Helping You Navigate the ABC S of 1St Grade in Room #128

Helping You Navigate the ABC’s of 1st Grade in Room #128

Assessments: Assessments in first grade are often in the form of teacher observations, projects, written, and oral assessments. Word study assessments will come home weekly and all other assessments will come home at the end of each unit.

BEE Folder: This “Bring Everything Everyday” folder will serve as a daily communication folder between school and home, and it will be used to transport important papers. Your child should bring his/her “BEE Folder” to school each day. Please remove all papers and initial the folder each day so that I know you have seen it.

Behavior Management: The children will spend a lot of time this year learning to be responsible for their own behavior. They will practice showing respect for one another by making good choices about their behavior. During the first few days, we will establish our classroom rules, which will allow all students to learn in a cooperative and supportive environment. I like to think of our classroom as a family where we help and respect one another. It is important that all children feel safe to learn and understand their strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes children will need to “take a reset” when there is unacceptable behavior. The student will have a quiet place to reflect on his/her choices. This is NOT A PUNISHMENT but instead a chance for the child to cool down and try again to “restart” the day. A reset will always be a positive learning experience. Reset and restart are ways for children to learn self-control and accountability for their behavior. As a result, teachers and parents are released from entering into power struggles with children. We have had a lot of success with this approach in our classroom!

Belongings: Please make sure all items that your child brings to school are clearly labeled. Many coats, sweaters, gloves, and hats look alike and sometimes the children don’t even remember what belongs to them! Please also leave all toys at home because they can get lost or broken, and they may become distracting.

Birthdays: In order to make your child’s day special, we will celebrate in the classroom during our Morning Meeting and sing “Happy Birthday.” Your child will also get to visit the office to get a birthday sticker and pencil. The county’s food policy states that no food is allowed to be brought in and shared; therefore, no treats may be sent in for birthdays. If your child wants to share something with the class, he/she may bring in a book for the classroom library or a piece of indoor/outdoor recess equipment. We'll celebrate summer birthdays before the end of the school year, too. *If you are inviting the entire class to your child’s birthday party, you are welcome to have your child put invitations in their classroom mailboxes. Otherwise, invitations may not be brought to school. This is a school policy.

Book Club Orders: If you are interested in purchasing books for your child, I will send home flyers about once a month offering books at reduced prices from the Scholastic Book Club. See the letter at the end of this packet for more information. If you choose to participate, you can do so by logging onto www.scholastic.com/readingclub. Our class code is MCVC3. You will need this code for your initial account setup and to start placing orders online. Please do not send in cash or checks. All orders should be placed online with a credit or debit card. Orders will be delivered to Discovery, and I will send home the books with your child.

Box Tops for Education: We collect Box Tops every month to earn money for our school! If you find any Box Tops, please cut them out and send them with your child in a small bag or envelope. Thank you for supporting our school! 

Bring Your Own Technology: All classrooms at Discovery are now considered to be “BYOT.” This initiative invites children to bring in their own personal devices from home – iPads, Chromebooks, laptops, etc. We will use the devices for academic purposes only (e.g., Raz Kids, Kidblog, Wixie, etc.) Please note that BYOT is absolutely not mandatory. When necessary, devices will be provided for children who do not bring in a personal device. I ask that you please be sure that the device that you send in with your child is charged, is one that your child knows how to use on his or her own, and is already equipped with the necessary free applications. I will let you know of any needed applications in advance!

Curriculum: The first grade team has worked to create an exciting integrated curriculum. We will spend most of our time each day on the core subjects of reading, writing, word study, and math. Social studies, health, and science will be taught during our “Discovery Time” each day. Our unit titles and First Grade Curriculum Map for the year are available on the first grade team website.

Electronic Communication: I will communicate electronically via emails and by providing information on our class website. (If you need paper copies, please let me know.) I will share our classroom’s weekly newsletters via email as well.

FROG (First-grade’s Really Organized Games) Folder: Once this folder comes home, it should not be returned to school. It will be a place to store math games and supplies (cards, dice, game pieces) throughout the year. I encourage you and your child to play the math games sent home as a way to review and reinforce concepts taught at school.

Handwriting: Loudoun County uses the D’Nealian handwriting system. All the tails may at first seem confusing, but the children usually learn to enjoy them. Please assist your child in holding a pencil and forming letters correctly. At school the children will learn how to form letters, but they will still require a lot of practice to gain confidence and skill. Early habits are difficult to change once they become ingrained. During the first few months, I would ask you to be especially vigilant in helping your child with handwriting.

