1. Mrs. Martin First Grade Room 405
Skinner West
Open House
September 27, 2017

2. Reading Instruction
Reading Instruction will take place in our homeroom classes.
Reading homework will go home in the Take Home Folder. It will typically be assigned on Monday and will be due back at school the following Monday. Make sure to check due date.
Homework is a REVIEW of the days or weeks lesson.
Friday is usually reserved for assessment day.

3. Walking Math Class Walking Math class will begin in soon.
Please check the blue Math Folder for homework packets assigned my your child’s math teacher.
Check homework policy and due dates as it may differ from reading homework. Homework is usually daily.
Make sure the Math folder comes to and from school each day.

4. Room 118 and Beyond.... Library (Thursday)
Physical Education (Tuesday)
Social Emotional Learning
Art
Music
Science
Foreign Language: Spanish with Mrs. Hernandez

5. Blended Learning
As a technology magnet school, Skinner uses a blended learning approach.
Chrome Books and computer instruction are available to all students.
Students will learn computer skills, much needed for upcoming assessments.
I Ready/ IXL
Xtra Math
Additional educational websites
Two computer based standardized test (NWEA Map Testing) will take place this year. Tests take place mid year and end of year.

6. School Fees & Lunch Forms
If you have not done so, please submit the school fee of $53.00 as soon as you can. These fees are necessary for workbooks, textbooks, and classroom projects and additional supplies needed throughout the year. Cash or checks are accepted. Checks can be made out to Skinner West Elementary School.
Please make sure to let me know if your child has allergy restrictions.
Please fill out CPS Lunch form, even if your child does not eat school lunch

7. Scholastic Book Orders
Room 405 is officially a BOOK CLUB!
All Scholastic Book orders should be completed online.
Check the Take Home Folders for monthly catalogues. You may also search books online. Feel free to order at any time.
Room 405 has a special code to use when placing an order. Check packets for Room 405 Code.
The more books we purchase as a class, the more free books we will earn for our classroom!

8. Fun Friday
Skinner uses Fun Friday as an incentive for hard work and kind behavior.
Every Friday, students are invited to join in on Fun Friday.
School games, dance parties, and social events will also take place.

9. Room Parents Thank you to our WONDERFUL Room Parents!!! 
Volunteers to help plan class parties and celebrations.
Next volunteer opportunity is our Halloween Party on Friday, October 27th from 10: :00

10. Book Reports
First Grade students are required to complete 35 Book Reports throughout the year.
Book Reports will be attached to the reading homework packet. Simply complete the book report, I will keep track of them.
Can be saved for a REALLY good book, favorite book or a book on a current topic.
Chapter books can be used… Complete a book report for every 3 chapters.
I have plenty of classroom books that students can borrow if needed.

11. Room Policies Room 405 is a NUT FREE classroom.
We have tree nut allergies in this classroom.
Please be considerate of this when sending birthday snacks.
If your child has dietary restrictions, feel free to send individual snacks for birthday celebrations.
CPS Healthy Snack Initiative
CPS now requires all snacks for parties to be store bought, and healthy. Please see the Healthy Snack Options for examples. Prizes or goodies are great options too!
Absences: Please call the main office when your child is absent so that the absence will be excused.
CPS Sick policy is that children who have a fever, or are sent home with a fever, do not return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours. PLEASE be respectful of this policy as we try to limit the spread of germs and illness.

12. Common Core Standards Standards adopted by Illinois
3rd – 12th graders will take the Parcc exam each year. This exam will take the place of the ISAT. Exam is aligned with Common Core Standards
PARCC exam is computer based. Children need to be computer savvy and fluent with computer skills.
Students are expected to fully comprehend what they are reading, know and understand authors point of view, genres, support understanding with evidence from the text.
Fluency in number facts and math skills are needed. Need to know math facts as well as how equations are answered. Most of the math taught in all first grade math groups will focus on addition and subtraction strategies.
Please see attached flyer on Common Core.

13. Any Questions? Please know that I am available most days after school.
I am available before school by appointment.
Feel free to me at
Or… write a note and place it in the Take Home Folder. I check these daily and will get back to you as soon as possible.

14. Room 118 Website Please visit our class website at
I will you a link when a new blog is posted.
If you have not done so, please submit your address tonight so that you can be added to our blog list.
If you have not received an from me or our room parents, be sure to give it to me today so you can be added to our class list.

15. Room 405 in Action! We are happy! We are learning!
We are FIRST GRADERS!