Welcome to 1st Grade

Room 4Miss Clark

Together We Promise To:

SHARECAREand

BE FAIRWe will learn with purpose and rigor.

Meet the Teacher

•Taught at Hill Creek 10 years•Taught 1st grade for 8 years

•Professional Clear California Credential•Masters of Education – Curriculum & Instruction

• Diversified Liberal Arts – University of San Diego•Previously taught EAK, K, K/1st combo, 2nd,

and 4th/5th combo

Miss Laura Clark

Daily Schedule7:45-8:15 Opening, Attendance, Lunch Count, Flag Salute, Daily Language Review, Morning Message8:15-9:35 Language Arts Block: (Reading, Language, Spelling,

Universal Access)9:35-9:55 Recess9:55-10:20 Read Aloud10:20-11:00 Writing11:00-11:25 Social Studies/Science11:25-12:05 Lunch12:05-1:05 Mathematics1:05-1:25 Physical Education1:25-1:36 Pack Up/Clean Up***Library- Thursdays 10:00-10:25***Computer Lab- Some Thursdays 10:30-11:00

Reading to Learn Houghton Mifflin is our Language Arts Program that provides an integrated approach in reading. The California State Standards are embedded into the program.

Ways to Help Have your child read 15 MINUTES EVERY NIGHT!! Your child’s reading skills, fluency and comprehension will improve from: practice, practice, practice!

Writing

In first grade, students are requiredto learn two types of writing:

-Expository (Descriptive) and-Narrative (Autobiographical)

The first trimester the students will be tested on

Narrative writing….Content, Capitals, Proper punctuation, Description, and High Frequency Words spelled correctly are all

essential components. *Please see the Writing Rubric

Approaching Standard

Let me tell you about entomoligist buterflys They can

float and glide They could fly 400, minits with out stoping I like butterflies

Sum can be black orange And some are gorgeous butterfls

are nic DiD you know they drink nectar butterflies can fly high.

Meets Standard

Let me tell you about butterflies. First there isa tiny egg. Next, there is a caterpillar. Then, ther is a crislis. Finaally, there is a foil groen butterly.

A butterfly has six legs. Som bay I would like to be a entomologist. I have waced a butterfly emerg from a crislis. I like to watch butterflies.

Exceeds StandardLet me tell you about my class butterflies. Last night two of our butterflies came out. We alrdy had one pretty butterfly. My class saye Happy Birthday to the three butterflies. A butterflies tongue is cald a probiscus. I love two watch the butterflies fluttered.

Butterflies love garden’s. They drink the nectar from flowers. A grown up butterfly mates. The mom lays lots of eggs. A butterfly can migrate 4000 miles. Did you know butterflies taste leaves with their feet. Butterflies have tiny wings. I love gorgeous painted lady Butterflies.

MathematicsScott Foresman– EnVision Math is

used to create a balanced math program to meet the California State Standards.

Ways to Help Practice counting money and Learn to tell time…Practice addition and subtraction facts to 20 !

*Daily practice is recommended 10-15

min. *Flashcards are essential. *Many websites have math fact games. Check them

out daily!

Text: Houghton-MifflinUnits of Study:*Responsibilities of Citizens*Compare and Contrast People, Maps and Characteristics of places all over the world.*American Symbols, Holidays, Famous Americans, Famous Places*Compare and Contrast Time Long Ago*How American Indians helped CA. and American culture.Economic Concepts / Free-Market Economy

Text: Harcourt BraceUnits of Study:Physical Science: Matter Life Science: Plants and Animals Life Cycles Earth Sciences: WeatherInvestigation and Experimentation: Observe, Ask Questions and Record Data and Interpret Data

Homework

Every night homework needs to be checked. Please encourage your child to do neat and thorough

work. Homework will include: Spelling Words: 1.)From our Houghton Mifflin Language Arts Text2.)100 First Grade Sight Words3.)High Frequency Words to learn to read and spell* Spelling Tests will be given Friday mornings.Math:1.)Practice Addition and Subtraction Math Facts to 202.)Math pages will include important concepts in math that we are covering or have covered that need reinforcement and practice.Language Arts:1.)Read, Read, Read 15 minutes per night Child / Adult Record on Reading Log (Return on Fridays!) 2.)Reading Comprehension worksheet due back on Fridays!

Behavior: Fantastic Frog Lily Pads/Positive Stickers

and PraiseClassroom Volunteers: Are always welcome! You truly make a difference in the lives of all our students. Please sign up if you can help in the classroom on a weekly basis!Parent Conferences: Please sign up tonight for your conference in December. I will send home a reminder!Food Allergies: NoneBirthdays: On your child’s birthday you may donate a book to the classroom, bring pencils, erasers, etc…We are going to avoid all food!Vacations/Doctors Appts: Please try to schedule them after school and not during the school calendar year.

First Grade Challenges: • Memorizing addition and subtraction Math Facts to 20• Learning the “value of” and then “learning to count money” to $1.00• Learning to tell time to the hour and half hour• Learning to write is just like speaking. It is just in a written format

that has rules such as : Capitalization, Spaces between words, Punctuation, Proper Grammar, Use of Adjectives and Adverbs to enhance the content of the story.

• GOAL = A paragraph with a topic sentence, detail sentences and a closing sentence with correct punctuation and grammar.

• Together we will be partners in your Child’s Education. The sky is the limit!

• We Can Do it! First Grade is fantastic!

Final Thoughts

How to Stay Informed*Make sure Miss Clark has your correct email address to send reminders/announcements.

*Check class website frequently.*Notes back and forth in the Daily Bulldog

Folder*Check your child’s homework.

*Join PTSA (only $6.00)

*Call the classroom 956-5024

Thank You For Coming

Remember, Your Child is a “Fantastic First Grader” in my class.I really encourage responsibility and respect. I want them to do the very best that they can! A little effort can go a long way!

I look forward to a great year with you and your child. Sincerely, Laura Clark