A-Z's of First Grade in Room 15

The A-Zs of

Mrs. McLaughlin’s Classroom

A is for…

Absences: Please call the school office 408-252-3103 and leave a message when your child will miss a day due to illness. If your child will miss up to 5 consecutive days (but no more than 10) of school you may (and should!) apply for an independent study contract in the office.

B is for…

Birthday treats: Due to the Cupertino School District’s Health and Wellness policy, edible treats are NOT accepted at school. If you wish to celebrate your child’s birthday with the class, you may bring in anything non-edible like a pencil or bookmark for each child. We have 24 children in our room. Another idea would be donating a book to our classroom library in honor of your child.

Book Orders: Scholastic Book Catalogues are sent home every month. Simply order online using our class code at www.scholastic.com. Our class code is HN3ZT, which will allow you to order books online with me. Books are sent to school, then I will distribute them to children to take home. Please, do not send checks to school with your paper book order. Scholastic makes it very difficult to place orders this way, and the books take significantly longer to arrive at school. Online ordering is quick, easy, and enables you to pay with credit or debit cards. These provide a great way to build your home library, get appropriate level books for your child at a good price, and build excitement about reading. You also help build classroom points so that I can purchase more books for our classroom library! Last year alone, I used our classroom points to buy HUNDREDS of new books for the children to enjoy!

Buddies: Each month we schedule a time to spend time with our big buddy class. This year our buddy class will be with Mrs. Snyder’s 3^rd grade class. We will participate in many fun activities together. Buddies are a great way to encourage friendship and collaboration across the grade levels.

C is for…

Class Website: Please refer to our classroom website for classroom related information. This includes contact information, classroom norms, special events, and more. The website address is: https://sites.google.com/a/cusdk8.org/mclaughlin/home

Conferences: Parent/Teacher conferences will be held October 4-12. These will be minimum days. Dismissal is at 1:40pm and conferences will be scheduled following release.

Computers: The school's computer lab is available for our class to use once a week. IN the lab, students will learn basic desktop computer skills, as well as practice reading fluency and comprehension using Raz-Kids. Students will also use iPads throughout the year. Students learn keyboarding skills in Typing Lab starting in the spring.

CSC Philosophy: CSC is a program which encourages children to develop good values and work within a caring community of learners. CSC is a research-based program that promotes the building of classroom and school-wide community. Much of our school literature is based on this and children learn to work cooperatively. Conflict resolution (problem solving) is taught to children as early as kindergarten and is carried on throughout the grades. CSC teaches about the desire to make good choices in order to be the best person you can be. Sedgwick School fosters intrinsic motivation in our students by supporting and encouraging a positive, non-competitive learning environment. Students want to do their best because it makes them feel good to produce quality work and be good role models, not because they expect to receive tangible rewards or public recognition.

Common Core State Standards: The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent and clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers.

The 4 C’s of Common Core are:

- Creativity: Trying new approaches to get things done equals innovation & invention.

- Critical Thinking: Looking at problems in a new way and linking learning across subjects & disciplines.

- Collaboration: Working together to reach a goal by putting talent, expertise, and smarts to work.

- Communication: Sharing thoughts, questions, ideas, and solutions.

D is for…

Daily 5: Daily 5 is a language instruction methodology. There are five main components – Read to Self, Read with Someone, Listen to Reading, Word Work, and Writing.

-Read to Self helps children learn to build their reading stamina, how to pick out a “good fit” book, and learn that even non-readers can “read” a book by following clues in the illustrations.

-Read with someone helps students learn how to share a book, read together, and discuss what's happening in the story as they read.

-Listen to Reading practices skills associated with parts of a story and making connections to other literature and the reader’s life.

-Word Work helps students break apart sounds and mark up words to show vowel sounds, irregular sounds, consonant blends, etc. This phonics practice helps improve decoding challenging words while reading.

-Writing: our district adopted Writer’s Workshop curriculum has now taken the place of the traditional Daily 5 writing program.

Discipline: Our class has already created a list of norms we have agreed to follow. Our classroom norms encourage children to think independently and make good choices on their own. There is a zero tolerance policy for violent behavior in CUSD. If there are ongoing behavioral concerns with your child, we will work together as a team to set a path to a solution and help your little one grow to be caring, respectful, and responsible.

E is for…

Extra Clothes: Young children occasionally have bathroom accidents, especially in the beginning of the year. I highly recommend sending extra pants, underwear, and socks in a plastic baggy in your child’s backpack. Please note that this will stay in your child’s backpack, not stored in the classroom.

Emergency Food Pack: Please turn in the Emergency Food Pack filled with non-perishable food contained in a gallon ziplock bag. Send it to school as soon as possible.

E-mail: My email address is mclaughlin_erin@cusdk8.org. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Email is the best way to contact me during the school day! I will do my best to respond to your email in a timely manner, but I generally do not respond to work email over the weekend.

F is for…

Field Trips: This year we plan to take multiple grade level field trips. Permissions slips will be sent home as the field trips come up. Please make sure to turn in permission slips promptly.

