Welcome Parents!

1. Welcome Parents!

2. Southdale Elementary Room 102 (1B) 1200 W. Dorothy Lane Kettering, OH 45409 937-499-1890

3. Attendance • School begins at 8:15 a.m. All students need to be in the classroom ready to learn at this time. • Please bring your child in through the school office if he/she is late. • Students will miss valuable instruction if they are late or absent. • Please call the office (499-1890) if your child will not be at school. • Send a note for ALL absences. Thank you.

4. Southdale SPIRIT • At Southdale, our mission is S-P-I-R-I-T. Success - Pride - Integrity - Respect - Involvement - Teamwork • Students are expected to show SPIRIT in our classroom and throughout the building. • Students can earn SPIRIT bricks throughout the year. • Students not displaying SPIRIT will have consequences such as loss of recess, apology letters, or time out. Conferences with Mr. Cooper, Mrs. Inbody and me will allow conversation to better understand what is expected.

5. Classroom Rules SUCCESS Grow your brainpower. Use time wisely. Use B.E.E. Folder.

6. Classroom Rules PRIDE Give your best effort. Share your ideas. Use supplies carefully.

7. Classroom Rules INTEGRITY Make wise choices. Be honest. Learn from your mistakes.

8. Classroom Rules RESPECT Listen before you speak. Raise your hand to share ideas. Keep hands and feet to yourself.

9. Classroom Rules INVOLVEMENT Give it a go. Keep on task. Be a friend - include others.

10. Classroom Rules TEAMWORK Treat others the way you want to be treated. Use kind and encouraging words. Cooperate with learning partners.

11. Special Classes • Special class schedules are in the BEE book. • Art shirts need to be brought to school and left in the locker for art each week. • SAFE shoes every day! • Gym shoes need worn on gym day. No sandals or boots. • The library is always in need of parent volunteers to help check out books to the students.

12. Special Classes MONDAY is ART with Mr. Harris. TUESDAY is GYM with Mrs. Charske. WEDNESDAY is LIBRARY with Mrs. Miller. THURSDAY is MUSIC with Mrs. Childs. FRIDAY is a fabulous day with Mrs. Bauser!

13. Healthy Environment • Colds have already started!! Please make sure that your child is fever free without medication for 24 hrs. before returning to school. • Regular sleeping habits and eating healthy foods keeps the body and the brain healthy and ready to learn! • Encourage good hand washing skills everywhere!

14. Birthday Celebrations • Students are welcome to bring a non-edible treat to share with our class family. We are 10 boys and 12 girls. • A BIRTHDAY BOOK is a great way to encourage the literacy skills for everyone!

15. Recess/Lunch • Recess is from 10:55 - 11:15 a.m. • WE DO GO OUTSIDE WHEN IT IS COLD! • Dress for the weather. Bare legs outside are cold in the winter. It is better to be over dressed than under dressed. Students need to know how to zip their coats and tie shoes for safety. • Lunch is from 11:20-11:45 a.m. First graders are not allowed to buy snacks. They are encouraged to eat and talk less at the table. Money can be applied to your child’s card by cash, check or through EZ-pay on the internet.

16. Reading • Phonics • Daily phonics using Fundations program. • Fundations Phonics Notebook • Spelling linked to word study • Guided Reading • Small group and individual reading instruction • Read Alouds • We will read and reread many wonderful books together. Shared Reading We will have students read together in large groups, small groups, and pairs.

17. Reading cont. Reading Assessments Fry and Fundations Sight Words for the year are in the B.E.E. Folder. AIMS-measures reading fluency three times a year. DRA-measures students individual reading level. Look in B.E.E. Folder for your child’s current level.

18. B.E.E. FOLDER • Bring Everything Every Day!

19. Writer’s Workshop • Writing is taught using mentor texts and making books. • Writing units • Personal narratives • Pattern books • Nonfiction/fiction • Poetry • List books • Writing Portfolio • Students writing projects are kept throughout the year to show writing growth. Projects are often displayed in the hallway.

20. Writing cont. Writing Celebration In May, parents will be invited to attend our Celebration of Learning. Students will share a collection of writing projects saved throughout the school year. There is always a surprise for you to take home to remember first grade.

21. Math • Math is hands on instruction using manipulatives and math stations. • Number sense, geometry, measurement, basic addition and subtraction facts are key concepts. • Math workbook pages are used to reinforce what we know. • Tens frames and Hundreds Chart are useful tools. • Fluency and Accuracy are essential.

22. Social Studies • In social studies, students learn about self, family, and community. Standards also include learning about other cultures on each of the continents and their holidays. • At-home family projects help students communicate with their classmates about their family and traditions.

23. Social Studies cont. • Examples of Home/School projects: • All about Me • Fall Favorites • Holiday Tradition quilt piece • Hundreds Day • Valentine’s Box • Bird Research • Spring Kite

24. Science Fun!!! • Science utilizes our five senses to observe the world around us. • We are active science learners! • Hand-on Minds-on • Inquiry based learning • Science Lab will be • In our classroom • Around the school grounds

25. Southdale Team at National Literacy Conference • Ms. Morton, Ms. Clark, Ms. Williams, and I will be presenting in February • Our topic is The Science Solution: Science in the Literacy Block • Wewill need your permission to use student images and work samples.

26. HOMEWORK isall the important work you do every day! • YOU are your child’s most important teacher. • Be intentional about making time to talk with your child every day. • Spend time doing things together. • Encourage your child to help at home!

27. Homework • READ to and with your child EVERY day! • Literature Log is a way to reinforce that experience. • Each child has received a Fundations Phonics Notebook to reinforce classroom experiences. • This notebook will be collected once every nine weeks. • Collection dates will be in the weekly newsletter. • Word patterns and sight words should be practiced at home. • Math conversation is always helpful. • Understanding math concepts will be essential.

28. Web-based LEARNING • First in Math • A program provided by KCS for all students. • Dreambox • An individualized math program available to all Southdale first graders. • Raz-kids • An individualized reading resource with fiction and nonfiction texts for ALL readers. Allows students to record their reading for me to hear.

30. Report Cards Children in First Grade work at their developmental level in all academic areas. Students receive support and guidance. Modeling, guided practice, and some independent practice are part of the learning continuum. There is a gradual release to independent work. Observation, participation, written work, summative assessments and projects are part of our review of each child’s progress

31. Report Cards Always keep in mind that these are first graders and you will see their growth. Progress Book parameters are E=Excellent 90-100% S=Satisfactory 70-89%** NI=Needs Improvement 60-69% U= Unsatisfactory below 60% ** This is what we are aiming to achieve on an independent consistent level!

32. Field Trips • We have lots of fun field trips planned for this year! • Pondview and Southdale Nature Centers • Past years we have been to Brumbaugh Fruit Farm, the Cincinnati Zoo, and Aullwood Farm - current plans are pending. Parent volunteers are encouraged. Parents’ cost will be the same as the student’s cost. Please understand that we have limited space on the buses, so there may be a limit to the number of volunteers for each field trip. Siblings are not allowed to join us.

33. Sign Ups • Field Trips • Conferences • Literacy Pal • Classroom support

34. Let’s Have a Great Year!