Welcome to First Grade! Where Learning Grows Each Day!

Welcome to First Grade!Where Learning Grows Each Day! Mrs. Desmarais: jdesmarais@nisdtx.org 817-215-0497 Ms. Feller: tfeller@nisdtx.org 817-215-0495 Mrs. Hinte: bhinte@nisdtx.org 817-215-0463 Mrs. Moore: kmoore@nisdtx.org 817-215-0496 Ms. Scheerle: mscheerle@nisdtx.org 817-215-0499

Tonight, parents will… • know and understand their role in the Parent Learning Community. • know ways they can be involved with their child’s classroom and school. • understand the expectations of a student at Samuel Beck Elementary

NISD Beliefs

Samuel Beck Elementary Mission Statement In partnership with the community, Beck Elementary is committed to success for all learners, ensuring a safe environment that implements rigorous, relevant curricula, and focused instruction.

STAAR Testing Dates

Schedule • Tardy Bell: 7:45- Doors open at 7:20! • Lunch: 11:45-12:15 • Recess: 12:15-12:45 • Electives/Conference: 12:55-1:50 • Dismissal: 2:45

Communication • Student Handbook and Code of Conduct at www.nisdtx.org/studenthandbook • Class websites at www.nisdtx.org Select Beck Elementary>Staff>Teacher Name • Daily Communication Folders • Pay lunch account online: Parents>Menus/Food Services • Transportation changes must be in emailed to the front office at beckelem@nisdtx.org by 2:00 p.m. • Parent/Teacher fall conferences

Grades • Access grades online: www.nisdtx.org Parents>Grades Online • TEA website: www.tea.state.tx.us - Select “T” from A-Z menu; - Select “Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills” - Scroll down to first grade

Home Access Grades Online • NISD provides grades online through the Home Access Center (HAC). Paper copies of progress reports and report cards can be provided for students in grades 1 – 5 upon request. Kinder students will receive a paper copy due to the format. • A letter will be sent home with each student that has the information parents need to access grades online. • If you have not received this letter about the Home Access Center (HAC), please contact the front office at www.beckelem@nisdtx.org

Grades The grading system for NISD is as follows: 100 – 90 A Excellent Progress 89 – 80 B Above Average Progress 79 – 70 C Average Progress 69 – 0 F Unsatisfactory Progress (Failing) Other areas of study such as art, music, PE, work habits, social behavior, and student progress are marked as follows: E = Performs consistently at excellent/above standard expectations S = Performs consistently at standard expectations N = Performs slightly below standard expectations U = Performs consistently below standard expectations

Technology in Action • Student laptops and iPad carts • Electronic Chalkboards • Data Projectors • Document Cameras • Distance Learning • Media Cast • CPS Receivers (think George Jetson!) • Eduphoria • Home Access

Homework Guidelines • Check for homework in daily folder • Read every night • Parent involvement

Classroom Management • Love & Logic www.loveandlogic.com • Daily Communication calendar

First Graders Set Goals!

Writers’ Workshop • Teacher directed opening mini-lessons to model and encourage children to become writers • Independent student writing related to topics of choice, retells, nonfiction, and a variety of genres • Student goal setting and guidance through individual conferring and small group work • Students share work in response group and author’s chair

Readers’ Workshop • Whole group reading • Mini-lessons provide pre-reading activities such as directionality, concepts of print, book awareness and introduction of reading strategies. • Independent reading activity

Guided Reading • Small group reading according to instructional needs with teacher guidance • Reading material challenges students’ instructional needs and increases comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary • Reading strategies are modeled and practiced.

SocialStudies Citizenship Families Communities Laws and Rules Holidays and Customs Historical Figures Time Lines Maps Goods/Services

Level C Level J

Science Students will explore: • Physical science – matter, heat and change, magnets, force, prisms • Earth science – rocks, soil, water, weather, temperature, clouds, the moon, the sun, seasons • Life science – animals, food chains, interdependence, lifecycles • Science Inquiry Showcase- Spring, 2013

Math Units Patterns • Two and three dimensional shapes • Counting money • Telling time • Addition and subtraction up to 18 • Measuring • Fractions • Creating graphs • Problem solving strategies We love Math!

Electives Art Music P.E. Rotation Schedule

Dress Code See handbook for dress code guidelines: • Shoes (sandals must have strap – no flip flops) • Clothing (no tank tops or spaghetti straps)

Make-Up Work Beck’s Guidelines: • Make-up work may be requested only if a child has been absent for more than two days. Parents may email the front office before 9:00 a.m. to request homework on the second day of an absence. The make-up work will then be available at the front desk at 3:20 p.m. on the second day. • Work will not be sent home with siblings, neighbors, or friends. Teachers often need to work with children when they return to school, so not all work will be sent home.

Birthday Celebrations • Parents may provide a treat for a child’s birthday that will be served during the last hour of the day. Please provide individual servings for the celebration (i.e., cupcakes, cookies, etc.). • Napkins must be provided. • Treats are to be dropped off at the front office, or the student may bring them to the classroom in the morning. • Parents are not to be in attendance at this time, and we do not take pictures of this celebration. • Personal party invitations may not be handed out during the school day. The child, however, may stand outside the classroom door as students are leaving for the day to pass out party invitations.

Special Events • Fall and Spring Field Trips • Winter Party • Fairy Tale Ball (Valentine’s Party) • Field Day (May)

Parent Volunteers • Background checks must be completed and on file with the office before parents volunteer.

We are looking forward to growing with you this year! Thanks for coming!

Questions or Concerns?

Welcome to First Grade! Where Learning Grows Each Day!