Welcome to First Grade! This is such an exciting time in your child's life. I am looking forward to sharing this school year with you and your family. The ëZrelak First Grade Survival Guide' contains important information for you to refer to anytime a question may arise during the school year. Please keep a copy of this guide, at home, in your ëParent Information Folder'.

Spelling- Copies of your child's weekly spelling words will be sent home on colored paper at the beginning of each basal (hardcover reader). Please cut these words apart and keep them in the recipe/index box you purchased. The box is small and easy to keep on a kitchen counter so your child can practice his words as you get dinner ready. It is also great to take in the car or keep on a nightstand.

Dictation Tests- Every Friday your child will be given a Dictation Test. They will write dictated sentences containing past and present spelling words and phonics elements. They will be graded on capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. Students may use the ëWord Wall' at the front of the room for help. The first couple of tests will be practice. After that, a grade will be given.

Story Comprehension Tests- We will be reading a new story each week. The students will be given a Story Comprehension Test on Friday. The tests will be read aloud at the beginning of the year. As their reading skills improve, they will be responsible for reading and completing the tests independently. I will help them with words that do not appear on the spelling lists or in the stories.

Math Workbook- Your child will not bring home worksheets that are completed in class. At the end of each unit, I will tear out the pages and send them home.

Home Links- There will be Math Home Link homework every night. The Home Links are short and will give you an indication of how well your child is grasping the mathematical concepts covered in class. If your child struggles with the Home Link assignment, please write me a note. I do not want your child to get overwhelmed or frustrated if it is too difficult.
Parent Letters- There is a parent information letter that introduces each unit in our math program. I have copied and stapled these letters together for you to keep at home in your ëParent Information' folder. Monthly newsletters will let you know when we are getting ready to start a new unit and which parent letter to read.

                                                             
                                    Science

Our Science curriculum comes from Hardcourt. It will provide your child with the opportunity to investigate the natural world, learn about interesting, relevant, and exciting science ideas, and link science to mathematics, writing, technology, and all other aspects of the elementary curriculum. This year your child will be introduced to the following topics:
Unit A- Plants and Animals All Around
Unit B- Living Together
Unit C- About Our Earth
Unit D- Weather, the Sky, and Seasons
Unit E- Matter and Energy
Unit F- Forces

                                   Social Studies

Our Social Studies curriculum comes from Hardcourt. This year in Social Studies your child will be introduced to the following topics:
Unit 1- Going to School
Unit 2- Good Citizens
Unit 3- The Land Around Us
Unit 4- All About People
Unit 5- Looking Back
Unit 6- Jobs People Do

Student Assignment Book- Your child will have homework every night. The assignments will be written in their assignment book. This book is to be returned to school everyday. The homework assignments should only take up to 15 minutes to complete. Homework assignments are due the next day. You may turn in a homework assignment before the due date if several days are given to complete it. The highest grade your child can receive on a homework assignment is an ëS'. I do not give out an ëO' since you can help (and I hope you do) your child complete their work.
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE NOTES TO ME IN THE ASSIGNMENT BOOK. I WILL NOT SEE THEM.

Panther Club- Students turning in homework assignments on time each trimester will become members of the Panther Club. The children will be recognized in front of their peers and receive a pin from Mrs. Goodwin. Each trimester that they continue to complete their homework, they will receive a star sticker to place on the pin. They will then bring the pin home at the end of the school year.

Take Home Folder- Children will bring papers home in their ëTake Home' folder. I suggest you put any homework or notes your child needs to bring to school in that folder. This folder will help to eliminate lost items. They are responsible for turning in their papers. They will check their folders every morning. This folder will travel to and from school everyday. It will experience a tremendous amount of wear and tear and may need to be replaced mid-school year.

Parent/Teacher Communication
If you have any questions or concerns please write or call me. I will return your phone call during my planning period or after school. Every effort will be made to contact you that same day. However, due to my busy schedule, I may not be able to get back to you until the next day. I will be glad to help you in any way possible. There will be conferences held in the fall, towards the end of the first trimester, and then again in the spring. If I have concerns about your child's progress, I will contact you by phone or note before this time. If your child needs a helping hand, we will be able to offer Individualized Based Services (IBS). This entails setting up a meeting for you to come to school, meet with special area teachers and myself to discuss your child's progress and ways to help him. This process allows us to work, as a team, to help create the scaffolding needed to support your child in his daily lessons and allow him to become a successful learner.

                                   Classroom Management
I believe in positive reinforcement and use praise often. My classroom rules are as follows:
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be a Problem Solver
If a child is unable to follow the rules, the following will occur:
Step 1- Verbal Warning

Step 2- Second Warning (student will receive a red card)

Step 3- Child copies the sentence that tells inappropriate behavior and will bring it home for parents to sign and return (student will receive a yellow card)

Step 4- Behavior referral form will be filled out and child will have a teacher chosen activity to do at recess. For example, washing cafeteria tables, picking up trash, or walking alone without mileage credit. (student will receive a green card)

Step 5- Teacher will call parents if their child has 5 unacceptable behaviors in one day and continuous minor behaviors will become major. (student will also receive a blue card)

First Graders will start over everyday. However, when the fifth behavior referral sheet is completed, the child will be sent to Mrs. Goodwin. At the end of each day, your child will receive a smiley face hand stamp if I did not have to move his colored cards.

Student of the Week- Each week a student will be picked to be the Student of the Week. This reward goes to individuals who follow the rules, work hard, and are kind to others. They will create a book about themselves and share it with the class at the end of the week. They will also receive a certificate and panther paw pin from Mrs. Goodwin.