Welcome!

Our Weekly Specials• Monday: Music

• Tuesday: Art

• Wednesday: Gym (wear sneaks!)

• Thursday: Character Education (Mrs. Bucci)

• Friday: Media

Homework

•Monday: Phonics and Math•Tuesday: Phonics/Reading and Math•Wednesday: Language Arts and Math•Thursday: Reading and Math•Friday:

•Please check homework and if necessary, review any corrections that need to be made. Homework should be correct when handed in

Unfinished classwork will be sent home for homework

Homework Planner

The homework planner will be used to write daily homework and weekly spelling words. Please check it nightly.

Please do not write notes in the planner. Please put notes on a separate paper or email me. Thank you in advance!

Reading

• Reading is a priority in first grade!! Students should be reading every day at home. This is necessary to build vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills, and of course, it’s FUN!

• Our reading time consists of shared reading (whole group), guided reading, read-alouds, and independent reading. You may notice more of an emphasis on non-fiction!

Your child should be reading outside of school as

much as possible. The purpose of the Reading Record

is to provide extra encouragement for students to read at home and to develop a love of reading!

Here is how it works: Help your child keep track of how many minutes they read on the Reading Record form. For each hour the student spends reading, a sticker will be earned on the Reading Record chart. For every ten stars earned, a reward* will be given! When your child has read for 60 minutes, submit the form and take an empty one. Let’s rack up those minutes!

*rewards given will not be equal in value to the joy of reading

Fundations!

Fundations is a phonics program that the students are familiar with from Kindergarten.

Spelling words are derived from the current Fundations unit

The real goal is the

application of

phonics skills, not the memorization of spelling words

• We have a new writing program! • Writing Workshop by Lucy Caulkins • Main Units include: Narrative writing, Informative writing, and Opinion

writing• This program is designed to help students become more independent

writers and help them develop their own voice as authors.• This program will be the basis of our writing instruction, with

modifications made as needed to adhere to CCS standards and students’ needs.

• Most writing will be kept in school (for revision work) until the end of a unit at which time it will be sent home. Feel free to ask your child about what they are writing!

Math• Envision is our math program• Practice math facts!! (..and then practice them more! )

• Topics include…..

Understanding Addition and Subtraction (up to 12 then 20)

Five and Ten Relationships

Counting and Number Patterns to 120

Tens and Ones

Comparing and Ordering Numbers to 100

Adding and Subtracting with Tens and Ones

Length and Indirect Measurement

Time

Data Analysis

Geometry and Fractions

• Science Areas of Study: senses, states of matter, climate, plants, animals, light and shadow, habitats, force and motion, simple machines

• Social Studies Areas of Study: map skills, community/local government, citizenship, family, friendship, diverse culture, famous leaders and significant historical figures

A Note About Birthdays… Distribution of invitations in class is not permitted unless there is an invitation for every student in the class.

•Treats must be NUT FREE. Only one treat will be served, please no spreads. Consider bringing in fruit, or pencils etc. and/or the birthday person’s favorite book to read to the class. *There are 20 students in the class*•Please send in a practical treat that is CUT and ready to serve if needed. (For example, while delicious, a cake from Costco is not necessary )

I do not play with fire….. please, no candles!

Other Important Information

• I assume you see all the papers in your child’s folder. Please check/empty the folder daily.

Please review papers that come home with your child. Only return papers if requested.

• Phonics quizzes are given on Fridays (unless otherwise noted) and all other assessments are not announced.

• School begins at 8:10. (If a student is not in the classroom by 8:10 they are marked as late.)

• Please do not email dismissal changes after 7:55am. Please call the office and they will notify me of any changes.

Classroom Environment/ Behavior System

Safe and respectful behavior is expected at all times. I LOVE to see students helping each other and taking learning risks without

fear! We are a team of learners and must work together to maintain a cooperative learning environment.

Behavior clips move up for stellar behavior and down for unsafe or disrespectful behavior

Positive behavior earns tickets in the Happy Can!

Students have 2 chances to self-correct

undesirable behavior before loss of ‘fun time’ or privileges occur. Contact home

will be made if necessary.

• You, the parent, are the most important person in your child’s education. Please encourage your child to read as much as possible. Also, don’t forget those math facts! Please check the homework and review classwork daily. Together we can make this a successful year of learning!

Thank You!

• Thank you for sharing your children with me!

• Questions right after this …

• Email: jenna.amodeo@montville.net

Please take the last few minutes to….

•Write a note back to your child

•Ask questions

•Look around the room

THANK YOU!!