Welcome to First Grade!

1. Welcome to First Grade! Miss Kekatos’ Class

2. What is the Focus of First Grade Math? • Operations and Algebraic Thinking • Understanding addition/subtraction • Fact fluency to ten • Mental Addition and Subtraction Strategies • Commutativity, associativity, equality • Number and Operations in Base Ten • Additive and Positional Properties of Base Ten Number System • Measurement and Data • Geometry

3. New York Common Core Mathematics Curriculum • Four Modules • Overview: Fluency practice, Application problem, Concept Development, Problem Set, and Exit Ticket. • See yellow packet for more information.

4. Language Arts We have a newly adopted reading curriculum called Treasures.. This series is made up of lessons that teach students phonics, phonemic awareness, dictation, comprehension skills, language skills (grammar, usage, mechanics, vocabulary, spelling), and the writing process. This series allows for small group guided reading time and center work to differentiate instruction in order to meet the needs of all learners. We have also adopted the Common Core Standards and will be using them as our benchmarks throughout the whole year. A reading log will be attached to each student’s take-home binder to record minutes and books read. Reading daily at home will prove helpful in various reading skills, such as fluency and vocabulary. First graders will also work on handwriting via our Handwriting Without Tears program. HWT reviews capital letters and provides practice for lower case letters, words, and sentences.

5. Science • Our science units are taught in a hands-on matter. We do many experiments and explore the following topics: • Organisms • Weather • Solids and Liquids

6. Social Studies • Our Social Studies curriculum covers the following topics: • School and Family • People Everywhere ~ Cultures • Where We Live ~ Geography • World of Work ~ Economics • Everything Changes ~ History • Good Citizens ~ Government and Citizenship

7. Spelling: • Please encourage your child to sound out their own words as much as possible when doing independent writing. This helps them develop fluency with writing and practice phonemic awareness. • The only time spelling counts is on Fridays during our weekly spelling tests! Students will be asked to practice words following a specific pattern each week. There will also be “challenge words” that are optional for each child. • Our weekly homework packets will have spelling activities to practice words at home. The “Tic-Tac-Toe” options give your child a choice on what he/she prefers to do each week!

8. Homework Packets: • Homework packets will be given on Mondays and due on Fridays. This will give students a chance to pace themselves throughout the week. • The assignments are meant to reinforce what we are doing here at school. • Please help to see that the packet is complete with your child’s name on the front for Friday!

9. Thinking Skills Mr. Packer will visit our classroom every other week for 30 minutes to develop critical thinking skills. • Art First Graders attend Art for an 1 hour on Fridays. Spanish First graders attend Spanish class three times weekly (T,W,TH) for 30 minutes. Music First graders attend Music class twice weekly (M, Thur) in 30 minute intervals. Gym First graders attend Gym class twice weekly (M,F) in 30 minute intervals. • Library First graders visit the library as a class every Tuesday.

10. Can Do Kid! Beginning the end of September, one week will be dedicated to each firstgrader. During this special week the student will be able to bring in pictures and other special objects to share with the class and put on display in the hallway outside of our classroom. In addition, their picture will be displayed in a decorated glass class case located across from the Art room and their name will be announced over the intercom during morning announcements! Birthday Treats We are a nut free classroom AND we have students with other food allergies. Please do not send any food items for birthdays. This is a new school rule this year. Students may bring other party favors to pass out.

11. PBIS • In addition, Irving has adopted a school wide behavior system entitled PBIS (Positive Behavior at Irving School) which revolves around the four • Irving Essentials: • Be Respectful… • Be Responsible… • Be Peaceful… • Be Safe… • EVERYWHERE!

12. Helpful Information • Please inform us of a planned absence or early dismissal via note or email. • School begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. It is important for students to arrive at school on time. If your child is tardy, please enter the building through the office. • Family/Teacher conferences are held twice a year. The first one takes place in the fall and the late winter. Please sign up tonight! • Every Tuesday you will receive a packet providing you with information about the school, district, and community. In addition, the WIN (Washington Irving News) will be sent home periodically to update you with school happenings.

13. Helpful information cont…. • It is imperative to keep us updated if any contact phone numbers change. • Please look through your child’s backpack and take-home folder each night/morning. • Return library books on TUESDAYS, the day your child is scheduled to visit the library with the class. • Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather. • Feel free to contact us at any time. The quickest form of communication is email or note. • Please visit our class website for weekly updates about what we will learn about each week and reminders of classroom/school events!

14. Common Core Parent Video

15. Communication The best way to get a hold of me is by email at: ekekatos@op97.org