General Information

CURRICULUM

Core subjects: Math and Language Arts

Language Arts

*Reading- Active engagement with words to form meaning through teacher read alouds, independent reading, and differentiated instruction at student's ability level.

*Writing- During Writer's Workshop students will engage in narrative, opinion and information types of writing. They will learn to gather their thoughts, write, revise, edit, and publish.

*Word Study- Learning about words through phonics, vocabulary and the study of word patterns. Word study knowledge will be applied to student reading and writing.

*Communication- Improving speaking and listening to express ideas clearly.

Math

Through hands-on activities and learning strategies to problem solve, students will gain a better understanding of the abstract math concepts. Concepts covered in 1st grade: computation (+/-), story problems, patterns, understanding of numbers 0-120, place value, geometry, measurement, money, telling time. We will begin the year working on math readiness skills and number awareness activities to build the foundation for 1st grade math. There will be whole class and specific skill based, small group instruction in math.

Science, Social Studies, and Health will be taught in our classroom throughout the year.

TAKE HOME FOLDERS/HOMEWORK

The take home folder will go home with your child every day and should come back with them to school the following day. We will be using this folder to send papers (notes, homework etc.) to and from school. Children learn more and have better attitudes toward school when their efforts are being recognized. Please look over your child’s work as it is brought home. Talk with your child about the papers and what is happening in class. Praise him/her for the things they are doing well. Checked papers should be removed from the take home folder each day.

We will be doing the majority of our work in school. However, there will be days when your child will have homework (which will be in the take home folder). Usually the homework should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. Working on word sort words; reading and spelling high frequency words; general reading should become part of your child’s homework routine.

PANDA EXPECTATIONS

*Be Respectful- take turns, listen when others are talking, follow directions, stay in your own space

*Be Responsible- work together, keep classroom tidy, use materials appropriately, complete work/jobs

*Be Ready-come prepared to learn

BOOK ORDERS

Book orders will be sent home every other month. This is a very inexpensive way to build a home library for your child. If you would like to order books as a gift, please let me know and I will keep it a secret.

SNACKS/MILK BREAK

We will have a snack break in the morning. Purchasing milk for snack/milk break is optional in first grade. Students will need to have their own healthy snack packed each day. We will not have a shared class snack.

Food and beverages no longer can be a part of student birthday celebrations due to new federal mandates. Ideas for celebrating birthdays with a non-food item include stickers, pencils, erasers, notebooks or donate a book, puzzle or board game in honor of the birthday student.

CLOTHING

Please be aware of the daily weather report so that your child is dressed appropriately. The students go outside on the playground every day except in extreme conditions such as rain and below zero weather. Please make sure that your child’s jacket, hat, mittens, snow pants, boots, and school bag are labeled.

SHARING TIME

Sharing time will be a time when students share items or interesting facts about themselves. This is NOT a time to bring in toys. Items such as pictures, sports memorabilia, awards, etc. are perfect sharing items. Due to allergies that many staff, students, and community members suffer from, pets will not be allowed in school. Sharing photos of your pet is a great alternative. I will be sending home a monthly calendar with your child’s sharing days on it. Your child will have the opportunity to share 1-2 times a month. Sharing time will start some time in November.