Welcome to Miss Roland’s
First Grade Classroom
2014-2015
OUR MISSION
The French Creek Elementary School, in partnership with
families and the community will provide a nurturing
environment for the growth and development of young
children. This will be accomplished through a curriculum and
instructional program that demands academic excellence,
encourages positive self-esteem and promotes responsible
citizenship.
Back to School Night Overview
Daily Schedule
Curricular Information
Homework
Classroom Community
Lunch / Snack / Birthdays
Volunteers & Chaperones
General Information
Questions
Daily Schedule
Opening Activities
Arrival / Morning Jobs- Unpack, Lunch Choice, Attendance, Pledge of Allegiance, “Brain Warm-up”
Language Arts/Centers
Reading / Phonemic Awareness
Writing
Word Study / Word Work
WIN Time-(RTII)
Math
Lunch & Recess
Specials
Day 1- Quarter 1- Music Quarter 2- Art Quarter 3- Guidance Quarter 4- Phys. Ed.
Day 2- Music
Day 3- Phys. Ed.
Day 4- Library
Day 5- Art
Social Studies / Science / Health
Rules/ Safety /Citizenship
Community/Wants & Needs
Celebrations
History
Weather Watching
Healthy Living
U.S. Symbols/Map Skills
Classification of Living Things (Plants, Animals, Butterflies- Life Cycles)
Dismissal
Language Arts
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The Owen J. Roberts Language Arts program is a comprehensive balanced literacy
program. Language Arts instruction naturally integrates reading, writing, speaking and
listening into daily learning.
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Students will work in large groups, small groups, with a partner and individually. Each
setting will ensure the development of the “whole child.” Small guided reading groups
address individual needs, as larger groups are beneficial when the information shared is
appropriate for all levels.
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Students will learn phonetic skills and spelling patterns at their specific level through Word
Study.
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Writing prompts will be based on literature connections recommended by the “Lucy Calkins
Units of Study” program. Students will also be asked to write on topics across the
curriculum as well as their own choosing.
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Students will participate in literacy centers and independent work during the language arts
block, while the teacher meets with guided reading groups. Small groups of students will
work on writing activities, word sort activities, literacy activities on the classroom computers
and independent reading activities.
Reading Strategies
As your child attempts to read more appropriately leveled materials, use the strategies below to help figure
out unknown words. Don’t make it too laborious at this time, but as proficiency increases these tips will
help. At the present time, you may want to just give the word if it is not easily decoded.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I DON’T KNOW A WORD?
Decoding Strategy
1. Look at the letters from left to right.
2. Think about the sounds for the letters. “Get your mouth ready.”
3. Blend the sounds to read the word.
4. Ask yourself:
Is it a word I know?
Does it make sense in what I am reading?
Use Pictures
Stop & Think
What word would I use?
Skip It & Read On
Read to the end of the sentence, come back and read it again. What word would make sense? Check the first
2—3 letters. Do they fit the word I thought would make sense? Do I need to think of other words that
start with those letters/sounds?
Ask For Help
Word Study
• Owen J. Roberts School District utilizes a Word Study
Program which allows students to work at their own
ability level and pace. The purpose of Word Study is for
students to sort lists of words based on word patterns. The
philosophy is not to memorize the word lists, but learn to
transfer phonetic principles to writing/spelling/reading.
• Spelling tests will begin in October. The check-ups will be
designed as word list tests and/or dictated sentences using
words/patterns that have been taught prior to the
assessment. The tests will be cumulative in nature, so it is
important to review frequently in order to keep up-todate.
• Word sorts and suggested “Word Work” activities will be
sent home for daily practice.
Everyday Mathematics
The goal of the elementary math curriculum is that every child should leave school confident in his or her
ability to understand and do mathematics. The Owen J. Roberts School District has adopted the
Everyday Mathematics Program.
Everyday Mathematics was developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. It is based on
research about how children learn and develop mathematical power & provides the broad
mathematical background needed in the 21st century.
In Everyday Mathematics you can expect to see:
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A problem solving approach based on everyday situations
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An instructional approach that revisits concepts regularly (“spiral”)
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Frequent practice of basic skills, often through games
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Lessons based on activities and discussion, not a textbook
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Mathematical content that goes beyond basic arithmetic
(Information gathered from ‘Home Connection Handbook’, Everyday Mathematics, Grades 1-3)
Students will work in a Student Journal, kept in their desk for the duration of the year. The journal will
provide practice activities that connect to each lesson. There are also games correlating with lessons to
emphasize spiraling skills. If your child speaks of playing “games” often, please keep in mind that this is a
major learning element of the program. They are not ‘just games’; they are providing your child practice
of mathematical skills (in a fun way)!
