Welcome to First Grade

Diane Watts

Classroom Phone (512) 841-7130

School Email: dwatts@austinisd.org

Schedule• 7:45-8:15 Arrival, Attendance Check, Morning Meeting• 8:15-8:45 Spelling and Handwriting• 8:45-10:00 Guided and Independent Reading• 10:00-10:30 WOW/Outside Playtime and Snack• 10:30-11:10 Writing Process• 11:10-11:42 Storytime/ Social Studies• 11:42-12:12 Lunch• 12:12-1:00 Math-Core and Small Group Instruction

• 1:00-1:45 Special Areas• 1:45-2:35 Science and Technology• 2:35-2:45 Dismissal

• Library and Computer Lab-alternating Fridays

Sending Money To School

• Please put all student money in an envelope. Label the envelope with the student’s name, teacher’s name and the purpose for the money. If it is lunch money, include you child’s PIN number.

• Consider prepay student lunches online if possible

Dismissal

• You may pick your child up under the covered sidewalk in front of the school or drive thru. We dismiss at 2:40 pm and things can get pretty chaotic. Do not be offended if I question a new face picking up your child.

• It is a risk to send me a note concerning dismissal in your child’s Reading Bag or Thursday Folder! The safest bet to contact me via written correspondence is to ask your child to give the note directly to me first thing in the morning. This simple act builds responsibility in your child.

• The office requires written documentation when a child’s dismissal routine changes. Unfortunately, I cannot accept a phone call at the last minute unless it is an emergency.

Daily Take Home Binders and Thursday Folders

• Students receive a stamp or sticker in their daily binder each day expectations are met. Binders should be at school every day.

• Thursday folders need to be signed and returned empty the following school day.

• Use both as a tool to stay abreast of school events.

Classroom Management Plan

School and Classroom ExpectationsBe responsible.Be respectful.Be self-disciplined.Be honest.

Consequences for inappropriate behavior: Verbal WarningOops- clothespin moved to my deskRefocus Zone- conduct calendar is written on, student sits out for 6-7 minutes,

illustrates the inappropriate action and writes a plan (sentence) for improvementPink Slip- conduct calendar is written on, pink slip is sent home – must be signed and returned by parent the next school day, copy is given to officeOffice Referral – student spends time with an administrator, referral is senthome-must be signed and returned by parent the following school day

Curriculum Language Arts- includes listening,

reading, writing, speaking, spellingWhat is active listening?

Why is reading practice at home so important?Is it OK if my child is memorizing the text?Do I really need to ask comprehension questions after reading at home?What in the world do TPRI and DRA stand for?

I will answer questions like these and others when my new website is updated.

Writing vs. Handwriting

• Beginning writers need a lot of encouragement. Please make writing experiences at home fun for your child by not expecting perfect spelling and editing practices.

• Handwriting formations are very important. Insist on top to bottom strokes and praise neat work habits.

Spelling• Keep monthly spelling lists in

the clear cover of your child’s binder.

• Formal spelling tests will begin in September with the first assessment being just for practice. (Sept. 20)

Don’t just practice the spelling words! Use them in simple sentences to practice writing skills, too.

MathEnvisions

Investigations

Supplemental Resources

Games

Mountain Math

Morning Meeting

Problem Solving

Real World Experiences

• Find your child’s shape glyph hanging from the ceiling.

• Do you know what a Venn diagram is?

Math• Instruction of new concepts to include:

patterning, addition and properties of addition, subtraction and properties of subtraction, number families-related facts, telling time, counting, skip counting, counting money, measurement ,calendar use, geometric shapes, and recognizing fractions

Science

• Force, Motion and Energy• Sun, Earth and Moon System• Dynamic Earth• Organisms and Environments• MARE

Others:• Technology• Health

Social Studies

Students will be required to present two projects; one on Native Americans in November and another on Texas in March.

Important concepts in social studies include map reading skills, famous Americans, holiday observations, ecology, cultural differences and Texas symbols.

Snacks• Students may bring a healthy snack to enjoy at

outside playtime at the end of the day. • Occasionally we will have snacks in class that are

coordinated with our curriculum. • You may send a birthday treat to celebrate your

child’s special day. These are usually shared outside at 2:15. Doughnuts, muffins or cookies are best. Nothing with tree nuts as an ingredient please!

• Water bottles are encouraged, especially at the beginning and end of the school year when temperatures are high.

Field Trips

• Long Center

• Austin Nature Center

• Westcave Preserve

• Bowie Science Day

Grading/Report Cards• Nine week grading periods

• Grades of 1-4 for academics and behavior (a grade of 3 in subject areas means the student is meeting grade level expectations)

• Progress reports will be sent midway through a nine week period when a child’s grade is a 1

• Fall and Spring conferences are required

• Tutorials will be offered for students not meeting grade level expectations

Meeting Individual Needs• 504 – school or medical testing and diagnosis required to

qualify. Modifications made in the regular classroom.• Special Education-school or medical testing and diagnosis

required to qualify. Student needs may be met in the regular classroom or in another environment (ex. speech therapy), by the regular education teacher or a special education teacher.

• Gifted Education – testing at Baranoff each semester at parent request. Modifications are made in the classroom to meet individual needs.

• Classroom Modifications – reduced written assignments, limit copying from overhead, use written, pictorial, verbal or signed prompts, behavior contract, small group or individual instruction, reading material off grade level, use of manipulatives, multi-sensory instruction

Technology

• Online resources from Baranoff site

• Classroom computers as extension, reward, curriculum enhancement

• Research for project topics

• Links from school’s online resource list

• raz-kids.com

Attendance Be sure to send a note if your child has been absent.• All medically excused tardies or absences require a

doctor or dentist note.• Students are considered tardy if they arrive after 10:00

or leave early.• If your student leaves school early because of illness,

they still need a note from you stating they were sick.• Federal funding is based on school attendance.

Homework• Read at least 15 minutes each day.

Reading Bags are sent home Fridays.

• Students should practice reading and practice their spelling words 15 minutes per day, Monday thru Thursday.

• Students are to complete and return Tuesday homework assignments Friday at the latest.

• Student work not completed in class in a timely manner may be sent home on occasion.

Misc.• All students will have an opportunity to be Super

Star. Please return the Home Journal promptly.• It is difficult to carry on a conversation at dismissal.

Please wait patiently or call me in the classroom after school.

• Leave a voicemail message if you have an issue needing a quick response.

• You may peruse the journals in your child’s desk before you go and surprise them with a quick note in the composition notebook’s inside cover.

Misc.

• PTA, Principal and Grade Level information is included in Thursday Folders. Please have a place in your home for important school correspondence.

• Activity fees of $50.00 are due on or before Sept. 20. Mark your child’s t-shirt size on the form making its way around the room.

• Please make sure you look in your Wizard’s binder daily and remove graded work.

How you can help…

• Listen to your child read daily.

• If possible, volunteer at school.

• Have rewards and consequences for your child’s behavior. With your support, Wizards learn more!

• Teach your child to be responsible for personal and school property.