Welcome to Mrs. Fournier's First Grade Class!
First grade is an exciting and important year in your child's academic career. Becoming a community of independent readers, learning to think about numbers, our world and learning to get along with others are the primary goals of the first grade curriculum.
I strive to achieve these goals in a positive atmosphere where all the children will develop confidence and be willing to take risks in order to learn new skills.
I look forward to developing a partnership with you. By communicating often and openly, we can help all the children become successful first graders.
You may contact me by phone or by e-mail with questions or concerns.
Grade One Sample Schedule of the Day '06-'07
8:45 Arrival procedures-Unpack bags, VIP folders.....
9:00 Announcements, Pledge, Greetings
9:15 Writing Block- Handwriting / Spelling /Writers Workshop-Students write and strive to learn to become writers.
10:15 Snack/Bathroom Break/Read-A-Loud
10:30 Reading Workshop- Shared Reading-This is whole class reading strategies instruction. Songs, Poems, Morning Message, Big Books are used to teach reading.
Guided Reading/Independent Reading -Small reading groups meet with the teacher for direct reading instruction at the child’s reading level. Students also read independently and with partners. Center Time may follow. Students work at math, writing, reading, ABC, games or computer centers on independent activities as the teacher continues working with small reading groups.
12:00-12:45 Lunch/Recess
12:45 Math Block- Every Day Counts Calendar, Daily Tune-Ups, Math Land lessons
2:00 Specials-A day=Music, B=Physical Ed., C=Library,
D= Art
2:45-3:15 Science/Social Studies/ B days=Book Buddies , C days=Math Clubs, E days=Curl Up and Read (Parents and special adults are invited to come into your child's class to read. All adults and kids are expected to bring something to read).
3:20 End the Day, Pack up belongings
3:30 Dismissal
Communications
The two pocket folders you were asked to purchase will be used daily.
These folders are very important in keeping each other informed.
VERY IMPORTANT PAPERS from the office, P.T.O. and myself will be sent home in these folders.
Please keep yourself informed of what is happening in our school and classroom.
Homework will also be sent in this folder.
PLEASE CHECK IT DAILY and remove the notices. Read them and respond to them as needed. (They can pile up very quickly.)
Any responses and notes you wish to send me should be sent in this folder as well.
Notes about transportation changes, appointments, absences should be sent in the folder. The students are asked to put these notes in my “mailbox” upon arrival. Please tell your child when you send me a note and remind them to put it in my mail box upon arrival.
Please be sure to WRITE A NOTE when there is to be a change in your child’s transportation.
Verbal communications via the child cannot be honored. A note or call to the office MUST take place by a parent. Parents must state with whom the child is going home with. That adult MUST come INTO the building to SIGN -OUT the child.
Please let me know if there is someone with whom the child is NEVER to be sent home with or if there are custody issues. Copies of court orders may need to be provided.
I am usually here by 7:45 am. I am here often past 4:30 as well.
Please feel free to contact me about ANY concerns or questions you may have. I am also happy to talk to you in the evening at home- just send me a note and I’ll call you if you wish an evening call. You may request a conference any time as well.
(Scheduled conferences are in Oct. and March. Report Cards are issued in Dec., March, and June.)
Birthdays & Celebrations
Birthdays are important to children. We acknowledge special days through song, a certificate, small gift (pencil...), and on our calendar. Mrs. Logoyke also announces students having a birthday during morning announcements.
If you wish to send in a special snack in honor of your child’s birthday, just send a note to let me know a few days a head of time.
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM SENDING TREATS WITH NUTS OR PEANUT BUTTER.
If you wish to invite classmates to a home party please MAIL invitations to the students HOME. A list of our class list and addresses will be sent to you. Only those who have given permission are listed.
SUMMER birthdays will be celebrated in June.
Some holidays are celebrated in school as part of our social studies curriculum.
Several holidays in our culture are religious based.
We do discuss these with an emphasis on family gatherings, foods, musical traditions. We discuss different families may have different traditions and belief systems and they should all be respected.
Discipline
Much time is devoted to establishing class and school rules. They are listed in the
Toffolon School Calendar /Handbook you received in September.
Many discipline issues are addressed in this handbook and in the Code of Conduct Handbook. Each child has one of these here in class as well.
We also form class rules together in our classroom.
Our focus is in creating an atmosphere where we can learn and do our best work. Students are asked to show respect to each other and staff, take care of property, exhibit self-control and communicate feelings in an appropriate manner.
Efforts are made to compliment appropriate behavior and quality work. A surprise box, lunch with the teacher and Curtis E.Bear are ways that appropriate behavior is recognized and rewarded. Curtis E. Bear (courtesy) is a traveling bear who goes home with courteous children.
A color coded monitoring/reminder card system is also used in class.
Each child has a green, yellow,orange, and red card.
Green=good Yellow=1st warning Orange=2nd warning and loss of 5 minute recess
Red=A call home and loss of recess.
If there are ever any concerns about discipline issues please contact me.