Homework: A monthly homework calendar will be included in your child’s BEE folder, and it will be posted on the first grade webpage. There are suggested (not mandatory) activities that your child can complete at home. Activities will be a real life application of concepts taught at school. Although there are no formal homework assignments, my expectation is that students read for 10-15 minutes daily. I encourage you and your child to read together! 

Lunch: Lunch is from 10:45-11:15 and you are more than welcome to join your child for lunch anytime. Please label your child’s lunchbox/bag. If your child brings money to school to buy lunch from the cafeteria, please put it in an envelope with your child’s name and lunch number on it (the five digit number code). Place the envelope in your child’s “BEE Folder” and I will collect the envelopes. (Please consider the lunch account option as it saves you from having to find change and an envelope in the morning. It also seems to reduce the children’s stress when they know they have plenty of money on their account. You can arrange for it by visiting http://tinyurl.com/q5jeltv or send in a check to County of Loudoun worth several lunches. Monthly lunch menus are available on the school website. Please review your child’s choice each day with them so they can confidently choose their lunch at school. Snacks (chips, ice cream, cookies) are also available for purchase, but these are limited for purchase on Thursdays (first grade’s “treat day”).

Nut-free: Due to peanut allergies, our classroom will be nut-free. Please keep this in mind when packing your child’s lunch. Thank you for your understanding.

Remind: Remind is a free text messaging app that helps teachers and parents communicate. You can join “Miss Ayers’ 1st Grade Class” group by following the link: rmd.at/julieayers or texting the message @julieayers to the number 81010.

Show and Tell: We do not have a formal “Show and Tell” in first grade. Instead, we will have a sharing time during our Morning Meeting. This is a time for children to share information that is important to them about their life (e.g., my grandma’s coming to visit, my pet did something funny, etc.).

Sight Words: Sight words are frequently read words that do not always follow conventional spelling patterns. It is important that you and your child practice reading and writing sight words on a regular basis. I recommend focusing on five sight words per week. Sight word flash cards as well as a link to sight word games and activities can be found on our first grade webpage. Mastering sight words will help your child become a more fluent reader.

Specials Schedule: Please be sure your child wears sneakers & appropriate clothing on P.E. days. We will have P.E. three times per week on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. There is a separate schedule in the packet to post on your refrigerator.

Take-Home Reading Program: During the 2nd quarter, we will begin our Take-Home Reading Program: “Reading is a Blast!” Your child will bring home a book from the classroom library each night in a plastic envelope. Please have your child color in a star for each book read. When your child returns this log, he/she will receive a special reading certificate. My hope is that every child will receive at least 3 certificates during the year!

Tardiness: School begins at 7:50 am. If you are dropping off in the morning, your child must be inside the classroom by 7:50. If your child arrives after the bell, he/she will need to stop in the office first to get a pink tardy slip.

Transportation Changes: The office and I will keep a copy of your “Daily Dismissal Plan,” which I will follow each day unless you send me an email or a note stating the change. If there is ever a permanent change to your child’s dismissal plan, you must fill out a new “Daily Dismissal Plan” sheet.

Volunteers: We LOVE volunteers in our classroom! If you are able and willing to volunteer a couple hours each week, I would greatly appreciate your help with paperwork and assembling activities. If you can’t come in but could help from home, that would be wonderful, too! Please complete a volunteer form or email me if you are interested!

Water Bottles: If you would like, you can send in a labeled water bottle for your child to keep at his/her desk.

I hope this packet helps make my policies and procedures clear. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me (email [email protected] or call 571-252-2370). I try to be approachable and open so please come to me first if you are concerned or confused about anything. I am always happy to problem solve with you about any difficulties or clear up any confusion. Together we can make this a fantastic school year for your child!  How Do Children Learn?

