1. What are the grade level standards? Each grade level has standards or content areas that must be taught to each child during this school year as determined by the state.

2. One more definition: Performance standards provide clear expectations for assessment, instruction, and student work. They define the level of work that demonstrates achievement of the standards, enabling a teacher to know “how good is good enough.” The performance standards isolate and identify the skills needed to use the knowledge and skills to problem-solve, reason, communicate, and make connections with other information. Performance standards also tell the teacher how to assess the extent to which the student knows the material or can manipulate and apply the information.

3. First Grade Standards Just a few: CCGPS ELAR6:The student can describe characters, setting, and major events. CCGPS ELAR2: The student can retell stories, including key details, and demonstrates understanding of the central message or lesson. CCGPS NBT1:The student counts to 120, starting at any number less than 120 and reads and writes numerals and represents a number of objects with a written numeral. CCGPS SS1G3a: The student will locate all of the continents: North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica.

4. For all First Grade Standards: Go to www.georgiastandards.org/www.georgiastandards.org/ You can go to CIE’s website to find copies of the report card rubric under the information tab.

5. As part of CIE’s innovative model, a WOW time has been added into our daily schedule. First graders were given various learning activities and were able to make their top three choices. There is a Week A and a Week B schedule that allows each student to enjoy two of their choices. This was a wonderful way for each child to be exposed to higher level thinking and learning based on their own individual interests.

6. Fountas and Pinell Running Records Each child has his or her reading assessed for accuracy, comprehension, and fluency at least three times a year. The reading assessments put all children on levels A – Z during their elementary school years. In the first grade, students should advance from level E at the beginning of the year to level K by the end of the year.

7. So….. Sight words are so very important! The Dolch sight word list contains 220 of the most frequently used words In the English language. Once your child knows these sight words, reading becomes easier. Your child has to learn all the other reading rules but is then able to easily recognize these 220 words and have confidence and joy with reading! Make sure to read with your child daily!

8. IKAN/GLOSS Math assessments These math assessments allow teachers insight into a child’s use of strategies to figure out math problems. These assessments focus on addition/subtraction, early multiplication/division strategies, and the use of ratios. The use of early math strategies helps students progress and have a better understanding of all math concepts as they build onto one another throughout grades K-5. Example: “If we put 5 cubes under this paper and 6 cubes under this other paper, how many are there in all?” “How do you know that?” “What did you do to figure that out?” Our goal is for each child to have a clear understanding of numeracy and to be able to use patterns to continue to understand math concepts well.

9. First in Math First in Math is a helpful math website where the students can practice all of the math strategies while earning points. Ms. Sexton keeps track of the points and students are awarded for all of their practice time. Go to the school website and then to Academics and then to math coach or www.firstinmath.com. Just enter the username and password for your child and let the math practice begin! www.firstinmath.com

10. Science and Social Studies This year we have already studied weather and seasons. We have learned our continents and oceans. We have also worked on our city, county, state, nation, and continent! These standards are assessed on quick checks on Fridays.

11. Report of Progress On the report of Progress, students are given a number 0-4 showing their mastery of each concept taught in the classroom. This is not to be compared with the ABC system. Their grade is reflective of mastery of the whole standard not individual elements. 0-Showing critical need 1- Showing little mastery or understanding 2- Showing some understanding and progress toward mastery 3- Showing mastery and complete understanding of the concept 4- Showing above and beyond applications of the concept

12. Report of Progress There are areas of learning that are focused on for each nine week period. An NE indicates content material that is not being currently evaluated during that specific nine week period. You, as the parent, want to see an increase of the number from 0 or 1 to a 3 or 4 as the school year progresses showing your child’s progress of learning. A 1 or 2 is not a concern at the beginning of the year like it would be at the end of the year. Some standards are ongoing throughout the year and can’t be mastered until all of the standards have been taught. By the end of the school year, our goal is for each child to have a 3 showing mastery of all First Grade standards. A 4 shows higher level thinking and more application, a 3 is our goal which shows mastery and readiness for the following school year.

13. What activities will my child engage in to ensure that he/she masters the standards?

14. First Grade activities Each child will participate in small group reading, writing and math groups where each standard will be taught, applied, reviewed and assessed.

15. Reading Group work Independent Reading Sharing of work With classmates Review of material By teacher Introduction to lesson Teacher Read Aloud

16. Writing Children writing Independently Group work Sharing of work With classmates Review of material By teacher Introduction to Writing Teacher Read Aloud Modeling of writing activity

17. Math Math - Activities may include tasks from Henry County learning Frameworks and Van de Walle. You may preview examples of activities on the county website under Math Resources.

18. ROAR Behavior R- Respect O- On Task A- Awesome Attitude R- Responsible Each student is asked to show ROAR behavior every day in every way. Every classroom has a behavior system that corresponds with ROAR. Behavior calendars are marked in your students’ folders each week to show you how your child is behaving at school. ROAR rallies are held every so often for the students who earn cougar paws. Cougar paws are given when a student shows exceptional ROAR behavior in some way. You have to earn a certain amount of paws to attend the ROAR rally.

19. Behavior Every other week, first grade does a Fun Friday. This is a reward for students who have shown ROAR behavior. Those who have not been showing ROAR behavior spend that time in the opportunity room where they are given something to do while the other students attend Fun Friday. We use Fun Friday to encourage students to show their best ROAR behavior.

20. Independence First grade is structured differently than kindergarten. We encourage independence. Your student has been given certain responsibilities that they are expected to do every day. –Examples: Getting out folders, marking behavior charts, knowing their groups and where to go for activities and staying on task. Students are expected to work independently in groups throughout the day. They are also expected to stay on task while they are in these groups.

21. We are going to grow so much this year! * We will all be working together to make sure that each child is taught every standard and has a good understanding of the concepts. * We will be working with parents as homework and reading practice come home each week. * Please contact us if you have any questions or need to have a conference for your child’s individual needs. *Thank you for the opportunity to teach your child and watch him or her grow!