Funding: Classroom projects, field trips, and special events are a wonderful way to enrich your child's elementary school experience. Without your generous monetary donations, our ability to participate in these fulfilling activities is not possible. Please consider donating the suggested amount listed on our class supply list, which will cover the cost for all projects, field trips, and special events for the school year, and will be used exclusively for the first grade students. There is a separate suggested donation for our school's PTA, which helps school-wide initiatives (like technology upgrades or whole school events) benefitting all Sedgwick students, but is not specific to any classroom or grade level.

G is for…

Gym: Physical Education is an important part of your child’s growth and development. We practice balance and stretching through warm-ups. We practice coordination skills, sportsmanship and cooperation through a variety of games and activities. Students should wear appropriate shoes for physical activity every day, since P.E. takes place most days each week.

Growth Mindset: Students face challenges in their lives each day, and we encourage them to rise to the occasion and keep trying, even when something is difficult. The process of learning is just as important as the end result, and the struggle to find a solution is a valuable learning lesson in itself. Children can find the positive side of making a mistake- that they are learning something new and growing their brain!

H is for…

Homework: Homework helps review and practice the skills and concepts introduced in the classroom. It also teaches children good study habits and responsibility. Students will receive a monthly packet with Must Do and May Do activities. This allows your family to adjust homework per your goals for your child. Homework consists of nightly reading, in addition to spelling, math, and occasional seasonal projects. Sharing is also a required monthly assignment, where your child will prepare a short speech, as well as bring in a small poster or some related objects to talk about. The first homework packet will be sent home on Thursday, August 30.

I is for…

I-Messages: Students will learn a form of communication that will help solve conflicts, called I-Messages. This connects with our schools CSC philosophy and is a great way to teach children how to solve problems.

Example:

I feel ___(state your feeling)_____

When you ___(state the specific behavior)_________

Because __(state the effect on your life)_________

And I want ______(say what you need or want to make the situation better for you)______

J is for…

Jobs: Each day, two children in the classroom will have the privilege to be teacher helpers for the day. In our classroom, we focus heavily on responsibility. Classroom jobs are a great way to reinforce this concept. Our helpers become our leaders for the day, and model positive behavior for the rest of class, as well as benefit from some fun responsibilities like line leader, supply retriever, and calendar helper. First grade is also a great year to begin some basic chores or responsibilities at home to help encourage independent thinking and behavior, as well as problem solving skills.

K is for…

Kindness: Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class, as well as others in the school, with kindness and respect, and the way in which they would like to be treated.

Kimochis: This is a fantastic social-emotional curriculum that I have used for the past six years with students. It helps children learn to problem solve independently and be able to express themselves verbally by naming feelings and emotions. It is an intregral part of building our safe, respectful, and responsible classroom community. There is a heavy focus on Kimochis early in the year, then meetings are scheduled on an as-needed basis for the remainder of the school year.

L is for…

Labels: Please make sure that all personal items are labeled with your child’s name. (ex: jackets, sweaters, lunch bags and backpacks).

Library: Library is held once a week. When students borrow books from the school library they must return them the following week. If the book is not returned when we go to the library, the student may not check out a new book (until their original book is returned). Replacement costs will apply for any lost books at the end of the school year.

Lunch: Our lunch is from 12:20-1:00. Please contact the office if you would like to join your child for lunch on a given day. Checks for lunch money accounts should be made out to Sedgwick Elementary School. Please send any cash or check for lunch money in the provided blue envelope. You may check and refill your account balance online as well.

M is for…

Making Good Choices: I expect your child to make good choices concerning their behavior at school. As a class, we will discuss what good choices are in contrast to poor choices, and how to make them in different areas of our lives. Good choices produce positive outcomes and rewards. Poor choices often end up with negative results.

Music: Music for Minors is a program for our Kindergarten through third grade students. In past years, Sedgwick students have had the wonderful opportunity of receiving weekly music lessons through the MFM program. The MFM lessons actively engage children in many facets of music such as signing, dance, musical games, and use of rhythm instruments. We greatly appreciate your donations to continue this program!

N is for…

News: We generally send important information or news in the form of an email (Erin) or a note found in Thursday Folders (Vi). We will begin this year using a program called SeeSaw to help build our home-school connection and keep you updated about what is happening in the classroom.

O is for…

Oral Presentations: Oral Presentations (Sharing) will be held once a month and the topic of the month will be explained in the monthly homework packet. Each child will present to the class on the given topic. Oral presentations are a Must Do item on the monthly homework and help to build speaking confidence in front of a supportive listening audience.

P is for…

Parent Involvement: Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school. We appreciate ANY help that can be given, inside or outside the classroom! You need to have a current TB test and fingerprints on file in the school office in order to volunteer in the classroom. This also includes your clearance for attending field trips. We would love to have you be a part of our day!

P.T.A.: (Parent Teacher Association) Each year this organization works hard to provide activities and essentials for Sedgwick Elementary school. The PTA needs you! If you have the time in your day, please show your support and appreciation by attending a meeting or by getting involved. Meetings are held here at Sedgwick on the first Wednesday of every month in the evening.

