Welcome to Curriculum Night

1. Mrs. Ledford’s “Fin-Tastic” First Grade Class Welcome to Curriculum Night

2. My Background Grew up as a military child, my move to college was my 11th move in 18 years My father was in the air force for 33 years. They now live the retired life on Lake Adger in North Carolina I have 1 brother, 32 years old, lives in Jacksonville, entrepreneur 1 have 1 sister, 29 years old, lives in Washington State, Air Force- Currently on tour in Iraq

3. My Background Graduated from The University of Tennessee GO VOLS!!! Graduated with my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education Graduated Summa Cum Laude: 4.0 Interned for a year in Knoxville 6 months in 1st grade 3 months in Kindergarten Fifth year teaching, and all here at Big Creek in first grade

4. About Me I live in Atlanta. I have been married for almost two years. I love... Working with children and making if FUN! Hanging out with friends and family Being outdoors- hiking, exercising, going to the park Trying new restaurants and cooking

5. Our Class 24 Students 12 girls, 12 boys Other teachers P.E.- Coach McGowan Art- Mrs. Carr Music- Mrs. Hackney Think Lab- Mrs. Aurisch, Mrs. Cable, Mrs. Knatt

6. My Expectations PERSONAL BEST!!! INDEPENDENCE!!! GOLDEN RULE!!! STAY POSITIVE!!!

7. A Typical Day Morning Work and Announcements Saxon Phonics Math Language Arts Block (Reading Groups/Centers, Whole Group Reading and Grammar Lunch/Recess Specials Social Studies/Science Writing

8. Phonics Saxon Phonics/ Spelling Instructional method called Incremental development- Previously learned material is continually reviewed and practiced throughout the year. Topics grow in complexity and learning is systematic and sequential. Please see resources on your child’s desk. Take them home and keep them in a safe spot! Check out our Phonics Link on our class website for more helpful hints

9. Math Math Frameworks Created by the Georgia Department of Education with the help of a teacher on special assignment from Forsyth County Based on the Georgia Performance Standards VERY hands on approach to learning Higher level of thinking and questioning Higher Depth of Knowledge http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/sia/msip/DOK_Chart.pdf Houghton Mifflin Mathematics-a research based traditional approach blended with creative hands-on activities- is incorporated

10. Centers Center Rotations Children rotate centers and engage in activities that reinforce skills learned during the week Reading Math Grammar Computer Listening ABC Art

11. Reading and Grammar Harcourt Reading Series Story of the week/Focus Skills and Strategies Teacher led reading groups during center time is when I differentiate instruction for various levels of learning‏ Visit these sites: http://www.kyrene.org/reading/1st_grade/index.htm http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/1st/homework/trophy1/1st_gradetrophy.htm Grammar Independent Work

12. Accelerated Reader (AR)‏ Reading computer assessment ZPD level determined One resource that provides information intended to assist, motivate, monitor, and target instruction Process: Checkout one AR book, read it twice, take a test Each test taken and passed, you earn a “fish bubble” (bead) for your necklace AR reports will be sent home to parents each Friday that we give out beads Visit this site: http://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx

13. Science Animals/Plants Basic needs (air, water, food, shelter), compare appearance, motion, growth Basic needs (air, water, light, nutrients), parts (root, stem, leaf, flower)‏ Weather/Climate Record daily weather, forms of precipitation, weather instruments

14. Science Light and Sound Light sources and how shadows are made Pitch, volume, vibration, emergency sounds Magnets Items that attract and repel Scientific Method Question, predict, observe, explore tools, collect data

15. Social Studies Historical Figures Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea, Harriet Tubman, Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington Carver Folktales Johnny Appleseed, Annie Oakley, John Henry, Davy Crockett, Paul Bunyan Character Traits

16. Social Studies Our Earth, Our Home Map skills to locate our city, county, state, nation, continent Names of Continents and Oceans Landforms Mountains, deserts, valleys, plains, plateaus, coasts “Our Country ‘Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful” Personal Finance (Goods/Services, Producers/Consumers)‏

