General Information Ida Donaghho, First Grade

It is my deepest hope that this will be a year of amazing growth in each of my students. My primary focus will be to create students who are self-directed, life-long learners. It is my job to provide meaningful learning experiences that will be stimulating and interesting for my students. My goal this year is to develop in my students a love of learning. I believe that intrinsically motivated learners will be more likely to succeed in life. Thus, teaching students that learning in itself is the most important reward will be something that is fostered and developed throughout the year.

I am committed to providing a learning environment that is free of harmful stress, is safe, and promotes mutual respect and fairness. The environment in our class will establish and build a sense of community among the students. Each child has unique and wonderful gifts to offer to our class. Individual differences are not only accepted but deeply valued. Each child has something unique and wonderful to offer to our class community. Their opinions, thoughts and personalities are what will make our class special.

I believe that parents are the primary educators of their children. The impact you have in their lives is profound. You will be their role models, guides, spiritual leaders, and source of support throughout their lives. I only have a year with them…You have an entire lifetime with them! While I take my responsibility of role model, teacher, guide and encourager very seriously, it is, you, the parents that have the most significant influence in their lives. They depend on you for spiritual formation, love, discipline and educational support. Please spend as much time with them as possible everyday to mold their minds, love their spirits, and shape their lives. They need you and want you desperately at this age. Nothing is more important than the quality time you spend with your children.

I look forward to working with each of you this year. We are truly in a partnership to help your child reach their maximum learning potential. I will do my best to provide a structured, warm, nurturing and rich educational experience for your child. I appreciate your support and cooperation. It is my prayer that each child will reach their God given potential, and that God will give me, the teacher, and you, the parent, the energy, strength, and wisdom to help your child be the best that they can be.

Curriculum:

A variety of materials, resources and teaching techniques will be used to insure that each child’s learning style will be addressed. By designing lessons this way, the likelihood of reaching all students is greater. Independent work, cooperative grouping, whole group and small group instruction, hands-on activities, learning centers and guided discovery approaches will be used throughout the year. Language Arts: The reading program is an integrated, comprehensive language arts program. English, reading, and spelling are all taught using the Houghton-Mifflin Reading Program.

The main focus in first grade is learning to read. Reading will be taught with a balanced approach...solid phonics, memorization of high frequency words, word attack skills, and language mechanics instruction will be combined with whole language instruction. The students will be given ample opportunities to develop their reading skills. Comprehension skills, word attack skills and oral reading skills will be taught on a daily basis. Reading is integrated into all areas of the curriculum. By the end of the year, every child should be reading fluently and understanding what they read. Writing will be taught through a variety of strategies. Paragraph structure, descriptive writing, creative writing, and letter writing (to name a few) will be taught using the writing process. Students will be taught to edit and proofread their own work as well. Spelling and handwriting will be a regular part of the curriculum.

Math:

A balanced approach will be used in teaching math as well. Some of the skills we will be learning are adding, subtracting , graphing, simple fractions, measuring, problem solving, telling time to the nearest ½ hour, identifying coins and counting money, sorting, classifying, writing story problems, grouping ( to develop multiplication skills), simple geometry, and memorization of basic math facts. A lot of time will be spent on concept development with the use of lots of math manipulatives and hands-on activities. Developing their number sense and logic will be another component of the math program. The students will be required to memorize addition and subtraction math facts to 18. It may be helpful to buy a box of flash cards for both addition and subtraction.

Spelling:

Spelling words are taken from the reading series. It is very important that you help your child study the words. Spend ten minutes every night reviewing the words and studying the word patterns. The students will be asked to keep a spelling notebook and complete a variety of spelling activities each week for homework. Spelling tests will begin in October. They will be given every Friday unless otherwise noted. More information will follow.

Religion:

The primary focus of the religion program is learning about the life and actions of Jesus. The students will learn how they can be more like Jesus, and how to live out a Christian life. The children will learn many of the parables Jesus taught and will learn about the life and ministry of Christ. They will also be learning how wonderful God is through the stories of the creation, his promises, and his faithfulness to his people. They will learn how God shows us his love, and teaches us about the world through the people in our lives. In addition, students will be required to know familiar prayers, and procedures of the mass. They will learn about the sacraments as well. My purpose is to assist the children in developing a personal relationship with Jesus, and helping them to understand the importance of living a life based on the teachings of Christ.

Social Studies:

Students will learn about friendships, families, the school community, and their larger community (town and city). They will also learn about different cultures and customs through the celebration and study of different countries throughout the world. Students will learn about how people lived in the past and how life has changed over the years. In addition, they will learn how where people live influences lifestyle and culture. They will also be learning about maps, continents, oceans and simple geography. Concepts of patriotism, character formation and good citizenship are also taught. We will celebrate many holidays throughout the year and learn about their significance.