Q is for…

Questions? Please email me! I am available to meet with you in the mornings before school and/or afternoons until 3:45 pm, by appointment. I will return any messages as soon as possible. Our phone number at school is: 408-252-3103 ext. 79215. However, the best way to contact Erin is email. Vi prefers a quick in person chat before or after school, or a hand-written note. If there is an urgent matter that is time sensitive (for instance, a family emergency) please contact our school's office to speak with a secretary.

R is for…

Reading: First grade is a big year for reading! Your child is learning to read or learning to improve their reading skills for a lifetime of reading. In this classroom, we emphasize that reading is fun and should be done for enjoyment or to learn something new. My goal this year is to help your child learn to find their love of literature. We will practice reading and talking about reading using a system called the Daily 5.

Report Card: The Cupertino Union School District has developed a K-5 Report Card aligned with the Common Core State Standards. The development of this report card was based on current research and best practices regarding grading and reporting. Over the course of a year, a committee of teachers and administrators developed the report card. The content is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and provides detailed feedback to parents regarding the progress their child is making towards the learning goals and curriculum at their grade level. Expectations and what is necessary to be successful in a rigorous academic program are delineated as well. First and Second Trimester report card scores are based on a benchmark of where students should be with their skills and knowledge at that particular point in the school year, not how they measure up to meeting end of the year standards.

S is for…

Spelling: The monthly homework packet will have four weeks of spelling lists. The spelling words are to be practiced during the week as part of the homework and the students will take a brief quiz on Fridays. Lists are aligned with specific vowel and consonant sounds that will be studied in class. Please help your child study these words at home each week to build their phonics knowledge!

SeeSaw: This wonderful website and app is much like an academic Facebook for primary students. Once you join our group and log on, you will have access to posts that the teacher makes, along with posts that your child makes. This is a closed system, and not open for public viewing. Only those who are invited to join (parents of room 15 students) can see our work and pictures.

This will allow you a snapshot of our days and weeks in the classroom, to better create the home-school connection. Students can post pictures of their work, take videos, and record their voices, all with teacher approval before posting. Parents can like and comment on their child’s posts, along with teacher posts.

School Talk: It is very important to talk with your child each day about how their school day was, what they learned, and to hear about anything exciting they did. This lets your child know that you’re interested in what they are doing at school. Ask specific questions! Rather than, “How was school today?”, try, “What was something challenging that you did today?” “What math tools did you use during math class?”, or “Did you help anyone in your classroom this morning?” Specific language allows the child to focus their thought on one particular event, rather than having to think about the whole day and choose what to share with you.

Snacks: Please send a healthy snack to school for your child. Our recess is from 11:00-11:20. A healthy snack helps keep your child focused and engaged during instruction. Snack suggestions: Greek yogurt, vegetable sticks with dip or hummus, sliced fruit, cheese and crackers. Please, no cookies and candy.

T is for…

Thursday Folders: Your child will be given a blue “dolphin” folder at the beginning of the school year. This folder is a main link between home and school. Important school information, classroom information, community opportunities, homework, and corrected work will be sent home in this folder. You may keep all corrected papers sent home and return only homework and the forms requiring a response. Please take some time to go over the work with your child and to clean out the folder. Please remember to return it on Friday. This is a great organizational tool for your child.

U is for…

Unique: Each student is unique. Children come with a variety of personalities and learning preferences. Some children are strong visual learners and can see a word once or twice and remember it. Other children are better auditory learners and can easily hear and blend sounds to figure out many words. Some need a lot of structure and guidance; where other children are self-directed and learn best when they can choose topics about what they want to read and write. In our classroom, various instructional techniques and methods will be used to help all students be successful!

V is for…

Visitors: Visitors are required to check in at the office and obtain a visitors pass prior to being on campus. Whether you are picking up your child early for an appointment or to leave early for a long weekend trip, please follow the campus visitor procedures as well. This helps keep all students on campus safe when parents and families follow district visitation guidelines.

Volunteers: We love having help in the classroom! A parent/family volunteer must have their finger printing and cleared TB test paperwork on file with the Sedgwick office before gaining the ability to assist in the classroom.

W is for…

Website: The Sedgwick School website holds information regarding upcoming events, resources for Sedgwick students & parents, and all other vital information.

http://www.edline.net/pages/Sedgwick_Elementary_School

Writer’s Workshop: We will work on three buckets of writing this year: personal narrative, informational, and opinion writing. Published books will come home throughout the year. Please take time to read through and enjoy their writing.

X is for…

eX-periences! we know that the students will have many fun and interesting learning experiences this school year! First grade is a time for students to enjoy school and discover their love of learning.

Y is for …

Yet. There are many skills that your child has not mastered YET. By using a growth mindset, continuing to take on challenging tasks with a positive attitude, and embracing mistakes, those skills will no longer be just a "yet" on a list.

Z is for...

First grade will Zoom by! I am so happy to have your child in my class and we know we are going to learn, grow, and enjoy our time together!!

With love,

Erin and Vi