Welcome to 1 st Grade!

1. Welcome to 1st Grade! Mrs. Melissa Ballard Mrs. Darcy Burke Mrs. Amanda Holleyman Mrs. Marie Simons

2. If you have specific questions for your child’s teacher, please speak with the teacher OR schedule a parent-teacher conference. Our planning time is daily from 12:00-12:45. If you would like to speak with your teacher, the easiest and most efficient way is through email melissa_ballard@lagovista.txed.net Darcy_burke@lagovista.txed.net Amanda_Holleyamn@lagovista.txed.net Marie_simons@lagovista.txed.net You can also reach us by phone: 267-8340. Please leave a message in the office and we will return your call ASAP! ….Before We Begin….

3. TEKS and CSCOPE How do we decide what to teach? We follow the TEKS from the Texas Education Agency. The TEKS tell us what to teach in first grade and are very specific. If you are interested in reading the TEKS, please visit http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/grade/First_Grade.pdf LVISD’s curriculum follows the CScope. CScope tells us what TEKS to teach and when to teach them. Although each teacher follows the same curriculum guidelines, each one has a different teaching style. Every child will receive the same rigor and complexity with each unique teacher.

4. First Grade Procedures Homework Folders Homework folders are sent home every day except Friday. Please review your child’s folder daily. If your child is unable to complete an assignment, please provide a written explanation for it to be excused. We realize that emergencies arise but be aware that extracurricular activities are not excused. Students who do not have a signed homework folder will complete the assignments during recess.

5. Friday Folders Important Notices and/or student work are sent home on Fridays. Unless indicated, these papers are not to be returned. Folders are due every Monday morning. Please take the time to look through them. Please sign the Friday Folder so that we know all papers were received.

6. Guided Reading Books Reading Assessments are in progress. Book in a Bag’s have been sent home according to the tested level. These books will come home on a daily basis. The books are placed in zip-lock baggies for their protection. Please make sure they are returned in that fashion. If the books are lost or damaged the cost to replace the book will range at $5.00 and up. Your child will not be able to receive more books until all books are paid for. **Remember to read with your child every night for no less than 10 minutes! This time will increase throughout the school year.

7. School begins at 7:45. If you arrive before 7:40, you need to drop your child off at the gym. Children cannot come in the classroom before 7:40. Children who are absent must bring a written note stating the reason for the absence on the first day of their return. For excused absences the children are allowed an equivalnet amount of time to make up their work. For example: 1 absent day-1 day to make up work, absent 2 days-2 days to make up work. Tardies and Absences

8. 1st Grade Classroom Rules 1. Sit correctly 2. One person speaks at a time/Raise your hand 3. Complete all work/ Do your best/If unsure ASK!!! 4. Keep hands and feet to yourself 5. Be a friend

9. 1st Grade Rewards/Consequences Rewards Consequences Caught Being Good Pass Loss of privilege Letter Home/Phone call Home Letter Home/Phone Call home Visit Principal Visit Principal Individual teachers may Behavior offer incentives Sheet/contract We promote problem solving in 1st grade!! We encourage students to talk out their problems and come to a peaceful resolution without involving the teacher.

10. Reading and Language Arts Curriculum • **Daily Reading Strategies: A variety of strategies, resources, and approaches will be used to teach reading. On a daily basis, children will use a variety of reading strategies to become fluent readers. They will use: • Picture clues to make appropriate responses • Context Clues as a basis for predicting meaning • Prior knowledge to predict the word • Knowledge of sounds to identify unfamiliar words • Self Correction strategies.

11. Students will have opportunities to listen to models of oral reading by the teacher, peers, and others. In addition to activities from the literature, students will actively participate in shared and guided reading activities designed to maximize mastery of language arts objectives. Students will have opportunities to read daily in self-directed reading of familiar texts at an independent level. Daily, children will be exposed to and review sight words and phonics principles.

12. Writing Strategies: Students will have varied experiences daily. On a regular basis, children will have the opportunity to write in journals and to share their writing with their peers. For many of the writing activities, beginning writing process skills will be taught. Students will be expected to use these process skills throughout the school year. Our goal is to encourage the writer in each of the students and make them feel confident in their work.

13. Special Events/Volunteer Opportunities We have many exciting things planned for this year! Our field trips consist of a visit to Sweet Berry Farms in Marble Falls (October) and a tentatively planned visit to the Texas Memorial Museum (April). Our parties will be a Thanksgiving Feast, a winter party, our Valentines Party, an Easter egg hunt, and our end of year Hot Dog Lunch. Please contact your child’s teacher if you are interested in being a Room Mom, Friday Folder Parent, Copy Parent, or would just like to help out in some way. We love volunteers!

14. Remember! It takes a partnership between the parents and the teacher to help make students successful. The first grade teachers are committed to the success of all of the students. Please let us know any concerns or questions you have. We are here to help! Its going to be a wonderful year! Go Vikings!!!