1. Mrs. Braun’s 1 st Grade Class WELCOME TO BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!

2. A little bit about me…  I’m from Gig Harbor, Washington and I went to college at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. I studied Spanish and Education. This is my 7 th year teaching and my 4 th year at Cowan. I previously taught Kindergarten at Lost Pines Elementary in Bastrop. I love teaching and I feel so fortunate to do something that brings me so much joy.

3. The Brainiacs  We’re a team  Bucket fillers  High Expectations  Supportive  Respectful

4. Our Class Schedule  7:30-7:50 Reader of the Day  7:50-8:30 Writer’s Workshop  8:30-9:00 Language Arts  9:00-9:30 Recess  9:30-10:30 Language Arts  10:30-11:00 Lunch  11:00-11:30 Lanuage Arts  11:30-1:00 Math block  1:00-1:45 Science/Social Studies  1:45-2:30 Specials  2:30-2:45 Class Meeting/Dismissal

5. Our Class Schedule  Reader of the Day will start in October once we finish Star of the Day  Library Day is Thursday  Please return library books by Thursday each week

6. General Information  The school day starts at 7:45. If your child is not in class by the 7:45 bell, they will be marked tardy.  If your child is going to be absent please call the classroom by 8am to notify me.  If you are changing the way your child gets home please call my classroom to notify me.  Please check and sign your child’s planner everyday.

7. Behavior Chart WOW! I am having a WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC, SUPER STAR kind of day!! I am having a GREAT day and making EXCELLENT choices! Oops! – I need to check my behavior and make better choices! Reflection (yellow) – I need to fill out a reflection about my choices and work hard to make better ones! I need to spend some time in another classroom and think about my choices. I need to visit with Mrs. Warnken in the office to discuss my behavior!

8. Behavior Management  We use a color system and each child starts on green every day.  If your child stays on green or moves to purple they will put their own color in their planner.  If they move their clip down, I will write their color and a note explaining why they moved their clip.  Warm Fuzzies

9. Grading Policy  4-Advanced-Student needs enrichment and consistently works above grade level  3-Skilled-Student frequently demonstrates understanding of grade level skills  2-Basic understanding-student is able to work on grade level with addition support (re-teaching, repeated practice)  1-Needs improvement

10. Homework  First grade will start sending homework packets at the end of September.  Packet will go home on Monday and should be turned in on Friday.  Spelling practice and writing or math (we will alternate each week).  Please help your child with their homework but make sure they do their own work!  Homework club (7:15-7:45 in the library)

11. Scientific Spelling  Reliable patterns and the rules of the English language  Weekly spelling pattern  8 words a week  Test on Friday

12. Reading  Guided Reading/Book Bags  Reading Logs(20 minutes a night)  Start with book bags but feel free to read other books too.  Talk about books (make predictions, retell the story, discuss characters, make connections, new learning)  Help them use their strategies

13. Writing  Write daily!  The more they write, the better they get and the more they’ll love it!  Help your child stretch out words to sound them out.  Don’t worry about perfect spelling.

14. Math  Encourage your child to count objects at home or in books.  Play with dominoes and dice.  Skip count 2s, 5s, and 10s.  Count backwards. Count backwards by twos, fives and tens.  Practice counting money. Count change. See if your child can identify the value of coins.  Practice telling time on an analog clock and a digital clock.

15. Science  Inquiry  Magnets  Matter: solids, liquids and gases  Plants  Animal characteristics, interdependence  Force, motion and energy  Sun, Earth and Moon: objects in the sky, weather, patterns (day and night)  Rocks and soil

16. Social Studies  Rules and responsibilities  Citizenship  Holidays  Historically significant individuals  US and Texas symbols  Economics: Human wants and needs  Maps and geography

17. Links  www.cowancoyotes.org www.cowancoyotes.org  www.scholastic.com www.scholastic.com  Code H9B7W  http://www.colorincolorado.org/ http://www.colorincolorado.org/  http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/  www.highlightskids.com www.highlightskids.com  www.starfall.com www.starfall.com  www.funbrain.com www.funbrain.com  www.switcheroozoo.com www.switcheroozoo.com  http://www.storylineonline.net/ http://www.storylineonline.net/

18. Questions?