WESTPARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
25 San Carlo
Irvine, California 92614
(949) 936-6400
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
GOALS
Our goal for the year is to provide your child with a positive and enjoyable
learning experience. We will present a strong curriculum in the basic skills of
reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social science. Your child will
progress along the learning continuum as far as they can during this important first
grade year.
In addition, we hope to provide learning opportunities for your child that will
help him/her become engaged as an independent, self-motivated learner.
LANGUAGE ARTS
The Irvine Unified School District has trained all first grade teachers in the
First Grade Literacy Project. Westpark teachers’ philosophies reflect that
training. We believe that children learn differently from various teaching
strategies; therefore, we all present a balanced literacy approach to language arts.
By balanced we mean that reading and writing will be presented to children, with
children and by children. We are excited to be integrating the Houghton-Mifflin
Language Arts Program into our literacy curriculum. However, we look at each child
individually and design a program to fit their personal needs. We utilize Response
to Instruction to meet the needs of all students in the area of reading. See the
attached sheet, which describes the components of a balanced literacy program
for further information.
WRITING
Students will have many opportunities to develop their writing skills this
year. Activities include writer’s workshop, daily writing in writing folders, writing
center activities, and story follow-ups. We will be utilizing the writing process,
which includes the following stages of writing: prewriting, writing, editing,
publishing and sharing.
ELEMENTS OF A BALANCED LITERACY PROGRAM
Definition of Reading:
Reading is the ability to construct meaning from a text.
LITERATURE ENVIRONMENT
Print Rich Environment
Varied Genre and Materials
High Motivation
DAILY READING
Reading to Students
Reading Aloud by Teacher
Reading with Students
Shared Reading
Reading by Students
Guided Reading (Successful Instructional Level)
Independent Reading (Book Baskets)
DAILY WRITING
Writing to Students
Notes, Schedules, Announcements
Writing with Students
Shared Writing (Morning Message, Mini-Lesson)
Language Experience
Writing by Students
Response Writing, Writing Folders
The Writing Process
Writer’s Workshop
Class Writing Books
ORAL COMMUNICATION
Reading Workshop, Literature Circles, Poetry, Story Re-enactment, and
Author’s Chair
FLEXIBLE GROUPING
Heterogeneous, Whole Group, Pairs, Cooperative, Individual, Special
Purpose (Homogeneous - ex. Guided Reading)
SPELLING
Please see attached packet on spelling in first grade.
READ ALOUD PROGRAM
During quarters 1 and 2, students can earn prizes for being read to by an
adult or older sibling. Read one or two books every night, record the titles and
turn them in to class once a month. Every child that turns in a completed sheet will
receive a prize. They also receive all the benefits of being read to, described on
the previous page.
SPECIAL ME
In order to promote self-esteem, listening and speaking skills each student
will have the opportunity to share about themselves with their classmates. A
poster and schedule indicating the week your child will be Special Me will be
provided to parents at Back to School Night. Posters are to be completed as a
homework activity and returned to school the week of the child’s Special Me week.
Any additional items that may be attached to the bulletin board such as
photographs, artwork by the student etc. are welcome. This is a fun and highly
anticipated program for everyone.
MATHEMATICS
Our curriculum is based on current research evaluating the most effective
ways to teach mathematics and the California Common Core State Mathematics
Standards emphasizing problem solving, computational skills, and mental arithmetic.
Our goals are:
To develop understanding through:
(1)
using concrete materials
(2)
asking students to explain
(3)
making generalizations by talking with peers
(4)
writing in math journals to describe a math concept, explain a
strategy, or reflect on what they have learned (through CGI)
*to develop number sense and understanding of operations by using concrete
materials and verbalizing the meaning.
*to ask students to explain why their answers are reasonable rather than focusing
only on one “right answer”
MATHEMATICS CONTINUED
Basic Skills Will Include:
Unit 1 – Early Number Activities
Unit 2 – Operations and Simple Equations
Unit 3 – Story Problem Strategies
Unit 4 – Place Value
Unit 5 – Ten Structured Applications
Unit 6 – Comparisons and Data
Unit 7 – Fractions, Circles graphs and Clocks
Unit 8 – Money, 2 Digit Addition
Unit 9 – Story Problems
Unit 10 – Measurement, Shapes
**Math homework correlates with the units being taught. In your back to School
Night envelope is the first of two Math Homework and Remembering books. This
book has been checked out to your child. Math homework schedules will be posted
on the first grade website at the beginning of each unit. Return the completed
work or a printed and signed (indicating your child has completed work) copy of the
schedule to school on the date listed. Please do not let your child work
“ahead” on the extra practice worksheets.
**To assist you with your child’s math homework, videos have been posted on our
grade level website.
SOCIAL STUDIES
There are six units of study: Rules and Laws, Where People Live, We Love Our
Country, Our Changing World, All About People, and The Marketplace. These units
focus on community, families, and multi-cultural awareness and appreciation. In
first grade we emphasize getting along with others inside and outside the class,
working in groups, and working at center activities.
HEALTH
Our district wide health series is called “The Great Body Shop”. There are 10 units
of study: safety, body systems, nutrition, social and community health, emotional
health, growth and development, substance abuse prevention, illness prevention,
environment and consumer health, and fitness. A parent brochure will go home
when we begin each unit. This will explain what is covered in the unit and give you
ideas to support your child at home in understanding each unit concepts.
SCIENCE
Science units that are taught will focus on weather, plants, solids, liquids, and
gases. In addition, we will be performing several experiments throughout the year
utilizing the scientific process. We have a wonderful presentation from the Irvine
Ranch Water District that concludes our solids, liquids, and gases unit.
