to Ms. Zimmer’s to Ms. Zimmer’s First Grade Classroom!First Grade Classroom!

Please come in & write a note to Please come in & write a note to your child!your child!

Please Note: This schedule Please Note: This schedule is is

subject to change subject to change unexpectedly.unexpectedly.

7:45-8:00 Unpack & D.E.A.R. time7:45-8:00 Unpack & D.E.A.R. time8:00-8:25 Morning Meeting8:00-8:25 Morning Meeting8:25-8:45 Word Study8:25-8:45 Word Study8:45-9:05 Read Aloud8:45-9:05 Read Aloud9:05-9:30 Shared Reading & Weekly Comprehension 9:05-9:30 Shared Reading & Weekly Comprehension SkillSkill9:30-9:50 Recess9:30-9:50 Recess9:50-10:50 Guided Reading / Centers9:50-10:50 Guided Reading / Centers10:52-11:22 Lunch10:52-11:22 Lunch11:25-11:55 Writing: Mini-lesson, Writing, 11:25-11:55 Writing: Mini-lesson, Writing, ConferencesConferences11:55-12:15 Science, Social Studies, Health11:55-12:15 Science, Social Studies, Health12:15-1:00 Special Areas (Music, Art, P.E.)12:15-1:00 Special Areas (Music, Art, P.E.)1:00-2:30 Math: 1:00-2:30 Math: CGI, Guided & Independent Practice, CGI, Guided & Independent Practice, Assessment, CentersAssessment, Centers2:30-2:40 Pack-up & Dismissal2:30-2:40 Pack-up & Dismissal

ThursdaysThursdays1:20-2:00 = Spanish1:20-2:00 = Spanish

FridaysFridaysEvery other week Every other week

11:40-12:15 = Library11:40-12:15 = Library

Clayton Cardinals are expected to be...Clayton Cardinals are expected to be...

RESPECTFULRESPECTFUL

RESPONSIBLERESPONSIBLE

MOTIVATEDMOTIVATED

KINDKIND

HONESTHONEST

BBEEHHAAVVIIOORR

CCHHAARRTTSS

The monthly behavior chart will The monthly behavior chart will come home daily in the come home daily in the

““ZOO” book.ZOO” book.

PLEASE INITIAL AND RETURN ITPLEASE INITIAL AND RETURN ITEACH DAY!EACH DAY!

When a student must be out When a student must be out because of illness or family because of illness or family

business, please send a note business, please send a note stating the reason for the stating the reason for the

absence the day your child absence the day your child returns or the absence will be returns or the absence will be considered unexcused. Please considered unexcused. Please also call the office to inform also call the office to inform

them that your child will not be them that your child will not be in attendance for that particular in attendance for that particular

day.day.

Students will be given Students will be given the same number of the same number of

days to make-up their days to make-up their work as they were work as they were

absent. For example: 3 absent. For example: 3 days absent = 3 days to days absent = 3 days to complete make-up work.complete make-up work.

School begins at 7:45. School begins at 7:45. If your child arrives after If your child arrives after

that time, they must check that time, they must check in at the office in order to in at the office in order to

receive a tardy permit.receive a tardy permit.

•Homework packets will be given to the students on Homework packets will be given to the students on Friday.Friday.•Homework is due the following Friday morning.Homework is due the following Friday morning.•If homework is late or incomplete, no credit will be If homework is late or incomplete, no credit will be given.given.•Homework is graded for completion.Homework is graded for completion.•I will not be able to give extras for students who loose I will not be able to give extras for students who loose their homework. (It will be available on our website) their homework. (It will be available on our website) •Homework grades will be shown in the personal Homework grades will be shown in the personal development portion of the report card. development portion of the report card. •In addition to the Homework Packet, students should In addition to the Homework Packet, students should read for at least15 minutes and study math facts daily. read for at least15 minutes and study math facts daily. •Students should document their daily reading by Students should document their daily reading by coloring in their monthly reading sheet. coloring in their monthly reading sheet. •If their reading sheet is not initialed they will not If their reading sheet is not initialed they will not receive credit for that day.receive credit for that day.

