Mrs. Gasienica’s
First Grade
Welcome!
Welcome to First Grade!
Please do not forget to write a special note
to your child at the bottom of their letter
at their seat.
Get to know the other parents in the room!
I will be emailing for conference times!!
Class Subjects
The subjects we cover in first
grade are:
 Literacy (reading, writing, listening and
speaking)
 Math
 Science
 Social Studies
 Family Life/Health
Reading and Writing
 Mini-lesson (10-12 minutes/Read Aloud is separate)
 Independent Reading/Writing
 Individual conferences
 Mid-workshop interruption
 Table conferences
 Strategy lessons/Guided reading
 Partner work/Reading Based Centers
 Sharing Time (select a few student to share something
you saw they tried or learned)
•Early Intervention Support
Step into your students’ shoes…
Pa XXXX Joanie with his dirty XXXX. Spoon rose to follow
Pa, but one of the XXXX XXXX in the window caught the light of
the real XXXX and sent off pure white XXXX directly at Spoon. He
sat down again, XXXX by the XXXX orb, feeling as if he was on the
brink of a meaningful XXXX, on the verge of XXXX his XXXX.
His eyes darted from one XXXX to the next. Something of
Gram’s.
Thinking, thinking.
4th grade reading level
85% accuracy
Tom Marshall, 2010
Let’s try that again at 90%...
Pa followed Joanie with his dirty XXXX. Spoon rose to
follow Pa, but one of the XXXX suns in the window caught the
light of the real XXXX and sent off pure white XXXX directly at
Spoon. He sat down again, XXXX by the XXXX orb, feeling as if he
was on the brink of a meaningful thought, on the verge of XXXX
his XXXX.
His eyes darted from one XXXX to the next. Something of
Gram’s.
Thinking, thinking.
A little better…
Still not “just right.”
Tom Marshall, 2010
How about 95%...
Pa followed Joanie with his dirty dishes. Spoon rose to
follow Pa, but one of the XXXX suns in the window caught the
light of the real XXXX and sent off pure white flashes directly at
Spoon. He sat down again, mesmerized by the XXXX orb, feeling
as if he was on the brink of a meaningful thought, on the verge
of solving his XXXX.
His eyes darted from one sun to the next. Something of
Gram’s.
Thinking, thinking.
Starting to clear up…
Let’s see 100%
Tom Marshall, 2010
This is what it should sound (and feel) like…
Pa followed Joanie with his dirty dishes. Spoon rose to
follow Pa, but one of the stained-glass suns in the window
caught the light of the real sun and sent off pure white flashes
directly at Spoon. He sat down again, mesmerized by the
gleaming orb, feeling as if he was on the brink of a meaningful
thought, on the verge of solving his problem.
His eyes darted from one sun to the next. Something of
Gram’s.
Thinking, thinking.
So, what does that show?
Tom Marshall, 2010
It shows us…
Under 96% is really unclear.
Matching kids to books.
Better to be too easy than too hard.
Tom Marshall, 2010








Strong picture support
One line of print per page
Signs, labels, songs, and poems
Pattern Books
Knows all letter names and SOME sounds
Uses pictures to tell stories
Illustrations clearly support text
Print placement always is consistent








Books have simple patterns
Reads independently for 10 minutes
Has Book Talks
Knows most letter sounds and blends
Heavily relies on pictures and print
Retells story
Illustrations still appear on each page
Print placement varies








Identifies basic genres
Independent Reading 10-15 minutes
Acknowledges punctuation
Recognizes sight words and endings
Learns and shares info from reading
Begins to self-correct
Less rhyme and repetition –simple story
Clear sequence of events
To be on a “just right”
level…
 96% accuracy or higher
 Fluent (but what is that?)
 Comprehend literally and inferentially
Instructional Spelling
 White Level (cvc words and vce
patterns)
 Trick Words
 Spelling homework notebook
 Spelling Inventory
 Dictation
 Word Study - Phonics lessons
Math
B , D, and S skills (Spiraling
Curriculum)
 Math Games
 Typical lesson:
Math Message, Mental
Math/Slate Work,
Math Boxes(review), Journal
Pages (new concept) and Games
 Home Links
 Family Letter
 Timed Fact Tests
 Online Resources

Miscellaneous
 All Notices: envelope with: what it is, child’s
name and 1S (please cut off tear offs!)
 Conferences: January and April
 Report Cards: January, April and June
 Please call in absences/late (front door)
 Send note to teacher for any changes in pick up
 Scholastic Books – please send checks
 Class Trips -TBA
 Circus Arts - Performance Date 3/21/14
 Birthdays (make plans in advance with teacher)
 Webpage – notes, reminders, etc.
 Emails (kgasienica@fairlawnschools.org)
 Lunch Orders
Behavior Plan
 Respect
 Individual Stop Lights




1 Warning – Black
2 Warnings – Green
3 Warnings – Yellow
4 Warnings – Red (note home/office visit)
 Happy Calls/Emails
Homework
Reading Calendar (initial each night)
Spelling Menu
Math Home Links (math side in folder)
Completed independently and then
reviewed by parent – Name on top
 Please note any difficulty
 Homework will be differentiated as the
year progresses




Let’s Have a Great Year!