Welcome

1. Welcome Welcome to First Grade Curriculum Night 2013-2014

2. Schedule • 7:15-7:45 Morning Work / Journals • 7:45-7:50 Morning News • 7:50-8:00 Check Morning Work / Restroom Break • 8:00-8:15 Calendar Math • 8:15-8:25 Phonics • 8:25-8:45 Theme (Read Aloud) • 8:45-10:15 Reading Groups / Rotations / Centers • 10:15-10:55 Writing • 10:55-11:15 Japanese • 11:15-11:40 Lunch • 11:40-12:00 Recess • 12:00-1:30 Math • 1:30-2:25 Specials • 2:25-2:35 Read Aloud / Prepare for Dismissal

3. Specials • Day 1 – Science • Day 2 – Art • Day 3 – Music • Day 4 – Technology Lab • Day 5 – P.E. • Laptop Lab – Day 4 (12:30-1:00) • Library Time – To Be Determined

4. Lunch • Students eat lunch together with their homerooms in the cafeteria. You are welcome to join your child for lunch on any day!  • Lunch is daily from 11:15-11:40. • The Hard Work Café • We are very excited to earn a chance to eat at a special table, with a friend, and receive special recognition for all their hard work!

5. Absences • If your child is tardy or absent from school, you will need to call the school on that day, and send a note with your child in the blue folder when he or she returns. Please make sure the note has the current date, your child’s first and last name, date of the absence, reason for the absence, and your signature. Notes must be received within 3 days of returning to school. Consult the Fayette County website for a list of excused absences.

6. Birthday’s • We will celebrate birthdays on or close to your child’s special day. You are welcome to send in a birthday snack but please let me know in advance that a snack is coming in. Please send in “ready to serve” treats that do not need cutting, etc. • PLEASE do not send in cupcakes with Mt. McKinley icing. Mini cupcakes are fine, though.

7. Guidelines for Success • We follow Picadome’s Guidelines for Success: • Put Forth My Personal Best • Always be Respectful • Work to Make Good Choices • Show Self Control

8. Phonics • Review letter sounds • Review consonants and vowels • Long / Short vowels • CVC words • Silent e • Diagraphs (sh, ch, th, wh) • Endings (s, ed, ing, er, est) • Onset / Rimes (Onsets are any consonants before a vowel in a syllable (e.g., /dr/ in drum). Rimes are the vowel and any consonants after it in a syllable (e.g., /um/ in drum). • Phonemes are the smallest unit of spoken language that make a difference in the meaning of a word, as the /d/, /r/, /u/, and /m/ in drum. • Contractions • 2 Syllable Words / Compound Words • R-Controlled Vowels • Vowel Patterns (ee, ar, ay, oa, or, all, ow, / endings: er, ed, ing, s) • Vowel Patterns (ou, ew, igh, aw, ai, oi, oo, oy)

9. Themes • Alphabet Books (Creating) • Friendship • Change • Life Lessons • History of Thanksgiving • Around the World with a Glass Slipper / Cinderella • American Contributions • Science Rocks • The Amazing Animal World • Economics

10. Reading • We begin with whole group instruction to introduce and review current themes, and review the learning targets/expectations for the day. • Then we rotate through teacher-led small group and independent work activities that include: • Phonics • Comprehension • Fluency • Writing • Word Wall/Spelling • Vocabulary

11. Math In Focus • We follow the Math In Focus, the Singapore method, which teaches us to think about numbers in a different way. • We participate in whole group, small group, and independent work which includes hands-on activities. • Math in focus is a vocabulary rich program so please pay extra attention to the wording on your child’s work.

12. Math Topics • Numbers to 10 (Review of Kindergarten) • Number Bonds • Addition Facts to 10 (higher if needed) • Subtraction Facts to 10 (higher if needed) • Shapes and Patterns • Ordinal Numbers and Positions • Numbers to 20 (or higher) • Addition and Subtraction Facts to 20 (or higher) • Measurement • Adding 2 and 3 digit numbers with regrouping • Subtraction 2 and 3 digit numbers with regrouping • Telling time (nearest hour and half-hour) • Money

13. Accelerated Reading • All students participate in the Accelerated Reading (A.R.) program. A.R.is a computerized program for managing and dramatically increasing individualized reading. • Students select and read or listen to books on their reading level and then take a short, multiple-choice quiz about the book on the computer. It provides accountability for individualized reading. It’s an effective and proven tool for increasing reading practice and enjoyment of reading. • A.R. Books are available at the Picadome library, Public library, and the classroom. Each child is expected to pass 5 tests per month. • I strongly suggest that you sign up at the Parent Portal to stay on top of your child’s progress. You can also search for texts on this site. • To sign up, go to: Picadome Home Page-A.R. Parent Portal

14. Clip System/Behavior Management • This year we are using the “clip system” where students can move clips up or down. Students always start on “Ready to Learn” and can move up for working hard, making wise choices, etc. After verbal warnings, the students move down. After many verbal warnings, moving to yellow means warning, light blue is teacher choice (could be walking, loss of iPad time, etc.), and dark blue means parent contact (note home, phone call, etc.). • The positive aspect of clips is that clips can move up after moving down if the behavior changes.

15. Rewards • I love to reward students and create a positive environment in the classroom when possible. Students are provided with rewards on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Rewards include verbal praise, notes home, stickers, Hard Work Café, Top Dog, and Good Faith Effort. • Good News Notes! • 2-3 notes sent daily for a fabulous day at school! • Caught being good! • Slips randomly given out during the day!

16. Good Faith Effort • To earn Good Faith Effort (GFE), students must turn in all homework, complete class work, follow directions, keep clips above light and dark blue, and read at least 5 A.R. books per month and pass the test for each one.

17. Homework • Homework is sent home on Monday in a yellow homework folder. Homework is due on Friday or the last day of the week. You may turn homework in early. The reading will be in a form of a menu. The students will be able to choose 2-3 items off the menu they want to complete after reading a book. The math will be one sheet, front and back, and will be differentiated depending on your child’s math group. Make sure to check folders and help your child get in this routine. • Additional homework may come from reading group and will be marked as “homework”. • Homework not returned, or turned in without a name, will result in the loss of Good Faith Effort at the end of the month. • Please complete homework in pencil only.

18. Thank You! • Your participation in your child’s education is crucial. • Thank you for your support! • *I promise not to believe everything your child tells me happens at home, if you promise not to believe everything your child says happens at school* • Communication is critical! Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns! • Email: Jodi.Wilson@fayette.kyschools.us (best way to reach me) • Phone: 859-381-3563 • Blog: http://blogs.fcps.net/jwilson