Get Ready for a SUPER Year in 1st Grade!

Please fill out the papers that are on the right side of your

child’s desk. Thank You!

First Week Transportation• Make sure your child knows the way they are getting

home. • Have them wear their bus tags to school during the

first week. • If they ride a different bus in the afternoon, please

write that number on the back of the tag.• I will meet the students in the cafeteria upon arrival. • We will walk together as a class to our room the first

few days of school. • Please turn in any transportation papers to the blue

basket on your way out.

ID NumberStudents will have an identification number they will need to know for:• Buying Lunch• Logging Onto the Computer• Checking Out Library Books

Please practice your child’s ID number with them daily. It is my hope that they can master their number the first two weeks of school.  The numbers on the cafeteria and library key pad are set up like a calculator.

LunchLunch is at 12:20

You may prepay by going to the cafeteria or by sending a check made payable to “County of Loudoun”. Please write your child’s ID # on the check.

You are welcome to come in and join your child for lunch at any time during the year. You may meet us at the cafeteria at lunchtime.

SnacksWe will take a break for a short snack in the morning.

Snacks should be healthy. No candy, donuts, cupcakes, etc.

Students should be able to eat their snack independently and within a 15 minute period.

NO DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN OUR CLASSROOM.

Birthdays

• If you would like to send party invitations to be passed out at school, you must send enough invitations for the whole class, all the boys, or all the girls.

• Students are not allowed to bring in any kind of birthday treat. (Loudoun County School Policy)

SpecialsSpecials: 11:00-12:00

PE – Tuesday, Wednesday, FridayMusic – Wednesday, FridayLibrary - ThursdayArt - MondayComputer Lab – Tuesday, ThursdaySearch and Guidance – alternating weeks

Students are required to wear sneakers on PE days. If they do not, it will affect their grade.

Please remember that students can not check out new books unless their old books are returned.

Behavior • When a student chooses to not follow

classroom or school rules they will move their clothes pin down to yellow, then orange, and lastly red.

• Students are given a warning from the teacher before being asked to move their clothes pin.

• Students can move their clip back up if they show they have changed their behavior and are ready to learn.

• Students will fill out a daily behavior chart that will be sent home for parents to see.

• Each day students will be given class money if they have stayed on green. Students will use this money to buy class reward coupons.

• If a student demonstrates harmful or disrespectful behavior parents will be notified by e-mail or phone call.

PBIS• Horizon’s 3 C’s : Courteous, Caring, Corporation

• Compliment Board: A class can earn a compliment from another teacher when they are seen following the 3 C’s of “Comet Conduct”. When they fill the 25 slots on the compliment board they earn a class reward such as pajama day, extra recess, stuffed animal day, class pet, or a class lunch with the principal.

• Blue Tickets: Students will be given a blue ticket if they are showing “outstanding behavior” of our school’s 3 C’s. Students will place their blue tickets in a jar in our classroom and a name will be drawn each week to be announced on HTV. All of the tickets will be placed in a large jar outside the main office.

Daily FoldersDaily Folder – behavior chart, teacher notes, lunch money, flyers, newsletters, etc.

Blue Folder – homework • Manila envelope where Word Study words will

be kept• Math Packet• Word Study HW packet• Reading Log*These folders should return to school DAILY.

• On Friday, students will bring home a folder that has all of their work from the week. Please empty this folder and return it to school on Monday.

What We Learn

Word Study• Your child will be bringing home a collection of weekly spelling words

that have been introduced in class.

• Word Study is a student-centered approach to phonics, spelling, and vocabulary instruction. The student’s focus is learning a spelling pattern rather than memorizing how to spell a word.

• Each night of the week your child is expected to do a different activity to ensure that these words and the spelling principles they represent are mastered.

• Word Study tests will be given on Friday mornings. Students are responsible for spelling and sorting the words correctly.

*When completing homework please remember to use correct capitalization and grammar. Word Study words should be spelled correctly.

Guided Reading• Students will be put into small

groups based on their reading level.

• They will read 2-3 new books a week along with teacher guided instruction.

• Students will also work on sight words during guided reading. *Sight words should be practiced at home each night.

• Students will be moved to different groups in order to meet the needs of all students.

Writing Workshop• We have 20-45 minutes a day set

aside for our writing workshop.

• We will focus on a certain genre of writing at a time.

• Each workshop begins with a mini lesson and then moves into student’s independent time.

• At the end of each unit student’s will pick their best piece of writing to share.

• All writing will be sent home at the end of each unit. *Some pieces might not be complete.

Math

• Full Math Curriculum –DreamBox

– There is also an app!– Parents can sign up for

reports. – This will be homework two

nights a week.– Please only help with how to

use the tools. Do not give answers.

• Students will take a pre and post test for each unit. Both tests will be sent home at the end of each unit.

• Numbers 1-100• Graphs• Addition and Subtraction

Facts through 18• Telling Time to the Half

Hour and the Hour• Money - Counting Sums

Using Pennies, Nickels, Dimes, and Quarters

• Measurement• Geometry - Identifying

Shapes• Fractions - Halves, Thirds,

and Fourths

Science and Social Studies

• We will either be studying social studies or science. Units usually alternate.

• Study guides will be sent home at the beginning of each unit with the unit test date at the top.

• Each unit will end with unit test.

• Social Studies • Being a Good Citizen• Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow• Our World and How It Affects Us• Diverse Communities - Virginia

and the Pacific

• Science• Scientific Investigations• Force, Motion, and Energy• Matter• Plants and Animals• Earth and Sun• Seasonal Change• Natural Resources

GradesIn first grade, students receive letter grades of B, P, M, and E.

Please be aware of what each letter represents:B’s – Below Standards – demonstrating knowledge of the “standard” with assistanceP’s – Progressing Towards Standards - demonstrating knowledge of the “standard” independently, but not consistently M’s – Meets Standards - demonstrating knowledge of the “standard” consistently and independentlyE’s – Exceeds Standards - demonstrating knowledge independently by going above the “standard”

Nurse Visits• If your child has a rash or bug

bites please try to put medicine on them before sending them to school. This helps us avoid trips to the nurse during instruction time.

• If your child has a tummy ache,

but is acting energetic and like themselves I will have them get a drink of water and/or take a rest before sending them to the clinic.

• Band-Aids in the classroom are used for blisters, scratches, and paper cuts.

• If your child is a “frequent” visitor I will contact you to see if there is a reason why.

E-mailPlease remember that my number one job is to take care and educate your children. I usually have time to check my e-mail before school and right after school.

I do not check my e-mail from home because this is my precious time with my family. Therefore, if you e-mail me after 3:00 pm I will not respond until the next day.

Do not send emergency e-mails during the day. Please contact the office.

Our Class Webpage

Click Here