Mrs. Feely - Grade 1

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."
Quoted from the Illinois Reading Journal

• recognize that many types of insects and arachnids live in our world
• make predictions and evaluate the predictions
• apply the comprehension skills of cause and effect, sequencing
• identify fantasy and realism
• retell and summarize
• draw logical conclusion based on the selection
• identify sentence types
• identify and write complete sentences
• write fiction and nonfiction
  

Additional math websites you and your child may enjoy:

www.ixl.com/math

http://nrich.maths.org/public

http://mathstories.com

http://resources.oswego.org/games/mathmagician/cathymath.html

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As you continue reading, you will find some first grade jargon your
child will soon be using. I introduce the activities slowly over the first
few months of school, so please don't expect your child to talk about them
immediately. Also included is information that will help the school year
proceed smoothly.

The following quotation by Theodore Sizer eloquently conveys my philosophy
of education.

"A good school asks much of its students, makes them do the work the best
they can, and gets them into the habit of taking responsibility for their
lives. In doing so, it expresses our great respect for them, a respect that
ensures a quality education and a successful life."
Theodore Sizer

TUBBIES: Portable centers. I explain each tubby and teach the students how
to use them.

JUNK BOXES: Boxes full of everyday objects that are used for learning
exploration activities.

WORD WALL: A wall of high frequency and vocabulary words. The words are
posted as we work with them. The purpose of the Word Wall is to keep
the words visible at all times. I teach the children to refer to the Word
Wall and encourage them to use it frequently.

READ THE WALL: An entire wall devoted to the High Frequency and Vocabulary
words. The students are taught that they are responsible for checking the
wall for words they use in daily writing. We also use the wall for review and
reinforcement, riddles, and games such as Word Wall Cheer and Stand Up Sit Down.

CALENDAR TIME: An integral part of the curriculum, Calendar Time includes
math skills such as graphing, patterning, and counting; reading and writing;
social studies and science; reasoning skills, and much more. This time is
also used as "homeroom" time to discuss matters relating to classroom or
school wide activities.

CATERPILLAR: In conjunction with Calendar Time, the caterpillar is used for
counting by ones, twos, threes, fives, and tens; recognizing and practicing
odd and even numbers; patterning, and predicting.

BEAN CUPS: Simply, cups of beans used for counting, adding, and
subtracting. I also use the bean cups for early experiences with
multiplication and division.

SNACK: Each morning we have a short snack time. Clearly label your child's
snack with his/her name. Special thanks to parents who send fruit or
vegetables -- a zippered bag with your child's name is helpful. Place the
snack in the outside pocket of the book bag for easy accessibility. It is a
good idea to tell your child what you have packed for snack. Each year a
number of children eat their lunch instead of their snack and are unhappy at
lunch to find only crackers or such. For your child's sake, send only
nutritious finger foods.
DO NOT SEND JUICE OR DRINKS FOR MORNING SNACK.
Your child must be able to open his/her own snack.
Please send a napkin daily.

LUNCH: First grade is a time to develop responsibility. I expect your
child to behave appropriately, display proper and courteous manners, and
follow the rules set for lunch period and recess.

BIRTHDAYS: Edible treats are not allowed. Many parents have donated books
for the classroom or school library in honor of their child's birthday.
Please be aware that in accordance with the St. Joseph Parent's Handbook,
birthday invitations or personal correspondence will NOT be distributed in
school.

GYM: WEDNESDAYS -- In accordance with the St. Joseph Parent's
Handbook, the children MUST wear gym uniforms and athletic shoes on gym
day. For your child's safety NO JEWELRY IS ALLOWED. Please refer to the
handbook for specific information. CLEARLY LABEL YOUR CHILD'S SWEATSHIRTS
AND SWEATPANTS.

ART: Please be sure to send an art smock to cover your
child's uniform as the children work with various mediums. Ask your child
to bring home the art smock periodically for laundering.

LIBRARY: The class focuses upon read aloud and skills that correspond to the
story.

COMPUTER: This class focuses on learning computer skills
and working on new programs as well as integrating classroom projects
throughout the year.

