Reading/Literacy Block:
First graders will read a variety of nonfiction and fiction stories throughout the year.
After students are assessed in September and beginning of October, they will be placed in flexible needs based groups. All first graders will be exposed to different genres as well as different forms of text. Children will also participate in guided reading (explicit, direct reading instruction), and read alouds (teacher reading). Students will work in the district adopted Good Habits, Great Readers program as well as the Wright Skills Phonics program.
Both of these programs will provide readers with interesting text to develop and improve their reading strategies, fluency, and comprehension.
Accelerated Reader is used as practice only for first grade. We do not set individual goals. This program encourages individually paced reading and testing information on reading comprehension.
Spelling:
First grade is using the Sitton Spelling Program. This program may be different from what you have come to expect. Instead of weekly lists of words to memorize, this program emphasizes the learning of important words, not for the test but for a lifetime of spelling in the real world. Students will be assigned “take home tasks” each week that will lead them to mastering the first grade “No Excuse Words”. These tasks will complement the skills we are working on at school. Each Monday, Starting in October, students will receive their list of spelling words to focus on for the week and their “take home task”. There will
NOT be weekly spelling tests. Spelling achievement tests will periodically be administered throughout the year. Students’ spelling with be evaluated by both their spelling achievement scores as well as their application of these “No Excuse Words” in their everyday writing.

Writing:
Students will write every day in class. Writing spans across the curriculum and is applied in math, science, reading and social studies. During writing workshop, students will generate ideas and plan their writing. Children will be encouraged to write drafts using multiple sentences. Students will be learning to write personal narratives, expository, and opinion writing. Students will be learning the traits of a strong writer: ideas, voice, word choice, fluency, conventions, organization and presentation.
Math:
Students will be learning math using a hands-on, problem solving approach featured in the enVisions math program. Children are encouraged to use higher level thinking skills in learning the math processes and concepts. They will work individually, with partners, and in groups to solve problems. A very important part of the program involves children being able to write or explain verbally how they approach a math problem.
For math games and more valuable information go to: www.everett.k12.wa.us/everett
Math concepts to work on at home, in the car, at the grocery store etc: o o o o o o o o o
Writing numerals to 120
Use comparative language (e.g., less than, more than, equal to) to compare numbers to 120
Count by 5’s and 10’s to 120 and 2’s to 100
Count forward and backward, from a given number that is less than 120
Show relationships between addition and subtraction using objects and acting out problems
Use addition strategies (e.g., count on and doubles) to at least sums of 18
Read a clock with hands to the hour and the half hour
Identify coins (penny, nickel, dime, quarter) and their value
Play the games that are sent home from the enVisions math program
In enVision, homework is an extension of classroom work. Sometimes it offers review and practice of work done in class, preparation for upcoming activities, and/or games that revisit work from earlier units. Homework is usually sent home at least once during each unit. Often times the homework consists of playing a math game with your child and therefore it is not necessary to turn anything back in. Just have fun letting your child teach you the game!

Science:
We will be teaching three major “FOSS” units this year in science.
New Plants Pebbles, Sand, and Silt Solids and Liquids
If you would like more specific information, please visit: www.fossweb.com/modulesK-2/index.html
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
PE and Computer
Computer and Library
Music
PE
Lunch:
Our lunch and recess time is from 12:00 to 12:40 daily. You are welcome to come have lunch with your child periodically (no need to notify teacher). Please make sure to sign in at the office first. It is also helpful for your child to have their lunch number memorized when they purchase lunch or milk.

Attendance/appointments:
It is best to notify the office directly when your child will be absent or has an appointment. If your child will be gone for an extended period of time, please let Mrs.
Boede know as soon as possible.
Take Home Folders:
Please be sure to check your child’s green folder every day for homework assignments and other paperwork. Beginning October 5 th , there will be a weekly assignment checklist that should stay in the folder at all times. Please initial the checklist on a daily basis.
Class Rules:
In our classroom we are using a Clip Chart. On this Clip Chart, there are five categories.
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Good Day
Ready To Learn
Think About It
 Teacher’s Choice
 Parent Contact
The clothespins begin everyday in Ready to Learn. During the course of the day, the clothespins can move up and down the chart based upon the behavioral choices each student makes. Good behavior causes the clothespin to move up one level. Conversely, inappropriate behavior will cause the clothespin to move down one level. The advantage of this system is that students can move down the chart but turn around their day and move back up. If a student ends up on Parent Contact, I will call or send a note home that discusses the inappropriate behavior. This note is to be signed by a parent and returned to school.
As a class, we are working together to earn Warm Fuzzies! Our class can earn warm fuzzies by following directions quickly, receiving a compliment from another teacher, or good behavior during fire drills, assemblies, and specialists’. Once our Warm Fuzzy jar is filled, the class can vote on their reward. An example of a reward would be a movie or pajama day.

Homework:
Your child will receive a homework sheet on a weekly basis. First grade homework consists of reading (reading aloud, being read to, or reading together with another person), spelling, and math or science. Please help your child keep their weekly homework sheet in their folder and return their homework on time. If for some reason, it is impossible for your child to do his or her homework, please send me a note.
Student Birthdays:
We love to celebrate birthdays! Your child will receive a birthday certificate and a special choice out of the treasure box. If you would like to send treats to share with the class in honor of your child’s birthday, please take them into the office or have your child carry them into the class in the morning so that we can take them to the cafeteria with us.
Cookies work great! If you prefer, you can also sign in at the office and meet us in the cafeteria. Our lunch begins at 12:00. Another option would be to send in small birthday goodies like pencils or stickers for the children in lieu of cupcakes/treats.
* Please do not bring treats that contain NUTS due to student allergies.
*Silver Firs policy does not allow us to pass out birthday invitations at school unless everyone in the class is invited. Thank you for helping us to avoid hurt feelings!
Star Student:
Each student will have a week as our “Star Student”. The Star Student may bring in pictures from home to share with the class during their week. Pictures could include family snapshots, vacation photos, pictures of a pet or friends etc. A letter/poster will be sent home the week before to let you know when to expect your child’s turn. I will keep pictures up on the “All About Me” board throughout the week and return them on Friday. Students will also be filling out and decorating an All About Me poster that they can share with the class on Friday.

Book Orders:
Scholastic book order forms will go home monthly. If you would like to order online with a credit card, please follow the directions on the note sent home with the book order forms.
You may also return your order form to me with a check made out to Scholastic by the date indicated. Scholastic books are an excellent way to get your child excited about reading. If you would like any of the books as a gift for your child, please let me know.
Dismissal:
Students will be walked directly out to the fenced area by the Kindergarten Corral each day. Bus riders will be escorted directly to their bus line by a supervisor. Students being picked up will wait with me until their parent/guardian comes to get them. For each student’s safety please write a note if a student’s after-school plans change from their normal routine.
Family Communication:
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, comments or concerns! I assure you that I will do the same. E-mail is the best way to reach me with a quick question. You can also leave a message on my classroom voicemail by calling 425-385-6521.
PTA Information:
PTA information is sent home in folders on Thursdays. There are no white envelopes this year. Please remember to remove and look over these papers and they should not accumulate in folders. In an effort to conserve paper, families with multiple siblings will only receive one copy of certain notes. Thank you!

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I will help your child develop a love for learning
I will help your child learn to make positive choices
I will provide a caring and positive environment where your child can grow
I recognize that students learn through various styles, and I will do my best to meet every student’s needs
I will do my best to make learning relevant and fun! 
 Have your child to school on time.
 Sign your child in the office if they are tardy.
 Help your child remember his or her lunch, and/or lunch money (please place in a baggie or envelope labeled with your child’s name and student number if possible).
 Help your child remember to return his or her green “Take Home Folder” daily.
 Help your child plan a quiet time each day/night to do homework. Please sign the homework sheet when your child has completed the homework and has reviewed it with you.
 READ . . . read to your child, read together, listen to your child read, and talk about what you read!
 Talk with your child about his or her school day and review class work and homework assignments with your child.
 Check the classroom website/newsletter.
 Making sure that your child is wearing suitable clothes for school (ex: gym shoes on
P.E. days, coats with hoods on cold and/or rainy days, etc). For safety reasons, please help your child learn to tie his/her own shoes.
I look forward to working with you and your child this year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Tara Boede tboede@everettsd.org
425-385-6521