Highlights of the First Grade Handbook 2011-2012

1. Highlights of the First Grade Handbook2011-2012

2. Encouraging Independence • Allow your child to learn from their mistakes. • Allow your child time to problem-solve before you intervene. • Don’t give your child the answer to their problem. Let them voice their solutions and you can help guide their decision-making. • Encourage your child to discuss problems with their teacher. You will be surprised to see what they can do for themselves. • Set limits and rules, such as consistent bed-times at home. Children thrive on routine and consistency.

3. Absent • If your child is absent, you can call the school that morning and send the teacher an email, if possible. • You must send in a note with your child upon his/her return to school. It must be turned in as soon as possible.

4. Communication • All students will have a binder. • Communication chart inside binder… • Return to School and Keep at Home…. • Pencil Pouch – The pencil pouch will be a secure spot for lunch money, book orders, field trip money, etc.

5. Communication • If you have a last minute change to your child’s transportation, please phone the main office and they will get a message to us. Please do not leave a message on the teacher’s voicemail.

6. Communication • Email…going green.. • Newsletter via email… • No access to computer…

7. Parent Conferences • Parent/Teacher communication is very important. If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

8. Personal Items • Please label….. • Sweatshirts, coats, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc. • Please do not allow your child to bring toys/games or other non-school items unless advised by his/her teacher.

9. Medical Concerns • Please advise your child’s teacher/school nurse of any allergies/medical conditions. • Any medication taken at school must be cleared through the clinic. • Communicable Illnesses – please report any communicable illnesses to your child’s teacher/school nurse. (example…lice, etc.)

10. Parties/Birthdays • We are limited to two school parties a year. • Your child’s birthday is recognized here at school. • No food items for celebrating— • Great ideas would be—mechanical pencils, erasers, little toys, play dough, stickers, etc… • Hurt Feelings--Invitations

11. Snacks • 2 Dry snacks… • Water bottles….No JUICE. • Keep in mind non messy snacks… • Fruit cups, meat roll ups, go-gurt, etc.

12. Every night Homework— • READ • MATH FACTS

13. Library Books • The children will only have library class once every four weeks. • Open for Check Out… • Watch for Due Dates.. • If lost, must be paid for. • Water bottles…

14. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures • If you are picking up your child in car pool, it is very important that you stay in your car. We ask that you do not park and walk up to get your child. This will help with crowd control. Please place in car windows every time. • We also ask that you and all the children use the crosswalks that are available around the school. The safety of you and your children are very important to us.

15. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures • One last request…..If you pick up your child on the front porch, we ask that you please stand back away from the doors and back from the porch. If you are visiting with other parents, please move down to the corners of the building. This would provide more room for the teachers and kids at dismissal. • Again, safety is a priority here at Cheatham.Thanks so much for your cooperation and support!

16. Rainy Day Dismissal • If your child is a walker. Please make sure you have a plan set out for his or her way to get home. • If you are going to come and pick him or her up on that day, please make it clear with the teacher and the student that this is the plan if it is raining.

17. Report Card • 1-Not yet • 2-Progressing • 3-Met expectation • 4-High achievement

18. Take Home Readers • Take home books • Read nightly • $5 charge for lost books. • Nightly readers are for the child to read to you. • Library books can be read by either you or the child.

19. Reading • If your child is stuck on a word.. • Pictures… • If a book is too hard or too easy… • Remember that reading should be looked at as an enjoyable time spent with your child…..NOT as homework.

20. SOUND IT OUT When your child gets to word he or she does not know, do not……

21. 5 Keys to becoming aSUPER reader! 5. Practice reading every night! 4. Practice reading every night! 3. Practice reading every night! 2. Practice reading every night! • Practice reading every night!

22. Michael Phelps did not win the most gold medals in Olympic history by relaxing by the pool or playing video games. • He practiced and was dedicated to becoming the best he could be.

23. WRITING • Your child will be writing daily in draft books and class work. • We focus on hot words/high frequency words (common words) being spelled correctly. • If a child gets to a word they do not know how to spell, we ask them to--- stretch it out and write the sounds they hear! • Ask your child to stretch it out. Do not give them the answer, we are not looking for perfect spelling.

24. MATH • Math is very hands on in first grade. We use manipulatives and computer games more than we use worksheets. • By the end of the year your child should know all of their addition facts through 9. No fingers! • Encourage problem solving in everyday life. • Skip counting (counting by 2s, 5s, 10s) lays the foundation for many other math concepts. This is a great thing to practice in the car. • To help reinforce concepts ask your child to tell you what time it is, to count money at the store and tell you what fraction of a pizza they are eating (ex:1 out of ten pieces).

25. And….-If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.--Henry Ford

26. Thank You, for all that you do to support us!!