Welcome to First Grade! Ms. Bojarski and Ms. McAlpin.

Welcome to First Grade!

Ms. Bojarski and Ms. McAlpin

Shamrock Goals:

*To challenge and motivate each child to reach his or her highest potential through high expectations and the use of a variety of instructional strategies.

*Improve reading levels by mid-year at a level G/H and by the end of the year at a level J.

*Students will develop a sense of well being, as well as a feeling of security within the school and community settings.

Our Goals for 2013-2014:

1.To provide a safe and nurturing environment where everyone can reach his/her highest potential.

2.To prepare the children to continue his/her educational journey with confidence.

3. To help each child develop an eagerness to always want to learn more.

4 To build a community where children feel comfortable enough to take risk.

Our Reading Program!

Comprehensive Reading Program that includes spelling, grammar, writing and intensive instruction of comprehension skills.

Each child receives small group instruction based on assessments which indicate their individual needs.

Daily reading- Every child is expected to read at least 15 minutes each night at

home.

Comprehension Skills include:

Phonics/Writing Instruction

Emphasis on writing correct sentences: begins with a capital letter, has a naming & telling part, ends with the correct punctuation, and makes sense.

Correct formation of letters- capital letters used only where needed.

Main Writing Forms: Narrative and Opinion

Investigations approach: math program includes student textbook, as well as an

emphasis on investigating concepts, developing reasoning skills, using

manipulatives, and problem solving.

Math Skills include:

Math Instruction

Social Studies and Sciences

Assessments will be given in both Science and Social Studies.Hands on Science as well as textbook.We will be using a notebooking approach- students write and record questions, hypothesis, data, results, etc. during the course of a unit of study.

You can expect the following programs/methods to be used with your child

throughout the year:

•North Carolina Common Core State Standards•Investigations Math•Engineering is Elementary (Science)•Integrated themes/meaning based reading•Lucy Calkins (Reading and Writing)•Fountas and Pinnell (Phonics and Guided Reading)•Concept-Based learning

Grading Scale1 = Below Level2 = Inconsistently Meets Expectations3 = Consistently Meets Expectations4 = Consistently Goes Above and

Beyond Expectations

HomeworkHomework schedules will be sent home at the beginning of each month. New homework assignments are sent each Monday.Homework is due on Friday.Homework is a reinforcement of skills we learn in the

classroom.Homework is NOT mandatory, but recommended! Homework should be fun, and not a torture.Please read every night, and log it in your Reading Log.

Lunch/ Snack

We have recess before lunch each day.Please provide your child with a water bottle to use throughout the day to eliminate congestion in the hallway and lost instruction time.Students should practice and learn their lunch number. Students may bring a healthy snack and/or drink every day for the afternoon snack. (Donations are always accepted!)

Discipline

All children deserve a safe and orderly environment in which they can learn, therefore we have developed our rules and responsibilities to help us understand how our actions affect others. We reward good behavior with a variety of methods, one being drawings from the treasure box. If you would like to send small prizes in for your teacher’s treasure box, you are more than welcome!

Discipline Procedures

Students will receive a verbal warning (typically more than once.)

If the behavior continues, a “Focus Meeting” will need to occur during your child’s recess time. A copy of the notes from the meeting will be sent home.

If a 2nd, and 3rd Focus Meeting is required, then a parent conference and behavior intervention will need to take place as soon as possible.

Communication

Homework FoldersEmail

Phone CallsConferences

Agendas

Absences

Please don’t forget to send a note explaining any absences that may occur throughout the year!

**You must send a note within three school days to be considered “excused.**

Questions!?