Mr. Abruzzi Room 112

1. Welcome to First Grade! Go INCREDIBLE HAWKS! Mr. AbruzziRoom 112 While we are waiting to begin, please think about any questions you might want ask. I want this session to be as informative and helpful as possible. Thanks!

2. My Background • Worked as a Child Care Counselor at Kidspeace from 2001-2006. • Worked as a Therapeutic Support Staff and Behavior Specialist at the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit from 2006-2011. • Continued my education at Penn State University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education – graduated with High Honors in 2009. • Wrapped up my Master’s Degree last year: “Instructional Media.” Perfect timing!

3. My Background • Taught Kindergarten, 2nd Grade (Willow Lane), and 5th Grade (Northwestern Elementary) in 2010-2011. • This is my eigth year teaching 1st Grade. • My son, Xavier, turned 10 years old in June and is now in 5thgrade! • My baby boy, Declan, turned 6 years old in May! He started 1st Grade this year…WOW!

4. Classroom Website • www.eastpennsd.org/teacherpages/dabruzzi * I will use the site for the following purposes: • Post bi-weekly homework menu • Send frequent E-Newsletters • Upload weekly study guides • Make special announcements • Provide grade level materials for support and enrichment • Provide parental access to curricular information.

5. Take Home Folders • Take home folders will be used daily. • Please review all materials sent home. • There are two sections of the folder: • KEEP AT HOME – important notes, student work, etc. • RETURN TO SCHOOL – time sensitive material to be reviewed and returned. For example, student assessments, emergency forms, permission slips, etc. • Any notes, absentee sheets, etc. should be marked with student’s first and last name and homeroom #112. Pick up notes should include the name of the individual picking up. Lunch money must include ID numbers.

6. Homework Policy • It is our school’s policy that 1st graders be given no more than 10 minutes worth of homework per evening. • Students should select at least one item from the homework menu per evening. Believe it or not, students often choose extra! That is NOT required. • On-level reading material from each student’s desk can and should be brought home often. We just need to work together to make sure they are brought back.

7. Language Arts • Students will be instructed as a whole class, in small groups, and individually. • I teach reading through a balanced approach. • Read Aloud, Shared Reading, Guided Reading, Reader’s Workshop, Independent Reading, Reader’s Theater • Modeled or Shared Writing, Kid Writing, Process Writing, Quick Writing, Journaling, Illustrating • All genres will be represented: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, fantasy, realistic fiction, reference, etc. • Students will study phonics, grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.

8. Language Arts Word Study: “Old School Spelling” = done! Each student will be working on mastering word lists according to THEIR OWN skill level. High Frequency Words: also referred to as “sight words.” These words appear often in texts and are a key to achieving reading fluency. Vocabulary Words: students will learn to assign basic meaning to these terms, but DO NOT need to spell or independently read them.

9. Weekly Study Guide A study guide will be posted to the classroom website by the beginning of each week. This guide will provide information about: • High Frequency Words (sight words), Robust vocabulary words, weekly focus skills for phonics, comprehension, grammar, writing, and math. • This study guide is a great tool to utilize for success! All topics that will be addressed on upcoming assessments will be represented on the study guide, along with the dates of assessments.

10. Math • Math instruction will typically happen in small groups, based on the specific needs of each individual student. • Hands-on, real life activities will accompany modeled practice in order to develop a classroom of collaborative problem solvers. • While students will work to solve problems by using a number of strategies and mathematic tools, an emphasis on recall of basic facts will also be developed, monitored, and assessed over the course of the year.

11. Math Centers • Math Centers will take place almost daily. • In order to differentiate my instruction to a diverse group of students, it is my preference to provide small group lessons to 2-3 groups of children a day. • Students will be given the opportunity to problem solve, construct, deconstruct and write during Math Centers. • Up to 2 volunteers are welcome daily.

12. “WIN” Block • WIN – “What I Need” • This block of time, 1:35-2:15 (Mon.-Thurs.), will be utilized to provide additional ON-LEVEL reading/writing instruction to every first grade student at Willow Lane Elementary. • Students will be switching classrooms according to skill level. Placements are NOT permanent. • WIN will begin by early-mid October.

13. Literacy Centers I plan to utilize the following times for Literacy Centers activities. Monday – Friday: Times TBD I will be posting a SIGN-UP on the classroom website under the “Volunteers” tab as soon as the students are ready Up to 2 volunteers will be welcome each day that centers are planned.

14. Mystery Reader Friday: 2:45 (15 minutes) • This is our REGULARLY scheduled time for Mystery Reader. • HOWEVER, I am always flexible and am willing to work with you if this time does not suit your schedule. • The students LOVE to have their family members as guest readers, so please let me know what will work for you.

15. Star Student • Each week, a student from our class will have the privilege of being named the “STAR STUDENT.” • There are some special privileges and jobs that the star student will have: • Friday: student brings home a puppet • Monday: student shares pictures • Tuesday: student plays guitar with Mr. Abruzzi • Wednesday: student brings an item for show-n-tell • Thursday: student reads a story to peers (supported) • Friday: student sits at the teacher’s desk all day

16. Snacks and Water Bottles • Snack will be given around 2:15 daily. • Snacks can be brought in from home and kept in locker until snack time. • Snack donations would be greatly appreciated. • Water bottles are welcome at all times in our classroom – the benefits far outweigh the negatives. • Students may NOT share food at school at any time! Please discuss the importance of food safety with your children so that we avoid any potential dangers.

17. Celebrating Birthdays • Each student will be honored in a few special ways on their birthday. • Birthday boy/girl “travels around the sun.” We talk about their accomplishments / milestones. • Class sings a “Happy Birthday” song. • Student may bring a non-edible treat for classmates.

18. Classroom Behavior • I am a proponent of POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT, but realize the need for the opposite as well. • Individual praise is given in a number of ways. • Group praise is also a popular motivator. • Consequences will be given as needed, and communicated with parents. • Positive feedback is far more effective than negative, so I try to teach appropriate classroom behavior through the use of positive means. • The key is consistency, and that is what I strive for.

19. Thank You! This year will be AMAZING, and I am confident that we will achieve great success together! If you have specific concerns at this time: • Email me @ dabruzzi@eastpennsd.org • Schedule a meeting at your convenience I apologize that I cannot address everyone’s specific needs immediately due to time constraints.