All About First Grade

Reading

Our reading series is called StoryTown. We will be using leveled readers, whole group

instruction, small group instruction, and independent work each week. We will be doing

grammar, phonics, writing, spelling, and handwriting during our reading time. Students will

have spelling tests with this reading program. These words will be sent home on Mondays

to be studied and the tests will be on Fridays or the last day of the week.

Daily 5- Please see the attached Daily 5 note for information about the activities that will facilitate learning with reading, writing and spelling.

Homework

Our homework will consist of spelling and reading. Reading homework will be for students to read their P.A.K.R.A.T books with an adult. The adult will sign their form saying they have completed it together. Continue to practice sight words throughout each week. Students will be assessed on their sight word recognition at the end of each Theme in our book. I will be sending lists home as we review these words. They will also be in the weekly newsletter. I suggest spending around 30 minutes each night working on 1^st grade skills. Reading, addition/subtraction facts, and spelling words are most important!

Occasionally other homework assignments will be sent home. I try to send homework that involves fun and parent participation. Please look for these in your child’s home folder.

*It is up to you to decide how much your child needs to study for the spelling tests. If your child is not succeeding in this area we many need to discuss ‘weekly homework’ so we can help your child have success.

P.A.K.R.A.T- (Parents and Kids Reading Actively Together) PAKRAT is a program that encourages children and parents to read together. There will be one PAKRAT booklist sent home each month along with a PAKRAT envelope. The PAKRAT booklist will contain a list of 30 books that your child will be able to choose from throughout the month. Your child will be responsible for returning the PAKRAT folder, booklist, and book every day. Please look for more information about this AWESOME reading program the second week of school.

Grading

At the end of each quarter, you will receive your child’s report card; we will be meeting for 1^st quarter and 2nd quarter at Parent/teacher conference times. If you need to meet any time in between, please let me know and we can make arrangements.

Daily work

I encourage you to go over your child’s daily work each day. Look for any items to review or practice before the next day. This will help you to know what your child is needing practice with as well. Your child will appreciate the time and practice you are giving them.

Morning Work

Daily grammar and review sheets: Each morning when the first graders arrive at school, there will be morning work for them to complete and then we go over together as a class.

Lunch money

Your child will be given a lunch card account. You may send in as much money as you like for the account or you may also pay your child’s lunch account online. You can find the link through the school website. Please place all lunch money you send to school in the money pocket of your child’s binder and mark LUNCH MONEY. You are always welcome to join your child for lunch, please refer to the schedule for times.

Snack

We will take a milk and snack break each afternoon. Milk can be purchased through the office (this is not required). The cost is $7 for 20 milks. I will keep track of how many milks your child has left and will send a note when they are getting low. Your child is also welcome to bring an individual healthy snack. We are promoting health and wellness here at Royalton Elementary. Cookies, chips, and sugary snacks are strongly discouraged. We’ll save those for special occasions. Some snack suggestions: graham crackers, saltines, goldfish, wheat thins, pretzels, animal crackers, dry non-sugary cereals: Kix, Cheerios, Chex, fruit: apples, grapes, raisins, yogurt, string cheese. I do have a mini fridge to keep cold healthy snacks. DO NOT SEND JUICE OR GATORADE! If this spills we get a pretty intense ant issue. Thanks in advance. Also, due to allergies and other diet restrictions, please talk to your child about not sharing food with classmates.

Recess

We will be going outside most days, so please have your child dress appropriately for the weather and bring the appropriate items needed to be comfortable while they are playing.

Birthdays

We love to celebrate! If you would like to send special treats for the class, please remember they must be store-bought. A suggestion: large cupcakes often don’t get finished; little cupcakes are a better match. I also like to suggest sending healthy birthday treats such as fruit snacks, string cheese, crackers, etc. We celebrate half birthdays for those who have summer birthdays.

Star Student

Each week a student is chosen to be the Star Student and the focus of our bulletin board. Your child will bring home a star student page to work on over the weekend before they are star student.

Monday- Bring back their star students poster.

Tuesday- bring in up to 5 pictures to share.

Wednesday- bring in up to 3 show and tell items to share (please be sure to send in appropriate items that can be taken on the bus, and are not offensive or cause allergies)

Thursday- Bring in your favorite book for the teacher, Star Student, or parent to read.

Friday- We will create a Star Student book for you.

You are welcome to come and eat lunch with your child at any point during the week. Thursdays are good days to come if you plan to stay and read a story after lunch.

There will be a reminder list within the B.E.E. Binder. Thanks!

Field trips: We have a limited number of parents we can take along to each field trip. We pick from a first come first serve basis. More information will come out as field trips are planned. We generally go to a play, a few tours around town, and an end of the year trip.

School Times

School will begin at 8:25 and end at 3:10. It is so important that the students arrive on time. Our daily activities begin as soon as the students are greeted in the morning and continue until the students are dismissed. We leave our classroom to head to the buses at 3:05. If you need to come to the classroom for any reason, please check in at the office before coming down the hallway for staff and student safety. I strongly encourage helping your child with their independence and letting them walk to their classroom alone after the first few weeks of school.

Attendance

Students should attend school on every possible day. New and important skills are taught and introduced each day. Frequent absences may cause your child to have difficulties in certain areas.

Parties

We will have class parties throughout the year. We request that each child brings in $7.00 party money, this helps contribute towards your child’s enjoyment and favors at each party. Thank you!

After School Routine

Change in schedule-Please send a SIGNED NOTE in the morning if your child has a change in how he/she will be going home. This note will be signed by me and given to the office. Please do not send an email regarding attendance directly to me, if I am gone and have a sub they will not have access to my email.

If you do not send a note or call, your child will be sent home normal routine previously arranged.

Always show your P.A.W.S.

P-personal best

A-act responsibly

W-work and play safely

S-show respect