1. First Grade Back To School Night 2013 - 2014

2. Meet Mrs. Bush  My name is Mrs. Bush and I’m very excited to be your first grade teacher! Here are a few facts about me!  My birthday is April 30  My favorite color Is Green  My favorite food is tacos  I’m very excited to meet you at Back to School Night!

3. Fun Fridays In First Grade!  August 30: Meet the Teacher Day  September 27: Fall Fun  October 31: Halloween Party  November 21: Pow Wow  December 20: Christmas Around the World  January 31: Sick Day  February 28: Art Day  March 21: Pirate Day  April 25: Plant Day

4. Fantastic Fieldtrips!  We will be going to the Ogden Nature Center this fall!  We will also have another fieldtrip in the spring! Watch for more information!

5. Daily Schedule 8:40-9:00Morning Work 9:00-9:15Phonics/Spelling 9:15-9:25Read to Self and Reading Skills 9:25-9:50Writing 9:50-10:05Fluency and Comprehension Skills 10:05-10:30Recess 10:30-11:00Literacy Centers 11:00-11:20Calendar & Problem of the Day 11:20-12:00Lunch 12:00-12:30Math Reteach/Enrich 12:30-1:25Math Lesson 1:25-1:35Gumball Math 1:35-1:45Read Aloud 1:45-1:55Bathroom Break 1:55-2:40Teacher Preparation Time (Music & Art, P.E., Computers, Library) 2:45-3:15Guided Reading 3:15-3:25Clean Up & Dismiss

6. Lots Of Learning  We are learning so much in First Grade! Your student will be learning to read, write, and many math concepts. There is a lot to learn, and not much time to do it in. It takes a lot of practice, and one-on- one time to master all of these skills!  YOUR CHILD NEEDS YOUR HELP! Practice makes perfect, and most of the individual practice takes place at home.

7. Daily Homework  Leveled Readers  On your child’s exact reading level!  Read, mastered, and brought back (almost) daily.  Please sign the Recording Sheet!  Fluency Passage  We work on reading a passage MANY times per day!  They will bring it home DAILY to read to you three times.  Please initial the bottom of the passage, and return to school the next morning in the Homework folder.  A fluency passage will be coming home the first day of school!!

8. Thank You!  Thank you for all of the hard work that you have already put into your child’s education!  We look forward to joining your team and working with you and your student this year!  By working together, we will achieve our higher standards!  We are excited for a fantastic school year in First Grade!

9. Weekly Homework  Tuesday Folders  Tuesday Folders come home with important information EVERY TUESDAY.  Please send the folders back on WEDNESDAY (the next day).  Weekly homework packets will be sent home on Tuesday, and need to be returned the following Monday.  Weekly homework will come home, and be returned to school in the homework folders.  Please HELP your child with their homework, but please don’t GIVE THEM THE ANSWERS.

10. Attendance  First Grade is FULL of hands on experiences. These experiences can not be recreated, or sent home, in case of absences.  THIS IS WHY ATTENDANCE IS SO IMPORTANT!  We understand that sickness, and emergencies happen. Please do not send your student to school sick. However, please make every effort to have them at school ON TIME, EVERY DAY!

11. Weekly Assessments  FRIDAY ATTENDANCE IS VITAL!  We assess students every Friday in multiple areas that we have been working on during the week.  Language Arts Assessment  Spelling Test  The words that are sent home on Tuesday will be tested on Friday (3 days later).  Math Skills Quiz  Reading Fluency Timing  We include practice for these assessments in the weekly homework packet.  Weekly Assessments are almost impossible to make up. Please make sure that your student is in class ALL DAY on Friday.

12. Volunteers  WE NEED YOUR HELP IN THE CLASSROOM!!  This year we have VERY large class sizes! In order for your child to have the best experience in First Grade, we need all of the help we can get!  ***Reading Groups***  2:45 – 3:15  **Math Groups**  12:00 – 12:30  **Writing Time**  9:25 – 9:50  *ANY TIME!*  We can use your help for one-on-one time ANY TIME!!  When signing up for a time, please be committed to coming at that time every week.

13. Standardized Testing  Standardized Testing will take place the last part of April and the Beginning of May.  We will announce the dates AS SOON as we know!  IT IS IMPARITIVE THAT YOUR STUDENT IS IN SCHOOL AND ON TIME FOR ALL TESTING DAYS!

14. First Grade Behavior Expectations  Listen when others are talking  Follow directions the first time they are given.  Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.  Work quietly and don’t disturb others.  Show respect to students, teachers, and school property.  Work and play safely.

15. Behavior Management  Positive Individual  Puffballs  Students collect puffballs to purchase classroom prizes.  Positive Classroom  Work towards classroom/table points for rewards  Negative Individual  Green, Yellow, Red cards  If green card is pulled it is a warning.  If yellow card is pulled five minutes of recess is lost.  If red card is pulled a whole recess is lost to fill out a note that will be sent home. This note MUST be signed and returned the next day or the student will miss an additional recess.(See following slide.)  Multiple verbal warnings are given before a card will be pulled.

16. Behavior Notes

17. School Wide Behavior Management  Syracuse Elementary has a school wide aggressive behavior management plan. This can be found on the school website.  This behavior management plan will be used for aggressive behavior and override our card system.  The Syracuse Elementary Aggressive Behavior Management Plan is generally handled by the administration.

18. Communication  Weekly newsletters will be sent home in the Tuesday Folders and can also be found on teacher websites.  E-mail (This is the best in most cases. Please try this first.)  Phone (801-402-2600)  We are at the school from 8:15 - 3:45 if you need to contact us.  You may be asked to leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.