Room 205

Back to School NightKathryn D. Markley Elementary School

September 19, 2012

Mrs. McCabeThis is my eighth year teaching 1st Grade at KDM.I taught 1st grade at Oak Park Elementary in Brentwood, NY for one year. I attended Saint Joseph’s University for my undergraduate work and Eastern University for my Master’s degree.I was born in Wantagh, Long Island.

Daily Schedule 8:40-8:55 - Morning Routine - Students : unpack, hand in notes, choose their lunch, complete an activity at their desk 8:55 - 9:15 - Morning Meeting/Olweus/ Interactive Read Aloud9:15 –10:15– Language Arts Block10:15- 10:30 –Read Aloud with Snack10:30 - 10:45 – Recess10:45 – 12:10 – Language Arts Block12:10 – 1:00- Recess/Lunch1:05 – 2:05 - Math2:05 - 2:50 - Special2:50 -3:25 – Social Studies/Science 3:25- 3:30- Pack Up/Dismissal

Our Specials Schedule

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Art PE Music Library

PE

•Here at KDM we work on a 5 day rotating schedule. There is a magnet in your folder to help you remember!

Language Arts: Reading

Phonics and Word Study– Sight Words (Fry Words)/Spelling– Word Sorts (Magnetic letter envelopes & magnet

donations)Fluency and Independent Reading– Reader’s Workshop/Guided Reading/Shared

Reading/PoetryComprehension– Retelling– Make Connections (text to self, text to text)– Infer– Question– Making Mental Images– Predicting

Reader’s Workshop

Reader's Workshop is a framework that provides students with reading instruction and focused time to read ing self-selected books independently or with partners/small groups. 

The structure of Reader's Workshop includes: 

– Mini-Lesson The children receive explicit instruction in the process and skills of proficient reading 

– Time for Guided and Independent Practice: Students read high-interest, just-right books of their own choosing while the teacher works with individual students or small groups

At the end of the workshop, the students usually gather together again.  The teacher may highlight an important concept or provide time for a few students to share their work.

Teachers use the Great Valley Reader's Workshop curriculum to guide instruction.  It is divided into units; each focused unit was designed to teach specific skills and strategies.

Our Book Boxes• Used every day in our classroom during Reader’s Workshop.•Decorate with photos, magazine clippings, words, favorite things, favorite stories, etc.•Will be sent home tonight! Please return them by Thursday, September 27th or earlier.•Please print your child’s name clearly on both of the narrow sides!

Language Arts: Writing

Program - Lucy Calkins “Writer’s Workshop”

Students write stories based on their own personal experiences. Help your child to think of ideas that they could write about in school. You can add to your child’s idea pocket all year long!

OLWEUS Anti-Bullying Program

District-Wide Initiative to prevent and react to bullying situations at school.Class meetings held weekly to discuss bullying issues as well as to instruct students in handling situations of bullyingTerminology used by the district when discussing instances:– Instigator (bully)– Target (victim)– Bystanders (witnesses to event)

School-wide Incident Reporting Form will be used to record and report any instances of bullying that occur

Rewards •Individuals- bee sticker•Class- earn a bee for your hive- reward for every 15 bees•Groups- earn a tally mark – reward for every 10 tally marks

Consequences Going for Green

•Green – Good Behavior•Yellow – One/two Verbal Warnings•Red – Three Verbal Warnings

•Phone call or e-mail home/Principal

Things to talk about with your children:

•Bathroom visits

•Book Buddies! Students will be given a “book buddy” bag to bring a “just right book” home with them Monday-Thursday night. Please keep the book log inside of the book buddy bag and remember to sign it each night!•Fry Sight Word Practice OR Word Sort Menu (Spellingcity.com)•Math/Science/SS homework as needed!

Homework

BirthdaysGuest Reader

-2 or 3 Fridays a month-Read a picture book (or two) to the class (10-20 minutes)

10:10-10:30First Friday Readers

The first Friday or each month (except April and June) all parents are invited to read with our class! A note will be sent home each month. If you are able to attend, let me know

and I will give you a small group of children to read with.10:00 -10:30

Special DaysWe have special days throughout the year that correspond to our theme of the week. Occasionally I will ask parents to volunteer their time to help with special centers. As

these days come up, I will notify you!Snack

-We have a water fountain here in the room.

-Snack should be small and easy enough to eat while listeningto a story or working independently at their desks.

-WE ARE A NUT FREE CLASSROOM!-We do not have forks, knifes or spoons in the classroom.

Lunch-Please write my name on your child’s lunch box.

-The lunch bags often get mixed in with other classes.Book Orders-Once a month

-Checks payable to “Scholastic Book Clubs”-If you order online, our class will receive a free book! The paperwork will come home with

the first book order!

Phone calls 610-644-1790 x1205Email * This is the best way to reach me!

kmccabe@gvsd.org Letters/Notes

Place inside Take-Home Folder

Open Lines of Communication