17. Health Fire and Tornado Safety/Reporting Emergencies Drugs and Poisons (Red Ribbon Week)‏ Nutrition and Dental Health/ Personal Hygiene Bicycle, Traffic, and Passenger Safety Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Project Wisdom (Character Education)‏

18. Writing Our Class is working around the Lola Shaefer strategy of teaching writing Mini lessons Focus on the thought process and sharing of ideas Visit this site: http://www.lolaschaefer.com/ Forsyth County Response to Literature Narrative Informational Persuasive

19. Everyday Grading Everyday Work You will often see stamps, stickers, smiley faces, or stars on papers- this is to encourage the students Please look at the papers carefully for any comments or marks- this will inform you of what types of things are challenging for your child

20. Standards We decide what skills to teach according to the standards and benchmarks of the Forsyth County School District and the Georgia Performance Standards All assignments given throughout the year correlate with these standards

21. Assessments Standards Based Grading and Reporting 3, 2, 1 scale 3= Consistently and independently achieves the standard 2=Progressing toward achievement 1= Limited or minimum progress toward achievement S, P, N scale S=Satisfactory Progressing Needs Improvement X means not assessed during quarter No CRCT this year

22. Discipline Proactive Positive reinforcement Reminders “Stop Light” (individual) Green= Great Day Yellow= Good Day Orange= Fair Day Red= Poor Day

23. Discipline Each time your child stays on green for the day, s/he earns money. Each Friday they can shop in the class treasure box. Folder only marked if your child is not on green Please initial daily

24. Discipline Marble Jar (whole group)‏ Fill the jar with all the marbles and we get a party (pajama day, stuffed animal day, etc.)‏ Marbles are given for good class behavior and compliments from others Marbles taken away when class is not on task

25. Discipline “Caught Doing the Right Thing” Given a fish when caught doing something that is great Ex: Giving compliments to others, helping others, cleaning area, great handwriting, etc. Two names are drawn at the end of the week for a special prize At Home Reinforcement Send in certificates (can find on class website) Two names are drawn at the end of the week for a special prize

26. Homework Phonics sent home daily except on Friday Math about two days per week Spelling Words sent home on Mondays Tests on Fridays Words taken from the Saxon phonics program If you lose the list, you can find them on our website Read every night Practice quarterly skills regularly at home as well Check out our website for quarterly skills

27. Tardies School starts at 7:40- PLEASE ARRIVE ON-TIME!!! If your child arrives after 7:40, an adult must check him/her in at the office 3 unexcused tardies will equal 1 unexcused absence

28. Illness/Doctor Appointments Please send a note/email or doctor’s excuse if your child misses school due to an illness or appointment Any work that your child missed while out, will be sent home. Please have your child complete and return it as soon as it is finished

29. Transportation YOU MUST SEND A HANDWRITTEN NOTE IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO TAKE A DIFFERENT FORM OF TRANSPORTATION HOME!!! Please do not e-mail me! What if I’m not here???

30. Money Ice Cream Money Collected only on Monday mornings Mark the NAME, flavor, and day ice cream is wanted Lunch Money Write NAME on it and that it's for LUNCH Any time you send in money, please make sure your child's name is on it and state what it is for. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

31. Micellaneous Snack: About 9:30am – send one everyday Birthdays Please refer to the county policy Food is not allowed Invitations will only be passed out in class if everyone is invited 1st grade celebrations: Winter, Valentine’s Day, End of Year

32. Conferences Fall: October 14, 15, 16 Must meet with all parents Sign-up tonight! Don’t forget to jot down your day/time. Spring: April Parent or teacher request only

33. It’s going to be a great year! Please visit our class website regularly! • If you have questions, please fill out the questionnaire form and send it back as soon as possible • I hope you enjoyed learning all about 1st grade in our class! • Please take everything with you and enjoy!