Children learn through play. That’s why we offer learning that allows them to “act out” their thinking. Children learn by doing. That’s why we sing and move. Children learn through their senses. That’s why we provide multi-sensory activities. Children learn through language. That’s why they need to talk. Children learn on their own level. That’s why we create open-ended activities. Children learn through encouragement. That’s why we cheer and celebrate with them. Children learn through imitation. That’s why we model what we want them to do. Children learn through repetition. That’s why we have games they’ll want to play again and again. Children learn by experimenting. That’s why it’s O.K. to make mistakes. Children learn by interacting with their friends. That’s why we encourage partner and small group activities. Children learn problem solving by solving problems. That’s why we teach and practice conflict resolution skills. Children learn in a safe, nurturing environment. That’s why we strive to create a happy classroom. Children learn through wholeness. Heart~mind~body are dynamically interrelated in that wonderful child! Every experience in the classroom is connected in the brain to construct knowledge. Classroom Management In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are only consequences. ~ Robert Green Ingersoll ~ We use “Responsive Classroom” and the "Nurtured Heart Approach" to maintain classroom management. These approaches are used to create a learning environment where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We create a welcoming sense of belonging, significance, and fun for each child. The “Responsive Classroom” approach emphasizes teaching children to take care of themselves, each other, and the school environment so everyone can do their very best. As we learn together, we encourage appropriate behavior through language that is designed to remind, reinforce, and redirect children in positive ways. You will notice our class paying attention to how students treat one another. You will also see a strong emphasis on students setting goals for their own learning and taking responsibility for reaching those goals. Guiding Principles: • Learning social skills is as important as learning academic skills. • How children learn is as important as what they learn: process and content go hand and hand. • Children gain knowledge most effectively through social interaction. • To be successful academically and socially, children need to learn cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control. • Knowing the children we teach-individually, culturally, and developmentally, is as important as knowing the content we teach. • Knowing the families of the children we teach and inviting their participation is essential to their education. • How the adults at school work together is as important as how skillfully they deliver instruction.

The Responsive Classroom approach includes the following: Morning Meeting - Children gather for about 20 minutes every day to greet each other, share news, do a group activity, and look forward to the day ahead with our morning message. This daily routine builds community, creates a positive climate for learning, and gives children practice in a wide range of both social and academic skills. Hopes and Dreams - At the beginning of the year children set goals for their own learning. This teaches them to take responsibility for working toward their goals. The Hopes and Dreams become the basis for the rule-making process in each classroom. Rules - The teacher and children work collaboratively to create rules for the classroom that will help them reach their goals for the year. Both teachers and students are highly invested in the rules and both serve as caretakers of them. Children will learn how to follow the rules with modeling and practice which will help them believe in their ability to create a caring learning environment. Learning to live by the rules they have created is an important step in their development. Logical Consequences - We recognize that no one can be expected to follow the rules 100% of the time. When children make mistakes in following the rules, we’ll help them solve the problems caused by their mistakes through the use of “logical consequences.” Logical consequences are not punishments. They are always to help children see the effects of their actions, regain self-control, reflect on their mistakes, repair the situation, and learn to do better next time. They are always respectful of the child, relevant to the situation, and reasonable in scale. There are three logical consequences we use: - Reset: Each classroom has a space where children are sent or may choose to go to in order to regain self-control. Once self-control is obtained children rejoin class activities. It is a proactive way to help children regain self-control. - Loss of Privilege - You Break It, You Fix It Guided Discovery - Materials and supplies are introduced slowly and deliberately in “practice situations” so that children learn how to use them and put them away responsibly. Classroom Organization – Supplies, materials, furniture, and displays foster learning, positive social interaction, and independence. Working Together with Parents - We strive to involve parents in a variety of ways to encourage a partnership that will enhance your child’s education. We value your input and contributions. Please know that you are welcome and encouraged to help our class by volunteering your time, sending in resources for our units of study, and participating in special events. We encourage you to join the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and there are lots of opportunities to help out at book fairs and other school-wide events.

We hope that you found this information helpful. We feel a strong commitment to your child’s success both academically and socially. We look forward to a productive and joyful year with your children! Thank You for Your Support! – The First Grade Team Typical Day in Miss Ayers’ Room 7:50 Arrival

7:55 Discovery Morning News Show

8:00 Morning Meeting - Greeting, sharing, activity, news & announcements

8:20 Reader’s Workshop - Read aloud, mini-lesson, small group guided reading instruction, literacy stations, independent reading

10:00 Word Study (Spelling)

10:30 AM Recess

10:45 Lunch

11:20 Writer’s Workshop - Mini-lesson, independent writing, teacher conferences, group sharing

12:00 Specials

1:00 PM Recess

1:20 Math - Mini-lesson, small group guided math instruction, math stations

2:05 Discovery (Science/Social Studies/Health)

2:35 Dismissal A Balanced Approach to Literacy / Language Arts Instruction Reading Workshop During reading workshop, students participate in guided reading groups, independent reading, partner-reading, and one-on-one reading conferences.

Guided Reading Guided reading consists of small group instruction. During small group instruction, the teacher gathers together a small group of readers who are able to read similar texts with support. Students are exposed to a wide range of literature, and we demonstrate or review strategies for working through text. They spend time predicting outcomes, learning new vocabulary, discussing story content, and practicing fluency.

