Transcript Welcome 1st Grade Parents! our classroom, please take a sticky note

Welcome
1st Grade Parents!
If you would like to donate an item for
our classroom, please take a sticky note
off the wish list on the easel. THANK
YOU! 
Welcome to
Curriculum Night!
Mrs. Becky McCaffrey
National Common Core Standards and Harcourt/Trophies
Harcourt/Trophies provides students with a wealth of
opportunities to read a rich variety of texts. It provides
explicit, systematic phonics instruction to build word
recognition skills that enable students to become efficient
decoders. Comprehension instruction in Trophies is rigorous,
developmental, and spiraled. Students are instructed in
whole groups, small groups, as well as independently. There
are leveled books for additional practice, reinforcement, and
enrichment.
Harcourt & Baggy Books weekly
Common Core- Across all areas- Lots of non fiction!
Differentiated reading groups
Small group instruction daily!
I Can Write!
Writing is the process of children expressing their thoughts
in written form. They begin expressing their ideas through
words and pictures and putting these ideas into writing. This
is a developmental approach to writing and helps students
build confidence in their ability to put thoughts on paper
without getting caught up in the mechanics. As time goes
on, we will build upon their skills. We also incorporate
writing in all other academic areas throughout the day. We
use the D’Nealian style of letter formation to teach
students to write legibly.
Correct positioning of the pencil, letter formation starting from
the top, writing papert hat has “railroad tracks” (websites)
Family Journals-free writing
Writers Workshop
VIP book/ Friendly letters
Spelling
First Grade provides instruction and practice in spelling, grammar
usage, and mechanics in daily lessons. Spelling instruction is linked
to phonics instruction. All skills of conventions are applied in
purposeful writing activities. Students will be evaluated through
their daily writing, as well as teacher prepared assessments. A
weekly spelling list that coincides with the weekly reading
selection will go home with the homework packet. Please practice
these words with your child.
Weekly tests
Spelling words & challenge words- do not memorize!
Have fun practicing with chalk, flour, shaving cream, and writing in
the clouds
National Common Core Standards
Our Math program involves the students conducting
investigations and solving problems in a variety of ways. We
will be focusing on computation, problem solving and
reasoning. Most activities involve the use of hands-on
manipulatives. These manipulatives help the children to
learn and better understand math concepts.
Higher order thinking questions at home, car, flashcards,
counting snacks- “How do you know that?” Have your child
explain!
Less paper! More hands on and thinking experiences. Math
journals are kept at school
MATH FACTS
First Graders will be
introduced to the following:
• Inquiry process
• Life science, physical
science, earth and space
science
• Health promotion, human
body, environmental health
First Graders will be introduced to:
*Experts & videos* http://www.cusd80.com/Page/22708
• Families
• People from other cultures
• Past and Present-
Schools/Letters from grandparents
• Holiday origins and traditions
• Responsibility of citizenship in a free society
• Symbols, icons, and traditions of the United States
• Maps and globes
• Life skills
Please check the specials
calendar in back of your
child’s Homework Folder. It’s
also on my website to ensure
your child comes to school
each day with proper shoes
and clothes so that s/he may
participate on P.E. days.
First graders will participate in music class
regularly.
They will also participate in Art
Masterpiece multiple times throughout the
year. Volunteers?
FIELD TRIPS-Made possible by your tax
credit money donations
(see parent links on my website to donate)
http://www.cusd80.com/page/1131
Your child will bring home a personalized
Homework Folder each day. This folder will
help your child learn to be responsible and
organized. It also provides a place to put notes
or graded papers your child needs to take
home. Please check the folder every day.
Homework will be due each Friday.
●On level
●Challenge level- after fall break
Sight Word Lists
A list of sight words will be sent home
weekly for you to practice with your child.
This is in ADDITION to weekly spelling
words. *Parent help*
Once your student passes the current list,
they will be given a new list to practice.
My website also has all of the sight word
lists as well as practice PowerPoint's.
http://www.cusd80.com/Page/39654
Book Orders
Every couple of months you will find a book order
in your child’s homework folder. There are
wonderful age appropriate books to choose from
at a very reasonable price. Your participation is
entirely voluntary. *Volunteer? It can be done
from home!*
• Students will not receive letter grades in 1st grade.
However, much of their work will be scored using a
percentage scale in order to determine level of
mastery
(converts to MS, P, AC).
• Every week the children will be assessed in reading,
spelling, and mathematics. These tests will usually be
administered on Fridays.
• Please take the time to look them over each week and
review any skills or areas of improvement with your
child.
The instruments for assessing your
child’s progress are:
• Teacher notes when needed to
communicate individual student
achievements, misbehaviors, or
academic concerns.
• Progress Reports
• Quarterly Report Cards
• Parent/Teacher Conferences
•Data notebooks- your child will full out
their data and will monitor their own
progress!
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Tying shoes!!!!!
Singing! Songs to help us learn
Student VIP-poster, rocker, jobs
Birthdays- store bought food only
Lunch Money (Send name on
baggy or envelope PLEASE!)
Mylunchmoney.com
• CLASS SNACKS- Must be individually wrapped!
I do not have time to pass out items that aren’t prepackaged.
•Responsibility Club- Ketchup folders
•Volunteers –Volunteerspot.com! 
• Secret Readers
• Homework Folders- use as a resource too!
• Newsletters - weekly
• Rainy Day Procedures
• Refer to my website
We use the Stoplight system (Green, Yellow, Red)
• Students that choose to follow the rules can earn “Kind
Card” punches and other rewards (Treasure Box)
• Quiet Cubes
• Likewise, there will be consequences for students that
CHOOSE to break the rules (changing their card and
writing a “Think About It” sheet, time outs, parent
contact, or in extreme cases a visit to the principal’s
office, etc. )
• After Winter break, the kids will earn classroom
money instead of kind card punches
Please visit our classroom website regularly
for up-to-date information.
http://www.cusd80.com/Page/36469
* Please sign up for e-alerts! *
Please feel free to contact me anytime you have
questions. I am always here for you and your
child! You can do this in a variety of ways:
• Write a note
• Send an email (I’ll get back with you within 24 hrs)
• Call
The best recipe for your child’s success is
that we collaborate and work together to
meet your child’s needs! Remember to never
compare your child to other siblings or
friends. Each child will learn at his or her
own ability level.
I will differentiate my teaching so that your
child can reach their fullest potential!