Let us know if the homework is too difficult.

Reading Logs (Starting Monday 9/23)  Reading Logs should be filled out daily and returned to school on Friday.  By the end of the year (preferably sooner) students should fill out the log themselves.  “Sounding out” words is fine

Communication & Teacher Pages  Check the Teacher Pages regularly for the Monday Memo and other information.  I can be reached by at marks.org during school hours or in the evenings or on marks.org  I also check my voic throughout the day: (626) , ext. 247  Please call the office if your child will be absent, and leave a message on my voic as well.

Parent Conferences  Fall Parent Conferences are November 12 and 13.  We will have a second round of Parent Conferences on January 30 and 31.  However, I am always free to conference with you at any time, just let me know!

Technology  Smartboard (example of Math in Focus)  iPads (Math Bingo, Word Bingo, Intro to Math, Kidgitz, Simplex Spelling)  Computer Lab

Here’s to a great year! Any questions?