SUPPLIES: With a few exceptions, supplies are collected and distributed as
needed throughout the year. Please only label your child's book bag, art
smock, pink pearl eraser, crayons, scissors, and pencil case.

HOMEWORK FOLDER: I'm often told by parents that first graders are nervous
about homework. So, here's the scoop...
Your child will bring home his/her
homework folder daily. All practice sheets and home-school communication are
in the folder. In first grade, it is acceptable, even advisable, to help your
child with homework. Read the directions to or with your child, allow them
to make the initial effort to complete the work, assist as needed. As the
year progresses, you may find that all you need to do is look over the
homework for errors and completion. All work is handed in the following
morning upon arrival. Please check the folder daily. The pockets are
clearly labeled "Leave at Home" and "Return to School." Please read on to learn about another important component of your child's "homework" ...

HOME PRACTICE: Your child may not receive traditional written homework
daily, however, I assign practice activities each day. The children are
expected to read or be read to at least 15 minutes every day as well as
practice vocabulary words, math facts, and spelling. When written practice
is assigned, it will be necessary for your child to listen to my directions
carefully and relate the assignment to you. These activities will coordinate
with and extend the curriculum. Be aware that satisfactory completion of
home practice will be reflected on your child's report card. It is
important to establish a routine immediately. This should include a
quiet place free from the distractions of TV and radio. It is beneficial to
allow your child a short playtime and snack immediately after school and
then begin home practice activities.

HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION: Throughout the school year your child will
receive notes and forms that require a parent/guardian signature and must be
returned to school. I begin asking for such communication the day after it
is sent home.

ALL MONEY SENT WITH YOUR CHILD should be placed in an envelope or zippered
bag. Include the following information on all such communication. Please
PRINT neatly -- soon your child will be able to read this information and
proudly place it in the appropriate collection location.
Student's full name
Room 103
Mrs. Feely
Content Identification (e.g., book order, lunch)

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Periodically, I send home forms for books, magazines, and
software. Please do not feel obligated to purchase these items.

LOST AND FOUND: Clearly label ALL of your child's personal belongings.
Sweaters, sweatshirts, mittens, and boots all look the same to first graders
and their teacher!

CONFERENCES: I am always willing to listen to your concerns and ideas. If
you ever need to speak with me, please call the school office and leave a
message. I will return your call as soon as possible so that I can discuss
your concerns or schedule a mutually convenient appointment time. Please
know that my early morning is spent in preparation and organization time for
the school day and that after school there are often previously scheduled
meetings or appointments.

LISTENING: It is necessary for the children to listen carefully and then
follow directions the first time. In a world filled with so many sounds and
distractions, listening seems to be a skill that is seldom practiced. At
the beginning of the year I "take it slowly." Later, I will say the
directions one time and then ask for questions. The children are expected
to listen not only to me but also to the questions asked by their
classmates. Please assure your child that it is acceptable to raise his/her
hand and ask for help if there is something he/she does not understand.

RESPONSIBILITY: First grade is a good time to allow your child to develop
responsibility. Your child is responsible for completing their work and
handing it in each day. All of the work I assign can be finished if your
child uses their time wisely. Seat work is a review of previously learned
skills. I do not assign seat work that can't be completed independently.
If your child tells you that they are unable to complete the seat work,
please let me know so I can monitor your child's independent work skills more
closely.

HANDWRITING: Some of the children have developed bad habits in the
formation of the letters and now is the time to remediate these habits.
As students practice the letters and refine their skills, I will note their
accomplishment on their handwriting chart. The students will be informed that
once a letter is marked they are expected to form it properly. I also stress
proper handwriting position. Hopefully, your child is practicing at home.
Perhaps you may want to remind them. CURSIVE HANDWRITING: You are doing your
child a disservice by encouraging or allowing them to use cursive
handwriting. The fine motor skills of a six- or seven-year-old child are not
developed enough to progress to cursive before they have mastered manuscript.

Working together, we will have a wonderful year. Thank you.