A Home Link page will be assigned for students to complete, based on that day’s lesson. The assignment will
be checked for completion (not necessarily accuracy) the following day.
Trust the Spiral!
Everyday Mathematics is a spiraling curriculum. Concepts “spiral” throughout the year. We
encourage you to “Trust the Spiral!” The following content will be emphasized throughout
first grade:
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Numbers and Operations
– Counting; reading and writing numbers; investigating place value of whole numbers;
exploring fractions and money
– Learning addition and subtraction facts, fact families, and extended facts; beginning
informal work with properties of numbers and problem solving
Algebraic Concepts
– Exploring attributes, patterns, sequences, relations, and functions; finding missing
numbers and rules in problems; studying properties of operations (addition and
subtraction)
Geometry
– Exploring 2-dimensional shapes (squares, triangles, rectangles) and 3-dimensional
shapes (pyramids, cones, prisms)
– Collecting, Organizing, and displaying data using tables, charts, and graphs
Measurement, Data, and Probability
– Using tools to measure length, capacity (quarts and liters), and weight; using clocks,
calendars, timelines, thermometers, and ordinal numbers such as fifth and tenth
– Collecting, Organizing, and displaying data using tables, charts, and graphs
Homework
Homework should only take 20-25 minutes a night if the child is truly working at task completion. Many
times this is lengthened by avoidance tactics. The 20—25 minute period need not be one continuous
period. Some people may like to do the nightly Everyday Mathematics Home Links page early along
with Word Cards and read later in the evening. Find what works for your schedule and be consistent.
You are establishing routines that are very important.
Goals of Homework—
Task completion & Development of Responsibility,
Communication of content being studied & of student’s understanding of content,
Indicator of student’s ability to work independently.
Nightly Homework:
 10 minutes- Everyday Math Home Link
 10 minutes (or more :)- Reading
 5 minutes- Practice word cards (Add a sentence to the back of each card) or Word Sort Activity
 Any additional activity to engage students is optional
Everyday Mathematics- You will find a monthly calendar in your child’s binder. This is where students will
record the nightly Home Link assignment. Assist where needed and make sure to return the next day.
We will be keeping track of homework on Skyward, so incompletes will be documented.
Daily Reading Practice
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Nightly Reading– Students should be reading books independently for fluency
and fun! The books should be those that they can read independently.
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Word Cards— Word cards will consist of High Frequency Sight Words. Some
words will be phonetically irregular words. They must be memorized because
they break the phonetic rules. (Examples are give, are, of) Words are chosen to
match individual needs, therefore every student will not have the same words.
Practice ALL of the cards on the ring not just the new ones. (Students should use
each word in a sentence. Parents should neatly write the sentence on the back of
the card. The child reads the sentence and underlines the word.
Word Rings are usually checked as a warm-up to guided reading. New words
are added as previous ones are learned. The ring should be kept hooked inside
your child’s TAKE-HOME binder, and brought to school daily.
Word Study Homework
• Every week, students will receive a new word sort. After I
introduce the pattern, the students will practice sorting their
words. A copy of the sort will be sent home for daily practice.
• The pattern for your child’s sort will be titled at the top of the
paper. Students should cut out the word/picture cards and
sort them accordingly. Keep the cards in a safe place to
practice throughout each week. You may want to give your
own spelling test, the evening prior to the assessment.
• Every Friday, students will take a spelling test on their word
sort, to assess for understanding of the pattern.
Classroom Community
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Our classroom is a community. To encourage a positive community, we have procedures to
keep us safe and help us get along. The general school rules are:
Keep our school a safe place by making good choices.
Be respectful by using kind words and actions.
Keep hands, feet and objects to oneself.
Act calmly and quietly in the hall.
Follow directions the first time they are given.
The consequences of your child’s actions are communicated through a color card changing
system. This behavior system helps students learn to monitor their own behavior and make
responsible choices.
All students begin each day with a clean slate or on green: ready to learn. Green indicate that
the student is making responsible choices without constant intervention. When they move
to yellow it means they need to think about their choices and try to make better choices.
An orange card constitutes repeated inappropriate behavior with continual verbal
warnings. A red card indicates severe behavioral issues. The principal may be asked to
intervene, if a student receives a red card. I will call the parents whose child ends his/her
day on red, as well as any student who is consistently receiving orange cards. Our color
system also goes up, so when a student makes good choices they will be moved to good
day, great day, and then outstanding day. When a child moves to great day you will
receive a purple note, and a phone call for outstanding choices. Please encourage and
praise your child for making great choices each day!
What’s for Lunch?
