Welcome Parents!

1. Welcome Parents! • While you are waiting… • Please write a letter to your child on the paper provided. Your letter will be left on your child’s desk to be enjoyed first thing in the morning. • Thank you! 

2. Curriculum Night Mrs. Lovinger ~ 1st Grade B.J. Hooper Elementary

3. All About Me • My Background • -Live in Libertyville • Grew up in Lindenhurst and Lake Villa • I went to Hooper, Pleviak and Palombi • My Experience • Graduated from Northern Illinois University • Degree in Elementary Education (K-8) • I taught 2nd grade for six years

4. The Second Grade Team • Jill Lovinger • Monica Heifner • Kathy Lillig • Maureen Hohenstatt* • We will be working together closely this year. Our teamwork will include the following: • Planning common lessons and activities • Effectively utilizing and maximizing the time in each school day • Modifying lessons to meet students’ needs

5. Report Cards Aligned with Common Core Standards • Our grading is based on trimesters • 3 report cards throughout the year Your child’s report card will be able to view through Power School. If you would like a hard copy, you must make a request through the office.

6. Power School • Power School is our online resource that is used for: • Attendance • Communication Information • Grades • Report Cards-3 trimesters • Jan Betustak, our school secretary is in the Computer lab (Room 124) to help you with questions about this.

7. Classroom Parties • Parties • -Fall Festival-Halloween • -Winter Party • -Valentine’s Day • Volunteer • -Party Coordinator • -In class help with activities

8. Field Trips • Your child will be exposed to a variety of literacy concepts in these areas: • Marriot Lincolnshire Theatre • -December • Science Field Trip • -Date to be announced • Green Meadows Farm • -May

9. Literacy • Your child will be exposed to a variety of literacy concepts in these areas: • Reading • Word Study • Writing • Sharing and Expressing Ideas • Researching and Presenting

10. Shared Reading What is Shared Reading? • Sharing a story and reading together • Tracking print left to right • Predicting and inferring • Enjoying and participating in reading with a high level of support • Building a sense of story • Expanding vocabulary • Finding letters and sounds in context • Attending to concepts of print • Sequencing events of a story • Focusing on story elements (character, setting, beginning, and end) • Identifying genres We use: Mentor Texts,Trade Books, and Big Books,

11. Reading • Centers • -Daily Five • Comprehension Strategies • Whole group • Small Group • Bagged Books • -Please return daily

12. Daily Five The Daily Five includes 5 types of activities for children to build their reading skills. The five types of activities include: • Read to Self • Read to Someone • Listen to Reading • Write to Read • Word Work

13. Word Study-Language • We will be focusing on mastering all the first grade core words. • Spell words using patterns • Spell untaught words phonetically • Sort words into categories by meaning *Take Note: There will not be spelling tests, because we want the words to be mastered not memorized.

14. Speaking and Listening • Asking questions • Answering questions

15. Writing • 1st Grade writing instruction focuses on: • Responding to literature, narrative, opinion, informative, and research pieces • Expected to write a topic sentence, minimum of two supporting details, and a closing sentence • Steps to producing a published piece • Conventions: proper capitalization, punctuation, and subject verb agreement

16. Handwriting • Your child will practice writing and exercise appropriate size, spacing, slant, and formation of the Zaner-Bloser Manuscript Alphabet. • We have a handwriting book in 1st Grade. Students will also practice on handwriting worksheets from time to time. *Take Note: Practice pages can be downloaded and printed at www.learningpage.com

17. Envision Math • The Envision Math program allows students to participate in mathematic activities that: • Incorporate hands-on experiences in which students utilize math manipulatives • Encourage math discussion that allow for a deeper understanding of math vocabulary • Engage students to explore mathematic concepts through visual and animated images presented on the computer and SMARTboard *Take Note: Homework will be differentiated to meet the needs of your child. However, the concepts presented will be the same.

18. Math • Operations ad Algebraic Thinking • Number and Operations in Base Ten • Measurement and Data • Geometry

19. Social Studies • The focus of Social Studies in 1st Grade includes the following units of study: • Rules ad Responsibility • Holidays Around the World • Seasons • -Seasonal Changes • -Seasonal Activities • Historical Figures • Community • Current Events • Traditions and Customs

20. Science • In Science, we use inquiry based methods to study… • Force and Motion • Weather • Life Cycles • -Insects • -Farm Animals

21. Home Folder • You can expect to see your child’s Home Folder everyday. • Stay Home Pocket • -graded work • -newsletters • Return Pocket • -Homework • -Notes from teachers • -Permission slips Stay Home Return *Take Note: Please check and remove items from your child’s folder each day. This helps me to know that you received the information.