P.E.
Our physical education program will include large and small motor skills, ball skills,
playground games and sportsmanship, just to name a few. Mrs. Garey and Coach
Hartstein are the P.E. specialists. Please have your child wear tennis shoes and
dress appropriately on P.E. days so they will be able to participate in all activities.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework assignments will be updated and posted on the First Grade Website
each Friday. The homework coversheet provided in your back to school night
envelope (and also available on the website) explains the weekly activities. High
Frequency words and spelling words will be updated and available each week on our
website: www.iusd.org/wp. Return completed homework on Thursday. We take
homework very seriously. This allows time for your child to work on things that
he/she is learning in class. Please support your child in his/her effort to develop
responsibility through turning in weekly homework on time. A math homework
schedule will be posted on the First Grade Website at the beginning of each unit.
We also put great emphasis on reading with your child every night. This is part of
their required homework, as well as spending quality time with your child. Be sure
to write down the books that are read so we can acknowledge this accomplishment.
Set up a routine with your child so that they have a certain time of the day in a
special place to work on homework. For first grade, approximately 20 minutes is
sufficient time to spend on their written homework each day.
EXTRA PROGRAMS
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
We encourage and reward positive behavior with stickers. Each student has
a sticker card and earns stickers for appropriate work habits and social
interactions. There are times when it is necessary to have consequences for
inappropriate behavior. Individual behavior plans will be discussed with student
and parents if necessary.
We feel it is every child’s right to have a safe and nurturing environment in
which to learn and grow to their fullest potential. It is the responsibility of each
student to act appropriately towards his or her teacher and peers. The
student/parent/teacher compact that was signed the first week of school
addresses all the behavioral expectations. Use this as a guide to discuss positive
behaviors with your child. We are proud to be a school that shows A.I.R.
behavior in all learning environments. Reinforce and praise your child when
they show examples of Accountability, Integrity, and Respect.
LISTENING AND SPEAKING
Here are some activities we will do to enhance this area:
1. Author’s Chair: to share stories the students have created
2. Special Me: each child will have a chance to be highlighted in a week
3. Plays: multi-cultural play celebrating holiday customs around the world in
December, and Reader’s Theatre in June
ABSENCES
Should your child be absent from school for any reason, please remember to call
the school secretary. The school loses precious money each time a student has an
unexcused absence. Please advise us as soon as possible if a long-term absence is
necessary. Make-up work is assigned only if the student has missed three or more
days of school and is determined to be absolutely necessary by your child’s
teacher.
Tardiness is also a problem. As you can see from our class schedule time is tight
and every minute counts. There is much for first graders to learn throughout the
year and we do not have time to stop class and repeat what has already been
explained to the rest of the class. So please ensure your child is at school on time
every day. Thank you.
LIBRARY/COMPUTERS
We are excited to have the opportunity of working with Mrs. Green, our librarian,
once a week. First Grade will have computer lab once a week. At this time the
students will have 30 minutes of computer instruction each week. We will also be
allowed to sign up for additional class time to work on special projects throughout
the year.
RECESS/LUNCH
Each day at l0:05 we have a snack recess. Please send a healthy snack for your
child to eat/drink at this time. Snack is also available for purchase. Our mornings
are long and the students really need to “refuel”. Please refrain from sending
candy or sweets as a snack. Too much sugar affects some children by reducing
their ability to concentrate and by interfering with their short-term memory.
Lunch is at ll:35. An account is set up for your child by sending a check to the
office made payable to I.U.S.D with your child’s name on it. It will be deposited
into your child’s lunch account. Further information concerning lunch accounts was
sent home the first day of school. It is your child’s responsibility to memorize
their 4-5 digit pin # in order to access their account. We will help them with this
process the first few weeks of school.
DAILY SCHEDULE
8:15 - 8:40
8:40 - l0:05
l0:05 - l0:25
l0:25 - ll:35
ll:35 - l2:20
12:20 - 1:15
1:15 - 2:15
2:15 - 2:24
Opening -attendance, calendar, morning
message, math expressions
Language Arts – RTI reading groups
Recess - snack
Math
Lunch
read aloud, journal writing, book baskets
Writer’s Workshop, social studies, science, health
Clean up, dismissal
*** Computer, PE and Library time are held on a weekly basis.
***Music is every other week.
***Special art projects are incorporated into the curriculum on a monthly basis.
FIRST GRADE WEBSITE
Our website is linked to the school website. This website will provide you with
weekly homework and up to date information on what is happening in our
classrooms. Please utilize this service – we know you will find it helpful for both
you and your child. There is a literacy link available as a resource for you and your
child.
COMMUNICATION
If at any time during the year you have a question or concern, please do not
hesitate to e-mail or call. We do care when your child has been up extra late or
has had a trying experience before school. We care about the total child. In the
event your child has a problem during recess or with other students, please bring
this to our attention. Do not assume we know everything that occurs during recess.
Sometimes students are reluctant to talk to their teacher or the teacher on duty
and problems go unsolved. We have an open door policy and an open ear as well.
The only time we are not available to speak to parents is during class time, when we
have before or after school duty, or have a scheduled meeting or appointment.
We are looking forward to an exciting year in first grade.
Sincerely,
The First Grade Team
Erin Faulkner 936-6414 erinfaulkner@iusd.org
Tani Robinson 936-6422 tanirobinson@iusd.org
Christina Austin 936-6420 christinaaustin@iusd.org
April Bagwell 936-6447 aprilbagwell@iusd.org
Emily Bucago 936-6421 emilybucago@iusd.org