First Grade Back to School Night August 2019 Attendance

1. The s of First Grade Back to School Night August 2019

2. Attendance • Unless your child is ill please make every attempt to have your child at school and on time. • Children may not arrive at school prior to 8:10a.m. without an adult as there is no supervision. • School starts at 8:25. Students that arrive late are a disruption to the class and waste valuable instruction time. Students arriving late must sign in at the office to receive a tardy ticket. Dismissal is Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 2:04pm and Thursdays and Fridays 3:04pm. Students leaving early must be signed out in the office and the student will then be called to the office.

3. Every student is expected to follow all classroom rules and all school and playground rules. • In our classroom we are: • Polite • Respectful to ourselves, each other, and property • Kind • Always trying our best • Safe • Treating others the way we want to be treated • I use Class Dojo to communicate behavior and also post photos and send text messages. Behavior

4. Integrity in Action is a city wide character development program which aims to help citizens understand how they can make a positive impact on the community. In our school community, we promote these character traits all year long; but focus on one each month to teach students how to demonstrate or model that trait everyday. Each trimester we acknowledge one student from each class who exemplifies the trait for the month. Character Traits

5. In first grade, we will focus on developing phonemic awareness, decoding skills, word recognition, comprehension and oral fluency. • The more sight words a student knows the more fluently they will read. Please practice the sight words sent home. • Practice reading nightly. It is THE most important thing you can do. Read to Self Read to Others Listen to Reading Work with Words Work on Writing

6. Fluency is the ability to read a text accurately, quickly, and with expression. Fluency is important because it provides a bridge between word recognition and comprehension. • Fluent readers can focus their attention on what the text means. They can make connections among the ideas in the text and their background knowledge. • Less fluent readers must focus their attention on figuring out the words, leaving them little attention for understanding the meaning of text.

7. A variety of grouping strategies will be utilized to deliver our reading program and language arts curriculum. Whole class and small group lessons will be delivered to ensure mastery of skills. • We will focus on the following throughout the year: • Reading strategies • Comprehension skills • Reading fluency • Vocabulary and Word Analysis • Spelling, Grammar, Usage and Mechanics • Writing • Listening and Speaking

8. We do lots of writing in first grade. Students are encouraged to use phonetic spelling (brave spelling) when they first start. Our goal is to encourage risk taking and independence in writing. Part of this process is to stress to children that phonemic spelling in acceptable, and to build their confidence in their ability to communicate in writing even if they can’t spell the word with “dictionary spelling”. • As high frequency words and spelling rules are introduced students will gradually move toward more conventional spelling. These spelling rules/patterns are the cornerstone of our spelling program.

9. By the end of first grade, student….. • Understand the concept of “ones” and “tens” • Add and subtract numbers to 10 with ease • Tell time to the half hour • Count, write and order numbers to 120 • Measure with simple units • Identify and locate shapes in their environment • Describe data and analyze and solve word problems • Each day students will solve real world math problems and record their mathematical thinking and solutions as they study numbers and the different ways numbers can be represented. • Math instruction includes centers and lessons using our envision work pages.

10. First grade students will: • participate in science rotations where they rotate between classrooms and engage in hands-on science instruction from each of our first grade teachers. • participate in science Fridays where we have a scientist of the week (students take turns doing this) and we engage in hands on science activities. • learn about Physical Science, Earth Science, Life Science and Engineering. We use the Scholastic Science Spin as part of our science units.

11. First grade students will learn about: • Families • People from other cultures • People today and long ago • Holiday origins and traditions • Responsibility of citizenship • Symbols, icons and traditions of the United States • Maps and globes • Community • We use our weekly Scholastic Reader as • part of our social studies units.

12. We will have Physical Education once per week with Mr. Williams, our P.E. specialist, and once per week with classroom teachers. • Skills that will be covered include sportsmanship, ball skills (bouncing, kicking, batting), locomotor skills (running, jumping, skipping), and games. • Our day for P.E. is Thursday 12:30 – 1:15p.m. • Students are to wear comfortable clothes and sneakers on P.E. day. No open toed shoes, sandals, boots etc.

13. First grade students will: • learn about and develop skills in music, dance, drama, poetry, and fine arts. • Mrs. Perez is our fine arts teacher and they will see her once each week on Friday from 12:25 – 1:10p.m. These fine arts skills will be reinforced in the classroom. • Our PFC supported grade level experiences often revolve around an art experience (puppet show, theater experience etc.)

