Welcome to First Grade

1
Welcome to First Grade

• Mrs. Bleases Class
• Morris Brandon Primary
• 2012-2013

2
Homework

• Students will receive a homework contract at the
  beginning of each week.
• Homework contracts will explain homework for the
  week. You can expect Reading Practice, Phonics,
  Math, and/or Grammar each week.
• It is the responsibility of the student to return
  all homework and the contract Friday morning in
  their homework folders.
• Parents are responsible for initialing homework
  contracts each night.
• If you notice that homework is taking longer than
  normal, or have any questions, please send me an
  e-mail so that I can address any issues.

3
Book Reports

• Students will have assigned book reports or
  projects to complete.
• Book reports will be due on the indicated due
  date.
• September 24th
• November 12th
• February 25th
• April 22rd
• Reports must be made from an approved book that
  students can read by themselves.

4
Our Essential Agreements

• Be Safe
• (and help others be safe)
• 2. Learn
• (and help others learn)
• 3. Have Fun
• (and help others have fun)

5
Discipline

• To keep our class happy and safe, we need to
  follow our school and classroom essential
  agreements. As a class, we will compose our
  essential agreements for a safe and productive
  learning environment.
• Our behavior management system has four colors.
  Each child has a Bee that can be moved to the
  different colors.
• Students will begin each day on GREEN.
  Typically, a warning is given before a child is
  asked to change colors. I will try to always
  write why their color was changed.
• If a child ends the day on RED, they will fill
  out a reflection sheet explaining the events that
  took place.
• By having the student physically move their Bee,
  I am asking that student to acknowledge
  inappropriate behavior and take responsibility
  for it.
• You can also monitor your childs behavior
  progress by initialing their behavior calendar
  each night.  

6
Changes of Transportation

• If your child is going home a different way,
  please complete the change of transportation form
  (or send in a signed note) indicating how your
  child will be going home that day. Changes of
  transportation MUST BE IN WRITING. E-mails do
  not count (I may not get it in time).
• Also, students are not allowed to have friends
  come home with them on the bus (unless they ride
  the same bus).
• If you are planning a play date, please make
  arrangements to pick up the children from school,
  or schedule it after school.
• Also, it is helpful to discuss with your child
  how he or she is going home each morning before
  school. This can help prevent confusion and
  panic during dismissal. Thank you!

7
Snack

• We will have snack every day at 910.
• Please send your child to school with a healthy
  snack each day. (fruit, cheese, crackers, granola
  bars, etc.)

8
Birthdays

• Our normal birthday celebration time is 145. If
  you would like to celebrate your childs birthday
  at school, please e-mail me to schedule a time to
  come visit the class.

9
Field Trips

• High Touch High Tech (Sept. and Oct. TBD
• in house)
• Theater Works
• -Martha Speaks (11/5)
• -Charlottes Web (2/20)
• Carter Center (Feb. TBD)
• Aquarium (Apr. TBD)
• Shanendoah (Oct. TBD in house)
• Chattahoochee Nature Center (5/22)

10
Field Trips

• The total cost of field trips for the year is
  90.
• You can choose to either send in one check at the
  beginning of the year, or pay one installment of
  45 now, and the second installment of 45 in
  January.

11
Grading

• A 90-100
• B 80-89
• C 70-79
• F 69 and Below
• Grades are composed of tests, quizzes, homework,
  class work and projects.
• Graded papers will typically go home twice a
  month in your childs folder.

12
Treasures Reading Series

• Houghton Mifflin Reading is a fully integrated
  reading and language arts program for grades
  Kindergarten through 6.
• Its based on a solid foundation of scientific
  research, with systematic instruction in reading,
  writing, grammar, and spelling and a variety of
  resources to ensure success for all students.
• This new integrated reading/language arts program
  features explicit skill lessons for core
  instruction organized in a clear instructional
  pathway with differentiated, scaffolded
  instructional opportunities to meet individual
  needs.
• Instruction is supported by outstanding
  award-winning literature and decodable text that
  provides a balance of fiction and non-fiction
  reading opportunities.
• The program is linked to a comprehensive
  assessment system, built-in staff development,
  and integrated technology.

13
Everyday Math

• First Grade Everyday Mathematics is part of an
  elementary school mathematics curriculum
  developed by the University of Chicago School
  Mathematics Project.
• There are a number of features that distinguish
  the Everyday Mathematics curriculum. These
  include
• A problem-solving approach based on everyday
  situations
• A variety of formats for frequent practice of
  basic skills
• An instructional approach that revisits concepts
  regularly
• A curriculum that explores mathematical content
  beyond basic arithmetic
• In addition to basic arithmetic, First Grade
  Everyday Mathematics emphasizes the following
  topics
• Number and Numeration
• Operations and Computation
• Data and Chance
• Measurement and Reference Frames
• Geometry
• Patterns, Functions, and Algebra
• Everyday Mathematics is distinguished by its
  focus on real-life problem solving, balance
  between whole-class and self-directed learning,
  emphasis on communication, facilitation of
  school-family cooperation, and appropriate use of
  technology.

14
IBInternational Baccalaureate

• What is the Primary Years Programme?
• The IB Primary Years Programme, for students aged
  3 to 12, focuses on the development of the whole
  child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and
  in the world outside.
• The written curriculum
• The most significant and distinctive feature of
  the IB Primary Years Programme is the six
  transdisciplinary themes.
• These themes are about issues that have meaning
  for, and are important to, all of us. The
  programme offers a balance between learning about
  or through the subject areas, and learning beyond
  them. The six themes of global significance
  create a transdisciplinary framework that allows
  students to "step up" beyond the confines of
  learning within subject areas.
• Who we are
• Where we are in place and time
• How we express ourselves
• How the world works
• How we organize ourselves
• Sharing the planet

• We incorporate Six Units of Inquiry
• in our everyday curriculum
• Lets Get Physical
• (Light, Sound, Magnets, and Weather How the
  World Works)
• On Top of the World
• (Geography and Landforms Where We Are in Place
  and Time)
• We Are the World
• (Holidays Around the World How We Express
  Ourselves)
• Individuals with Attitudes
• (Influential People Who We Are)
• Money Makes the World Go Round
• (Economics How We Organize Ourselves)
• Animal Planet
• (Animals- Sharing the Planet )

15
Communication

• Handwritten notes and email are the best ways to
  reach me.
• bleasem_at_atlanta.k12.ga.us or margaret.blease_at_gmai
  l.com
• If you prefer, you can send in a note with your
  child. Please let them know that there is a note
  in their folder for me. Students are directed to
  place all notes in the note bucket or in my
  hand when they first enter the room.

16
Parent Volunteer Opportunities

• Parent Readers
• Fun Fridays
• Fieldtrip Chaperones

17
Final Reminders

• Students should dress PE appropriate on
  Tuesdays and Fridays.
• Please call the school if you need to reach me
  during the school day. I usually do not check my
  email until after school.
• Check out our classroom website to find out the
  daily schedule, what we are learning, and helpful
  links.
• Here are a few things to keep an eye out for that
  are coming home soon.
• -phonics readers, phonics rule book, storage box

18
Thank you!

• Any questions?