Homework grades will be shown in the personal Homework grades will be shown in the personal development portion of the report card. Here is the development portion of the report card. Here is the

breakdown of the grade:breakdown of the grade:

90%-100% of Homework Complete and On time 90%-100% of Homework Complete and On time = 4 on report card= 4 on report card

80%-89% of Homework Complete and On time 80%-89% of Homework Complete and On time = 3 on report card= 3 on report card

70%-79% of Homework Complete and On time 70%-79% of Homework Complete and On time = 2 on report card= 2 on report card

below 60%-69% of Homework Complete and On time below 60%-69% of Homework Complete and On time = 1 on report card= 1 on report card

HERE IS WHAT EACH HERE IS WHAT EACH HOMEWORK PACKET HOMEWORK PACKET WILL CONSIST OF...WILL CONSIST OF...

CCOOVVEERR

SSHHEEEETT

MMAAKKIINNGG

WWOORRDDSS

MMAATTHH

MMIINNUUTTEE

DDAAIILLYY

LLAANNGGUUAAGGEE

Reading Comprehension & FluencyReading Comprehension & Fluency

Learning.com is a website that helps to Learning.com is a website that helps to develop and enhance learning across the develop and enhance learning across the curriculum. With Learning.com, students curriculum. With Learning.com, students

learn to select and use the right technology learn to select and use the right technology for any project. And, at the same time, for any project. And, at the same time,

Learning.com helps your child meet national Learning.com helps your child meet national technology standards and develop skills that technology standards and develop skills that will help them throughout their education, will help them throughout their education, careers, and beyond. Students will be given careers, and beyond. Students will be given one Learning.com assignment to complete one Learning.com assignment to complete

each week. They will be in consecutive each week. They will be in consecutive order. We will begin in October.order. We will begin in October.

On Mondays (Tuesdays if On Mondays (Tuesdays if Monday is a holiday), Monday is a holiday),

students will take a “pretest” students will take a “pretest” over words taken from over words taken from

Spelling List A. The Spelling List A. The percentage correct on this percentage correct on this pretest will determine their pretest will determine their spelling list for the week.spelling list for the week.

Percent Percent Correct on Correct on Pre-TestPre-Test

Spelling List Spelling List for the Weekfor the Week

80% and 80% and aboveabove

Spelling List Spelling List AA

Below 80%Below 80% Spelling List Spelling List BB

Students will receive their spelling lists on Students will receive their spelling lists on Monday. Then, on Friday, they will be tested Monday. Then, on Friday, they will be tested

over the Spelling, High Frequency, and over the Spelling, High Frequency, and Challenge Words. For Spelling List A, Challenge Words. For Spelling List A,

students will have the opportunity to earn 1 students will have the opportunity to earn 1 extra point for each of the 2 bonus words. extra point for each of the 2 bonus words. For Spelling Lists B, I will choose 5 bonus For Spelling Lists B, I will choose 5 bonus words at random, and students will be able words at random, and students will be able

to earn 1 extra point for each of these words. to earn 1 extra point for each of these words. If students misspell a bonus word, no extra If students misspell a bonus word, no extra points will be given and no points will be points will be given and no points will be

taken away. taken away.

RREEAADDIINNGG

SSHHEEEETTSS

Students will receive a Reading Sheet every Students will receive a Reading Sheet every month. Students should document their daily month. Students should document their daily reading by coloring in their monthly reading reading by coloring in their monthly reading

sheet. If their reading sheet is not initialed, they sheet. If their reading sheet is not initialed, they will not receive credit for that day. Students who will not receive credit for that day. Students who receive credit will have their sheets stamped for receive credit will have their sheets stamped for the day. At the end of each month, students who the day. At the end of each month, students who have completed their reading for each day will have completed their reading for each day will

receive a “Book It” for free Pizza and 100% receive a “Book It” for free Pizza and 100% for their reading homework grade.for their reading homework grade.

