Miss Payzants Grade One

In our classroom community, children learn through play as

often as possible, because research tells us that is how they
learn best. Chances are, when you come by to visit us, you will
find us engaged in hands-on, problem solving, and active
learning experiences.
Classroom Expectations
Most children come to school with an understanding of how to
behave appropriately in a social setting. As part of our
classroom community, students are expected to behave responsibly and
respectfully. In most cases, when a child is not meeting expectations, he or she can
be redirected. Beyond redirection, other strategies to encourage appropriate
behaviour include discussions with the teacher, short time-outs in the classroom or
a break from the classroom activity may be provided. Parents will be notified if
these problems are consistent and aware of the strategies we will be using to help
fix the problem.
Assessment
Over the course of the year, samples of your childs work will be put in his/her
portfolio to document growth. There will be two portfolio walks during the year,
when families can meet with the teacher to go over the childs portfolio. At the end
of the school year, your child will receive a final report card summarizing
achievement as it relates to the curricular outcomes.
Throughout the year, if there are significant academic or behavioral concerns, I will
contact you to discuss intervention strategies.
Your Childs Education Team
In addition to me, your child will also receive instruction from the
following staff:
Mrs. Marlene McQuesten Physical Education on Monday, alternate Thursdays and
Fridays. (see attached P.E plan)
Mrs. Karen Gustafson Music on Wednesday.
Mrs. Gayle Pickett Book exchange on Thursday.
Communication from School
For daily communication, email and notes in your childs communication book are
best. I check my email multiple times a day and after school hours my emails come
directly to my phone. I also make sure to check each communication book every
morning for notes.

Please be sure to read your childs communication book each night. We work hard
to write a message for you about our day, and I will also use it to write quick notes
to you if needed.
Monthly newsletters will be sent home. I am also open to schedule a meeting at any
point throughout the year if needed.
Sharing: Students will have one day a month as their special day! This is when they
get to sit in the special chair, lead our lineup and bring in show and tell. Please be
sure to read each newsletter, in there you will be able to find their day and if they
are asked to bring in a certain item. Some months we will have a theme, such as
family picture or favourite book.
Class Parties
We will have class parties for the major holidays. Notes will be sent
home asking if you can help provide snack for one of the parties this
year. These notes will be sent home a week or two prior to the party.
Not every family will provide for every party. I prefer to have 3
healthy choices (fruit, veggies, cheese and crackers) and one treat
item for the kids to enjoy. If you prefer to provide a snack for a certain
holiday, please let me know sooner than later!
Also, if you love party planning or have any great ideas, I am open to having the
help!
What you can do at home to help support your childs learning
-

Read to your child 15-20 minutes every night. Even as your child becomes
able to read independently, it is valuable for them to hear the rhythm and
pace as you model fluent reading.
Practice their sight words. Weekly sight words will be sent home in their mail
bag, once your child has mastered these common sight words, please sign
and return the page and we will have a celebration at school!
Playing board or card games together as a family, and taking the time to
have meaningful conversations about the people, places, and events you
encounter in your daily lives are also simple, yet rich learning experiences
you can offer your child.
Pack a healthy and nutritious lunch. We have a mandatory healthy morning
snack so please ensure they have at least 1-2 healthy choices. The students
and I often discuss how healthy food can help feed our brains for better
learning.

Volunteering: If you have a spare hour or two, I encourage you to volunteer in our
class. The students love having their family in our classroom and it also allows you
the opportunity to experience a taste of life in grade one which is sometimes
messy, often noisy, and never dull! Please contact me if you are interested in
volunteering and we will set up a time that works for your schedule. Let me know if
you prefer to be kept busy with bulletin boards, cutting, sorting and prepping
materials, or if youd rather circulate and support students during class activities.
Curricular Outcomes

When we refer to I CAN statements in the classroom, these are curricular

outcomes written in student-friendly language. For more information and related
resources, I encourage you to visit the Alberta Education Parent Page at
http://education.alberta.ca/parents.aspx
The following table shows a rough timeline of when and what topics we will be
working on in the classroom.
Along with nurturing their academic growth, your childs social and emotional
development will be supported in a safe and caring environment. Each day, time is
dedicated to engaging students in community development activities to promote a
sense of belonging and citizenship.
Doing hands on learning throughout all the subjects allows for each child to learn
where they are ready. If your student is struggling or advanced they will be learning
and challenged through the various centres and problem based activities. As well, if
at any time you are concerned in this area, please contact me! We can go through
the various strategies I use to help meet your child where they are.

Curriculum Outline

Septemb
er

October

Math

Science

Social

Language
Arts

Patterns &
Relations
-represent
algebraic
expressions in
multiple ways
Number Sense
- Numbers 1-10
-Say number
sequence 0-100
by 2s, 5s and
10s
-Subitize
Patterns &
Relations cont.
-represent
patterns in
multiple ways
Number Sense
-One more, one
less

Creating
Colours

Me, Me, Me

Daily 5
-Read to self &
Read to
someone
Letter
Review
New Words
Journal
Writing

My World:
Home, School
& Community
-Learn about
belonging to
groups and the
importance

Daily 5
-Read to self &
Read to
someone
- Word work &
work on
writing
Letter

Seasonal
Changes
(Study the
changes of
Autumn)

Creating
Colours
Cont

-counting on

Novembe
r

Number Sense
-Represent
numbers to 20
- Introduce
addition and
subtraction

Senses

My World:
Home, School
& Community
Cont.
-Rights and
responsibilities

Decembe
r

Shape & Space

-3-D objects and
2-D shapes
Number Sense
- Addition &
subtraction

Senses

My World:
Home, School
& Community
Cont.
-What is a
responsible
citizen

Seasonal
Changes
(winter)

January

Shape & Space

-3-D objects and
2-D shapes
Number Sense
- Addition &
subtraction

Building
Things

February

Number Sense
- Addition &
subtraction

Building
Things
Cont.

My World:
Home, School
& Community
Cont.
-Development of
cooperation and
respect
Moving
Forward With
the Past: My
Family, My
History, My
Community
-Urban vs. Rural
-special places
and landmarks

Review
New Words
Journal
Writing
Daily 5
-Read to self,
read to
someone, word
work, work on
writing, listen
to reading
Letter
Review
New Words
Journal
Writing
Daily 5
-Read to self,
read to
someone, word
work, work on
writing, listen
to reading
Letter
Review
New Words
Journal
Writing
The basis of
the LA
program will
remain
similar
throughout
the year
while
progressively
getting more
challenging
as your child
progresses.
-We will work

March

Number Sense
- Addition &
subtraction

Seasonal
Changes
(Spring)

April

Variables &
Equation
Number Sense
- Addition &
subtraction
Measurement
-ordering objects
-filling,
comparing,
matching

Needs of
Plants and
Animals

May

June

Measurement
Cont.

Needs of
Plants and
Animals
Cont.

Seasonal
Changes
(summer)
-compare and
contrast all
seasonal
changes we
have studied
throughout the
year.

Moving
Forward With
the Past
-Develop map
reading skills
-discuss current
events
Moving
Forward With
the PastDiscuss changes
over time
Moving
Forward With
the Past-How
families and
communities are
connected to the
past.
Review

on poetry
-Variety of
ways to
brainstorm and
organize ideas

Physical Education & Music Year plan (Will be added once printed since they are
created in different programs)