TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I believe that every child can and wants to learn. It is my goal to create a positive, non-threatening environment where that learning will be enjoyable and successful. I think it is important for parents to be involved. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Language arts involves listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Our literacy curriculum includes phonemic awareness, phonics, shared and independent reading, comprehension, vocabulary, and various forms of writing. The curriculum is carefully picked from the best available resources. Classroom instruction is based on language activities that include a variety of literature.
Learning to read is the primary academic goal in first grade. During small group time, we will use a systematic phonics approach to learn how to decode words while reading. Then, as needed, we will also use leveled guided reading books. It is important that your child has the opportunity to read to someone at home every day. Many first graders are already pretty good readers. All readers will be given the opportunity to read appropriately leveled books and improve their reading, writing and comprehension abilities. Reading and Writing go hand in hand.
Almost every week we will focus on two heart words. Heart words are similar to sight words or high frequency words. These words need to be known “by heart” because they don’t follow regular phonics patterns. Often the sound(s) in these words differ from how we spell them.
MATHEMATICS
Alpine School District strives to provide “Balanced Math”. We continue to use Ready Classroom Mathematics. This program emphasizes the conceptual knowledge embedded in math skills as well as the many ways that math can be represented. There is a large emphasis on classroom discourse or discussion about math concepts. While most of my math instruction will align to this program, I always follow the core and will use pieces of different programs and materials (as well as teacher created materials) to best teach each core concept. We will use many hands-on manipulative activities to give children a good concrete foundation. Operational and abstract mathematical skills can be built upon this foundation. We play math games at school that solidify number sense and other basic skills.
DISCIPLINE
I believe in maintaining a positive classroom environment. We will discuss classroom rules together as we prepare to learn and grow in the classroom. I use a card system to monitor behavior. Students always start the day with a “Green: Let’s Roll” card. However, this chart is fluid. Students will move up and down throughout the day. As students receive praise/warnings, their tags will change colors and they will receive rewards/consequences for their actions. Any disruption of a positive learning environment will first be dealt by teaching the student what is appropriate, reminding, and then removing the student from the activity for a short time. If the problem persists, the parent will be notified so that we can work on a plan of action together. Please let me know if your child is facing any challenging circumstances that we need to work through together.
Purple: Groovy
Dark Blue: Rock On
Light Blue: Cool Effort
Green: Let’s Roll
Yellow: Slow Down
Orange: Watch Out
Red: Bummer
HOMEWORK
Your child has his/her very own homework folder. The best homework assignment for first graders is reading out loud and then write about that reading with someone. Our First Grade goal is 20 minutes a day (or as often as possible). The homework folder will include a reading log with a place to record when you read together. Math and Literacy are also important aspects of your child’s education. As such, your child’s homework will be to also complete two math and two literacy activities each week. A homework log and idea sheets are inside the homework folder. Have your child complete homework with your supervision and assistance as needed. This folder does not need to be returned to school.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are always welcome in our classroom. I know schedules can be tight and many people have other family obligations. If you do plan to volunteer, I ask that you not bring any other children into our room because they can be very distracting. We will plan to start volunteers in October after our class has had a chance to settle in and learn expectations and routines. I will send home more information at that time.
CLASSROOM SUPPLIES/DONATIONS
I am NOT asking for any donations of student supplies. I have used school funds to purchase the materials (folders, notebooks, crayons, pencil boxes, pens, etc.) we will need this year. If you have purchased those items for your child, please keep them at home. Otherwise, problems can arise due to the lack of uniformity among peers. However, if you’d like to donate to our classroom, we can always use hand sanitizer, tissues and Clorox wipes.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
School attendance is vital. Daily attendance is recommended. Please help your child arrive on time and be in school on a regular basis. Our district policy has the teacher call home if a child is absent for 3 consecutive days. Please be on time and try to plan activities so your child will not need to be checked out early. Your child can miss vital information if consistently checked out early. However, if your child is ill, please keep him/her at home.
GRADING POLICY
Report cards will be available to view on Skyward at the end of each quarter. The students will be graded on a standards-based grading system. Grades are only a report of what the student has demonstrated in class. It is not a judgment on her/his intelligence or ability.
