Welcome to Mrs. Richters’ 1 st Grade Classroom

1. Welcome to Mrs. Richters’ 1st Grade Classroom

2. About Me…. • 24th year of teaching (14th year at Miami East) • 5th -8th Grades in Omaha, NE • 3rd Grade in Las Vegas, NV • 6th Grade in Dayton, OH and Bradford, OH • K and 1st at Miami East – (5 yrs of 1st and 9 in Kdg.) • Bachelors of Education- Creighton University in Omaha, NE • Masters in Education – Marygrove College • Husband- Doug • Two daughters- Meredith andAnnie My Family Annie - Fourth Grade Meredith – Seventh Grade

3. Our Student TeacherMrs. Ross • Taught in a multiple handicap class at Troy High School • Will obtain a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education K-3 after completing student teaching in December • Husband Brian • Two children: Gary and Dustin • Lives in Piqua • Hobbies and Interests: reading, walking, and spending time with her children

4. Specials Schedule • Monday- Art • Tuesday- P.E. and Music • Wednesday-No specials • Thursday- Library • Friday- P.E. and Music

5. Daily Planners • Used daily for organizational skills and handwriting practice. There will be work each night to do in the planner. • Communication between home and school. • Notes to parent/teacher • Planner Homework • Discipline notices • Initial your child’s planner every night

6. BLUE Homework Folder • Includes: • Weekly Newsletter • Homework papers • Dolch Sight Words • Folders come home on Monday (with homework). • Folders are returned on Thursday (w/homework completed)

7. *** Papers that have been graded will come home daily. Please review these papers. It is a good time to go over any missed questions.

8. Dolch Sight Words • In Homework Folder • Checked weekly or bi-weekly. • The words are in order that we do them in our superspeed game. • Words are highlighted by teacher or volunteer when they are mastered. Practice words often at home.

9. Bag Books • Will begin after Labor Day • Gallon-sized bag with 2 leveled books- sent home once a week. (i.e. Thursday-Thursday) • Child moves up a level after reading on level, successfully. • Books are read with parent volunteer or myself. • Books MUST BE READ ON 3 DIFFERENT days throughout the week. Can be read more! • Book log must be signed by a parent or new books will not be assigned . (Incomplete work) • GREAT skill and confidence BOOSTERS!

10. Lap Reading • Please record any stories/books read by the child during the month on the calendar located in the planner. • They will receive some “goodies” if they have 25 books listed at the end of the month. • Can include bag books, reading stories, books from the library, books from home, etc….

11. Reading Series • Macmillian/McGraw Treasures • One story per week • Spelling tests on Friday. • 10 words • Sentences • Comprehension Tests (Book 2) over story. • OAT Unit test over story on Friday (Book 2) • Tests all skills covered during week. (Reading, grammar, vocabulary)

12. What is a “just right” book? LIBRARY BOOKS • Choosing a Book • Using the Five Finger Rule • A “just right” book • Reading is fairly fluent • Should be able to retell story. • Should be interested in the topic.

13. Why Can’t I Skip My Twenty Minutes of Reading Tonight? Student A reads 20 minutes five nights a week. Student B reads only 4 minutes a night or not at all! Step 1- Multiply minutes a night x 5 times each week. Student A reads 20 minutes x 5 times a week = 100 minutes a week Student B reads 4 minutes x 5 times a week = 20 minutes a week Step 2- Multiply minutes a week x 4 times each month. Student A reads 400 minutes Student B reads 80 minutes Step 3- Multiply minutes a month by 9 months Student A reads 3600 minutes in a school year. Student B reads 720 minutes in a school year.

14. Math Series • Chicago Math Program • Whole-Group • Hands-on (manipulatives) • Math facts to 12 (We will have timed tests.) • Math Unit Packets if requested by parents.

15. Birthdays • There will be a note coming home about how we celebrate birthdays. I will send it home approximately 1-2 weeks prior to the celebration. • Invitations may be sent to school ONLY if all students are invited or all girls/all boys in class. Otherwise, it must be mailed. • Summer birthdays- will be celebrated on their half-birthday.

16. Lunch Codes/Money • Your student is expected to memorize his/her lunch code. (use calculator for practice) • Same # as kindergarten • Send lunch money in envelope or baggie with name & lunch code on outside. • Lunch is $2.25 this year. • Milk is 55 cents. • Keep account up- notices will be sent home if balance is negative.

17. Our Classroom Behavior System • Clip Chart • Can Clip up or down depending on the behavior • A note will be sent home regarding this.

18. Star Bucks • Earned in classroom only- $1.00 each. • Earned for anything…helping others, working quietly, neat work, following directions, Reading book signed, etc. • Can be taken away for any reason which does not require pulling a card. • Redeemed monthly at Star Buck Store! (small prizes)

19. Viking Pride Cards • Students earn monthly, by any teacher, for displaying Character Trait of the Month. • Monthly drawing on TV- earn prizes!

20. Questions? • Website • Contact me at 335-5439 ext 6321 • Email: mecrichters@mdeca.org