1. Welcome to First Grade Curriculum Night

2. Language Arts
We are implementing the Common Core Standards in English Language Arts.
Implemented through a balanced approach to literacy including guided reading, shared reading, read alouds with accountable talk, word study, writing workshop, and shared and interactive writing
Common Core Standards include:
Reading: Literature
Reading: Informational Text
Reading: Foundational Skills
Writing
Speaking and Listening
Language

3. Resources We have a variety of resources to teach each of these areas.
Reader’s Workshop by Lucy Caulkins
Good Habits, Good Habits
Words Their Way
Units of Study in Opinion, Information and Narrative Writing
Units of Study for Teaching Reading
Comprehension Toolkit
District 157c created curriculum

4. Reading Workshop Structure of the Reading Workshop
-Mini lesson, Independent Reading, Partner Reading, Share
Guided Reading/Strategy Groups
-Instructional levels, skills needed
Individual conferences
Students build independence
Accountable talk with reading partner

5. Writing Workshop Method of writing instruction
Mini-lesson, Write Time and Confer, Share Time
Students write about their own lives
Students will learn how to write several different genres of writing including: narrative, opinion, poetry, and informational.
Students cycle through the writing process
Collecting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing
Students build independence

6. Word Study
We are using Words Their Way to teach spelling, phonics and vocabulary.
Throughout the week, the children sort word or picture cards that are similar.
They will also do word hunts, making words, using words in sentences, and a variety of other hands on activities.
Look for and apply pattern to daily reading and writing.

7. Why Word Study? The program is developmental.
Children are working on sorts appropriate for them.
Multiple opportunities for hands on practice and application in reading and writing.
Understanding of how spelling.
represents sound and meaning.
Students learn to spell many words, not just a list of words.

8. Word Study at Home
Each week the students will bring home their completed sort.
You can have them find words in their books that follow the pattern.
They can practice spelling words that
follow the pattern.

9. Eureka Math What is Eureka? Why Eureka? Eureka with Growth Mindset
The Eureka Math curriculum was built around the core principle that students need to know more than just what works when solving a problem – they need to understand why it works.
Why Eureka?
Eureka has received high ratings from educators nationwide and school districts are seeing growth and impressive test scores after just one year of implementation.
Eureka with Growth Mindset
Students with a Growth Mindset aren’t afraid to make mistakes. Brain research shows that mistakes are good and help you to learn more. Kids with a Growth Mindset achieve more.

10. What will Eureka look like in the classroom?
Typically, there are 6 components to each lesson:
Fluency – Daily math fact practice which is used to maintain skills, prepare for the current lesson, and/or anticipate skills used in future lessons
Application Problem – Word problem which can lead into the concept development or review a concept from the previous day
Concept Development – Majority of the lesson which teaches a particular skill. Can include a variety of activities (whiteboards, manipulatives, partner work)
Problem Set – Independent practice to apply the skills taught from the concept development. Sometimes students will work on only a few problems
Debrief – Reflection after problem set to review as a whole class a few areas
Exit Ticket – Quick gauge of student understanding of the day’s skill

11. Eureka School/Home Connection
Problem Sets
Problem Sets can come home unfinished and that is okay. It is encouraged to review and complete the Problem Sets with your child at home.
Exit Tickets
Exit Tickets will be coming home frequently and it is encouraged to review the Exit Tickets with your child at home.
Assessments/Rubrics
Assessments can be informal observations, exit tickets, mid module assessments, and end of module assessments. Rubrics will be used to grade and inform you of your child’s progress on the mid module and end of module assessments.

12. Eureka School/Home Connection
Daily Extra Practice
The purpose of daily practice at home is to reinforce skills taught at school and increase the home/school connection. The expectation is that your child will be logging into Zearn and/or completing an extra practice sheet sent home in the fluency bag.
Letter/Login
Please refer to your parent informational letter with your online account login information.

13. Outcome Assessments
There will be several types of outcome assessments, that will be given throughout the year.
Formal, Informal, formative, Summative, Outcome and Universal.
Universal outcome assessments are given that assess all ELA and Math standards
Most outcome assessments address multiple standards
The standards are listed on the outcomes.