AR is a program in which students can take comprehension quizzes over books that they have

read. For every quiz, they earn points. After reaching specific levels, they will be presented with an award during a school-wide assembly. Students must pass each quiz with at least 80% accuracy.

Level Books Read

1 20

2 50

3 90

In grades K-2 the criteria on the scale below In grades K-2 the criteria on the scale below are used to reflect achievement in each are used to reflect achievement in each

subject area.subject area. HolisHolis

tic tic GradiGradi

ngng

Academic/Academic/

Performance Performance LevelLevel

DescriptionDescription

44 AdvancedAdvanced Consistent high level performance/mastery Consistent high level performance/mastery of grade level work or above.of grade level work or above.

33 SkilledSkilled Consistent performance/mastery of grade Consistent performance/mastery of grade level work.level work.

22 Basic Basic UnderstandingUnderstanding

Basic performance on grade level work.Basic performance on grade level work.

11 Needs Needs ImprovementImprovement

Limited performance on grade level work.Limited performance on grade level work.

In addition, AISD utilizes the following scale In addition, AISD utilizes the following scale to reflect progress in specific areas of to reflect progress in specific areas of

personal development (behavior and self-personal development (behavior and self-management):management):

  4-Consistently4-Consistently3-Frequently3-Frequently

2-Occasionally2-Occasionally1-Rarely1-Rarely

Here is what the grades look Here is what the grades look like in percentages:like in percentages:

A grade of a 4 = 90%-100%A grade of a 4 = 90%-100%A grade of a 3 = 80%-89%A grade of a 3 = 80%-89%A grade of a 2 = 70%-79%A grade of a 2 = 70%-79%

A grade of a 1 = below 60%-A grade of a 1 = below 60%-69%69%

If there is just a stamp or check If there is just a stamp or check mark, it was a completion grade. mark, it was a completion grade.

I will write the percentage of I will write the percentage of problems correct and the grade problems correct and the grade (4,3,2,1) in the top right hand (4,3,2,1) in the top right hand

corner of the paper.corner of the paper.

Level

BeginningSeptember 1st

4

MiddleJanuary 1st

10

EndMay 1st

16

Fluency: Students should be able to read 60 words per minute by the end of the school year.

Sharing Sack: Sharing Sack: During the week before a student is Top During the week before a student is Top Banana, a “Top Banana” bag will be sent Banana, a “Top Banana” bag will be sent

home with the child. Students have a week to home with the child. Students have a week to collect special items with which to fill the bag collect special items with which to fill the bag

at home and bring it back to share with at home and bring it back to share with classmates on Monday. Students can also classmates on Monday. Students can also bring up to 12 photos of their choice to bring up to 12 photos of their choice to

display. The Top Banana will also take home display. The Top Banana will also take home an All About Me Poster to fill out and decorate an All About Me Poster to fill out and decorate

that will be displayed in the classroom.that will be displayed in the classroom.

Favorite Book: Favorite Book: The “Top Banana” brings one The “Top Banana” brings one of his or her favorite picture of his or her favorite picture books to read to the class (or books to read to the class (or have the teacher read to the have the teacher read to the

class).class).

Parent Letter: Parent Letter: Parents will write a letter to the class telling us Parents will write a letter to the class telling us

how special your child is to you. Send the letter in how special your child is to you. Send the letter in a sealed envelope to school with your child, and I a sealed envelope to school with your child, and I will read the letter to the class at class meeting. will read the letter to the class at class meeting.

The content of the letter is up to you, but you may The content of the letter is up to you, but you may want to choose from the following ideas: Describe want to choose from the following ideas: Describe special or funny stories about your child for the special or funny stories about your child for the class to hear, write a silly or serious poem about class to hear, write a silly or serious poem about your child, tell us some neat things we may not your child, tell us some neat things we may not

know about your child, send silly or special know about your child, send silly or special pictures with a letter describing the pictures, or pictures with a letter describing the pictures, or write a short story with your child as the main write a short story with your child as the main

character.character.