I believe that every child can and wants to learn. It is my goal to create a positive, non-threatening environment where that learning will be enjoyable and successful. I think it is important for parents to be involved. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Language arts involves listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Our literacy curriculum includes phonemic awareness, phonics, shared and independent reading, comprehension, vocabulary, and various forms of writing. The curriculum is carefully picked from the best available resources. Classroom instruction is based on language activities that include a variety of literature.
Learning to read is the primary academic goal in first grade. During small group time, we will use a systematic phonics approach to learn how to decode words while reading. Then, as needed, we will also use leveled guided reading books. It is important that your child has the opportunity to read to someone at home every day. Many first graders are already pretty good readers. All readers will be given the opportunity to read appropriately leveled books and improve their reading, writing and comprehension abilities. Reading and Writing go hand in hand.
Almost every week we will focus on two heart words. Heart words are similar to sight words or high frequency words. These words need to be known “by heart” because they don’t follow regular phonics patterns. Often the sound(s) in these words differ from how we spell them.
MATHEMATICS
Alpine School District strives to provide “Balanced Math”. We continue to use Ready Classroom Mathematics. This program emphasizes the conceptual knowledge embedded in math skills as well as the many ways that math can be represented. There is a large emphasis on classroom discourse or discussion about math concepts. While most of my math instruction will align to this program, I always follow the core and will use pieces of different programs and materials (as well as teacher created materials) to best teach each core concept. We will use many hands-on manipulative activities to give children a good concrete foundation. Operational and abstract mathematical skills can be built upon this foundation. We play math games at school that solidify number sense and other basic skills.
DISCIPLINE
I believe in maintaining a positive classroom environment. We will discuss classroom rules together as we prepare to learn and grow in the classroom. I use a card system to monitor behavior. Students always start the day with a “Green: Let’s Roll” card. However, this chart is fluid. Students will move up and down throughout the day. As students receive praise/warnings, their tags will change colors and they will receive rewards/consequences for their actions. Any disruption of a positive learning environment will first be dealt by teaching the student what is appropriate, reminding, and then removing the student from the activity for a short time. If the problem persists, the parent will be notified so that we can work on a plan of action together. Please let me know if your child is facing any challenging circumstances that we need to work through together.
Purple: Groovy
Dark Blue: Rock On
Light Blue: Cool Effort
Green: Let’s Roll
Yellow: Slow Down
Orange: Watch Out
Red: Bummer
HOMEWORK
Your child has his/her very own homework folder. The best homework assignment for first graders is reading out loud and then write about that reading with someone. Our First Grade goal is 20 minutes a day (or as often as possible). The homework folder will include a reading log with a place to record when you read together. Math and Literacy are also important aspects of your child’s education. As such, your child’s homework will be to also complete two math and two literacy activities each week. A homework log and idea sheets are inside the homework folder. Have your child complete homework with your supervision and assistance as needed. This folder does not need to be returned to school.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are always welcome in our classroom. I know schedules can be tight and many people have other family obligations. If you do plan to volunteer, I ask that you not bring any other children into our room because they can be very distracting. We will plan to start volunteers in October after our class has had a chance to settle in and learn expectations and routines. I will send home more information at that time.
CLASSROOM SUPPLIES/DONATIONS
I am NOT asking for any donations of student supplies. I have used school funds to purchase the materials (folders, notebooks, crayons, pencil boxes, pens, etc.) we will need this year. If you have purchased those items for your child, please keep them at home. Otherwise, problems can arise due to the lack of uniformity among peers. However, if you’d like to donate to our classroom, we can always use hand sanitizer, tissues and Clorox wipes.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
School attendance is vital. Daily attendance is recommended. Please help your child arrive on time and be in school on a regular basis. Our district policy has the teacher call home if a child is absent for 3 consecutive days. Please be on time and try to plan activities so your child will not need to be checked out early. Your child can miss vital information if consistently checked out early. However, if your child is ill, please keep him/her at home.
GRADING POLICY
Report cards will be available to view on Skyward at the end of each quarter. The students will be graded on a standards-based grading system. Grades are only a report of what the student has demonstrated in class. It is not a judgment on her/his intelligence or ability.