FIRST
GRADE PARENT HANDBOOK
SAINT
MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL
MRS.
OLSON
LET’S STAY IN TOUCH!
I value your input and want to hear from
you!
If you need to contact me
you have four options:
1. Notes: Please place any
notes on the right side of your child’s Take Home Folder. This is the easiest
way!
2. Email: solson@smls-hawaii.org
I will check my
email daily.
3. School phone: 247-5589.
Calls to this number should be made before 3:15 pm in order that someone will
be in the office to page me.
4. Home phone: See Hard Copy
(I prefer not to have my home phone number listed on line :o)). Please leave
a message and I will return your call as soon as I can. Please call before
8:00pm.
TAKE HOME FOLDER & COMMUNICATION
Your child is responsible for bringing
their “Take Home Folder” home, and back to school everyday. This folder will
contain homework, the “Weekly Newsletter”, important notices, and additional
communication between school and home. Please take time to review your
child’s folder each day. Take out any papers on the right side of the folder,
labeled “For Home”. Any homework, notes from home, permission slips, etc.,
should be placed in the left side of the folder, labeled “For School”, as I
will be checking your child’s folder each day.
HOMEWORK
The Importance of Homework
Homework is not simply busy-work assigned
to children to keep them occupied at home. Homework assignments and studying
serve several educational needs that are essential to receiving a complete
education. They provide an opportunity for children to develop
self-discipline, study habits, and time management skills.
Children can set homework goals and enjoy
a feeling of accomplishment when the goals are met. Children learn how to be
independent and responsible. They practice taking initiative by beginning
projects on their own and studying when necessary. Homework also closes the
gap between school and home. Learning should happen at home as well as in
school.
Types of Homework
* Practice
homework allows kids to review what they covered in class. This increases
comprehension of a subject or topic while helping children retain it for
longer periods of time.
* Preparation
homework helps children prepare for an activity or in-class assignment. This
includes research and brainstorming.
* Extension
homework includes long term assignments such as papers or projects. These
assignments should correlate with subjects kids are learning in the classroom.
Parents Can Help
Parents can help kids succeed at homework.
Setting aside a specific time every day can make homework part of a child's
daily routine. Find a quiet and distraction-free area that your child can use
when doing his or her homework. Review homework assignments with children and
provide support and guidance, but be sure not to do the work for them. If
assignments are unclear, communicate with the teacher and ask questions. Keep
all supplies students may need at home. It also may be helpful to introduce
kids to the many resources available that can make homework easier. The
library and internet are helpful for researching for reports and projects.
Most importantly, parents should provide
constant support and encouragement. Demonstrate to children how important
homework is by taking an interest and guiding them.
Your Child's Homework
Beginning August 6, your child will
receive regular homework each school night. Your child's homework assignment
will be listed on their "Homework Log". As emerging readers, the most
important part of your child’s homework is the assigned reading and the
reading that you do from books of your choice. Your child will be keeping a
“Reading Log” that tracks the amount of reading he/ she does at home. Each
student is required to do at least 20 minutes of reading per night. I will
send home assigned reading most nights that can be counted towards that 20
minute requirement. The worksheets and activities that I send home are
secondary to good quality time you spend reading with your child. It won’t be
long before they’ll be reading on their own, so savor this time together :o)!
Additionally, most nights your child will have a math worksheet and a reading
worksheet. The additional homework should take less than 20 minutes to
complete. Please let me know if the homework is taking particularly long, or
if your child does not understand part of the homework, so that I may provide
extra help for him/ her at school. I check the homework everyday, and will
circle incorrect answers and place it in the "For Home" side of your child's
folder. Please review and correct the homework and leave it at home.
Another important part of your child's
homework is preparing for weekly memory verse, spelling and vocabulary tests.
A hand-out including these study items will be sent home every Monday and your
child will be tested on these items each Friday (unless otherwise noted).
Special project-based homework assignments
will take the place of regular homework at least one week per quarter. These
assignments will allow you and your child to extend upon the project-based
unit taking place in the classroom. Detailed instructions will be sent home
in advance. The assignments are meant to be enjoyable and exciting, so have
fun with them!
BIBLE VERSE/ SPELLING/ VOCABULARY
Pleas help your child prepare for the
weekly tests that will be given each Friday. You will find a bible verse, a
list of vocabulary words, and a spelling list in your child’s take home folder
at the beginning of each week. The spelling list will begin with 6 words and
then increase to 10 words for the remainder of the first grade spelling
series. After the first of the year we will move into the second grade
reading series where there will be 15 words. There will always be two bonus
words, worth 5 points a piece.