22. Homework • Word Study • An assignment will come home for each • word study unit. • Reading • 15-20 minutes of reading each night • Envision Math • Expect to see a Homework assignment nightly *Take Note: Time will be given to complete in class work during the day. Unfinished work may be sent home as homework if student is not using time wisely. *Friday Homework: I do not send homework to be completed over the weekend. I feel it is important for the students to spend time with their families.

23. Behavioral Expectations • A positive approach to discipline is implemented in our 1st Grade classroom. • Students are rewarded for… • Responsible behavior • Being kind to others • Turning work in on time • Following directions • Receiving compliments from adults Bucket Fillers This year we have our own buckets. We are striving to be bucket fillers all the time throughout our days by making people feel good. If we make poor choices we dip into our buckets .

24. Absences • Research indicates that students are the most successful when they attend school regularly. Of course I do understand that, students become ill from time to time. If your child is absent, notify the office. I will gather your child’s make-up assignments. Upon returning to school, your child will have two days for every day that he/she was absent to complete the work.

25. Celebrating Birthdays • Your child will be recognized on his/her birthday and is more than welcome to bring in treats. • If your child was a summer baby, we would • love to celebrate his/her half-birthday. • Please notify me prior to your child’s birthday • so that we can make arrangements. • Treats can be a foood item, stickers, erasers, • pencils, bookmarks, snacks, or a book to donate • to the class library. • We currently have 22 students in our class. • Please send enough for everyone. 

26. Snack Time • Your child is more than welcome to bring a snack to school. • Please send healthy snacks that are • quick and easy to eat. NO CANDY! Suggestions: • *Fresh fruit • *Packaged crackers • *Pretzels • *Granola bars • *Cut Veggies • We have a PEANUT /TREE NUT FREE ROOM • due to allergies. • *Snacks must be nut free.

27. Classroom Guests • I always welcome parent experts into our classroom. As you review the curriculum, you may find that you have some knowledge in a particular area. I would LOVE for you to come and share your knowledge with the class. • You may contact me to make the appropriate arrangements. Email is always a quick and easy way to make such arrangements. • *Please make sure you fill out the volunteer form 48 hours before coming.

28. Transportation Notes • It is very important to call the school or send a note when your child’s transportation routine changes for any reason. In addition, please send a note if someone different will be picking your child up from school. • If the school is not notified, your child will be sent home in the regular manner.

29. Communication • It is extremely important to keep the lines of communication open between home and school. • I will make every effort to keep you informed of your child’s progress here at school. • I hope you will also feel comfortable contacting me with any concerns, questions or celebrations. • I can be reached by email and phone.

30. Conference Sign-Up • Dates: Monday, November 25th ad Tuesday, November 26th • Conferences before this data

31. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend Curriculum Night. I especially want to thank you for having such a WONDERFUL and precious child! I truly love what I do and am looking forward to a fabulous year!

32. Packet Resources • Daily Schedules • Class List • Second Grade Priority and Core Word List • Volunteer Questionnaire • And More!

33. Star of the Week Each student is a unique and valued member of our classroom. Children will be given their own special week to show how bright they can shine! • Pictures • Favorite Book • Demonstrate/Share a Special Talent

34. Classroom Expectations • Students are expected to be respectful and responsible, do their personal best and be prepared! We have discussed that we all have the right to: • Be happy and have fun! • Make mistakes • Teach • Learn • Have an opinion • Safety • Ask Questions Possible Consequences *Verbal Warning from Teacher (s) *Teacher/Student Conference *Phone call, email, or letter sent home * Alternative Recess *Student/Principal Conference

35. All About Mrs. Hohenstatt • My Background • -Live in Ingleside • My children attended school in District #41 • I now have a grandchild attending Hooper • My Experience • This is my twenty-fifth year as a paraprofessional at Hooper

36. Book Orders • Book orders are a wonderful, inexpensive way to build your child’s home library. • We will be ordering from Scholastic. • If you choose to order, please send a check, made out to Scholastic Book Clubs. • Please do not send cash. • Book orders will be sent home once a month. *Did you Know?- When you order books, I earn points that add up to free books for our classroom library!

37. All About Mrs. Saam • My Background • -Live in Lindenhurst • My husband, Dave and I have 2 children • Both of my children attended District 41 schools • My Experience • -I have worked as a paraprofessional for 7 years • I have 5 years of experience in second grade • I was a paraprofessional in kindergarten for 2 years