First Grade Basics

Mrs.Taylor’s 1st Grade Discipline Plan/Classroom Rules

 

These are the classroom/school rules:

*  Respect school property and property of others.
*  Never hurt anyone on the inside or outside.
*  Follow directions.
*  Respect adults and each other.
*  Do your best at all times.

        This year we will be using a colored “clip chart” to monitor our behavior and classroom choices.  Your child will have a clip that they will move up or down the chart, depending on their choices.  In order to move up, students must go above and beyond in their behavior choices.  When reminders are needed, they will move down the chart.  The chart below explains how the clip chart works. 

Red

Outstanding!

Students who go over-and-above in their behavior choices can move all the way up to the top of the chart, which is red. Students will then be able to add a special stripe to their clip.

Orange

Great Job!

Students who make good choices move up to the orange level.

Yellow

Good Day!

Students making choices beyond “Ready to Learn” move up to the yellow level.

Green

Ready to Learn

Everyone starts the day “Ready to Learn”!  Students can move up or down throughout the day depending on their behavior choices. 

Blue

Think About It

Students who receive a warning will move to blue.  This serves as a reminder to students to think about the choices they make.

Purple

Teacher’s Choice

Students who move to purple will have a consequence (usually time-out)

Brown

Parent Contact

Students who continue to make poor choices even after a teacher’s choice consequence, will need to discuss their choices with you.

  • Note: Serious offenses (fighting, stealing, severe disrespect, etc.) will be sent to the Principal and/or parent phone call immediately

 

 

When a child moves below green, to blue or purple, they will only be allowed to move back up if they improve their choices.  Even if they move back up, they will still earn any consequence they were to receive.  Rarely will a student landing on brown or falling of the chart be allowed to move up again, as these are reserved for serious offenses.  Please have a plan at home for colors below green. This will help the children know you respect our chart as much as we do.  If your child is moving up the chart, give them lots of praise!   

                                                             

West Heritage Daily Schedule


8:00                 Playground supervision begins
8:05                 A.M. Kindergarten begins
8:15                  Grades 1-5 begin
10:05-10:20      Morning recess for grades 1, 2 and 3
10:10-10:22      Morning recess for grades 4 & 5
11:20   A.M.      Kindergarten dismissal/P.M. Kindergarten begins
11:20-12:00      Grade 1 lunch
11:35-12:15       Grade 2 lunch
11:45-12:30      Grade 3 lunch
12:05-12:45      Grade 4 lunch
12:20-1:00        Grade 5 lunch
2:45                 Grades 1-5 dismissal

(Please note: Every Monday is a minimum day. Grades 1-5 are dismissed)


Class Schedule
 
(Subject to change as needed)
8:15 - 8:25  Seat Work/Review

 

8:45-10:05  Language Arts

 

10:05 - 10:20  Recess

 

10:20 - 11:20  Language Arts (continued)

   

11:20 - 12:00  Lunch

 

 12:00 1:00 Math

(12:00-12:40) Library on Wed.

 

 1:00-1:30  Social Studies/Science

 

 1:30-2:30 P.E./Art

(2:00-2:40) Computer Lab on Tue. & Wed.

 

 2:30 - 2:40  Clean up, Dismissal   

 


                                        The First Grade Curriculum

LITERATURE - Reading will be taught using a variety of methods including small group, individual practice, and whole group format.  Our reading series is Signatures by Houghton Mifflin.  In addition, students will read books in class that are at their individual reading levels.  We will be using the Accelerated Reading program in class to help your child build his/her reading comprehension skills.

SPELLING - A new spelling list will be given each week.  The list will follow a spelling rule that will be studied in class all week.  Students need to study the spelling pattern at home and not simply memorize the words so that the words will not be soon forgotten.  A spelling test will be given each Friday.

