1. First Grade Back to School Night Tuesday, September 13, 2011 Ms. Emily Imler Ms. Joy Giarratano Ms. Charlene Woo

2. Welcome to BTSN 2011!!! Here is what we will cover this evening: –Getting to know each other –First Grade 2.0 Curriculum Overview –Homework Policy and Procedure –Housekeeping –Don’t Forget Items –Visit Child’s homeroom

3. What is MCPS Curriculum 2.0? New Internationally-driven standards in mathematics, reading, and writing. Renewed focus on teaching the whole child. Integrates thinking, reasoning, and creativity for a lifetime of learning.

4. New internationally-driven standards in mathematics, reading, and writing Developed by a group of states to help U.S. students compete favorably with peers in leading academic nations. More challenging than current Maryland standards. Greater emphasis on depth of understanding at the elementary level in mathematics, reading, and writing. Learn more at corestandards.org

5. Renewed focus on teaching the whole child The Thinking and Academic Success Skills are the common thread that integrate content areas. Content areas still maintain their separate goals and objectives. Students learn more when making connections across content areas – natural areas for connections are provided. Art Mathematics Music Health Information Literacy Reading Science Social Studies Writing

7. What is MCPS Curriculum 2.0?

8. Where can I learn more? http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/2.0/ Definitions and examples of Thinking and Academic Success Skills Parent Guides for the content in each grade level – K-2 (what will my student learn?) Video examples of integration Video on Mathematics changes Share your feedback with MCPS Detailed curriculum framework (philosophy, research, content area learning objectives)

9. Homework First grade will start homework in the 2 nd marking period (November 1, 2011). In the meantime, please encourage your children to either read independently or please read to them each night for 10-20 minutes.

10. Housekeeping We need notes/emails 1st thing in the morning when there is a change or play dates in where they are going after school. Birthday policy - we don’t have parties

11. Don’t Forget… Sign up for conferences! Please e-mail specific questions! Leave your child a note when you visit your child’s homeroom!

12. Conferences/ Room Parents/ Volunteer Information Conferences: –Please sign up for your conference time before you leave tonight if you have not done so. Conferences are held the 1 st and 2 nd week in November and are 20 minutes long. It is important that you sign up and come on time because if one parent is late, it can make all conferences thereafter off schedule. –Sign up sheets will be available in the APR