Back to School Night2011

Students, Parents and Teachers

Working Together

My Job Description

It is my job to look at each child as anindividual who needs to be taught in a waythat matches their learning style.

My classroom should be a place whereevery child feels happy, safe andrespected.

Team Work • Communication is key! hizsa@chatham-

nj.org

• We have a common goal!

• No concerns or questions should go unresolved!

• Please share anything which may affect your child’s school experience!

In first grade, we focus on the two pillars of caring and fairness. Throughout their time at SBS, all pillars are addressed in depth.

• http://josephsoninstitute.org/sixpillars.html• www.charactercounts.com

IMPORTANT Business of First Grade

• Arrival: NO earlier than 8:20, there is NO supervision before 8:20. Blacktop line up unless it is raining then the students will be in the lobby by the gym.

• Dismissal Plans: PLEASE always send a note with changes to your child’s dismissal schedule. DO NOT LEAVE A MESSAGE ON VOICE MAIL OR E-MAIL. NO TINY NOTES!!!!

• Folder: Check and return your child’s folder each day.• Snack: It should be small and healthy. They only snack for about 10

minutes. (Allergies) Please pack separate from lunch!! WATER BOTTLES!!

• Lunch: If you are sending cash to buy lunch please place it in an envelope in your child’s folder. Please discuss the lunch choice with your child in advance. The school’s preference would be for you to set up an on-line lunch account.

• Attendance/Illness: Please help everyone by keeping sick children home and calling Mrs. Leister. Let us know WHY your child is staying home. Attendance Line: 973-457-2509 then Press 1

• All medications must be administered by our nurse, Karen Leister…even cough drops.

• TIRED AND CRANKY!!!!

Parents and family members are welcome to come in and read a story to the class on their child’s birthday. Please contact me via email to set up a good day and time for your child’s birthday book.In first grade we do NOT celebrate birthdays with food treats.

Language Arts What is Balanced Literacy?: shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, writing, and word work

Word Work : phonics, spelling, mechanics, dictation

Good Habits, Great Readers: shared and guided readingBig books and varied reading groups.

Words their Way: word sorts

Writing Workshop :language experience, shared writing, interactive writing, guided writing, independent writingLucy Caulkins

Zaner-Bloser Handwriting

**There is “no cap” on reading, highly individualized, read aloud, shared reading, guided reading, individual reading, and independent reading instruction.

Reading Strategies

Eagle Eye

Look at the pictures!Look at the pictures tofigure out an unknown word.

Lips the fishGet your lips ready!Say the first sounds of the word outloud.Read the end of thesentence and say thesounds again.

Tryin” LionTry it again!Try to re-read thesentence.Try a word that makessense.

Skippy FrogSkip it, Skip it!Skip the word(skip it, skip it).Read the end of thesentence.“Hop back”and read it,read it.

Stretchy Snake“S-t-r-e-t-c-h” it out!Stretch the word outslowly. Put the soundstogether to figureout the word.

Chunky MonkeyChunk the Word!Look for a “chunk” thatyou know (-ing, and,art,old) Look for a word part (be-, -er, etc.)

Helpful KangarooAsk For Help!After you have tried all the other strategies ask for help.

Math program enVision MathStudents will learn math through interactive hands-on and visual learning opportunities.

Technology is a large component of the program http://www.chatham nj.org/sbs/site/default.asp

You will receive a letter with log-in information in the next few days. Please feel free to explore the website.

Social Studiescommunitiestraditions and customshistorygeographymapsbiographiescultures

Science Students learn science best by doing science!!

Using inquiry based learning we will study:How to make observations and predictions

Balance and Motion

Changes (Solids,Liquids,Gases)

Pebbles, Sand and Silt

Sunshine and Shadows

Homework

• Handwriting- September to November

• Math– October to June

• Spelling–beginning in November

• Reading– October to May “Just Right” books –> 20 minutes/night

*Independence is encouraged please provide parental support when necessary.*

What can I do to help?Encourage and foster INDEPENDENCE.

Encourage risk taking, use trial and error learning.

Encourage your child to make observations and predictions.

Encourage your child to be a problem solver.

Help your child become resourceful and to make good choices.

Remember that homework is to teach responsibility, not to challenge.

Children may forget what you say, but they will NEVER forget how you make them feel!!