Welcome to Our Class

1. Welcome to Our Class

2. Welcome to First Grade! • Hold on…I have lots of information to give you in a short amount of time • Please let me know if you have any questions!

3. All About Mrs. Stingle • My background • I grew up in Washington Twp. • I attended West Chester University. • I am currently getting my Masters in Reading at Wilmington University. • I live in Delanco, NJ with my husband and our daughter Delaney Grace. She is 4 months old. • My experience • This is my fiftteenth year teaching in this district (fourteen years in first grade). • I taught kindergarten for one year before moving to first grade. I LOVE teaching first grade!

4. This year your child will… • show amazing growth. • be in a supportive and fun learning environment. • make new friends and discover new interests.

5. Class Subjects • The subjects we cover in first grade are: • Reading (Whole Group and Guided Reading) • Being a Writer (Writer’s Workshop) • Working with Words (Spelling and Phonics) • Math (Whole Group and Math Workshop) • Science • Social Studies

6. Whole Group/Guided Reading • Whole group instruction is when I work with the whole class on a skill or topic. I will be using the Reading Wonders program during this time. • Guided reading is when I work with small groups. Students read appropriate leveled readers that reinforce a skill or topic learned during whole group.

7. The Daily 5 • What is Daily 5 Literacy? • It’s a 5 component literacy framework to help develop literacy skills. • Read to Self- Individual “Good Fit” bags • Read to Someone- Individual “Good Fit” bags • Listen to Reading- Interactive stories on-line or books on CD • Work on Writing- Individual Writing Folders • Word Work/Spelling- Individual Word books Benefits: • Keep students focused on literacy while the teacher is working with small groups. • Gives students the chance to be independent in their choices and have some ownership over their learning.

8. Sonday • Enables me to use multisensory, structured phonics quickly and successfully for every level of instruction. • The Sonday program is inclusive of the 5 elements needed to develop successful readers: phonological awareness, phonics instruction, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. • I have found it to be very successful in both remediation of difficulties in reading as well as challenging gifted readers. • Learners progress at their own pace and move onto the next level after successfully completing the Mastery Check of reading and spelling the words.

9. Spelling/Working with Words • Each student will be introduced to their own 5 sight words each week. Students will work with their words all week. Students will be expected to read (sometimes spell) words before getting new words. I will also introduce 5 word wall words every week that will be added to our class word wall for students to use as a resource. • Students will learn how to review, sort, classify and analyze words. This helps students learn how to spell words not just for assessments but for life. Students will manipulate letters to form words, clap and chant words, find smaller words using a Big Word, etc,.

10. Writer’s Workshop • I will use Being a Writer for writing mini-lessons. • Examples of Mini-Lessons: • Choosing a Topic • What to Do if You Can’t Spell a Word • Punctuation and Grammar • Adding On to a Piece • Revising • Editing Students will learn how to write: • about their own experiences and interests (narratives). • informational pieces (all about books, how to, etc). • opinion pieces (Example: Writing about why purple is their favorite color).

11. Writer’s Workshop continued Four Squares Four Square Graphic Organizers are often used for seasonal writing, science, and social studies topics. They are a great way to help students organize their writing into paragraph form. Handwriting Students will focus on correct letter formation, configuration of each letter, spacing, proper use of upper and lower case letters, learning to write on lines, etc.

12. Math I will use My Math for the Whole Group Lesson of the Day • Operations & Algebraic Thinking • Geometry • Number and Operations in Base Ten • Measurement and Data During whole group, students will use a hands-on approach to explore their knowledge of the lesson. Students will extend their knowledge of learned skills during Daily 5 Math.

13. Daily 5 Math • What is Daily 5 Math? • It’s a 5 component math framework to help develop math skills. • Math By Myself-Skills practiced using wipe off boards, hundred charts, flashcards, etc • Math with a Friend- Math games that reinforce learned skills • Math with Technology- Interactive smart board and computer activities • Math Work- Differentiated math folders • Math with Teacher- Remediate, reinforce, and extend learning Benefits: • Keeps students focused on math while the teacher is working with small groups. • Gives students the chance to be independent in their choices and have some ownership over their learning.

14. Science/Social StudiesHarcourt Supplemental Series Social Studies Units • Rules and Laws • Where People Live • Meeting People • The Marketplace • We Love Our Country Science Units • Plants and Animals All Around • Living Together • About Our Earth • Weather, Seasons, and the Sky

15. Friday Folders and Assessment Binders • When weekly assessments are conducted, your child will bring the assessment home in a Friday Folder. Please sign the attached paper and send the folder back empty. • Assessment binders will be used as a portfolio of the learning your child is doing throughout the year. They are meant to be cumulative. Papers should not be removed. These binders will be sent home three times a trimester.

16. Classroom Community • Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other. • Our class rules are: • Respect yourself, others, and our classroom • Safe hands and feet • Be a good listener • Work as a team • Always try your best

17. Homework • Each student is expected to read for 10 minutes every night. • Additional homework may be sent home (see weekly newsletter). • Additional activities can be found on the 1st Grade Homework Website. • See Handout

18. Goals • To give your child the academic and social skills needed to progress to second grade. • To foster independent work habits. • To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. • To help your child make new friends, discover new interests, and develop their excitement for learning.

19. Just a Note… Never feel that any question is too small. I am here to help and answer any question or help with concerns you may have. I maintain a very supportive and encouraging classroom. I want your child to feel free to take risks, to learn from their mistakes, and to be excited about learning. If your child isn’t feeling that way, please let me know. I want to work with you to make this a great year for your child!

20. Let’s Have a Great Year!