Science:

Students will learn about staying healthy and making healthy choices. They will learn about personal hygiene, exercise and diet. The students will learn about plants. how they grow and what they need to survive. They will learn about animals and how they adapt to their environments. They will also learn about how animals protect themselves. The students will understand the concept of a food chain and display an understanding of how each part of live is inter-connected. We will also be studying the weather by observing, measuring and identifying different types of weather and what causes different types of weather. They will learn about the different properties of matter (solid, liquid, gas) through the study of weather and other observations of matter. Investigations and experiments will be done to assist students in their understanding of science. In addition, mini-units in science will be integrated from the reading series in areas such as spiders and insects.

Art:

The children will attend art class once a week. In addition, they will participate in various art projects in class. Art will be integrated into all areas of the curriculum. The students will also be taught different art styles and how to blend colors. P.E.

The children will attend P.E. class twice a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays Music:

The children will attend music class twice a week. Computer:

The children will be using computers in the classroom to enhance learning. They will also be attending the resource/computer lab once a week.

PLEASE REVIEW THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, COUNTING TO 100, ABC’S AND INITIAL CONSONANT SOUNDS, PRINTING FIRST AND LAST NAME FROM MEMORY, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER, AND TYING A DOUBLE BOW KNOT ON THEIR SHOE LACES.

THE ABOVE ARE REQUIRED FIRST GRADE SKILLS. EVERY STUDENT SHOULD HAVE LEARNED THESE IN KINDERGARTEN. IF YOUR CHILD FORGOT THEM OVER THE SUMMER, PLEASE REVIEW!!!

Class Rules/Discipline:

This year your child will be learning how to be a responsible student. They are in charge of remembering their homework and being in control of their own learning. Please encourage them is this area. Children will be encouraged to monitor their own behavior and will be reminded that they are in control of the choices they make. They will learn that they have the ability to make good choices and to use self-control. It is my hope that they will develop the ability to regulate their own behavior and make wise choices that will assist them in their learning.

General Rules:

1. Use kind words

2. Try your best

3. Clean up after yourself

4. Work neatly

5. Keep desk neat 6. Keep hands and feet to yourself

7. Be a good listener/raise hand before speaking

...and most importantly follow the Golden Rule

Positive reinforcement is used whenever possible. Praise and encouragement are a part of the daily routine. Individual and group rewards are given for excellent behavior. If a child does not respond to positive reinforcement, then they will be given a consequence suited to the behavior difficulty. General consequences for misbehavior:

-a student-teacher conference

-a 10 minute time-out during play time.

-a letter home to mom or dad

-Parent-teacher conferences

-principal conferences, if necessary.

Students are taught that they are in control of the choices they make. They have the power to make good or bad choices. Students are guided to reflect on their behavior and make the necessary changes to be a responsible student.

Homework:

Homework is designed to help students develop good work habits, discipline and to reinforce skills and concepts taught in class. Please take an active interest in your child’s homework. Do not do the work for them. Encourage them to take pride in their work. It should be done neatly. Guide them in carefully reviewing their work to check for mistakes. The discipline of doing homework neatly, with care and thought and consistently will help them to be responsible learners.

Monday-Thursday only. Thirty minutes per night

High Frequency word practice and nightly reading is required as a regular part of homework.

Marking Codes:

O--Outstanding

Student must submit superior work and show mastery of all work. Skill level is significantly above grade level.

G-- Good

Student shows mastery in work and skill level is slightly above grade level.

S--Satisfactory

Student is performing satisfactory work that is at grade level.

NI--Needs Improvement

Student is not demonstrating mastery and skill level is below grade level.

Both formal and informal assessment is done to determine academic progress.

In addition, the grade level expectations will change as the year progresses. Expectations in September are obviously different from those in June. Children will be expected to show growth and therefore the expectations will change.

Reminders:

All lunchboxes, clothing items, and backpacks must be labeled with a permanent marker. include child’s name and room number.

If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday, please check with me before sending in any treats. It must be prearranged. Please do not send treats that need to be cut or served. Treats such as cookies, cupcakes and donuts are the best, because they can be distributed easily. Do not send juice.

If you have not sent in all supplies, please do so ASAP!

How to Help Your Child Become a Reader

1. Allow them to make mistakes. When they learned how to talk, you encouraged them and praised them even if they pronounced the word wrong. Do you remember that first word? It probably wasn’t said perfectly, yet you joyfully celebrated the achievement. Do the same with reading. Encourage, don’t criticize.

2. Read to your child every day. Research shows that children who are read to are likely to become good readers. You are also modeling good reading.

