Welcome to Mrs. Youmans’ Class

1. First Grade is Fabulous! Welcome to Curriculum Night. Welcome to Mrs. Youmans’ Class

2. Cherokee County (visit this site to view important information and standards) http://portal.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Pages/Welcome.aspx Woodstock Elementary http://portal.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-es/default.aspx Mrs. Youmans’ Class Website http://mysite.cherokee.k12.ga.us/personal/julie_youmans/site/default.aspx Success Net- a companion website to the reading series https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/login/login.jsp Important Websites

3. Parents, Teacher, and Student Together I am here to support you and your child this year. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Communication between the teacher and parent are key to a successful year. Communication: • Notes in the agenda are checked each morning. • You may leave a message with the office for me, and I will call you as soon as possible. Please note: phone calls will usually be returned after school hours. Woodstock Elementary: 770/ 926-6969 • Email is great. I will return all emails within 24 hours of receipt. Please note: changes in transportation can only be accepted by note or phone call to the office. This is for the safety of your child. Email: julie.youmans@cherokee.k12.ga.us

4. TEACH 21 Classroom I am proud to be a TEACH 21 teacher. TEACH 21 is a program designed to get the latest technology into the classrooms of Cherokee County, and to keep our digital natives (students of today) engaged in learning. I completed 2 years of technology courses and a culminating project to become a Teach 21 graduate. With the commitment to TEACH 21 my classroom has received 5 new student computers, an interactive promethean board, and a projector. We also have voter buttons for each student which will enable the entire class to respond to questions at the same time. We have a laptop lab for our classroom consisting of 16 laptops. This supports curriculum differentiation so that I may better tailor instruction to small groups and individual students’ instructional levels. This technology will give your child a variety of learning experiences.

5. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS • First Grade covers the following subject areas: Reading/ Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Health. First grade standards are posted on the Cherokee County Website. • Monthly newsletters will be posted on my website and will detail the upcoming standards’ focus for the month. • Students will also participate in art, music, physical education, and computer class during specials time. A calendar for your child’s specials’ schedule will be posted on my website at the beginning of each month.

6. Reading in First Grade What does reading look like in first grade? Reading is frequent, fun, and formative. Opportunities for reading range from whole group lessons, guided reading small groups, peer reading, readers theaters, independent reading, listening centers, and reading across subject areas. Beyond the weekly class story each child will meet with his/her small guided reading group to work on a story. The reading level of each group will vary based on the students’ instructional reading level. The instructional level is determined by reading assessments and teacher observations. Reading groups are flexible and change as the needs of students change.

7. Reading Reading encompasses: concepts of print, phonics, vocabulary, sight words, comprehension, and fluency. By the end of the year first graders should be able to read 60 words per minute of grade level text with expression. As students learn to decode and develop an awareness of word patterns and relationships, their fluency and comprehension will improve. Comprehension includes: • Story elements – characters, problem, solution, setting • Differentiating between fact and fiction/ reality and fantasy • Identifying cause and effect relationships within literature • 5 W’s – who, what, where, when, and why • Retelling and responding to literature Students will learn the things good readers do, such as: make mind pictures, make predictions before and as they read, use background knowledge to connect to literature, reread to improve understanding, and use picture clues to confirm meaning.

8. Writing

9. The Writing Process

10. Counting Money in First Grade This year students will learn to count collections of mixed coins. We learn to use “touch-points” to make this process of counting from coin to coin an easier process. Touch-points are worth 5 cents each. Shown below are the touch-points assigned to each coin. Note that pennies do not have touch points since they are worth only one cent. We always count those last after the “silver” coins. When counting pennies we usually draw a check mark, to indicate it has been counted. 25 5 5 5 10 20 10 15

11. Science, Social Studies, and Health

12. Assessments and Other Information • Weekly: phonics tests, spelling tests, and reading tests on class and group stories • Running records- student reading inventories given frequently (given as a diagnostic tool) • Science and Social Studies grades are given based on class participation and the understanding of concepts. Often in these areas informal assessments consist of writing samples, observation, and application of standards in real life situations. • Math grades are given based on participation along with grades from quizzes and tests. Math timed drills will also be given. • Success maker is an individualized computer program for reading and math which provides additional opportunities for students to practice and master the standards taught. Students will work toward goals in both areas. Reports will come home periodically . • Accelerated Reader (AR) is a voluntary program that promotes a love of reading. Students may check out AR books in the library. After reading the book they may take a comprehension test and earn points. Points may be redeemed for prizes. Please note: students may not take an AR test until they have taken the book home and read it with an adult. Also students should choose books that are “just right” for them so that they are successful on the test. Books that are too difficult should not be chosen for AR. We will work on learning how to identify “just right” books.

13. Homework and Agendas Everyone has done a great job getting used to the homework notebook and calendar. Thank you for helping your child to establish this routine. The homework calendar allows me to differentiate homework for students’ instructional level and lessens the need for worksheets. Please remember to check your child’s agenda nightly. Although you will usually only see my initials and a sentence or two from your student, there are times when I will need to let you know something important about your child and the agenda allows me do this effectively.

14. Grading System O= Outstanding (Produces High Quality Work Consistently) 95%- 100% S= Satisfactory (Produces Work of satisfactory quality) 80%-94% N= Needs Improvement (Work is inconsistent in quality and needs additional support) 70% - 79% U= Unsatisfactory (Seldom produces work of satisfactory quality or demonstrates a lack of effort) 0% - 69%

15. Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with me. It is going to be a great year!