14. In order to provide the best possible instruction to each child….. • Not all children will be on the same page, in the same book and the same time. • Students will be grouped during small group instruction with students at the same level as them in reading and math. Differentiated Instruction

15. Often we think that enrichment means additional worksheets. If your child needs some extra challenges at home….. • Teach them to play board games (Monopoly, Go Fish etc.), put together a puzzle, let them make books, ask them to help you make dinner. • There are challenging things for child to do that do not include worksheets but if you would like them there are enrichment/extension ideas and computer sites on my website. They change each month. Enrichment

16. Thanks to the generous support of our PFC and our Boosterthon we are able to bring in various groups/organizations to give the students educational experiences that we would not be able to do in the classroom. These experiences often focus on the arts or science and the dates vary. We are asking for a $20.00 donation to support our grade level experiences, the rest of the funding comes from the generous support of our PFC. Checks are payable to Frederiksen. A separate sheet outlining the experiences we hope to offer will be sent home. When we go on a walking field trip chaperones are required. Chaperones must be cleared by the office prior tothe trip. Forms are available in the office. Space is limited. FieldTrips

17. GoalsandGrades • Students will not receive letter grades. Much of the work will be scored using a number correct out of the total possible. • Report cards grades are a 1,2,3. The goal is for students to obtain a grade of 3. A grade of 1 is an area of concern, 2 means they are progressing but are not at standard just yet. • Math drills, reading assessments, spelling tests and skills tests will be given on an ongoing basis to determine mastery. Please review any assessments that come home with your student.

18. Homework this year will be putting away your electronic devices and reading aloud to your child for 15 minutes every single night. Research has shown this is the single most important thing parents/caregivers can do to support their child’s learning. “Imagine an elixir so strong that a daily dose would make your family smarter, happier, healthier, more successful, and more closely attached. Now imagine that you could have it without spending a dime. It all starts with a book, a voice, and a place to sit….” Gurdon, Meghan. The Enchanted Hour. New York: Harper Collins, 2019. • Student will also read for a minimum of 15 minutes EACH night. This may include the green readers, Scholastic News, library books or even small paper books that we have read in class. • Enrichment activities are on my website each month if needed. Don’t forget to play a board game with your child. Go for a walk, cook a meal, build with Lego together etc. These are all learning opportunities for your child. Homework

19. Itinerary *All are subject to change 8:25-9:45 Language Arts, and Reading Groups 9:45-10:00 Recess – please send a small healthy snack labeled with name 10:00-11:30 Math, Calendar, Problem Solving 11:25-12:05 Lunch – students eat first then play 12:05-12:45 Writing 12:45- 1:45 Thematic Units, Art, P.E., Science 1:45-3:04 Game Day, Chapter Book read aloud, Social Studies, Free Choice time 2:04 dismissal on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 3:04 dismissal on Thursdays & Fridays *P.E. on Thursdays(sneakers needed) *Fine Arts on Fridays *Buddies – Thursday- 4th grade *Library on Tuesdays

20. Studies have shown that those children whose parents are actively involved in the reading process become the best readers. • Reading to your child and listening to them read to you, taking them to the library and providing quality just right books at home is the highest importance. • Just right Books are books where the child only struggles with 2-3 words on a page. If they do not know 5 words on a page the book is too hard for them and they need to select another book. JustRightBooks

21. I use Class Dojo to send reminders and share photos with you. This is a private site. Please accept the invitation to Join Class Dojo. • Make sure you are signed up for emails from me, from the school, from the PFC (Parent Faculty Club) and the district. • Visit our classroom website frequently. • Make sure you read the Monday Messages from the office. • I have a Shutterfly account for you to see photos. Simply go to www.shutterfly.com. You will need an account to see them, this is free. http://mrsbrowns1stgradeclassroom201011.shutterfly.com • Please email me at browncatherine@dublinusd.org with questions or concerns. Keeping Informed

22. We will be visiting our school library weekly. Our librarian is Mrs. Sevilla. • Our library day is Tuesday at 1:00 – 1:30p.m. Students may sign out two books each week and they must be returned or renewed each week. Please keep them in the library book bag when not being read. • When books are returned they may sign out another book. • There is a fine for lost or damaged books which must be paid before children are allowed to sign out more books. Library

23. Management • We strive to establish consistent and fair expectations for all students. • Positive Reinforcement includes a tally point (Mighty Oh Ya or Mighty Groan) for whole class rewards, panther coupons for individuals and table points for groups and Class Dojo points. • Our school focuses on the Dublin Integrity in Action character traits - being respectful, responsible, caring, giving, trustworthy, cooperative, honest, and fair.

