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Classroom Connections - First Grade

Welcome to my First Grade Class.
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Mrs. Arango

Your child will receive a home learning packet every Monday. Please review the weekly Power Words everyday. You can have your child use the (3 X 5) index cards to write the words for each week and review them daily. During the year there will be special projects where you can provide some assistance , however, your child should do most of the work. Your child is responsible for reading 20 minutes a day and completing the assignments. Please assist your child in reading the assignments from the cover of the packet and completing them nightly. The entire packet should not be completed in one night. If your child cannot read, try to find the time to read to him/her. Then conduct an oral book report. You can ask questions such as:

*Who was the story about? (characters)

*Where did the story take place? (setting)

*What happened in the story? (problem/solution)

*What did you like/dislike about the story?

If your child does his/her home learning in the after school program, please look over the work that he/she has completed and remember to sign the home learning packet. Home Learning is considered a part of the effort grade.

Home Learning Folder (and Communication)

I have provided your child with a purple folder. In this folder you will find:

•  a weekly Home Learning Packet

•  the reading log

•  weekly reading words

•  a list of sight words and other helpful home learning materials

I will also send any notes, forms, and letters in it. Please check this folder daily. I encourage you use this folder as a form of communication by sending notes and returning any forms in it. I will be checking and returning this folder daily.

The following is a reminder of the supplies your child needs for the school year:

• 1 book bag (no book bags with wheels please)
• 1 supply bag with a zipper (no boxes please)
• 2 packs of notebook paper
• 1 sharpener with a cover
• 1 glue stick
• 1 pair of children's scissors
• 2 pack of (3x5) index cards
• 2 composition notebooks
• 5 folders with pockets
• 1 purple folder for Home Learning
• 1 blue folder Reading and Language Arts
• 1 yellow folder Math
• 1 green Science and Social Studies
• 1 red folder for Vocabulary/Word Wall
• 2 pack of 10 sharpened pencils
• 1 pack of 24 crayons
• 1 raincoat (no umbrellas, please)
• 1 bag of cotton balls
• 1 pack of thin popsicle sticks

All of first grade is receiving instruction in reading/language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education. Textbooks, workbooks and additional materials are used throughout the curriculum in order to meet the first grade level requirements.

In order to provide our students with the excellent educational climate they deserve, I have developed a Discipline Plan you have already received. Please review and sign the daily conduct report that I will send daily in their home learning folder.

No student should be at school before 7:30 a.m. Only children who eat breakfast in the cafeteria should arrive between 7:30 a.m. and 8:10 a.m. The students in Ms. Arango's 1 st grade class should be sitting down at line number 11 under the shelter

and wait to be picked up by their teacher at 8:15 a.m. School begins each day promptly at 8:30 a.m. Tardy students must report to the office. For security purposes, we are asking that parents not enter the classroom unless the teacher is present. Parents are encouraged to allow their children to enter the classroom independently.

Dismissal is at 2:00 p.m. everyday. Please be on time to pick up your child.

One of our goals this year is to create life long reader. In order to encourage our students to read we will enroll in various programs throughout the year.

Book It This program is sponsored by Pizza Hut®. Every month your child will receive a reading goal. Throughout the month he/she must read the number of books set for the month and record them in the reading log. Along with the log your child must pick one of the books to complete the book report. When the monthly reading goal is met I will present your child with a pizza award certificate good for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut®. Please help your child meet his/her reading goals by reading aloud together daily. Visit www.bookitprogram.com for tips on reading at home with your child or more information this program. (This will begin in October)

When your child is absent, please send a note explaining the absence, on the day your child returns to school. Please include your child's name and the date he/she was absent. If your child is absent three days in a row, a doctor's note is required. Only 5 notes from parents will be accepted during the school year; a doctor's note if required after that. Please be reminded that school begins at 8:30 a.m. and your child should be in the classroom in order to avoid interfering with our learning activities. Your child will be marked “late” if he/she arrives after the 8:30 a.m. bell. Being late five or more times in one nine-week marking period, will result in not having perfect attendance for that quarter of the school year.