Lunch Buddy: Lunch Buddy: If possible, join your child in the If possible, join your child in the cafeteria for a special lunch on cafeteria for a special lunch on this day. You may also choose to this day. You may also choose to

invite a sibling or a favorite invite a sibling or a favorite relative to be your child’s lunch relative to be your child’s lunch

buddy. You can have the buddy be buddy. You can have the buddy be a surprise or let your child know a surprise or let your child know

ahead of time.ahead of time.

Banana Buddies: Banana Buddies: The “Top Banana" will be presented The “Top Banana" will be presented

with a friendship poster created by his with a friendship poster created by his or her classmates. The poster will or her classmates. The poster will include the Top Banana’s picture, include the Top Banana’s picture,

surrounded by compliments written by surrounded by compliments written by his or her classmates.his or her classmates.

Birthdays are special occasions for young Birthdays are special occasions for young children. On your child's birthday, we will sing children. On your child's birthday, we will sing "Happy Birthday" and celebrate this special day "Happy Birthday" and celebrate this special day with them in our classroom. They will also get to with them in our classroom. They will also get to

choose a book as a birthday gift. On Monday, each choose a book as a birthday gift. On Monday, each student with a birthday for that week will be student with a birthday for that week will be

called to the stage during morning assembly so called to the stage during morning assembly so that the school as a whole can sing Happy that the school as a whole can sing Happy

Birthday to them. If you would like to bring a Birthday to them. If you would like to bring a dessert to share with the entire class, please bring dessert to share with the entire class, please bring it during lunch. Please also make sure that it is an it during lunch. Please also make sure that it is an

individual snack, since lunchtime is limited. If individual snack, since lunchtime is limited. If your child has a summer birthday, please let me your child has a summer birthday, please let me know what day you would like to celebrate their know what day you would like to celebrate their

birthday during the school year.birthday during the school year.

Here are a few of the Here are a few of the Field Trips we are Field Trips we are

hoping to go on this hoping to go on this year...year...

A Concert at the Long A Concert at the Long CenterCenter

Tuesday, October 27Tuesday, October 27thth

10 a.m.10 a.m.

Inner Space CavernsInner Space Caverns

Austin Nature & Science Austin Nature & Science Center Life Cycles: Center Life Cycles: Frogs and ToadsFrogs and Toads

Two ideas to be keep at school or in a Two ideas to be keep at school or in a backpack: a jacket in case the room is backpack: a jacket in case the room is

too cool for your child and a rain slicker too cool for your child and a rain slicker (not an umbrella) in case of rain. (not an umbrella) in case of rain.

Because of daily P.E., students should Because of daily P.E., students should wear tennis shoes and bring a water wear tennis shoes and bring a water

bottle, labeled with their name, daily.bottle, labeled with their name, daily.

There are always items that can enhance or There are always items that can enhance or supplement instruction in our classroom. If you supplement instruction in our classroom. If you would like to donate an item to our classroom, would like to donate an item to our classroom, they are posted on our door. Please feel free to they are posted on our door. Please feel free to take a posted item home with you to serve as a take a posted item home with you to serve as a

reminder. If you have any questions about any of reminder. If you have any questions about any of the items please feel free to ask me. Or, if you the items please feel free to ask me. Or, if you

would like to donate something that is not listed, would like to donate something that is not listed, just check with me and I'll let you know whether just check with me and I'll let you know whether

or not we could use it in our classroom! Thank you or not we could use it in our classroom! Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity!so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity!

http://zimmerszoo.http://zimmerszoo.f-snet.comf-snet.com

That is all for now!That is all for now!Thanks for coming! Please Thanks for coming! Please

write a letter to your child so write a letter to your child so they have something to read they have something to read

from you in the morning. from you in the morning. Volunteer sign up sheets are Volunteer sign up sheets are located on the kidney bean located on the kidney bean table and “wishes” for the table and “wishes” for the class are located on our class are located on our

classroom door.classroom door.