1. A Day in the Life of a First Grader

2. Meet Miss Dubach Grew up in Berne, IN (population 4,000)
This is my 11th year at Cherry Tree Elementary (14th year overall in education)
I have taught 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades
I have 3 classes of students, including my 1st graders from student teaching, who are now juniors in college (yikes!)
I enjoy reading, running, and spending time with friends and family

3. Community Circle Why do we do community circle?
Allows students an opportunity to get to know each other
It builds a sense of community
Helps promote communication skills
Gives opportunities to teach the character trait of the month and various academic standards

4. Daily 5 Why do we do Daily 5? Allows student choice
Builds independent learning
Allows time for small group guided reading
Teaches students how to work together
Allows for individualized conferencing where students can set reading goals

5. Guided Reading Why do we do guided reading?
Allows instruction to occur at student’s reading level
Smaller group allows more individualized attention
Allows students opportunities to practice various reading strategies and standards

6. Shared Reading Why do we do shared reading?
To build knowledge of reading strategies
Covers all aspects of being a good reader (Fluency, Accuracy, Comprehension, Expanding Knowledge)
Allows students to move from guided practice to independent practice
Allows integration of science and social studies

7. Word Work Why do we do word work?
Introduces students to spelling patterns
Gives students practice with high frequency words
Introduces grammar skills

8. Writer’s Workshop Why do we do writer’s workshop?
Allows students to improve oral storytelling
Gives students the opportunity to add details to illustrations before writing their story
Allows for individualized conferencing where students can set writing goals

9. Inquiry Why do we do inquiry?
Allows students to investigate a topic of interest to them
Students learn to work together towards a common goal
Students learn to ask questions and research to find the answers
Allows students to explore non-fiction resources
Introduces students to research process they will use in future years (i.e., PARCC Assessment)

10. Math Why do we do Everyday Math? To teach first grade math standards
Students use games to practice and reinforce math skills
Allows for teaching in small groups
Students become fluent in addition facts through the use of Otter Creek

11. Homework Why do we do homework?
Allows students opportunity to practice math skills covered in class that day
Improves reading comprehension, accuracy, and fluency when practicing with an adult
Mastery of reading and writing 1st grade high frequency words

12. Reading Log

13. Behavior Why do we have a behavior system?
Promotes doing the right thing and treating people right
Allows us to reward students who are doing the right thing
Patriot PATS (school-wide reward)

14. Report Card Standards Based Report Card
ed home at the end of every grading period
Assessed based on the end of year target
SBRC.pdf

15. Before You Leave
Write a note to your child that they will get tomorrow morning
Take the papers on your child’s desk
On the table:
Look at the books our class made last week
Sign up for volunteer opportunities
Take something from the Wish List
Find your child’s owl in the hallway