Your child will be asked to memorize and
reflect upon our class Bible verse for the week. The test will be given
orally. Please help your child study the verse a little each day, so that
your child will not only remember the verse for the test, but will find it
engrained in them for years to come! Your child should return their Bible
verse sheet with their written, or drawn reflection each Friday. Please
discuss the importance of the Bible verse with your child and how it applies
to their life as a Christian. Then, ask them to complete the reflection space
with your help.
Building a strong vocabulary is an
important part of your child’s ability to read and comprehend. Your child
will receive a list of vocabulary words each week and should study them using
the cards that will be sent home each week. Please have your child cut the
cards out and save them throughout the year to see if they are able to retain
the meaning of the selected words.
CURRICULUM
v Religion: Voyages, by the Concordia
Publishing House. The children will learn about many Bible stories, praise
and worship the Lord in song, and memorize many Bible verses.
v Math: Scott Foresman and Addison
Wesley. The children will build on their previous knowledge and learn many
new concepts.
-The children will practice basic math
concepts with the daily Math Minute.
v Language Arts: Houghton Mifflin. We
will begin where they left off last year and then go into the first reader of
the Second grade program. By the end of the year we will be half way through
the Second Grade reading book.
v Phonics: Modern Curriculum Press.
We’ll focus on learning phonograms and the rules that help us to read words.
v Spelling: Houghton Mifflin. The
students will take a Spelling Pre-Test every Monday and a Spelling Test every
Friday. Please help your child practice their words daily.
v Science: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill.
Students will learn about caring for the Earth, the weather around us, plants
(how they are alike and different, and how they grow/change), animals and
their homes. They will explore the states of matter and motion and energy.
v Social Studies: Houghton Mifflin.
The students will learn about working together, communities and community
helpers, basic map skills (country, continent, ocean). Students will also
participate in the “Flat Stanley” project as we explore communities in other
parts of the country.
GRADING
Every child has the potential to earn high
marks on their report cards. First grade students are in the process of
identifying their ability to achieve. Student achievement in the primary
years are strongly linked to graduation and achievement rates in later years.
That beings said, my goal is to facilitate high achievement among all of my
students.
Grading will not be used as a first
indicator of difficulties being experienced by your child. I will use ongoing
assessments to guide my instructions and point my teaching to areas that need
more attention. It has been my experience that if one child is struggling
with a particular concept, there are usually others, and it is something we
need to spend more time covering. If after additional instruction your child
is still struggling with a concept, I will communicate this to you through a
phone call, written note, or meeting. Ongoing assessments will be shared with
you regularly and you will be kept in the loop if any trouble areas arise. It
is my feeling that report cards should not offer any surprises, but be a
reflection of what the teacher, parent, and student already know about the
child’s academic performance.
All tests and some class assignments will
be graded by percentage. Most assignments will be graded with a star, or
smiley face if all questions are answered correctly. A check mark will
indicate that there are questions that need to be corrected. A check with a
minus sign means that there are many mistakes, or that the work was not
completed neatly and completely.
READING
I will assess your child regularly as a
part of creating and delivering my instruction to them. I will keep something
called a “Running Record” of your child’s reading to indicate their reading
level. This will allow me to see exactly where your child’s strengths lie,
and where I need to offer additional support. These records will be used
along with regular assessments given at the end of each reading unit to
calculate your child’s grade and their placement in our reading program. We
are fortunate to have a very strong teacher’s aide in the first grade and she
will be spending much of her time helping your child become a better reader.
Your child’s reading instruction will be given as part of whole class, small
group and individual instruction.
OTHER CORE SUBJECTS
Your child’s grades in all other core
subjects will be based on unit tests, quizzes, individual assessments, and
participation in group activities.
ACCELERATED READING
Accelerated Reader is a
program that ensures students are reading books at their level and are reading
for understanding. This is a brand new program for first graders so we will be
easing into it. Each month the students will have an A.R. requirement of
successfully reading and passing the accompanying quiz for four books.
Students will read their book three times before testing. The children must
pass the test with an 80% or above in order for it to count. Students will
keep track of the tests he/she takes in a folder.
Reading Zones – At the start
of each quarter the students will take a Star Reading Test. This will help to
determine which zone (reading level) each student should be selecting books
from. I will write the zone numbers on the back of your child’s library card.
Library Hours – The library
is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:30-10:00. I also have
A.R. books in my classroom that students will be able to borrow.
SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES
Your child will be part of many small
group activities as the year progresses. These activities will accelerate
your child’s ability to communicate clearly and achieve higher-level
thinking. As part of a group each child will have set responsibilities and be
expected to contribute. These responsibilities include being a recorder,
researcher, presenter and facilitator. We will use small groups across all
curricular areas. This process involves students communicating clearly and
taking ownership of their ideas and work. This will lead to higher levels of
understanding among the class as a whole.
FIRST GRADE WORKSHOP
An important part of your child’s first
grade literacy and mathematics learning experience will be in the form of
“workshops”. This teaching approach is geared towards providing children with
authentic learning experiences. I spend a great deal of time and effort on
workshop plans, and I firmly believe that this method is best for meeting
children’s needs.
Each workshop will begin with a whole
class mini lesson, focusing on a skill, strategy, or habit that children need
to learn and use during independent work. Next, children are engaged in "just
right" independent activities, while I am conducting individual and group
learning conferences. Finally, workshops will end with a share time, where
the students and I reflect and make important learning connections.
Workshops give learners the chance to
participate in activities that are "just right" for their needs, and it gives
me and Mrs. Jackson the ability to work with small groups, or one-on-one with
the students. Your child will spend the first weeks of school learning how to
be successful during workshop time. They will be encouraged to make good
choices and to use their time wisely. It can be a challenge for some
children, as it requires them to work independently for small blocks of time
each day.
Workshop Goals:
1. To provide engaging, process-oriented,
hands-on curriculum.
2. To allow children to make choices.
3. To provide "just right" activities for
the children to complete.
4. To include both small group activities
and individual activities.
5. To provide activities that meet the
varying interests abilities of the students.
6. To give children a chance to work
independently.
7. To encourage children to try new
things.
During workshop.....
1. Children do work that is meaningful and
authentic.
2. Each activity has a specific academic
goal.
3. Children keep a written account of what
is accomplished.
4. Children may earn "moolas" for
completing tasks during workshop. These moolas can later be used to "buy"
items at our “Open Market”.
5. Children receive “Planning papers” for
recording their work. I keep detailed records of workshop behaviors. Children
who are able to make choices easily, stay on task, complete their work, and
record what they have done will continue to work independently during
Workshop. Children that have trouble with these skills will be assigned
workshop tasks.
DISCIPLINE
As your child’s teacher, creating a
positive learning environment is one of my main priorities. We will focus on
developing mutual respect, cooperation, and responsibility among all
students. Our class will spend some time the first day of school developing a
set of classroom rules and expectations that will set the tone and
expectations for a successful year.
Our class will adhere to the St. Mark
Schoolwide Discipline Plan. You and your child will be asked to review and
sign a copy of the Discipline Plan the first week of school. We will use a
pocket chart to keep track of behavior. Each child will have a numbered
pocket with 4 colored cards. Everyone will start the day with a green card.
Our goal is to keep all of the cards on green. If your child chooses to break
one of the classroom rules, they will be given a warning a positive suggestion
about better choices that can be made. Each subsequent rule broken will
result in them being asked to change their card from green to yellow, then
orange, and finally to red. Your child will record their behavior on their
“Behavior Record”, which you will be asked to initial and return each day.
This system allows for good communication between school and home, so that we
can put forth a joint effort in helping your child to develop positive
behavior choices.
First Grade Discipline Plan
Classroom Rules
(To be determined by the class on the
first day of school)
If You Choose to Break a Rule
First Time: Verbal Warning & a strategy
for making better choices.
Second Time: Color Change to Yellow- 5
minutes on the bench at recess & note home.
Third Time: Color Change to Orange- 10-15
minutes on the bench at recess & a note will be sent home.
Fourth Time: Color Change to Red- Trip to
Mr. Gaudi’s office & a phone call home.
Rewards
Praise!!!!
Positive notes home
Earn “Moolas”
Class Free Choice Time
Various Other Perks
WEEKLY BEHAVIOR REFLECTION
Each week you will receive a
more detailed report about your child’s behavior. Please reinforce and praise
positive behaviors and discuss difficulties with your child.
BIRTHDAYS
You are welcome to bring something in to
class to celebrate your child’s birthday. Treats should be ready to pass out
without preparation. If you would like to pass out invitations or treats
please have one for every child. If you plan on sending out invitations to a
select group of students, please do so outside of school, to avoid hurt
feelings.
STAR STUDENT
Each week one student will be showcased as
the “Star Student”. A packet will be sent home the week prior to your child’s
special week. Please help your child fill in the “stars” that will be
featured on a special bulletin board, along with a few photos.
WATER BOTTLES
Your child may bring a water bottle to
school. Please label it with a permanent pen. Your child should take it home
every day to be washed.