3. Model reading. Make your home a reading home. Set out 30 minutes a day where everybody reads. No T.V., No distractions. Show your child that you value reading.

4. Make reading a fun experience. Cuddle up and read—make this a bonding time.

5. When your child practices their reading you can...

--Play echo reading. You read, then they repeat after you and track the words.

-- Help them to identify familiar words by pointing them out

--Play detective reading. You read, while they track the words (this will help them understand the connection between letters and sounds and that words represent meaning). Purposely make mistakes and have them find them if they can.

--Have them make predictions. What do you think will happen next? Look at the pictures. What do you think the story will be about?

--Use picture clues and surrounding words to identify an unfamiliar word. --Encourage them to be expressive. Act out the story.

--Ask questions about characters, setting and story events to be sure they are understanding what they read.

6. Encourage them to write or draw about what they read. Pick their favorite part.

7. Most importantly let them know that you think reading is important and that it opens doors to a world of knowledge, imagination and fun!

The ABC's of Reading to and With Your Child

(From The MAILBOX Bookbag) Dec/Jan 1998-99

A sk questions while reading together. "What do you think will happen next?"

B uy books as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays.

C hat about what is happening in the book and how it relates to everyday life.

D rop everything and read. Set aside 20 minutes a day during which the whole family reads.

E xamine book illustrations in detail. Select books that have large, bright pictures.

Find books that interest your child. Make suggestions, but don't turn reading into work.

G ive hints when your child gets stuck on a word.

H ave fun. Smile and enjoy the story. Read with a slow, relaxed voice and be expressive.

I nvite your child to the bookstore. Take time to lounge in the chairs and browse the books.

J oin in your child's reading successes. Celebrate every small step with sincere praise.

K ids love to receive mail. Send your child a magazine subscription in an area that interests him or her.

L earn to read with, and not just to, your child daily. Read aloud, share ideas, and answer questions.

M odel reading. Share with your child, whether you're reading for information or for entertainment.

N ever force your child to read. If you're both too tired or discouraged to read, take a break.

O ffer your child a variety of reading materials, such as books, magazines, cereal boxes, comics, and newspapers.

P redict story elements, draw conclusions, and retell the story with your child.

Q uiz your child at the end of a story. Informally, of course!

R e-read books to familiarize your child with words and to build self-confidence.

S ing songs, recite poetry, and do finger plays to help develop language and listening skills.

T ry to help your child understand that it's okay to make mistakes.

U nderstand that reading is developmental and that it takes time and practice to become fluent.

V isit your local library on a regular basis. Sign your child up for his or her own library card.

W elcome wordless picture books into your collections. They generate conversation and allow the nonreader to create his or her own stories.

"X hibit"patience when your child is selecting books. Your support is empowering.

Y ou are the most important person in helping your child develop a lifelong love of reading.

Z ealous readers are the result of supportive and nurturing role models.

Homework Tips for Parents

Set up a study area.

* To do homework successfully, your child must have a place in which to work. The study area must be well lit, quiet, and have all necessary supplies.

* Help your child choose a location at home in which homework will be done.

* Even if your child does most homework at another location after school, there still should be a place in the home in which he or she can study.

* Remember that your child does not need a lot of space to do home learning. Either the kitchen table or a corner of the living room is fine, as long as is quiet during homework time.

* Praise your child when he or she does homework in the study area.

Create a homework survival kit.

* In order to get homework done, have the supplies needed in one place. Kit should include: pencils, writing paper, crayons, markers, ruler, sharpener, eraser, glue, tape, scissors, paper clips, children's dictionary/thesaurus, and construction paper). You may add items you feel are needed.

* A homework survival kit (contains all the supplies needed to do home learning) will prevent your child from being distracted by the need to go searching for supplies, and will free you from last minute trips to the store.

* Respect your child's homework survival kit. Don't use these supplies for other family needs.

Schedule daily homework time.

* Help your child develop good homework habits by encouraging him or her to start homework at the same time each day. By scheduling a special time for homework, you will not only help your child get work done on time, but you will also ensure that homework is done at a time when you are available to assist your child.

* Remind your child each day when he or she is to do homework. Don't leave it up to your child to remember.

Encourage your child to work independently.

* Homework teaches children responsibility. Through homework, children learn skills they must develop if they are to grow to be independent, motivated, and successful adults. They will learn how to follow directions, how to begin and complete a task, and how to manage time.

* By encouraging your child to work on his or own, you are helping develop these important life skills.

Motivate your child with praise.

* Children need encouragement and support from the people whose opinions they value the most, their parents.

* Your consistent praise can increase your child's self esteem and confidence.

* Motive him or her to do the best work possible.