The ABC’s of First Grade

Curriculum Night Presentation

Mrs. Couturier

A = All About Me

• B.A. in Liberal Studies from San Bdno,.CA.• Endorsements in Early Childhood & English as A

Second Language• 14th year teaching (Kinder-7 yrs.,1st -7 yrs.)• 4th year at Andersen• 2 children – Dominic is in 9th grade, and Faith is in

6th grade.• Enjoy reading, shopping, exercising, spending

time with my family in my spare time

B = Behavior• Listen to the speaker

& participate in activities.

• Follow directions and be responsible.

• Be respectful to others.

• Use self-control when talking

• Finish assignments on time.

• Be a good citizen and friend to others.

C = Consequences1. Warning2. Warning/Pull Card3. Loss of Recess4. Call Home5. Office visit6. *If the infraction is

severe, consequences may begin at #3 or above.*

E = “E” HandwritingStudents will be graded on their spelling tests &

journals for handwriting. “E”

Handwriting means that your child used

spaces between words, their words are

readable, & their letters stayed between

the lines.

D = Daily Folder*Folder that “lives” in your child’s backpack. *Graded work, permission slips, forms, etc. will be sent home in this folder*Behavior Communication Sources – Monthly Behavior Chart*Please check folder everyday F = First Grade Day

8:10-8:20 – Morning Work8:20-8:50 – Specials (Day 1 ,4,3& 6)9:55-10:25 – Specials (Day 2)8:50-10:30 – Literacy Block10:30-11:23 – Writing/Spelling 11:23-11:55 – Lunch12:00-1:00 – Math1:15-1:30 – Recess1:30-2:00 – Burst Group 2:00 -2:35 – Integrated Studies (Science& Social Studies)2:40 - Dismissal

G = Grading• Assessments

– Language Arts: Weekly – skills test

– Math: Bi-weekly – unit assessment & timed math facts

– Reading: Weekly – comprehension test

– Spelling: Weekly – 10 spelling words, handwriting,

Due at the end of each week:1. Practice sight words2. Read 15-20 minutes 5

nights per week (initial reading calendar to show completion)

3. Study Math Facts Nightly4. Study the High Frequency

words for the week

Incentives

•Table Points

•Reward Jar

•Class Incentives (Andy Awards)

•Pencil Passes

J = Just Try Your

Best!!!

K = Keep Them Hydrated

It’s hot, so please send

a water bottle with

your child.No colored fluid,

please!!!

L = Lunch• $2.50 for lunch• Pay before school or online

M = Math

N = Newsletter• Sent home the last day of each week• Contains important class and academic information

*Developing an understanding of and strategies for addition and subtraction *Developing an understanding of whole number relationships and place value (grouping in tens and ones) *Understanding linear measurement and measuring lengths*Reasoning about and composing/decomposing (making/breaking apart) geometric shapes.

How Parents Can Help…

• Word problems, especially problems of the day, may seem very complicated and advanced.

• Students will need support thinking about these ideas before they begin to solve:– What they know about the problem – What they know about the answer – Whether this looks like a problem they have

seen before

P = Papers to Sign & Return• There will be a packet of papers that will need to be

signed & returned ASAP• Student Handbook Code of Conduct, Media Release,

Transportation Form, Emergency Card, & Principal’s Letter

O = Open Door Policy• Email – best and most efficient way to communicate with

me during the school day• Phone – doesn’t ring in classroom during school hours• Written – use Daily Folder to send in notes/money/forms

R = ReadingStudents are required to read 15-20 minutes, 5 nights per week.

Please initial their reading calendar for the days read to complete their homework.

Q = Questions/Concerns/Comments – Let me know

S = Supply ListPlease consider donating some of the items on the list

(especially snacks)!

Testing & Curriculum

• Assessments – Weekly & Quarterly• Reading/Phonics – Individualized groupings, whole

group, Centers• Spelling – Phonics-based• Writing – Journals, friendly letters, poetry, themed

writing• Math – Independent, whole group, math journals• Social Studies – Community, maps, special

Americans, Arizona• Science – Rocks, plants, living things, balance &

motion, weather

V = Volunteer*Volunteers must fill out

an informational form regarding employment

& criminal history.*If you’re going to be

working with the students, you must

complete a background check.

• PTO Rep• Art Masterpiece• Room Parent/Guardian• Decodable Readers• Copying

U = Utilization of

Technology

We need everyone’s

current emails! We’re

going paperless.

Y = Yummy!Please donate whole group snacks!

W = Weekly Star Student

A student who shows exceptional behavior,

improvement, and effort is eligible to be Star Student for

the week.

X = Xtra SuppliesKeep a look out for any

items on the “Wish List” in our Weekly

Newsletter.

Z = ZZZZZZZZ!Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep!

Welcome BackFrom Your Principal, Mrs.

Hannon

Meet Our New Counselor, Ms. Ryan

Attendance

• Students must attend every day and be on time.

• Chronic Absenteeism is 18 or more days absent. This is monitored by the school and the district truancy officer.

• Being late or tardy causes a loss in instruction time, please be on time.

• Have a routine established for the morning to ensure you are on time.

What the Research Says

Students with regular attendance are more likely to read well by the critical third-grade

milestone, score higher on standardized tests, graduate from high school, and go to college than students who are chronically

absent.Please have your child(ren) at school everyday

and on time.

Drop Off and Pick Up Has Changed: Patience Required

• Please be sure to read the information on our new drop off and pick up procedures.

• The front parking lot will be closed during drop off and pick up times, but open during the rest of the day.

• Parking during drop off and pick up will be in the back west lot. Handicap parking in available in the back.

• Please follow all signs and procedures. Our teachers work hard to provide a safe drop off and pick up for all students. We appreciate your support.

Move on When Reading

In 2010 the Arizona Legislature passed a new law. This law, ARS 15.701.2, is also known as “Move on When Reading.”

The law states that 3rd grade students who score in the “Falls Far Below” category on the state AIMS reading test will be retained in 3rd grade. There are certain circumstances which may allow a student to be exempt from this requirement.

•Special Education students who have previously been retained

•English Language Learners who have had fewer than two years of English language instruction.