LUNCH
Please pack a healthy lunch for your
child. Candy and foods high in sugar make learning and maintaining good
behavior difficult. Students may bring foods to be warmed in the microwave
for lunch. Please try to limit the days your child brings things like Cup of
Noodles and Hot Pockets, as they take long to cook.
*Lunch Tickets- You may purchase
lunch tickets in the office. If you would like your child to have a school
lunch, slip a lunch ticket under the paper clip attached to the cover of
your child’s Take Home Folder.
BOOK-IT
We will be participating in the Book-It
program. The books your child reads for A.R. may be counted toward his/her
Book-It goal. The children set their own goals with my help. The children
may decide to make a goal based on the number of books they plan to read if
they are reading picture books, or by pages if they have started reading
chapter books.
VOLUNTEERS
We will need at least one parent to
represent our class for the Parent Teacher Committee. The PTC meets once a
month. They help to coordinate events and help keep other parents informed of
the variety of events that are occurring. If you are interested in being part
of the Parent Teacher Committee, please let me know.
I try to involve the parents as much as
possible, so there will be many times when you will be invited into the
classroom to help. For example, we’ll need help making gingerbread houses
around the holidays and we always love to have parents come to our “Open
Markets”! Also, we will have things that can be done from home to help the
class. A questionnaire will be sent home in the first weeks of school.
Please indicate any areas you would like to help with. Thanks in advance!!!
EXCURSIONS
We will be going on several excursions
this year. Children must have a permission slip filled out to participate.
Please have your child wear a red polo shirt and sneakers, unless otherwise
instructed. For a couple of our field trips we will need parent drivers.
Anyone that is going to help with driving must make a copy of their driver’s
license, registration, and insurance submitted to the school office in
advance.
PICK-UP/ PARKING LOT
We will be as prompt as possible, please
try to do the same. Dismissal is at 2:40 every day, except Wednesday
when it is 1:10 p.m. We will get out five minutes before the older
children to help with the parking lot jam. I ask that each child make eye
contact and say goodbye to me, so that I know they are leaving. The school
would appreciate your cooperation in providing a safe parking lot. Please
park if possible or stay in the left lane. The right lane is for cars
to exit the parking lot.
MONEY
Periodically, your child
will bring money to school for field trips, book club orders, etc. When
sending money to school, be sure to use an envelope or plastic bag CLEARLY
MARKED WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME, WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR, AND THE AMOUNT ENCLOSED.
Please send exact change when sending cash. All checks should be make payable
to St. Mark Lutheran School (unless otherwise noted). If the school provides
an envelope, please completely fill out all the requested information on the
front of the envelope.
ATTENDANCE & TARDINESS
I look forward to seeing
your child at school everyday! However, if he/ she is not feeling well, has
had a fever within the last 24 hours, or is suffering from something
contagious, please keep him/ her home from school. This will help to keep all
of the students and teachers at St. Mark healthy. In the event that your
child will be out from school, please call the office at 247-5589 to report
the absence and when you expect your child to return. I will be happy to
gather the work your child will be missing and can work on at home. When you
call be sure to let the office ladies know that you’d like your child’s work
to be sent to the office for pick-up.
Students must be on the
blacktop for the pledges at 7:55 am or he/she will be considered tardy and
will need to pick up a tardy slip. As stated in the handbook this year,
students that are tardy three or more times in a quarter will be benched for
an entire recess. For the rest of the quarter every day your child is tardy,
he/she will be benched for a recess. Also, five tardies is equal to one
absence.
CLOTHING
Uniforms are discussed in
your Parent/Student Handbook and should be followed. All shirts must be tucked
in and if there are belt loops, a belt should be worn. Your child may bring
a jacket or sweatshirt as the weather gets cooler or for the air conditioned
classroom but it should not have any words on it except the St. Mark logo.
Sneakers are strongly recommended for safety reasons. If your child wears
sandals, the heel must be no higher than one inch and there must be a back
strap. No Crocs please!! Your child must wear sneakers on Thursday for P.E..
OPEN MARKET/MOOLAS
“Moolas” are round plastic
pieces we use as our classroom currency. Students can earn moolas by
displaying good independent behavior, nice row behavior, turning in signed
papers and by making good choices in school. Moolas are saved for our Open
Market usually on the last Friday of the month at 2:00. Students bring in old
toys, things they have made, edibles and/or anything else worth “selling.”
Each student sets up their desk as a store, displaying their items they
brought and then try to sell their items for moolas. The more moolas they have
the more than can go around and buy from others. Students will also be urged
to save some of their moolas for a special end of the year celebration.