1. Ms. Stirling First Grade 2014-2015

2.  August 14: First Day of School  August 21: PTO Meeting-3:20 in conference room  August 25: Board of Director’s Meeting- 6:30 in conference room  August 25: Fall MAP testing begins  August 29: Ice Cream Friday Begins  September 1: No School-Labor Day  September 12: Early Dismissal at 11:30

3.  Morning Meeting-Calendar time, read aloud, daily journals, etc.  8:50-9:20 Specials -Art on Monday and Wednesday -Music on Tuesday and Thursday  Snack  Language Arts (Reading and Writing)  11:30 Lunch  12:10 P.E.  Recess  Math  Science or Social Studies -

4. WOW (We Organize Work) Folder Each child will receive a WOW (We Organize Work) folder that is to travel to and from school each day. Your child will bring home important papers from school in this folder as well as a behavior calendar and reading log. Please sign their behavior log each night. Folders will be checked daily and returned to your child each afternoon. Please put lunch money and notes in the zipper pouch.

5. Benefits of Core Knowledge Core Knowledge provides students with a Coherent, Cumulative, and Content-Specific Curriculum For Students Core Knowledge: – provides a broad base of knowledge, and provides the rich vocabulary needed for reading achievement and academic success. For Schools Core Knowledge: – provides a plan for coherent, sequenced learning from grade to grade, – promotes teamwork and an institution-wide focus, and – enables schools to work more effectively while meeting and exceeding state standards. For Parents and Communities Core Knowledge: – enhances accountability and parental engagement by providing a clear outline of what children are expected to learn in school, and provides a common ground for communication—in school and in life.

6. Core Knowledge Domains What topics does first grade learn about? Geography The Human Body Astronomy The History of the Earth Electricity Matter Early American Civilizations-Maya, Aztec, and Inca Early World Civilizations-Egypt and Mesopotamia Animals and Habitats Frontier Explorers America: A New Nation

7. If you are interested in volunteering, we would love to have your help! Please fill out our “Volunteer Form” in the First Grade Handbook with the times you are available and what kind of jobs you would like to do (preparing activities, making copies, working in small groups, etc.). Using volunteers in the classroom requires teacher time and preparation. The first weeks of school are very busy, we will not be using volunteers until September. Please remember that you must be registered at the front office in order to volunteer in the classroom!

8. Please send a complete set of extra clothes with your child that can be kept at school for an occasional mud puddle, juice spill or bathroom accident. Please label your child’s clothes and put them in a labeled zip loc bag. If soiled clothes are sent home, please remember to send a clean set of clothes the next day. The extra clothes do not have to be a uniform set

9. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions. E-mail - cstirling@brevard.teamcfa.orgcstirling@brevard.teamcfa.org

10. I am looking forward to a wonderful year. We are going to have so much fun learning all kinds of new things. Ms. Stirling