Welcome to Back to School Night

Welcome to Back to School Night Mrs. Garrahan Room B7 Grade 1

Meet Mrs. Garrahan • I live locally with my husband and two beautiful children. • 2004 West Chester 2007 Arcadia Graduate • Graduate with BSED with a MSED with special education cert. • In addition to my master’s degree, I have also earned 40 post graduate credits. • I have had the pleasure of teaching several grade levels including Autistic Support within the district.

My Family

Reading/Language Arts Journeys - focus on guided reading and skill based instruction. • 6 Units • Whole Group, Small Group, Independent Instruction • Instructional Centers • Weekly/Bi-Weekly Assessments

High Frequency Words • A ring and first set of cards will be sent home tonight. • A new set will be sent with each lesson. • Practice Nightly • Tested Periodically

Writing • Five Step Writing Process • Graphic Organizers • Grammar imbedded into the Journeys program

Math Everyday Math - A problem-solving approach based on everyday situations - A variety of formats for frequent practice of basic skills - An instructional approach that revisits concepts regularly - A curriculum that explores mathematical content beyond basic arithmetic

Everyday Math Website • Can be accessed using http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/school/f8i0 • Each child has own username & password on back of folder. • Can use this to practice facts, play games taught in class.

Social Studies Our Community and Beyond • Good Citizens • Where We Live • Beginning Economics • People and Traditions

Science FOSS Science Kits **Marking periods 1 & 2 only! • Primary topics 1. Air and Weather 2. Seeds and New Plants

Homework Guidelines • Homework is based on what is being taught in class that day. • Spelling homework goes along with the reading lesson. • Math homework follows the lessons in class.

Reading Homework • Weekly reading log. • Children write book titles. • Please initial and check how your child read. (see log)

Spelling Homework • Based on the reading lesson. • In the beginning, some lessons will take longer. • Therefore, some weeks there will be no spelling homework.

Math Homework • Follows the lessons completed in class. • Some lessons may need two days. • Therefore, some nights there will be no Math homework. • Please do a lesson a night unless the book does not come home. • I will send an email to keep you up on the lessons.

Daily Communication/Test Folders • Each night your child will bring home a black homework folder. • Every Wednesday, if there are papers from the office, the Wednesday Express will come home. • In addition, there will be a tests in the envelope. Please look through the weekly tests, sign each test, and return this and the Wednesday Express envelope on Thursday.

Schedule • We are on a 12-day schedule. It is broken into 2 six day cycles, A week & B week. Students will be reminded in homework & each morning what day it is in our schedule.

. Specials

Report Cards • Report cards given 4 times a year/ envelope must be signed and returned the following school day, for the first three quarters.

Special Days Birthdays – There are 21 students in our class. Non edible: Pencils, erasers or donating a book or recess game to the classroom are great alternatives to food. Food Options: Pretzels, cupcakes, or anything that does not need cutting. Allergies to consider: sweet potato, bananas, grapes and blueberry juice.

Character Education • Code of Conduct – • 6 Pillars of Good Character • McDonald is continuing to work towards our Pillars ofCharacter: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. We strongly encourage the students to exemplify these pillars on a daily basis.

Classroom Management Individual Bucket Filling • Students fill buckets by being kind, helping others and following directions. • Ten “fillers” equal a reward from the reward menu. Traffic Light • Red- student continues to exhibit unexpected behaviors. • Yellow- warning that behavior needs to improve. • Green-expected behaviors (all students begin on green) • Colors will be recorded in their daily assignment sheet for parent(s)/guardian(s) to view. • Class Goal – Marble Jar • Whole class behavioral plan • When jar is full, the students will vote on class reward. • Parent Contact • Written or verbal immediately following any serious incident.

Supplies • The supplies are only going to take us so far. When your child runs out, he/she will come home with a checklist of the items needed.

My Website • http://www.centennialsd.org/Domain/661 • You can find classroom information, web links, and helpful resources.

Volunteer Opportunities Clearances needed: • Classroom helpers (centers, writing, etc.) (Please visit District Website under Human Resources to gain necessary paperwork.) One time visits: • Mystery Readers • Guest Speakers

Thank You • Thanks for taking time out of your day to come to Back to School Night • I look forward to a very exciting year with your child • Please contact me with any concern you may have garrre@centennialsd.org 215 441-6157 ext. 11357

Welcome to Back to School Night