First Grade Class Disclosure

First Grade Goal

The focus of our year is to learn basic reading, writing, and math skills in each student. My hope is to help them improve their reading level, become more efficient with their math skills, and be able to express themselves in writing and spelling. I want to make the learning process fun for them and help them reach their full potential.  By individualizing the education of each student, I hope to allow them to see their own successes and to have a positive learning experience.

Our Class Rules

1. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
2. Listen to the person that is speaking.
3. Raise your hand for a turn to speak.
4. Work quietly.
5. Be kind to others.

As we follow these rules, it makes for a fun and appropriate learning environment where each student may contribute.

Motivation / Positive Reinforcement

My goal is to help students manage their own behavior in a positive manner. I want each child to take responsibility for his/her own actions. If there are any problems with your child, you will be notified immediately. I want our classroom to be a safe, risk-free learning environment.

I have created a motivation behavior chart and form with the class. The students earn treats for good manners, good behavior, helping others, and contributing to the class through positive example. They will lose stars for bad behavior, disruption, and not completing assignments. The students can then use their behavior sheets to shop at the store I have created to buy an item each Friday. This helps not only reinforce good behavior, but also enhances their skills in keeping track of their behaviors. Please encourage your child’s good behavior in class. Ask them for their behavior sheets everyday, sign to aknowledge receipt and please send back for the next day.

Grading

Students’ work will be graded on a completion, mastery, and testing basis. Music, art, and P.E. are graded on participation and sportsmanship. It is important that your child is in class each day to receive the instruction in class and to progress with their peers. New concepts are built upon previously learned concepts. Please make sure that your child comes to class on time and is ready to learn. If your child is absent, he/she needs to make sure they get the work that they missed that day so they can catch up to the rest of the class.  I keep extra copies of the missing work with their names on it.

Homework

First grade homework consists of three parts: reading, spelling, and math. Students should spend approximately 30 minutes per night on homework four nights per week. Ten minutes should be spent on reading. Ten minutes should be spent on spelling. The remaining ten minutes should be spent on playing a math game or completing a math worksheet.

Reading is extremely important for young children. I will provide a weekly log for you to keep track of your child's additional homework of 20 minutes of reading per night. Make sure that you hand in your weekly log at the end of each week for credit on your student's reading grade.


Each student was given a purple folder with their name on it. This is where homework assignments will be kept. Please remind your child to bring their homelearning back to class each Thursday morning so they are ready for the spelling test on Thursday.  This folder must always be brought to school everyday for other important papers.

Food in the Classroom

When it is time to share morning snacks, please be considerate of any students who might be prone to nut or chocolate allergies.  Check with me if you are uncertain of a particular snack. If you bake something with nuts or chocolate, please include something without nuts and/or chocolate.   Parents you do not need to inform me of what day you plan on bringing treats as we will have a box to store treats.  If we do not have the opportunity to eat a snack then we will have it in reserve for a later time.  Simply let me know if the treat is perishible and if your child has something to share.  Napkins are appreciated.

Sharing Homelearning Assignments

During each learning quarter, the students will be assigned an extra homelearning task.  I would like to make this time a learning and language experience. Students will be asked to bring specific items that relate to what we are studying. It helps with their verbal skills and allows them to get to know one another better. It is extremely important that your child knows information about the homelearning project they are sharing. Please rehearse and practice at home before they present orally.

Birthdays

Birthdays are optional. If you wish to share your child’s birthday at school, posters and treats are welcome. Parents often find it convenient to bring cupcakes and/or drinks during the student’s lunchtime which is 12:00-12:30.  Cakes tend to be messy and require cutting.  Check with me please if you plan on bringing a birthday celebration.  For your child’s birthday, please be present to serve the treats.  Summer birthdays are celebrated in May before school is out.

Volunteers

I greatly appreciate all classroom helpers. It is important that you are able to come when you sign up. If you cannot come, please get another parent to substitute for you. I count on your help! Contact me if you have interest in being a classroom volunteer.

Monthly Calendars and Weekly Letters

I will be sending home school announcements on “Take Home Tuesday” to help keep you informed of the events happening at school and in our classroom. I will also update my website to inform you of the things taught so that you can help your child review and the things we will be learning during the week so you are updated on your child’s education.

For those who are willing, I appreciate any donations for the store items or for our daily snacks or any extra books for our reading corner. I welcome any help I can get to make our classroom more effective.