Welcome to First Grade!

1. Welcome to First Grade! Mrs. Kathy Rydzewski First Grade Teacher krydzewski@neshaminy.org

2. What is the benefit of being a Title I school? • Provides federal funding to schools with qualifying percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards • Schoolwide Programming: Title I funds to upgrade the entire educational program of the school and benefit all students

3. Tawanka’s Title I Plan • Hired additional 8 Instructional Assistants to support ELA instruction and provide interventions • Title I Reading Teacher • Reading Specialist • Parent Involvement: conferences, join parent advisory group, attend district’s spring meeting, apply for free/reduced lunch • ?’s: contact Jen Gross, Title I Reading Teacher

4. Our Daily Schedule 9:00—9:15 Homeroom Procedures/Class Meeting 9:15—11:35 Language Arts (Reading, Handwriting, Writer’s Workshop, Listening, Journal, Spelling, Phonics, Guided Reading, Centers) During this time, there will be snack break 11:35—12:15 Specials 12:15—12:50 Power Time (Interventions and Enrichment for Language Arts and Math) 12:50—1:55 Recess and Lunch 1:55—2:55 Mathematics 2:55—3:30 Social Studies/Science 3:30—3:35 Clean up and Dismissal

5. Specialist Schedule Day 1 Library Day 2 Gym Day 3 Computer Day 4 Music Day 5 Art

6. Is Your Child Ready to Learn? • A good night’s sleep is necessary to be successful in first grade • Book bag with homework folder enclosed • Bring lunch or have money in their accounts • Homework that has been completed, and then checked by an adult • Supply box containing sharpened pencils, crayons, scissors, erasable markers, and glue stick • Bring morning snack

7. Language Arts Curriculum How can Families Help? Start a file of reading/spelling words Model reading by reading yourself Make sure your child reads every day Develop the library habit Help your child organize a personal library Read aloud to your child Give books as gifts Make reading a privilege: “You can stay up 15 minutes later if you read in bed.” Language Arts Super Kids Phonics Spelling Vocabulary Fluency Comprehension Writing Workshop Writing Fundamentals/SuperKids Transition from kid writing Conventions Handwriting Upper and Lower-Case Fine Motor Skills

8. Math Curriculum Math in Focus Numbers to 100 Addition and Subtraction to 100 Length Picture and Bar Graphs Mental Math Strategies Shapes and Patterns Calendar and Time Money How can Families Help? “Math Box” of Manipulatives (counters, play money, dice, flash cards) Find more or less Ten frames Count forward/backward/skip count Doubles facts Doubles plus one Story problems Measurement “roll the dice” games Number bonds

9. Full Option Science System Social Studies Weekly Skills Focus: Chronological thinking Map, Graph, and Chart Skills Making Decisions Citizenship Current Events Too Good for Violence Too Good for Drugs Social Skills

10. How does the Standards-Based Progress Report compare to the traditional letter grade system? Same student, different report.

11. Homework • Usually given Monday – Thursday nights • Math and/or Language written homework • SuperKids Backpack activity or fluency story • Practice math facts or use online Math program--IXL • Practice reading/spelling words (word file) for Friday test • Read a story on RAZ Kids, practice your fluency story, or read a book • Designed to provide your child with practice of the skills taught in class. • Please let me know if your child experiences difficulty with homework, and I will re-teach the skills.

12. Homework Folders • Please check your child’s folder each evening for school communication and homework. • Take a few moments to review the school papers with your child. It is a good opportunity to recognize his or her strengths and weaknesses at a particular time, as well as to see the types of things your child is learning in class. Don’t forget to make a fuss to remind them you appreciate all the hard work they are doing all day. • Sign and return tests and office papers, but empty out the rest. • Be on the look out for First Grade Updates. I use these to inform or remind parents of important school or classroom happenings, such as upcoming tests, spirit days, or events.

13. Birthdays • Birthdays are an important part of a youngster’s life, and we will celebrate birthdays in school. • Each child will get a birthday book created by the class as a keepsake of his/her birthday. Please do not send any food items to distribute to classmates. • Birthday party invitations should be mailed from home.

14. SWPBS

15. Home/School Communication Is the Key to a Successful Year! Absence Notes • Please provide a note for each absence. • Vacations need to be approved by the office 2 weeks BEFORE the trip. Please request a vacation form from our office. Change in Transportation • Notes are needed for ALL changes in transportation. • If you need to send an e-mail about changes please make sure to include the office as well. • Try to inform me of last minute changes as early as possible, as my biggest concern is keeping your child safe. Communication is Key, So Get in Touch with ME! • Email: krydzewski@neshaminy.org • Folder – First Grade Updates • Please feel free to contact me whenever you and/or your child have a concern or question about our first grade program and classroom family • Check my webpage weekly for updates

16. Thank You! Thank you for taking the time to visit your child’s school and classroom. I appreciate all that you do, because you are the key ingredient in your child’s academic success!