• Each child has an account in the cafeteria. Money can be deposited into
this account by the day, week, month or even semester. Checks should be
sent to school in a sealed envelope with the child’s name clearly
marked on the outside. Deposits are sent to the office each morning. If
your child buys every day you may wish to send in a check for a longer
period of time. This helps to prevent lost money on a daily basis.
• Children can purchase a full lunch or just milk using this system.
• OJR strongly recommends all parents to create an account through
https://eps.mvpbanking.com/cgi-bin/efs/login.pl?access=55883 . This free
state-of-the-art online service helps families manage their child’s meal
accounts. Visit the website for additional information!
Snack Time!
• We have a snack break every morning. If you want your
child to have a snack, please send one in the lunchbox or
book bag.
• We only have time for one snack (not a meal), so please send
something easy and fast (preferably finger food).
• Refer to the OJR Wellness Council for healthy snack
suggestions.
Happy Birthday!
• Due to the many students with allergies and food reactions, the
elementary principals are requesting that all birthday recognitions be
non-food based. No birthday food treats should be sent to school.
We do want to acknowledge student birthdays, but encourage parents
to do so in other ways. For example, small items such as pencils or stickers
for classmates or the donation of a book to the school or classroom library
in honor of a child’s birthday would be appropriate. Thank you for
honoring and respecting this request. Holiday celebrations will be held in
compliance with School Board Policy. These celebrations will be
announced in advance to allow for any necessary parent planning and
preparation.
• Birthday Party Invitations may not be handed out at school unless
every child in the class is invited. This prevents any hurt feelings that arise
from only inviting a select few.
Calling All Volunteers!
• The Owen J Roberts School District has approved a volunteer
policy requiring volunteers and chaperones to apply for and
receive Child Abuse & Criminal Record clearances. The full policy
can be read on the OJR webpage. There is a fee associated with
each application. Contact the F.C. office to check on your status.
• I welcome parents to come in and assist with centers, work with
individual students, or help with the maintenance of student
projects (hanging/taking down student work).
• The first grade class traditionally goes to the zoo in the spring. If
you wish to chaperone this trip, you must have clearances on file in
the office. Please take care of this matter early in order to avoid
disappointment.
General Information
Library Books
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Students will generally be allowed to go to the library daily. They are allowed to borrow two books each
visit. Our librarian discusses how to choose a “Good Fit” book, during library class. I encourage children
to pick at least one “Good Fit” book. The other book may be one that they read with a parent.
Communication / Classroom Information
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I can be reached via e-mail at sroland@ojrsd.com. This is the best way to contact me. I will respond to
your email within 24 hours, if not sooner. A note sent in the morning is also a great way to let me know
of a concern, pick-up, or something else of importance. The office will forward phone messages if that is
your only way to contact me.
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My weekly newsletters will be sent through Skyward. If you have computer access to Skyward, you will
be seeing weekly communication via email. I will also add newsletters and pertinent information to our
class Fusion Page. If you do not have email access or prefer a paper copy, please let me know and I will
be sure to send the copy home in your child’s binder.
Absences
Call (610)469-5688 if your child is going to be absent. At the tone, please state your name (parent/
guardian), your relationship to the student, the student’s full name, their grade and teacher, the reason
for the absence or tardiness, and a return phone number. This is required by OJR policy and PA state
law.
Medications
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If your child is in need of a prescription medication while at school, the nurse will administer medications
as needed. The prescription must come in the original packaging with the child’s name and the directions
clearly marked. Questions regarding this should be forwarded to the school nurse, Mrs. Weber.
(610)469-5179
P.M. Pick-Up
• The students should bring a note in the morning stating the
plan for PM pick-up.
• Parents should enter the building in the rear, at door #8.
There will be two tables set up for student sign-outs. Students
will be called down to the multipurpose room to sit quietly
until the school personnel can dismiss students to
parents/guardians.
Friendly Reminders…
• Please do not linger and allow students, or their younger
siblings to run around the room or play on any equipment.
• Parents are expected to be at school at 3:05pm.
Websites of Interest
PTA
• French Creek Elementary School PTA is going paperless. Please check the
French Creek website and click the PTA link for upcoming events and
information.
Webpage
• French Creek Elementary School news can be accessed through the OJR
webpage www.ojrsd.com. Click on the French Creek Elementary School
link to see the monthly calendar, lunch menus, as well as other important
news items.
• I am looking forward to a great year working with your child. I truly
enjoy a healthy working relationship with parents. We are both on your
child’s team; we all want them to succeed. Please, feel free to contact me
via email whenever you have a question, concern or information that I
should be aware of. I value your input and collaboration.
Together, parents and teachers make a GREAT team!