Room 205

1. Room 205 Back to School Night Kathryn D. Markley Elementary School September 19, 2012

2. Mrs. McCabe • This is my eighth year teaching 1st Grade at KDM. • I taught 1st grade at Oak Park Elementary in Brentwood, NY for one year. • I attended Saint Joseph’s University for my undergraduate work and Eastern University for my Master’s degree. • I was born in Wantagh, Long Island.

3. Daily Schedule • 8:40-8:55 - Morning Routine - Students : unpack, hand in notes, choose their lunch, complete an activity at their desk • 8:55 - 9:15 - Morning Meeting/Olweus/ Interactive Read Aloud • 9:15 –10:15– Language Arts Block • 10:15- 10:30 –Read Aloud with Snack • 10:30 - 10:45 – Recess • 10:45 – 12:10 – Language Arts Block • 12:10 – 1:00- Recess/Lunch • 1:05 – 2:05 - Math • 2:05 - 2:50 - Special • 2:50 -3:25 – Social Studies/Science • 3:25- 3:30- Pack Up/Dismissal

4. Our Specials Schedule • Here at KDM we work on a 5 day rotating schedule. There is a magnet in your folder to help you remember!

5. Language Arts: Reading • Phonics and Word Study • Sight Words (Fry Words)/Spelling • Word Sorts (Magnetic letter envelopes & magnet donations) • Fluency and Independent Reading • Reader’s Workshop/Guided Reading/Shared Reading/Poetry • Comprehension • Retelling • Make Connections (text to self, text to text) • Infer • Question • Making Mental Images • Predicting

6. Reader’s Workshop Reader's Workshop is a framework that provides students with reading instruction and focused time to read ing self-selected books independently or with partners/small groups.  • The structure of Reader's Workshop includes: • Mini-Lesson The children receive explicit instruction in the process and skills of proficient reading  • Time for Guided and Independent Practice: Students read high-interest, just-right books of their own choosing while the teacher works with individual students or small groups • At the end of the workshop, the students usually gather together again.  The teacher may highlight an important concept or provide time for a few students to share their work. • Teachers use the Great Valley Reader's Workshop curriculum to guide instruction.  It is divided into units; each focused unit was designed to teach specific skills and strategies.

7. Our Book Boxes • Used every day in our classroom during Reader’s Workshop. • Decorate with photos, magazine clippings, words, favorite things, favorite stories, etc. • Will be sent home tonight! Please return them by Thursday, September 27th or earlier. • Please print your child’s name clearly on both of the narrow sides!

8. Language Arts: Writing Program - Lucy Calkins “Writer’s Workshop” Students write stories based on their own personal experiences. Help your child to think of ideas that they could write about in school. You can add to your child’s idea pocket all year long!

9. OLWEUS Anti-Bullying Program • District-Wide Initiative to prevent and react to bullying situations at school. • Class meetings held weekly to discuss bullying issues as well as to instruct students in handling situations of bullying • Terminology used by the district when discussing instances: • Instigator (bully) • Target (victim) • Bystanders (witnesses to event) • School-wide Incident Reporting Form will be used to record and report any instances of bullying that occur

10. Our Rules Follow the Golden Rule “Bee” respectful to others “Bee” respectful of your environment “Bee” respectful to yourself • Consequences • Going for Green • Green – Good Behavior • Yellow – One/two Verbal Warnings • Red – Three Verbal Warnings • Phone call or e-mail home/Principal • Rewards • Individuals- bee sticker • Class- earn a bee for your hive- • reward for every 15 bees • Groups- earn a tally mark – • reward for every 10 tally marks • Things to talk about with your children: • Bathroom visits

11. Homework • Book Buddies! Students will be given a “book buddy” bag to bring a “just right book” home with them Monday-Thursday night. Please keep the book log inside of the book buddy bag and remember to sign it each night! • Fry Sight Word Practice OR Word Sort Menu (Spellingcity.com) • Math/Science/SS homework as needed!

12. Birthdays • Guest Reader • -2 or 3 Fridays a month • -Read a picture book (or two) to the class (10-20 minutes) • 10:10-10:30 • First Friday Readers • The first Friday or each month (except April and June) all parents are invited to read with our class! A note will be sent home each month. If you are able to attend, let me know and I will give you a small group of children to read with. • 10:00 -10:30 • Special Days • We have special days throughout the year that correspond to our theme of the week. Occasionally I will ask parents to volunteer their time to help with special centers. As these days come up, I will notify you! • Snack • -We have a water • fountain here in the room. • -Snack should be small and easy enough to eat while listening • to a story or working independently at their desks. • -WE ARE A NUT FREE CLASSROOM! • -We do not have forks, knifes or spoons in the classroom. • Lunch • Please write my name on your child’s lunch box. • The lunch bags often get mixed in with other classes. • Book Orders • -Once a month • -Checks payable to “Scholastic Book Clubs” • -If you order online, our class will receive a free book! The paperwork will come home with the first book order!

13. Open Lines of Communication • Phone calls • 610-644-1790 x1205 • Email * This is the best way to • reach me! • kmccabe@gvsd.org • Letters/Notes • Place inside Take-Home Folder

14. Questions and Comments