READING !

STANDARDS (CONT.)
SPELLING Our spelling program is designed to help students apply their understanding of phonics. Each week ten phonetically driven spelling words will be included in our homework. These words are to be practiced nightly as a phonetic exercise (i.e. sounding out). The nal four words on our weekly tests are common rst grade sight words. As the school year progresses, students will be expected to correctly use the phonetic rules and sight words they have learned and practiced in their daily writing. Spelling grades consist of performance on spelling tests, dictation sentences and writing assignments. WRITING ! Students are graded on: penmanship letter formation & line usage spelling & all rst grade writing standards !!

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Reading is the primary focus of rst grade. Ideally students enter rst grade at level 4 and exit at level 20. Students practice and are assessed in our leveled readers constantly. Reading is a mandatory part of nightly homework. Students who receive readers from class in their homework must master these books.

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Memorization of sight words is mandatory. There are 9 sight word ashcards to be memorized each week included in the homework.

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ch il co dren Tri m me lov e the ste e you wo ir r2 u my r ca ld ow r n tha he d ay a first n wa d did ba lk c wa tim ge thin k ter e t g be Paragraphs must: h g t a h iv en s ere e f mo little thr ! Be written with good penmanship (proportional, correctly g riend o oth re wa irl so ugh s formed letters.) rea righ er o n u a r t m tod d t e ma he sen Be complete and coherent. wh ay gro se ma d e ma tence o n oil ligh w Address the topic. sou y s a y its lon t tak nd gre g e Contain descriptive words. a no wil kno go t w l e find co fou w sm s Contain transitions uld nd all do h o n o ut wn ew w le ove sho Have a clear sequence of events (narrative) ne arn a wo r go w soo r r od n Contain sensory details (expository) ho ld p f a u use r t pla he Have correct capitalization lp me c e mu ch Correct punctuation

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First Grade Sight Words

Trimester 3
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First Grade Writing Standards

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Contain mostly correct grammar. Errors cannot interfere with the readers understanding of the writing. Contain correctly spelled 3 & 4 letter short-vowel words. Contain correctly spelled simple 1 grade sight words.
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Notes:

again gone want turn both or hard line too afraid any idea water follow most same tell boy old under very first start came form three set

about because part end well large must big even always each think when such ask went men need kind put saw were carry work land home us

began head year another answer study still learn should begin already mean every America high add food between thought eye different below country plant last father keep

SCHOOL ELEMENTARY

PARENT GUIDE
Teacher contact information goes here

Notes:

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We plan to work with our students parents as a team. We want the very best for your child and will work hard to help them get all they can out of their rst grade experience. We will do all we can to keep in constant communication with you . In addition to using email and our website, there are a few essential things you can do to help your child be as successful as possible. Check your childs backpack daily. Please do not let your child throw away backpack items without showing you rst. Read each weeks Friday note and the Monthly Calendar/Newsletter. Help ensure your child does his/her homework daily. All homework must be neat and turned in on time. Review, sign and return your childs progress reports and report card envelopes. GRADE DEFINITIONS:
O = Outstanding/Advanced 90-100% S+ = Satisfactory/Procient 80-89% S = Satisfactory/Basic 74-79% S-= Approaching Satisfactory/ 70-73% N = Needs Improvement/Below Basic 60-69% U = Unsatisfactory/ Far Below Basic 0-59%

Check that your child is wearing clothing and shoes that will remain comfortable as well as safe during the day. Please be sure your child knows how to tie shoes (velcro is not a replacement for this important skill =D) and knows his/her phone number and address. Label all items you send to school with your child (backpacks, lunch boxes, jackets). First graders tend to misplace things. =D Keep personal pencil boxes, pencils, pens, markers, crayons or any other desk item at home. All of our classroom supplies are shared amongst all students in the class. Children are allowed to bring water bottles to class. The bottles they bring may only contain water and must have a sports top or straw to prevent spilling. Children who come late or leave early will miss part of the instruction that day. Please try to be on time and refrain from taking your child out of school early.

Students will help out with assigned classroom jobs. These job assignments rotate through all students. THURSDAY: Dont forget about or weekly minimum day! All students are dismissed early. FRIDAY: Testing is usually done on Friday as that is when we nish each small unit of instruction. Friday is our school-wide spirit day. Students are encouraged to wear their Chaparral attire. MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
Musical! Rhyming! Chanting! Singing! Mathematical / Logical! Math! Puzzles! Spatial ! Activities!

Linguistic! Reading! Listening! Discussing! Reporting!

THE ROUTINE
THE BASICS Children are allowed to bring a small, healthy snack to eat on the grass during our morning recess. Lunches should also be healthy. If you need to pay for school lunch it is easiest and fastest to pay online - or at least ahead of time.You can pay for several lunches in advance. If your child pays at school, he/she will need to pay in the morning, or during recess. About once a month we will have an oral presentation where students will recite a poem from memory in front of their classmates. We try to have classroom parties for: Christmas/Winter, Valentines Day and the End of the Year depending on parent volunteers and time. We do small celebrations in class for birthdays.You are welcome to send in cupcakes, cookies, or any other store bought treats. A healthy alternative is always appreciated.. NO HOMEMADE ITEMS ARE PERMITTED per district policy. Please be sure there is something for every child in class. (30-31 students per class) We will not be able to pass anything out until the end of the school day. WEEKLY We will visit the computer lab and library once a week. 1st graders keep their library books in their desks at school.

People /! Intrapersonal! Group Activities! Projects! Discussions! Games!

Multiple ! Intelligences!

Kinesthetic! Experiments! Games! P.E.! Art!

Nature! Experiments! Outdoor activities! Animals! Plants!

Self / Intro-Personal! Independent work! Worksheets! Reading! Book Reports!

Our First Grade Team has worked to devise lessons that incorporate all of our curriculum standards within fun and interesting thematic units based on our social studies and science standards.

Thematic units allow us to better suit the needs of all learners. It is important to note that not all students learn the same way. Teaching through multiple intelligences allows us to provide our children with cohesive instruction that caters to all types of learners.

Note your childs classroom and school behavior. We expect children to be kind, respectful and follow simple rules. We use a simple stoplight behavior system. STOPLIGHT SYSTEM: Green: Great Day Yellow: Warning Red: Poor Day; Unacceptable; a red note will go home to be signed and returned. Ofce Referral - Visit the school administration Consistency: Be sure your child arrives in class after a good nights sleep and eating breakfast. Maintain a consistent homework, dinnertime, bath time, and early bedtime routine to help your child be ready for school each day.

THE STANDARDS
MATH ! Children are to memorize addition and subtraction facts through 20. We will be giving the students speed math tests throughout the school year. They will need to practice counting up, counting back and ultimately memorizing their facts. A set of ash cards at home will help them work on this part of their nightly homework. Naming, knowing the value of and counting coins is another rst grade standard. So too, is telling time to the hour and half hour. Both of these skills take a lot of review and repetition. Please provide your child plenty of opportunity to practice these skills at home.