Welcome to First Grade!

1. Welcome to First Grade!

2. I am Mrs. Garrison

3. All about me! • I moved to California last summer with my husband and our puppy, Oliver. • I taught Kindergarten and 3rd grade in Chicago. • I love to go hiking, travel and read LOTS of books! • I am always thinking about help students • LOVE learning!

4. Daily Schedule

5. MorningSchedule • 7:55 am – Greeting/Arrival • 8:05 am – Morning Meeting • 8:30 am – Literacy Stations • 9:30 am – Recess, restroom & water break • 10:00 am – Word Work {Spelling & Grammar} • 10:30 am – Math Stations • 11:30 am – Lunch

6. Afternoon Schedule • 12:15 pm – Balanced Literacy {Read-Aloud, SSR} • 1:00 pm – Specials or Science/Social Studies • 2:00 pm – Afternoon Recess • 2:15 pm – “Power Hour” {Homework & Enrichment} • 3:00 pm – Dismissal

7. “Power Hour” What’s that?!

8. “After-School” from 2:15-3:00 • 2:15 – 3:00pm Monday through Thursday • Homework Completed: Math Journal, Writing Journal, Spelling Practice & Fluency Practice • Small-group tutoring, enrichment and technology opportunities • SIGNATURE REQUIRED!!! • 3:00 – 6:00 available as well.

9. School Policies

10. Important School Policies • Tardies & Absences – Being here & on time = TOP priority • Independent Study MUST be picked up by 3:30 pm the day of absence or {if teacher is notified} before absence. • Keep students home if they have had a fever or have been vomiting within the last 24 hours OR if they have green goo coming out their nose. 

11. Important School Policies • Snacks – Healthy options, donations needed! • Field Trips – Pumpkin Patch ($5) and a few others. • Birthdays – Parties and invites not allowed in class • Scholastic Book Club Orders • Homework – Reading Log {due each Monday} and additional spelling practice {find words on weekly newsletter}. Spelling Test each Friday. • Short, “Due Tomorrow” assignments will be sent home a few times/month, so please check your child’s bag every night. • Name Project! 

12. 7 Habits of Happy Kids

13. Character Education • Our new “7 Habits” curriculum will emphasize responsibility, teamwork, and preparedness at school and at home. • Behavior Calendar sent home each Friday , must be returned on Monday. • Focus on INTRINSIC not EXTRINSIC • rewards.

14. Volunteers Needed

15. We LOVE Helpers! • Please contact Mrs. Walstrom for training FIRST • Opportunities include: • Field Trips: Chaperone Coordinator & Chaperones • Class Parties: Party Planner & Food/Game helpers • Mystery Readers {irregular, scheduled in advance} • Room Parent {weekly, bi-weekly} • Take-Home Projects {help from home!} • Fill out “Helping Hands” paper

16. Keep In Touch!

17. School – Home Communication • Blue Folder: “Leave at Home” or “Return to School” • Weekly Newsletter – PLEASE READ! • Behavior Calendar – Signed weekly • Reading Log – Signed weekly • Notes, permission slips, ect. • Returned Homework

18. School – Home Communication • EMAIL ME!!! Adrienne.garrison@valleyprep.com • Class Website: www.valleyprep.com • Call the School • Text this number to receive text message reminders: 559-257-5711 with the message @abd5 • {Numbers will be kept private!} • Catch me at pick-up • {Please wait until all students have found their parent!}

19. Any questions?