<p> MRS. SCHULTZ WELCOMES YOU TO 1st GRADE Bryden Elementary School 2014-2015 [email protected] (216) 831-3933 </p><p>The Stars of Room 107</p><p>*Ali Abdel Azim *Ihuoma Agwa *Samuel Bartley *Arjun Dhillon *Colin Elwell *Salma Fareed *Miriam Gilmore *Adam Hong *Ryan Jeon *Raman Katare *Isabelle McClung *Osaid Safar *Samira Shabazz *Savanna Shields *Angelica Tall *Lena Tsay *Madison Valentine *Mikhail Whitaker *Joshua Wolfe</p><p>Classroom Expectations As a whole class we have agreed on our classroom rules. We discussed together the importance of Respecting Ourselves, Respecting Each Other, and Respecting the Environment- inside and outside. We talked about what that means, and together the students gave me the examples and decided which categories they fell under. We decided these would be our classroom rules. We then discussed the importance of a promise and what an “oath” is. So we all raised our right hands (the other right hand- no the other one…) and we pledged an oath to follow the rules they came up with regarding respect. We then discussed the importance of the rules of THEIR classroom being made by themselves and why it would then be easier for them to follow these rules! The students each signed the posters, which state the rules, and they know this means they agree to follow them. Following these rules will allow safe and fun learning to occur. Consequences of Inappropriate behavior First offense- Verbal reminder to the student Second Offense- Removal from activity to observe only Third Offense- Loss of privilege (and completion of assignment on their “own time”) Fourth Offense- Email or phone call home Fifth Offense- Referral to the principal/guidance counselor. Reinforcements of Positive Behavior LOTS AND LOTS of verbal praise, prize box, notes and phone calls home, extra computer (i-pad) time, etc. Students need to be recognized for their good behavior. Homework Policy Students have a Red Home Folder which they will bring home everyday. PLEASE check this folder nightly. Their homework will come home in this folder each night, along with any handouts or important information you may need to see. Anything that is already graded or is a notice for you, please empty. Send back to school the homework as well as any notes or lunch money, or anything that I may need to see. If a student does not bring back his/her homework he/she will be warned. But if a student forgets 3 times a phone will be made or an email will be sent to the parents/guardians. Homework will be given when necessary under the discretion of the teacher. It is a way for the students to practice what has been learned in class. Homework should not take more than 20-30 minutes a night. Please feel free to guide or help your child with homework, but if a student cannot complete the work please do not complete it for them. If a student is struggling with homework please make a note on his/her assignment so that I will re-teach the idea or concept. It may also be beneficial to monitor when and where a student completes his/her homework (desk, table, study, etc). **Most likely homework will consist of a math paper each night, and a 10 minute reading log to complete.** •Homework is like the Three Bears: –Some say there is too little– Some say there is too much– Some say it is just right!</p><p>Website: Please don’t forget to check my website (go to the Beachwood Schools home page, then click on Bryden School, and click on my name). I will update it with information about the classroom as well as school events, etc. I will also send out mass emails to the class as I have already been doing- so if you have not been receiving them, make sure you let me know because I must have an incorrect email address. I send them BCC so your email addresses will not be sent out to everyone. **Remember to PACK EXTRA CLOTHES- just in case of some type of accident or it is wet or muddy outside.**</p><p>There are many fun and interactive websites for literacy. Here are a few FREE online resources: www.starfall.com www.speakaboos.com www.spellingcity.com www.wegivebooks.org http://interactivesites.weebly.com</p><p>Specials Schedule ***Please double check with your child the night before to make sure they are wearing tennis shoes for P.E. and are returning their books for Library.