Grade 1 Overview

Owatin Creek Elementary

2013-2014

CurriculumLanguage Arts

Reading – Balanced Reading Literacy Program

o Read aloudso Shared reading o Guided reading with Daily 5o Independent reading o RtII (Tier Time) o Close Reading

Writing Workshop o Being a Writer programo Journalso Writing with focus, content,

conventions, style, and organization Word Work and Language

o Fundations program Listening and Speaking

o In small groups o In a whole class group

Science FOSS (Full Option Science System) with

activities incorporated through literacyo Quarter 1 Pebbles, Sand, and Silt o Quarter 2 Solids and Liquids o Quarter 3 Environment (included in

Earth Day study)o Quarter 4 Insects

Math Addition and subtraction facts

o Otter Creek Fact Fluency program o Fact families and related factso Double digit addingo Problem solving and critical thinking o Missing numbers (algebra)

Math in our daily lives (reading and writing numbers, counting patterns)

Time Measurement Graphs, charts, and tables Patterns Place value and comparing numbers Shapes

Social Studies

Scott Foresman program with activities incorporated through literacy

o Quarter 1 Rules, community, school, citizenship, Constitution Day, Columbus Day

o Quarter 2 Fall and winter celebrations, working, country and world

o Quarter 3 Groundhog’s Day, President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day,

o Quarter 4 Earth Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day

Reporting Progress Conferences and Report CardsConferences are held in November and March. Report cards are issued in November, January, April, and June.

Grading Key and Skyward

Each teacher will utilize Skyward for grading.

Communication Arts (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, Handwriting)

Math Science Social Studies

4-Above expected grade level3-At expected grade level2-Experienceing difficulty at grade level1-Below expected grade level

Personal Development Skills S-SatisfactoryN-Needs improvement

Learning TargetsStudents will utilize learning targets and “I can” statements to help them understand their learning expectations throughout the school year.

Informational Items Assignment Book – Your child will have assignments listed in his or her assignment book. Please read with your child 10 minutes each night. Please be sure your child completes his or her homework and then sign or initial the book and return it to school. We will not assign homework on weekends. Your child will also color over the date to record their behavior for the day. The behavior card system code further on in this book explains the colors.

Sneakers – Sneakers are needed for gym class.

Smocks – Send an old short-sleeved shirt for art class.

Calendars – Be certain you have an Exeter Township School District Activity Calendar.  It shows vacation days, in-service days, special activities, and events.

Early Dismissal – Please inform your child where to go and what to do in case of an unexpected early dismissal due to inclimate weather.

Birthdays – If a parent wishes to send in a birthday treat, please make arrangements through your child’s teacher.  The treat should come to school ready to be served in individual

portions.  For health considerations, commercially prepared treats without peanut ingredients, that are wrapped individually are required.            All birthday invitations be sent through the mail.  Addresses can be found in the school directory.

Water Bottle – Please feel free to send a water bottle to school with your child each day. Be sure to write your child’s name on the bottle.

Snack - First graders eat lunch early—between 11:20 and 11:50. Many students get hungry late in the afternoon, so you may send in a healthy finger snack for your child to eat. Some suggestions include crackers, raisins, fruit, fruit snacks, and vegetables. Please do not send a snack that requires the use of utensils. We hope that providing a snack will help those hungry tummies!

Elementary Handbook – Please read and follow all rules and guidelines that are stated in the Exeter Township School District Elementary Handbook.  Please follow the dress code policy and review school rules. Book Bags – We encourage each child to have his/her own book bag to carry home their homework folder, library books, etc.

Notes – A note must be sent to school if your child is not going home on the bus and you will

be picking him/her up at school; otherwise we must send them home on the bus. Money – Please have your child bring ANY money in a sealed envelope with his/her name on it.  Please do not send excessive amounts of money to school with your child.

Toys – We do not allow toys to be brought to school, unless directed by an individual teacher for a special purpose.  Additionally, we monitor anything your child purchases from school store.  Students will be permitted to keep some pencils and erasers at their desks.  Other items will be sent home.

Book Orders - We may distribute book orders each month.  Please send the order back to us within two weeks, along with a CHECK for the appropriate amount.  You may also order online using our class code (see the paper attached to the first book order to find our code). Please note that we will not accept cash. The books are affordable and it is a great way for our first graders to build their home libraries. Our classroom library grows each time we place an order!

Supplies – Please remember to label and send your child’s supplies into school. We will store the supplies in the classroom.

Breakfast – If you would like for your child to eat breakfast at school, please send in a note

giving your son/daughter permission. Please make sure there is money in your child’s account to pay for breakfast.

RulesAt Owatin Creek we…

Are respectful and polite to everyone.

Walk at all times. Are quiet in lines and

while waiting. Keep our hands, feet, and

objects to ourselves. Are responsible students

that are prepared for learning.

 Classroom Expectations

Raise your hand to talk. Follow directions the first

time given. Respect others and school

property. Keep hands, feet, and

objects to yourself. Be responsible and always

do your best.  Hallway/Stairway Expectations

Walk quietly. Keep hands and feet to

yourself. Walk in a single file line. Climb each step one at a

time. Use hands only on the

railing.  Bathroom Expectations

Use the bathroom promptly and quietly.

Flush the toilet when you are finished.

Wash your hands. Keep the areas neat. Respect others and school

property.

 Playground Expectations Keep hands and feet to

yourself. Use equipment

appropriately. Take turns and share

equipment. Report incidents to the

teacher on duty right away.

Respect others, nature, and school property.

 Assembly Expectations

Enter and sit quietly. Sit pretzel style-bottom on

the floor. Keep hands and feet to

yourself. Get quiet as soon as the

signal is given. Be attentive. Clap when appropriate.

 Bus Arrival/Dismissal Expectations

Walk directly to your clasroom or bus in a single file line.

Enter and leave quietly. Remove any/all hats once

inside the building. Listen to bus buddies. Remain in classroom until

your bus/grade level is called.

Walk on the sidewalk within the safety line to your bus.

Listen and follow all bus safety rules.

Behavior Card System

Owatin Creek Elementary uses a behavior card system to give students the responsibility to monitor their behavior and make positive decisions in school. Each child has a behavior pocket on a classroom chart containing five (5) colored cards. Students are required to pull a card when their behavior does not meet school and / or classroom expectations. The following chart describes the system and consequences for inappropriate behavior. Students will also be acknowledged for responsible behavior with our positive recognition program called “Students Observed Acting Responsibly”, or S.O.A.R.

BlueI behaved appropriately, followed the school rules, and was a responsible student. I did not have to pull a card all day and contributed to my classes’ positive reward system.

Orange

I received a verbal warning from an Owatin Creek staff member, however, I was able to behave responsibly and remain on orange for the remainder of the day.

GreenI received a second warning and had a 5 minute time-out in the classroom to think about my behavior and complete a behavior sheet which will need to be signed by my parent or guardian.

YellowI have continued to behave irresponsibly and I was required to serve a second time-out in my classroom or a partner teacher’s classroom. In addition, I will serve a one day suspension from recess privileges.

PinkI was sent to the Principal’s office for an additional time-out of the classroom. I was required to call my parents to discuss my behavior and will lose additional school privileges at the discretion of the Principal. An official school discipline form will be completed by the Principal and signed by the parent.