1-Sm’s First Grade Class. About Me Education Council Rock K-12 Towson University * Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education * Student taught 1st, 3rd,

1-Sm’s First Grade Class1-Sm’s First Grade Class

About MeEducation• Council Rock K-12 • Towson University * Bachelor’s Degree in

Elementary Education * Student taught 1st, 3rd,

and 4th grades• Temple University * Master’s Degree in

Education and Curriculum Design

Work Experience• Dance Choreographer

(ages 5-18)• Summer Tutoring (K, 1st,

and 2nd)• 2004-2005 ELL Teacher’s

Assistant• 2005-2006 Kindergarten

Teacher• 2006 – current First Grade

Teacher• Zumba Fitness Instructor

Daily Schedule

• 9:10 – 9:45 Attendance, lunch count, morning practice, Pledge of Allegiance, morning meeting/message, sharing, calendar

• 9:45 – 10:45 Writing• 10:45 – 11:00 Recess• 11:00 – 11:15 Snack• 11:15 – 12:00 Math• 12:00 – 1:00 Recess/Lunch• 1:00 – 2:05 Language Arts (Reading, Literacy Centers)• 2:05 – 2:45 Special (Music, Library, Art, Gym, Computers)• 2:45 – 3:30 Language Arts, Science, or Social Studies• 3:30 – 3:40 Pack up• 3:40 Dismissal

Language Arts• Morning message• Word Study (Word Wall Words) *• Writers’ workshop (Kid Writing-inventive spelling) (5 Writing Domains) *• Whole group• Guided Reading (Leveled Books in small

groups)• Centers• Author Studies*

*Can be found on my website.

Guided Reading

• 4-5 students per group• Grouped by level, strategies used,

interests• 15-20 minutes with the teacher 1. Re-reading 2. New Book 3. Word Study/Skill Practice 4. Read alone or with a partner

Literacy CentersLiteracy Centers

• 4-5 days a week• 30 – 40 minutes• Goals: Independence Self Motivation Practice Skills Social Skills Teacher time with small groups

Literacy Center Activities• Pocket Chart• Independent Silent Reading• Writing• Art• Word Study• Listening• Book Clubs• Smart board *Activities change weekly/monthly * 4-5 students at each center * Choices

Literacy ContinuumLiteracy Continuum

Literacy Continuum for First GradeDevelopmental Reading Assessment:Independent Reading Level Beginning of first grade benchmark May/June benchmark

A1 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 28

Oct./Nov. X

Feb. x

May./June x

•All children develop at different times

•Age and birth date can play a role in level

•Word accuracy, comprehension, and fluency are used to determine the level

Math• Numbers to 12 and graphing• Addition and subtraction

strategies• Addition and subtraction

concepts• Facts and strategies to 12• Geometry and fractions• More fact strategies• Numbers to 60 and counting

patterns• Place value• Money• Telling time• Measurement• Facts and strategies to 18• Two-digit addition and

subtractionScott Foresman AddisonWesley with TERC

investigations

Science• Air and Weather• Balance and

Motion• Life Cycles• Sea Creature

Research Project

About My World• Going to school• Good citizens• The land around us• All about people• Jobs people do

Social Studies

• Monday: Wordy Study• Tuesday: Reading or Skill Review• Wednesday: Math• Thursday: Book in a Bag/Reading Log (leveled

reading)

*10 – 15 minutes per night* If your child finishes early, practice flashcards or play ane

ducational game on the computer. * Sign the homework book every night* Always use a pencil * The homework might change, so check my website

HOMEWORK IS NOT WORTH TEARS….

Our Classroom Rules Our Classroom Rules (Created by the Students)(Created by the Students)

• Respect your teachers, friends, and school property

• Keep your hands and feet to yourself• Listen while others are talking.• Raise your hand if you want to speak.

IncentivesIncentives

1. Class Compliment Goal

* Goal: 10

* Group Reward

2. Hip Hoppin’ Notes

* Individual Reward

* Behavior and Academics

Behavior Plan• 2 Warnings (frog is moved to yellow lily and then to orange lily)

• The 3rd warning means the student goes to our “Positive Pad.” If your child goes to the positive pad you will be notified with a small note. Please sign it and return it.

• Warnings after that might result in loss of recess, a call home, behavior contract, etc. (Any of these action plans may occur earlier depending on the situation).

*Sometimes the “Positive Pad” is

used as a safe place a student may

sit if he/she needs time alone

(tears, bad day, frustrated, etc.)

Cognitive Abilities Test(CogAT)

• Taken in November• Whole group assessment (seats are

separated)• Instructions and directions are read by the

teacher• 3 days (about two 40 minute sections each

day)• Verbal, Quantitative, Non-verbal• Scores will be sent in January

• Once a month• Given out on a Monday and Due Friday• Checks Only!• Cut out order form• Put checks and order form in an envelope labeled

Scholastic Book Order• Books arrive in 1-2 weeks• Books will sometimes be out of stock• Your orders award bonus points for our classroom

VolunteeringVolunteering

• HR Parents: Lori Preston and Stephanie Kavanagh

• Writing Workshop

• Classroom Celebrations

• School Functions

• PTO activities

CommunicationCommunication

1. **E-mail:2. Front Office3. Voicemail4. Notes

Going Green!!!!!• Distribution List• Grade Level website• Classroom website

Procedures• Attendance-Attendance is

taken daily at 9:10. If your child arrives after that, a late pass must be obtained at the security office when he or she is signed in. Excuse notes are required for tardiness as well as absences.

• Birthdays-To celebrate your child’s birthday, you may send in a treat for your child to share with the class. A note will go home as your child’s month arrives. .

• Vacation- Work will be completed upon your return. A journal will be sent with the student if they miss a few days.

• Star of the week – On the Friday before the week you will receive a note telling you your child will be star. Please help your child choose a small item to share with the class and a favorite picture book.

• Snack-Pack a healthy snack each day.

• Dismissal-Remember to send in a note if your child is going to be a car rider.

A Typical First Grader

Physical• Easily tires; frequent illnesses• Enjoys plying outdoor games/gym• Benefits from frequent active

movements• *Tying shoes is an essential part of

your child’s gross motor skills

Social• Follows peers• Competitive; enthusiastic• Likes to please• Any failure is hard; thrives on

encouragement• Easily upset when hurt• Friends are important, but teasing

happens

Language• Likes to talk about themselves;

show and tell is useful• Loves jokes and guessing games• Boisterous and enthusiastic

language• Complains (belly ache, tired, cuts,

etc.)

Cognitive• Loves to ask questions• Likes new games; ideas• Enjoys process more than product• Learns best through discovery

UNITY

I dreamed I stood in a studioAnd watched two sculptors there.

The clay they used was a young child’s mindAnd they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher- the tools she usedWere books, music, and art.

The other, a parent, worked with a guiding hand,And a gentle, loving heart.

Day after day, the teacher taught what she knewReading and how to care.

While the parent took part in what happened at schoolAnd polished what was learned there.

And at last, they knew their task was done,They were proud of what they wrought.

For the child and learner they had moldedCould neither be sold nor bought.

And each agreed they would have failedIf each had worked alone.

For behind the parent stood the schoolAnd behind the teacher, the home.

Don’t leave without…

• Signing up for a November Conference day/time (November 23rd, 24th, and 25th)

• Signing up to be in the Homeroom Parent drawing (will be announced tomorrow)

• Writing on the index card if you have a question for me (please put it in the basket on the front table)