*** Monday- P.E. Tuesday- MUSIC Wednesday- MEDIA Thursday- ART Friday- 1st Friday of the month- Media 2nd Friday of the month- Art 3rd Friday of the month- PE 4th Friday of the month- Music 5th Friday in October, January, and May- PE M-F Recess- 11:50-12:20 Lunch- 12:20-12:50 MISCELLANEOUS INFO: Picture Day: September 17 Retake Day: October 16 Report Cards Posted: November 10; February 2; April 13; June 15 Conferences- Week of November 17 and March 23 First Grade Concert: March 12 IOWA Testing- Week of May 4; ODA Testing- Week of May 18 Last Day of School- June 11</p><p>Curriculum Below is a brief outline of the subjects taught and time frame spent on each subject throughout each week.</p><p>Literacy 120 minutes/day (Reading, Genre, Phonics, Comprehension Strategy, Comprehension Skill, Vocabulary, Grammar, Handwriting, Spelling) </p><p>We will work in our homerooms on handwriting, as well as phonics and spelling patterns, grammar, etc. We will also break into our Focused Reading groups where we will work on our Writing Program and our Reading program (also including phonics, grammar, spelling, etc.). We will be using Scott Foresman Reading Street, which includes a whole class literacy lesson and allows students to break up into small reading groups according to their reading level. However, we will all be consistent with comprehension strategies and skills (such as main idea, plot, setting, etc). We will follow a “spelling pattern” each week and I will start with a basic word list but there will not be a weekly spelling test this year. These words will follow a pattern and will be seen and used during our reading lessons and in the reading books. We will be working on many different Word Work/Word Building activities which follow the pattern, which will allow for more creative differentiation in the classroom. The students will also be also encouraged to use these patterns in their daily writing journals. .Math- 1 hour each day We will be using a program called My Math. This program is aligned with the Common Core Standards. Math time will incorporate centers, utilizing manipulatives, and connecting math to real world situations. We begin each day with Simple Solutions, Calendar time (incorporating money, place value, dates, past, present, future, etc.) and then move to our Problem of the Day and our book lesson. Students each have an enrichment folder that includes vocabulary cards, whole class lessons, assessments, independent practice, and challenge booklets. This is my “I’m NOT done, I’ve only JUST begun” file folder. Homework will be torn out and taken home daily or under the teacher’s discretion. Science- 40 minutes twice a week with at least once a week in the science lab. Topics include Matter; Sun, Energy, and Weather; Motion and Materials; and Living Things. Social Studies- 40 minutes 2-3 times a week-covering rules, citizenship, geography (cities, state), address, and map skills. Guidance- sessions will take place throughout the course of the year. </p><p>Snack/ Water Bottle</p><p>Students are allowed to have a snack in the morning. Please send your child with a small healthy snack. Students are not to bring in foods that have peanuts or tree nuts of any sort. Students are also not allowed to share their snacks with other students in the classroom. Students may also bring in a water bottle (for my classroom). If you send a student to school with a water bottle please make sure that it is closed. Water bottles are kept under each desk. Birthday Celebrations Below are the dates for Birthday Celebrations and the month of each student’s birthday. A contact list will be sent so parents can contact one another and coordinate a treat for the class. Celebrations will take place on the day indicated below (Friday) during lunch- in the lunchroom. We have 19 students. Please remember not to send anything that contains tree/nuts or peanuts. August/September-Sept. 5 January- Jan. 9th October- Oct. 3 h February/March-Feb. 6th /Mar 6 th November- Nov. 7 th April/May-April 10 th /May 8 th December-Dec 5 th June/July- June 5 th </p><p>Reading With Your Child</p><p>When You Think You’re Done, You’ve Just Begun! Get the conversation started!! After enjoying a book with your child, whether he reads to you, or you read to him, continue the experience by asking:</p><p>* What did you notice about the story? * Does this book remind you of anything? * What have you been wondering as you read? * Does this book make you think of anything else you’ve read? * What was your favorite part? • Were there any parts that surprised you? •What are you going to read next?</p><p>•Adapted from Johnson and Keier,“Catching Readers Before They Fall” • Graphics by Thistle Girl</p>