14. Homework Homework will start in the next few weeks
Grand Prairie’s homework focus will be on building reading fluency and fact fluency.
Nightly reading from fluency bags
The children will be bringing home their purple fluency bags with books they have read during guided reading.
Please listen to your child read a few books each night.
The children will reread the same books for several days. This will help the children build fluency.
Fill out the homework log each night your child reads.
Return the book baggies to school each day.
Math & Reading Log will be turned in Weekly
Journal Writing in notebook.

15. Schedule T Library I Music G Technology E No Specials R Art
Specials are 10:35-11:10
T Library
I Music
G Technology
E No Specials
R Art
Daily PE 1:10-1:40
Lunch/Recess 12:05-12:45

16. Star of the Week Will begin September 16th
When it is your child’s turn to be Star of the Week you have the opportunity to join our class as a guest reader on Friday and read one of your child’s favorite books.
Guest readers will come from 2:15-2:35.
I will send home a paper the week prior for you to fill out with your child and send in on Friday.
You may send in additional pictures and a few show and tell objects for you child to share throughout the week.
I will send an to remind you!
Please sign up at the back table!

17. Discipline Policy
Students will be held accountable for expected classroom behavior.
We will use the class Clip up chart.
We will work together to earn rewards from out Out of this World Compliments (PJ day, games, free recess)
Parents will be notified if their child needs multiple reminders about the same behavior during the day.
See “First Grade Classroom Expectations”
Please review with your child.

18. Take Home Folder
Your child will bring home their purple take home folder nightly.
On the right side will be homework and the left side will be mail. Please try to clean the folder out nightly.

19. Communication
Important information can be found on the district website
Information will be posted on the website under teacher/staff pages.
Scroll down until you see Grand Prairie and then click on my name.
Weekly newsletters and other information will be posted there.
I will also information

20. Weekly Newsletter Newsletters email every Friday! (Well Almost)
The newsletter will include:
Classroom News, Important dates and events
I CAN statement we will be working on in class the following week. You may see the same I CAN statement for a few weeks depending on the skill being taught.
The I CAN statements and standards are the skills that will be assessed on the outcome assessments

21. Parties and Volunteers
You can sign up to help at one party!
Star of the Week Sign up,
Have any special talent or interesting things you may want to teach the class?
We need a room parent to plan and prepare for the parties. (Different room parent for each party)
Library is also looking for volunteers!
Volunteer to help at lunch.

22. Check the Back Counter For…
Parent – Teacher conference sign-up
Conferences are on November 21st and 22nd
Halloween, Winter and Valentines Day party volunteer sign-up

23. Where can I see what my kids will be learning?
District office tab
Curriculum tab
ALL curricular expectations are listed for parents
Colleen

24. Funding for field trips Sponsoring special assembly programs
The FSP is the Parent Teacher Organization for District 157-C. Our mission is designed to strengthen the partnership between home and school through parent volunteer opportunities, student enrichment activities and fun family events.
Some of the ways that we have enriched and supported the curriculum include:
Funding for field trips
Sponsoring special assembly programs
Providing scholarships
Providing curriculum enrichment funding to each school
Coordinating volunteers for all our events and programs
Each year we also hold FREE fun family events such as:
Fall Family Fun Night and Creative Arts Showcase at Grand Prairie
Exploration Night and Family Fitness Night at Chelsea
Come visit our table at Curriculum Night and visit us at
Like us on Facebook at
Contact us via at
Karen Monaco

25. give. grant. grow.
MISSION: Raising funds throughout the year to fulfill teacher written grants. Over $2 million granted to date.
GRANTED TO: Grand Prairie, Chelsea and Hickory Creek
FUNDRAISERS: Annual Dinner Auction, Golf Outing, Coin Drive, Frankfort Fall Fest BETA Tent
RECENT GRANTS:
SMART BOARDS in 20 classrooms at Chelsea
Rebecca Caudill, Blue Stem and Monarch Book Programs
Electronic Signage at Chelsea
Razkids and Math Fact Programs at Grand Prairie
Hickory Creek guitars, music, green screen and PE Equipment
Netbooks and Tablet PCs at Hickory Creek
For more information and volunteering opportunities visit our website at