WELCOME TO 1 ST GRADE!

WHO ARE WE? Family Background

FIRST FEW WEEKS Building classroom community Get to know each other Rules Star Student Learning routines Behavior chart Daily schedule Specials Cafeteria Moving through the halls Homework Reading Tickets Spelling Assessments Reading Math Spelling Any questions about the packet that was sent home?

LITERACY Predictors of Reading Success Hours of Home Reading Hours Parents Spend Reading Number of Books in Home Amount of Oral Language in the Home Vocabulary Development Phonemic Awareness Alphabet Knowledge Word Recognition/Fluency

LITERACY CURRICULUM Components of literacy lessons include: Read alouds Direct instruction mini-lessons Small group instruction and guided practice Shared reading Independent reading practice Writing about reading One-on-one conferences with the teacher Reading Fundamentals is the series K-5 classrooms will use to guide reading instruction.

READING FUNDAMENTALS The curriculum integrates reading strategy instruction with the study of genre. Reading strategies might include: Make predictions Check for understanding Fix-up strategies Text features Genres include: Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Curriculum is aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

READING – DAILY 5 MODEL Read to Self Work on Writing Listen to Reading Read to Someone Word Work

READ TO SOMEONE – GUIDED READING The teacher works with a small group of students who are at the same instructional level. The teacher introduces a new story and supports children’s reading using a variety of instructional strategies. Each child reads the text at his or her own pace. Guided reading book bags come home daily. The emphasis is on reading increasingly challenging books over time. (D J) Children are regrouped in a dynamic process. The ultimate goal is to help children learn how to use independent reading strategies successfully.

READ TO SELF The most important thing we can do to become better readers is to spend lots of time reading. Students need many opportunities to read independently for increasingly longer periods of time so they can begin to readily apply essential strategies. Reading “Good Fit” books. Engagement….reading pictures, reading words, thinking about what you read. Proficiency = Fluency + Comprehension

LISTEN TO READING With programs such as Raz Kids on the computers and iPad, students: Listen to books read aloud Read with vocabulary and pronunciation support Answer comprehension questions to demonstrate level of understanding Reporting tool enables teachers to track progress and identify focus areas The teacher selects appropriate reading levels and specific books and tracks student reading progress. Students can practice reading to improve reading comprehension and reading fluency. Please send ear buds for your child.

WORK ON WRITING Reading and writing are reciprocal processes. Purposeful, sustained writing practice to help students become effective writers. Various forms: Response to reading (extends their understanding) Journaling Sentence conventions Genre writing

WORD WORK Integrates phonics, spelling, and vocabulary instruction. Focuses on spelling patterns but also on irregularities. (oddballs) Sight words Students are assessed throughout the year and are given words at their ability level. Students sort word cards into categories and are engaged in comparing, contrasting, and analyzing. Spelling notebook Manipulatives Students are then assessed on how well they understand and can apply the patterns.

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WRITING The current text resource for writing instruction is Write Source. Students will be introduced to the 6 traits of writing: Ideas Organization Conventions Voice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Students will use the Writing Process Pre-Write, Write, Revise, Edit, Publish Students will learn various genres of writing Narrative Descriptive Creative Informational/Expository

MATH Our Mathematics Curriculum provides a developmentally appropriate introduction to the following concepts: Addition and Subtraction Patterns Place Value Shapes and Spatial Relationships Time Measurement Fractions Estimation Equalities and Inequalities Problem Solving and Critical Reasoning Stepping Stones by Origo is the series K-5 classrooms will use to guide math instruction.

STEPPING STONES Students have printed journals in the classroom. Workbook pages will not be sent home daily. Students will have many hands-on experiences with manipulatives and visual representations in addition to traditional computation. Stepping Stones is fully aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

SCIENCE The current text resource for science instruction is National Geographic Science. The series offers a broad range of print and digital resources as well as engaging hands-on activities. Topics include: Physical Science: Solids, Liquids, Gas Earth Science: Rocks and Soil Life Science: Habitats

SOCIAL STUDIES Our Social Studies Curriculum uses literature, hands-on activities, role play, and active participation to address the following topics: My School Community Cultural Comparisons Wants and Needs Map Skills Neighborhood Social Studies and Science are not taught concurrently.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Read and follow through with Home/School communication. Check and empty the Home Folder daily. Read with your child 20 minutes a day. Establish a consistent routine at home. Encourage appropriate letter formation. Practice spelling words/ Sight Words Encourage and support your child’s progress. Encourage independence. Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast before school.

TONIGHT… Please Sign up for a Parent-Teacher Conference in November. If you are interested, sign up for volunteer opportunities. Confirm address to receive newsletters and classroom updates. Write a note to your child on the back of the school house. THANK YOU FOR COMING!