WRITING - The students will be writing everyday in Writer’s Workshop as well as in:
A.    Step Up to Writing
B.    Responding to literature
C.    Printing practice
D.    Daily journals

MATHEMATICS - Our math series is California Mathematics by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill.  We will focus on:
A.  Patterns and Number Sense
B.  Addition and Subtraction with no regrouping
C.  Data and Graphs
D.  Time
E.  Numbers to 100
F.  Measurement
G.  Money
H.  Geometry
I.  Place Value
J. Two-Digit Addition and Subtraction

SOCIAL STUDIES - Our social studies series is A Child’s View by Harcourt Brace. 
A.  Rules and Laws
B.  Where People Live
C.  Our Marketplace
D.  Our Country

SCIENCE - Our science series is California Science by Houghton Mifflin
A.    Roles of living things
B.    States on matter
C.    Weather and seasons
D.    Plant and animal habitats

TECHNOLOGY - Students will be working in the school computer lab at least one time a week.  We will focus on:
A.    Computer vocabulary
B.    Simple word processing
C.    Drill and practice activities

                                          Policies

HOMEWORK
    Homework packets will be given out every Friday.  The entire packet will be due on the following Friday.  If a student fails to turn in homework, he or she will get a warning.  If it is a common occurrence, grades will be affected.  Unfinished class work is usually completed at recess, but may also be sent home as additional homework.

ABSENT WORK
    Students who are absent have the number of days they were absent to make up the work they missed.  All class work and homework that is missed must be made up.

PROGRESS REPORTS / REPORT CARDS
    A computer generated progress report will be sent home every six weeks to keep you notified of your child’s progress in every subject.  Your child’s final grade for the trimester will be reflected on his or her report card.  I will review this report card with you in more detail at conference time.  You will receive additional information about conferences in November.  Feel free to call me at (909) 899 – 1199 or email me at renee_taylor@etiwanda.org and schedule an appointment with me any other time you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress.

FIELD TRIPS
    We have several exciting field trips scheduled for this year!  Please remember to fill out the bus rider form that is included in your Back to School Packet, even if your child does not ride the bus to school.  This form needs to be completed in order to ride the bus on field trips.

BIRTHDAYS
    Birthdays cannot be celebrated during class time.  You may bring cupcakes / treats for the class to enjoy after lunch!

 

 Grading

The following is the grading scale that will be used to grade all class/homework:
O = (90-100)        Outstanding
G = (80-89)          Good
S = (70-79)          Satisfactory
N = (60-69)          Needs Improvement
U = (59&below)    Unsatisfactory


The main areas that will be graded include:

Reading
*  Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Word Attack Skills
*  Accuracy, Fluency, Expression
Vocabulary Development
*  Comprehension:  Interprets, Evaluates, Uses Reading Strategies
*  District Literacy Assessment
*  Effort in Reading

Writing
*  Uses Correct Punctuation, Grammar, and Mechanics
*  Writes to Convey Meaning
Spelling Tests
*  Spells Correctly During Application
*  Penmanship
*  District Writing Assessment
*  Effort in Writing

Listening/Speaking
*  Effort in Listening/Speaking
   
Mathematics
*  Basic Skills/Number Sense
*  Concept Development (ex: time, money, measurement, geometry, and algebraic function)
*  Problem Solving/ Mathematical Reasoning
*  District Math Assessment
*  Effort in Math

History/Social Science
*  Shows understanding of topics studied

Science/Health
*  Makes observations, records information, draws logical conclusions, and demonstrates awareness of health and safety responsibilities

Support Areas
Visual/Performing - participation
Physical Education – participation
Physical Education – sportsmanship
Technology

Citizenship/Work Habits
*  Follows Rules
*  Works Cooperatively
*  Respects Other
*  Accepts Responsibility for Actions
*  Controls Talking
*  Uses Time Productively
*  Works Independently
*  Follows Directions
*  Completes Class Work on Time
*  Completes Homework on Time
* Produces Neat and Careful Work 
* Organizes Work and Materials
* Contributes to Class Discussions