ORIENTATION PACKET FOR FIRST GRADE
Schedule of the Day
Before school, students will need to wait in the lunchroom. Students will come to the room at 7:50 to start the day.
Next, students will prepare for school by putting away their things, turning in homework, and notes. They will be doing something on their desk when they come in.
When the day begins, we will be doing Math meeting, math, reading, and spelling in the morning. In the afternoon, we will be doing Bible, Social Studies or Science, Language and Handwriting. Lunch is at 11:00 and recess is from 11:35-12:05. We will have a snacktime in the afternoon. Please send healthy snacks.
We have a 20 minute recess to break up the afternoon at around 1:50.
Graded papers will come home as they are finished and all major notes and updates will come home on Fridays.
Specials schedule
*Gym-Thursday 9:00-9:30 and Friday 8:30-9:00
*Art- Monday 12:30-1:00
*Music- Tuesday and Wednesday 8:55-9:25
*Foreign language-to be announced
Homework
**Math homework will be on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. If students don't return their homework, they will have to do it during recess. Children are also expected to work on the math flashcards. They need to memorize their facts.
**Reading homework consists of reading envelopes which will go home on Friday and are due back on Thursday for the next week. The reading contest that proceeds throughout the year starting in October is also considered homework and all children should be reading at least 30 minutes a week for reading homework. This will be counted toward the contest and only consists of 5 minutes a day.
**The Bible verse and spelling words will be found in the weekly update called "The Weekly Update." These need to be studied at home and are tested on Fridays. In spelling there will be a pretest on Thursday. If your child scores 100%, then he/she doesn't have to retake it.
**From time to time, students may need to take home unfinished work. It will be due the next morning or will be done during recess of the next day.
**Students are rewarded with pennies for doing and returning their homework on time.
Behavior Expectations
1. Use quiet voices.(Be quiet in class, the hall and the library.)
2. Be kind to others.(Say kind words and do kind deeds.)
3. Listen to others. (Raise your hand to speak, wait your turn to speak and let adults speak to each other.)
4. Stay on task. (Avoid distracting others, complete your work, and always be learning.)
5.Do your best. (Do your best work and trust God to help you with the rest. Read and follow directions, do neat work, put your name on your paper, and turn in your work on time.)
Consequences (These are cumulative for the day)
*1 time is a warning
**2 times is 10 minutes off recess (called "walking the chain")
***3 times is 10 more minutes off recess
****4 times is the whole recess and parents are notified
*****5 times- go to the principal
Behavior will be kept track of using a spiral bound notebook. Students will need to write their name in the book if a consequence is needed.(This will replace the stick chart).
Rewards- 2 pennies daily for doing right.
Motivational incentives
1. Students will earn pennies through good personal behavior and good work. We will have a store once a month to spend our pennies on prizes.
2. Students will receive stickers on math flashcard charts and reading sight word charts which will provide a means to earn pennies.
Odds and Ends
1. Weekly updates will be sent home on Fridays. (See first example sent home today in your child's papers).
2. Book orders will be sent home periodically. Feel no obligation to send it in. If you do want to order make checks payable to PCA.
3. Book It will be starting on October 1. We will be counting the time they spend reading. I feel this is equitable for both faster and slower readers. It is expected that your child read at least 30 minutes a week for homework. This should be tabulated on the time bookmarks. This goal can be accomplished by reading 5 minutes a day, although you can manage it many different ways. This way your child will be awarded with Book It awards for reading homework. Please write the title of the best book your child read that week on the back of the bookmark! This way we can share these stories with the rest of the class.
4. Spelling and Bible verses are on Friday. In spelling there will be a pretest on Thursday. If 100% is reached on Thursday, not retake on Friday is needed. There must be no incorrect capitals or backward letters.
Birthdays
Birthdays are fun and students usually bring in a treat for their classmates. Please make sure the snack they bring in is easy to pass out and eat. (No cakes to be cut and passed out with ice cream, for it takes up too much time). NOTE-If you choose to send out party invitations at school, please make sure all students are included. (or all boys or all girls in the class.) This alleviates hurt feelings.
Field Trip Information
Field trips will be planned throughout the year. We plan to go to:
*The Detroit Zoo
*Marquis Theatre
*Jenkins Foods
*Cranbrook Institute of Science
Parent Survey
Please fill out the parent helper survey. I will need plenty of help this coming year in working with your children.
I'LL SEE YOU SOON!
|
|
