Welcome to First Grade

What does it mean to SAIL? S- Safety first A- Always be respectful I – Include everyone L – Listen carefully Classes work together to earn SAILS to promote PBIS in Scotts Ridge!

What is PBIS? PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Intervention Support. PBIS is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students. This helps each students achieve social, emotional and academic success.

What is Letterland? Letterland is a fully multi-sensory program: Letterland pictograms provide strong visual mnemonics for letter behavior. Auditory learning is stimulated by song, rhyme, alliteration and storytelling. Kinesthetic learners benefit from action songs, role play and crafts. Children interact with the Letterland characters, activating intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships.

Goals & Objectives This program provides a secure learning environment where children can happily develop cognitive, language and literacy skills which include: * Phonemic Awareness * Alliteration & Symbol/Sound Links * Letter Formation * Blending & Segmenting * Word & Sentence Building * Vocabulary & Language * Imaginative Play & Creative Writing

Primary Years Phonic Patterns Alphabet proficiencyFAST TRACKa-z Word buildingBEGINNINGS, MIDDLES & ENDINGS a, e, i, o, u sh, th, ch -nk, -ng -ff, -ll, -ss Onsets & rimesCONSONANT BLENDS DIGRAPHS bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl, br, cr, dr, fr, gr, pr, tr, sc, sk, sp, st, sm, sn, sw, scr, spl, spr, squ, str, shr, thr Beginnings, middles and endings LONG VOWELSa-e, ai, ay, e-e, ee, ea, i-e, ie, y, igh, o-e, oa, o¯w, u-e, o¯o, ew, ue, Blends & digraphsVOWEL DIGRAPHSar, or, ow, ou, oy, oi, er, ur, ir, oo, u, aw, au Advanced spellingTRIGRAPHS AND ADVANCED PHONEMES air, ear

Letterland/Spelling Weekly Letterland/Spelling words are assigned on Monday and assessed on Friday. Remember, spelling practice should be reinforced in your child’s homework Monday-Thursday. The activities should be done BY YOUR CHILD! The more your child practices their words, the better they will remember, not just for the test on Friday, but forever!

The Common Core Literacy Model …

Guided Reading Groups Reading Benchmarks BOY- D MOY- G EOY- J Groups are formed according to reading level and are subject to change. MClass assessments are given 3 times per year to determine current reading level. Some students will work with the Literacy Coach, Mrs. Marquard, in addition to class work. Oral and written comprehension skills are very important components.

Home Connect Letters

Writer’s Workshop In first grade students will focus on Narrative, Opinion and Informational writing Students will brainstorm by sketching a picture, edit and publish their own work, and share their stories with their classmates

Math Recognize and write numbers Add and subtract 1-20, Read and analyze data Linear measurement Fractions – halves, fourths, quarters Identify geometric shapes Tell time to the hour and half- hour.

Science Students will investigate 4 different science kits –Pebbles, Sand, and Silt –Organisms –Balance and Motion –Comparing and Measurement

Social Studies Four units: –I am a Citizen of Many Communities –I Can Find My Way Around My Community –Our Community Celebrates –We Care For Our Community

Report Cards Four per year Standards based grading Common Core Interims in the middle of each quarter

W Volunteers/Field Trips: Calling all Volunteers: We will need volunteers during our Literacy Block. We will begin scheduling volunteers in October. Contact for PTA events All volunteers need to register in the library before volunteering or chaperoning field trips. Field Trips: Field trips are in the works! We will be communicating field trip information at a later date.

Transportation We must have a note if your child’s form of transportation changes from its normal routine. If we do not have a note from you, we will send your child the way they normally would go home. Please do not a note as we are not able to check during instructional time. We want to make sure every child gets home happily and safely.

Before you go… Please take a sticky note and leave your child a sweet note for when they come to school tomorrow : ) If you have any further questions feel free to contact your child’s teacher: Visit our First Grade website: