First Grade Information
Welcome back to school! We hope your family had a relaxing and enjoyable summer.
We would like to take this opportunity to explain some procedures and guidelines that will help
you and your child have a successful first grade year.

LUNCH
o First grade lunch is 12:10 – 12:50.
o We do not have means to heat up food, so please keep that in mind when packing
lunches.
o We welcome parents and grandparents at lunch! You may bring food from an outside
source or you may go through the lunch line. So that students don’t miss out on their
eating time, we will send them through the line at 12:10 if their parent hasn’t arrived
with their lunch.

CONFERENCE
o 9:10 – 10:05 is first grade’s conference and planning time. If there is anything you
would like to discuss about your child, please email your child’s teacher or call the
school to schedule an appointment prior to you coming to the school. 806-326-5800
o If this conference time is not convenient for you, we can also meet before or after
school and sometimes even during lunch, but please schedule this appointment ahead
of time so we’ll know to expect you.
 Mrs. Selman – jenna.selman@amaisd.org
 Mrs. Sutton – heather.sutton@amaisd.org
 Mrs. Campbell – samantha.campbell@amaisd.org
 Mrs. Stidham – jennifer.stidham@amaisd.org

OVERVIEW OF 1ST GRADE CURRICULUM
o SPELLING
 We will start sending spelling words for your child to study at the end of the
first six weeks. Once we start spelling, the new list will come home on
Mondays.
 Students will be given a list of words to study based on their readiness. This
will be determined by how well they do on a pretest given on Mondays. If they
miss one or less they will be placed on a challenge list. If they miss more han
one, they will remain on the basic spelling list. Each list will have a common
factor such as –er chunk.
 They will be given many opportunities to use these spelling words in class to
help prepare them for the spelling test that will be given on Fridays.
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o HANDWRITING
 A vital part of what we do every day is proper letter formation. Correct
letter formation is more than just making it look neat and tidy on paper, it
goes hand in hand in learning to read and write.
 We will send home a more detailed explanation of our handwriting
expectations at a later date so that you may help your child at home.
o READING
 Students will meet with their teacher in small reading groups. The groups will
be determined based on their reading level and comprehension skills. Some
groups will meet every day, while other groups may only meet a few times a
week.
 During their reading time your child will be given a leveled book to read from
working on different skills. After they have practiced with the book in their
group, they will bring it home in a book bag. They will then be responsible for
reading their new book for homework. Once you’ve listened to them read
their new book a few times, please fill out the reading log in the take home
folder. Please read any new books first for homework before reading any
other books.
 As your child’s reading skills improve they will move up to a different reading
level. They will then start working on different skills to improve and perfect.
o MATH
 We will learn many new math concepts in first grade such as addition and
subtraction, time, money, patterns, etc.
 Every Monday you’ll receive a newsletter about what we will learn for the
week. Please keep an eye out for these newsletters to be informed about
what new math concept in being introduced and practiced in class that week.
o SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES
 We cover such a wide variety of topics, so please refer to the weekly
newsletter to keep you posted on what we are studying in the classroom.

GRADES
o Numerical grades are given for every subject. (Reading, Language Arts, Math,
Science, Social Studies)
 A = 90 - 100
 B = 80 - 89
 C = 75 - 79
 D = 70 - 74
 F = 69 or below
o Students will be given 1 grade per week based on their reading level. Other grades
will be given based on reading skills. A reading grade rubric is attached so that you
can see where your child falls based on their reading level. (see attachment 1)
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o We teach Science for 3 weeks and Social Studies 3 weeks during a six weeks period.
So you may notice that only one or the other will appear on your child’s progress
report. However, both will appear at the end of the six weeks on their report card.

TUTORING
o Our goal at Woodlands is for every student to be on or above grade level in all areas.
o If we feel there is a need for enrichment in any content area beyond what we can
accomplish during school hours we will have after school tutoring on Mondays and
Tuesdays from 3:00 – 3:45.
o Tutoring is available from the beginning of the 2nd 6 weeks until the end of April.
o If your child needs tutoring, your child’s teacher will contact you.
o Students can enter and exit tutoring any time during the year. Some students may
need a little extra help with a new concept, while others may need to stay in tutoring
for an extended period to stay on track.
o We would greatly appreciate your support in this area.

HOMEWORK
o READING
 Students will be required to read for 15 minutes Monday – Thursday.
 Read any new books from their book bag first then read any other books in
their book bag, library books, or books at home.
 After your child has read their 15 minutes, please fill out their reading log
located in the brads of their take home folder behind their behavior sheet
each night.
 An example of the reading log is included in this packet.
o MATH
 Math homework will start towards the end of the first six weeks. This will
generally consist of a half sheet of math homework.
 Math homework is sent home on Mondays and Tuesdays.
 Math homework will provide your child an opportunity to practice the math
concepts at home. This homework will reinforce what has already been taught
in the classroom. The homework will never be a concept that they are not
familiar with.
 Using manipulatives or fingers on math homework is encouraged until the
concept is grasped. Some ideas are noodles, beans, paperclips, crayons, real
coins, rocks, etc.
 At first math homework will be a front side only. Later in the year we will add
a backside with addition or subtraction facts to complete.
 An example of the math homework is included in this packet.
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o SPELLING
 A new spelling list will be sent home on Mondays. Please take time each
evening to help your child study their words.
 On Thursdays we will send home some sort of writing assignment to be
completed with their list of words. The homework will be checked first thing
Friday morning prior to the spelling test.
o EXTRA HOMEWORK
 Occasionally your child will have other activities to complete at home. These
will be assigned throughout the year and you will be given notice as to when it
is to be returned to school.
o Since this skills practice is important to help students be successful, time will be
taken during recess to complete any unfinished homework.

TAKE HOME FOLDER
o Your child will take home their “Home Folder” every day. Please initial/sign and
return daily so we know that you are receiving the information.
o Teachers will fill out the behavior sheet every day using our behavior checklist. The
behavior sheets will be located in the brads of this folder in front of the reading
log, and should remain in the brads of the folder at all times. Each teacher will
remove or add to when necessary.
 A behavior checklist has been included in this packet.
o Graded papers, important notes, reminders of approaching events, etc will be sent
home in this designated folder.
o We ask that you check your child’s folder every night. Please take out any papers
that do not need to be returned to school every day. As well as, complete and return
any notes sent home as soon as possible.
o Initial the behavior box every night and then sign on Fridays.
o Students are responsible for taking out any notes, homework, signed letters, etc
from their folder and placing them and their folder in their appropriate places each
morning.
o Teachers will check folders every morning for completed reading logs and signed
behavior sheets.

PARENT HELP
o We would love to have your help in the classroom!!!
o There will be sign up sheets on the counters for various jobs.
 Making copies
 Laminating
 Cutting paper
 Hanging up or taking down student work in hallways
 Home Room Parent
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We are so excited to have a new group of first graders. We hope this answers some of
your questions and takes away some of your concerns about your child entering into a new
adventure with us in first grade. We look forward to meeting all of you and your special child!
We also look forward to a fabulous year in first grade!!!
Thanks for sharing your child with us this year!
Ms. Selman
Mrs. Sutton
Mrs. Campbell
Mrs. Stidham
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