One-on-One Reading Conferences During a one-on-one reading conference, the student and teacher sit together and read books. Taking reading skill, genre, and the student’s interests in mind, the teacher guides the student in making good book choices. Individual progress is monitored closely through running records, miscue analysis, and anecdotal records.

Independent Reading Our classroom is stocked with a rich array of print materials: fiction, non- fiction, poetry, songs, content area books, and more! Unlike guided reading where the teacher chooses the books for instructional purposes, the focus of this time is to allow the students to choose their own reading material. Students are taught to find books appropriate to their reading level and interests. They store them in “Just Right” bags, and they can turn in old books and select new books as they please. During independent reading, the goal is for students to become immersed in their reading. They build fluency and develop confidence as they explore the many books in our classroom library. A Balanced Approach to Literacy / Language Arts Instruction

Writing Workshop Students engage in some form of written communication each day. Content area writing includes nature watch journals, animal research, and written responses to science and social studies lessons. During writing workshop, students also write stories, essays, and poems to publish or read to an audience. As a group we explore the art and craft of writing through mini-lessons and author studies. The teacher often meets with a student in a one-on-one writing conference to review written work together. You will enjoy hearing these colorful tales at our Authors’ Tea in the spring!

Word Study Our spelling program is called Word Study. This program is individualized and encompasses a systematic and explicit approach to spelling. Children must master the spelling features for a particular stage of development before moving on to the next stage. Our goal is not the “memorization” of a list of spelling words for Friday’s test, but rather, a firm foundation in word attack skills. We will begin with word families (man, can, fan, etc.) Short vowel words are next in line and when the children demonstrate proficiency in writing those words correctly both on their “tests” and in their independent writing assignments, long vowel distinctions will be introduced. Blends (st, br, sl, etc.) and diagraphs (th, sh, ch, etc.) are studied at each stage throughout the year. How Can I Support my Child at Home?

Reading  Read to your child.  Have your child read to you. Make sure the book choices are not too hard. Easier books build fluency and confidence.  Read the books that come home in the Take Home Reading Bag.  Make connections: - What did you notice, feel, or like? - What does this remind you of? - What do you like about this book and why? - What was your favorite part and why? - Which character do you like best and why? - What does the author want you to learn? - Give your opinion too!  Keep it fun!

Writing  Encourage your child to write & share stories at home  Encourage your child to stretch out words. Celebrate his/her success, even if the word isn’t spelled correctly.  Choose 1 thing to focus on if correcting (handwriting or mechanics or making sense…)  Let your child see YOU writing  Handwriting (different than writing): Sit next to your child & help him/her form letters correctly

Word Study  Notice what stage your child is at (by looking at their weekly tests) & hold him/her accountable for those patterns when writing at home.  Use the “If you can spell” method  Ignore words that don’t have patterns

Math  Replay games in the “FROG folder”  Ask the “How did you get that?” type of questions BOOK CLUB INFORMATION

Dear Parents:

As you are aware, it is important for students to read a variety of materials if they are to become successful readers. Surrounding children with books they enjoy reading helps them develop reading fluency and a love for reading. In order to help you purchase books at a reasonable cost for your child’s personal library, our class participates in the Scholastic Book Club.

The Scholastic Book Club offers a selection of books at a reasonable cost. Participation in the club is optional; the school does not sponsor this or any other book club and the book selections have not always been previewed. We are merely giving you the opportunity to purchase books at a reasonable cost. If you choose to participate at any time throughout the year:

· VISIT scholastic.com/readingclub · ENTER the one-time Class Activation Code: MCVC3. · SHOP from any flyer online. · SUBMIT your order online and earn FREE Books for our classroom. · All book orders will be shipped to our classroom.

The books selected by the book clubs are written by established authors of children’s literature. From time to time, however, students have purchased books that have contained language that parents found objectionable. Therefore, it is important you aid your child in the selection of his/her books. As you assist your child in the selection, please pay careful attention to the description of the books and the designated age or grade level given in the description.

If you have any questions about the books, please contact me. I may already be familiar with the book and might be able to help you. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Julie Ayers Specials Schedule Monday Music 12:00-12:30 *P.E. 12:30-1:00

Tuesday *P.E. 12:00-12:30 Guidance 12:30-1:00

Wednesday Art 12:00-12:50

Thursday Music 12:00-12:30 *P.E. 12:30-1:00 Computer Lab 2:00-2:30

Friday SEARCH (every other week) 11:45-12:30 **Library 12:30-1:00

*Remember, students will need to wear sneakers and comfortable clothes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays in order to participate in P.E.!  **Students will need to return their library books by Friday so they can check out a new book to bring home!