24. Please send a note via email or Dojo if: • You know your child will be missing school for an extended period of time. An independent study can be arranged if a student is out for 5 or more consecutive days. • There is a change in pick-up or after school care. • Please check the red folder each week for notices from the office, the PFC or me. Please remove everything from the “leave at home” side of the folder each week. Notes

25. Birthdays – We acknowledge each child’s birthday with a song and a special badge. If you would like to send in treats please send in enough for 25 students. Treats should be things that are easy to hand out – cupcakes, rice krispie treats, cookies, etc. • Class parties– There are 4 designated class parties; Halloween, Holiday, Valentine’s Day and year end. Students can also earn a party as a class reward at various times. Room parents may contact you to help at one of the four set parties or to bring food items. • Scholastic News – Every Friday we read our Scholastic News. These usually fit in with a unit of study. These come home each week. Please read them with your child. • Scholastic book orders – once a month flyers come home and orders may be placed online using our class code – FK26X OtherItems

26. Parent teacher conference will be held in October. • During this conference we will be discussing your child’s strengths and weaknesses, reading homework, behavior and any additional concerns you may have. • I will be using Signup Genius to schedule conferences so please watch for that email. Parent-Teacher Conferences

27. Please feel free to contact me at anytime if you have questions. • You can do this in a number of ways: • Write me a note • Send me an email (preferred method) browncatherine@dublinusd.org • Call me at school – (925)828-1037 x 5240 (I listen to messages before and after school.) • Make an appointment for a conference. • Please resist the urge to grab me at the door in the morning or after school as I am busy trying to help students at that time. Questions

28. Report cards will be distributed once each trimester. • November 2019 • March 2020 • June 2020 • Progress reports go home once each trimester only for those students experiencing difficulty. If your child does not receive a progress report then they are making appropriate progress at that time. ReportCards

29. StarsoftheWeek • Starting in December we will start our Star Student Activities. • Two students will be picked each week to be the Star Students. They will be asked to bring in photos and items from home for a special bulletin board. There are activities to do each night when one is Star of the Week. It all comes home in a packet. • Every child will have one turn. • The class makes them a special book to commemorate their special week which they will get to take home at the end of the year.

30. Spelling tests • Sight word tests • Reading fluency tests • Rubric scored Writing tests • Math chapter tests • Timed math drills • Accelerated Reader • *I also monitor their progress in the computer programs we usein class and at home: • iXL for math • Raz-Kids for reading • I get weekly reports on student’s progress in these programs. Tests and Assessments

31. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are new English Language Arts and mathematics standards for kindergarten to 12th grade. • The goal of the CCSS is to set clear, consistent benchmarks for what students are expected to learn in each grade to prepare them for college and career. • Up until now, individual states developed their own standards. The CCSS are the first attempt at national standards created by a coalition of states. The goal is to create consistent, rigorous education expectations for every child, no matter where they live. • The CCSS are based on the most effective and rigorous education standards in the U.S. and around the world. Understanding Common Core

32. I do not have regular parent volunteers in the classroom until November so that we can get our routines established. • Volunteer opportunities – room parent, math drill marker (take home), math facts marker (take home), center material cutter (take home), library volunteer, listening to students read or do sight words, teach a game etc. • Our school policy requires that all visitors/volunteers are screened BEFORE they can help in the classroom. These forms are available in the office. • All visitors/volunteers must sign in and out of the school office each time they volunteer. Visitor badges are required if you will be in the school hallways or visiting a classroom. Volunteers

33. You can check out the district website at: www.dublinusd.org • You can check out the Frederiksen website by clicking on the select a school tab at the top. • When on the Frederiksen website click on teacher sites • Click on Catherine Brown • Websites we will use a lot and you can use at home: • iXL - math • Starfall – reading skills and math • Raz-Kids - reading • Class Dojo – behavior, photos • Shutterfly – photos of activities Website

34. Minimum Days • Grades 1-5: 8:25 am to 12:42pm • Oct 31 • Nov 1 • Dec 20 • April 3 • May 28 • May 29 • May 29 - Last Day of school No School: September 2 – Labor Day November 11 – Veterans Day November 22 – teacher work day November 25-29 Thanksgiving December 23 - January 3 - Winter break January 6 – Staff Development Day January 20 – Martin Luther King Day February 14 – Valentine’s Day February 17 – Presidents’ Day March 9– Staff Development Day April 6-10 – Spring Break May 25 – Memorial Day eXtra Information:

35. You • You are your child’s first and most important teacher. • One of the most important things you can do for your child is read to them and/or have them read every night of the week. • Talk to them about school. Ask them what Mrs. Brown has taught them each day. Participate in the school community and be supportive of the school and other parents. Help our PFC with either your time, money or both! • Give your child the message that school is important. It is their job and they must get to school on time and take it seriously.

36. Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep each night so that they are well rested and ready for the challenges of first grade. It is recommended that 5 and 6 year olds get 10 – 11 hours of sleep each night. • The year will ZOOM by, so let’s work together to make it a great year! Zzzzz…

37. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”Martin Luther King, Jr.