Mrs. Malone-Brown’s

First Grade ClassWelcome parents!

All About Me My education: I have a Bachelor’s degree in

Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Reading. I am certified to teach PreK-8 and as a Reading Specialist.

My experience: I have been teaching first grade in Virginia Beach for 10 years. I also taught third grade at Larchmont Elementary in Norfolk for 9 years. Prior to that, I worked as a Reading Teacher at Norview Elementary in Norfolk.

All About Me

I am married to a wonderful husband. I live in Virginia Beach, close to Hunt Club farm. I have 2 daughters. My youngest- Janelle is in 6th at Princess Anne Middle. My oldest- Lianna is a sophmore at Kellam High School and attends the Governor’s School- Dance Department in Norfolk. If you have looked at my website you know that I also have 3 dogs and 1 puppy!

My Goals To create a classroom community where

students become independent readers, thinkers, and workers.

To personalize learning for every student in the class.

To reinforce the students’ development of effective work habits, self discipline, and organization skills.

Class Subjects The subjects we cover during first

grade are: Reading, Writing, Oral Language and Word Study/Spelling Math Integrated Science Integrated Social Studies

Reading First Graders learn to

use cueing strategies:

- get your mouth ready -look at the picture -look for chunks -skip the word, read

ahead and go back

Please look at the bulletin board behind the reading table!

Reading First Graders learn to monitor their reading

by asking themselves:

- Does it look right? -Does it sound right? -Does it make sense?

If it doesn’t- FIX IT!

Reading At the same time first

grades learn to identify elements of fiction:

-characters -setting -problem -resolution -theme

Preview the text and set a purpose for reading. Determine the meaning of unknown words while reading.

Reading First graders learn how to

use Reading Strategies: -Visualizing -Predicting -Making Connections -Summarizing -Making Inferences -Identifying important information

They also learn how to identify and use nonfiction text features.

Reading First graders progress from the

emergent (beginning) to the transitional stage of reading development.

One assessment used to determine reading level is the DRA. Students are expected to be a DRA level 16/18 at the end of first grade.

Writing Students are expected to

be able to write several detailed sentences on a given topic with proper capitalization and punctuation at the end of first grade.

Math Some of the most

important topics covered in math are:

Place value Numerical patterns Counting combinations

of coins Using mathematical

operations to solve

word problems.

Math Virginia Beach uses a math

program called Math Connects. This program is aligned with local and state objectives. This year we will be implementing small group math instruction, similar to our small group reading instruction.

Science Some of the concepts

covered in science are: Tools scientists use Natural Resources and

taking care of the Earth Seasonal changes in

weather, plants and animals

Social Studies Some of the concepts

covered in Social Studies are:

Citizenship Maps and Globes Goods and Services Comparing life in- Past/Present/Future

Classroom Community Our classroom is a community. In our

community, we have agreements to help keep the classroom safe, so we can learn.

Our class agreements are: Listen. Follow directions. Be safe. Keep your hands and feet to

yourself. Use inside voices. Be kind. Respect people and things.

Important Information• Students have PE every day. Please be sure they

wear sneakers. They may leave sneakers at school and change into them at school. Girls should wear shorts or leggings underneath dresses or skirts.

• Please send a note for: change in dismissal, early dismissal, and after an absence.

• First Grade gifted screening will take place in October this year. More information will be sent

• home soon.

Important Information Informal progress reports and report cards will each

be sent home 4 times a year. The first progress report will go home on 10/8/15. I will be scheduling parent teacher conferences before and after school at the end of September and the beginning of October. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments at ANY time please do not hesitate to let me know. This year we will be one of growth, change and learning for teachers, administrators, parents, and students!!

Important Information Citizenship, Productivity, and Work

Habits will be updated in Parent Portal on a weekly basis. Please check on your student’s progress and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I will do the same!

Important Information Oral Language, Reading, Writing, and

Math grades will be entered in Parent Portal before the first progress report is issued and updated regularly between the progress report and report card dates.

More Important Information…

Breakfast: Students are now eating breakfast in the classroom. If you do NOT want your child to eat breakfast please send in a note for the cafeteria. Otherwise, students will be allowed to purchase breakfast. Parents will be charged if there is no money on the

student’s account.

Cafeteria The cafeteria is a busy place! The

schedule is tight, meaning that we have very little time to cleanup before the next class arrives. When packing lunch please make it easy for your child to clean up all their trash AND carry their lunch box in their hand. Help your child

learn to open the items you are packing for them to eat.

Cafeteria Cafeteria expectations: Stay in your seat. Face the table. Keep your hands and feet to yourself. Do not share food. Use a regular voice. Clean up all your trash. Follow directions from ALL adults respectfully.

Grading Virginia Beach grading key:

N- Novice. DP- Developing Proficiency. P- Proficient. AP- Advanced Proficient.

Forms/Information

Please join the PTA!

Please sign up if you would like to assist the class in any way.

Look at us!!

We are friends!

We work together!

We play together.

We learn together.

We help each other.

We are a school family.

Closing Thoughts

• Homework: school wide discussion/agreement to be announce later in the year. REGARDLESS of the decision reading on a daily basis is essential at this level.

• Laptops: students will be responsible for using laptop appropriately.

• Use my website! Check it and my blog for frequent updates and photos of class activities.

Ways to talk about school

What was the best part of your day and why?

• - What did you do in math today?

• - What book did you read today?

• - What did you write about today?

• - Who did you sit with at lunch?

• - What did you do in PE?

• - What did you do on the laptop?

Our Schedule• Lunch 11:08-11:38 You are welcome to join your child

for lunch any time!• PE/Recess M, T, Th, F 1:35-2:15• W 12:50-1:35• Art Tues 12:50-1:30• Music Fri 12:50-1:30L• Reading 8:50-11:08• Math 11:40-12:50• Writing 2:20-3:00• Science/Social Studies- integrated throughout the day

Reading is the key• In first grade we learn to read.• In all other grades we read to learn.• Children who can not read will not succeed in school.• Children who read books at their level will move forward

faster in Reading.• I will PROVIDE leveled materials for your child to read at

home. • If you want these materials and I do not offer them to

you, please feel free to ask. • The more your child reads, the better he/she will do. • Try making Reading a family activity!

Reinforce your child’s reading

• After your child reads- or you read to your child ask them to RETELL everything that happened in the story.

• Ask them questions about the story:

• What was your favorite part? Why?

• What does the story make you think of?

• What was the most important thing that happened in the story?

Can I answer any questions?

I am looking forward to a FANTASTIC year!!