Snack Time
Please be sure your child eats a healthful breakfast before school. A hungry child cannot concentrate and learn.
We do have a morning snack time. Students may bring ONE food item to have. A healthy snack of fruit or grain products is encouraged. Please avoid candy, cakes, sugary "junk" food.
We get drinks at the water fountain.
Homework
Reading Packets and Homework-
Homework for first grade usually involves rereading a book that was read in reading groups, a math, handwriting or spelling activity and on occasion,a special project which requires family involvement (ex: Moon Journal -Oct. and the 100th Day -Feb. poster). Most homework is practice and reinforcement of skills learned in class and should take no more than 15 minutes. It also helps children develop responsibility and organizational skills. Most first graders are capable of learning these skills and becoming independent.
I often tell the students that the assignments are for them to do with minimal help. Once we have established our routines and have begun to read a bit, I will assign homework booklets that can be completed over a period of a week. One activity could be completed at a time, then return the booklet on the due date.
Please take time to encourage good habits and taking responsibility for homework. Independence is also encouraged. TURN OFF the TV , provide a quiet work area with a clean s pencils, crayons....... easily available for your child to use. Teach your child to put completed work in the VIP folder to return to class on time.
The most important homework we will be asking your child to do is read. Reading incentive programs are implemented for the entire school.
First graders are expected to read and be read to by an adult. It is our responsibility as partners (parent and teacher) to develop literacy skills.
Reading books will be sent home in a plastic envelope. The children are expected to read these books to a family member. The purpose is to practice and gain deeper understanding of the story.
These are NOT LIBRARY books. They will be books from the grade one curriculum. Please guide your child to take care of the books and return them in the plastic envelope after reading them to you at home.
REREADING books is very important in 1st grade. Students need to over learn and practice sight words so they become automatically recognized and written quickly. They also gain understanding of language and the story by reading familiar stories often.
Please set time aside to listen to your child read. Praise his/her efforts. If there is a mistake, acknowledge the attempt. You can say “That’s close or almost right” “Look again”.
Reading should be a pleasurable time. It is one of the most crucial things your child will learn this year.
DON’T forget to READ TO YOUR CHILD. This helps your child develop reading skills, knowledge and language. Talk about the stories and how they may relate to real life and personal experience.
Make regular visits to the Plainville Library. It’s educational, fun and helps children develop into life long readers.
Book Clubs-
In order to encourage reading, I participate in Scholastic Book Club. You may order books for you child to enjoy at home. I also earn points towards free books and games for the classroom when you order. I hope you can participate.
Reading Recovery-
Reading Recovery is a unique 20 week program to help students who show signs of having difficulty or have confusions about reading and writing. Students are assessed the first week of classes and are chosen if they are found to be in need of additional reading instruction. If your child qualifies for this program, you will be notified. Mrs. Osland and Mrs. Olson-Bartley are the Reading Recovery teachers.
Reading Incentives-
Each year there is a school wide reading incentive program. This year's theme (07-08) is Reading Around the World. Mrs. Pikiell, our librarian, is coordinating this year.
Students in all grade levels read are encouraged to participate. Reading sheets will come home. Parents initial these sheets after children have read for 15 minute periods. When the sheet is full return the sheet to class. "Passports" are being kept in class to keep track of returned sheets and to give awards. When ___ sheets are returned, students receive a reading tag to add to their "necklace". Students who get to gold tags participate in a special "surprise" activity at the end of the year.
First Grade is an exciting year! So much learning occurs and students blossom in reading, writing, math and their understanding of the world around them. They mature a great deal and become quite independent.
I expect every child in my classroom to leave as a reader, writer, demonstrate number sense and be a problem-solver.
Their success in reading often determines their success as students and as adults who attain their goals in life. Professionals and tradespeople need to be able to be literate in their fields. Let us work together in supporting the children as they learn and grow and encourage them to become LIFE LONG LEARNERS.
We are laying the foundations for their futures. Let’s make it a strong one!
Reading Help
Families often ask about what they can do at home to help support their child's reading development. One of the most important things to do is read to your children. Make reading part of your daily life. Visit the library. Let kids see you reading. Show your excitement about learning new things from reading. When your child engages in reading or even "pretends" to read, listen to them, talk about the stories and pictures. Writing is also important to reading development. Use family photos to write little stories and sentences.
Good readers read fluently and with expression. In order to read fluently one must have a core of known words that can be read quickly. Here is a list of common high frequency words that first graders should know well. We work on these in our spelling and word study work in class.
You can make games with these words and help you child. You can make bingo games, concentration games or even flash cards. Making these words with magnetic letters or writing them and spelling them also helps.
High Frequency Word List for Grade One
a |
has |
red |
after |
have |
run |
all |
he |
said |
am |
her |
Saturday |
an |
here |
say |
and |
his |
see |
are |
home |
she |
as |
house |
sister |
asked |
how |
so |
at |
I |
some |
away |
if |
stop |
back |
I'm |
Sunday |
be |
in |
that |
because |
into |
the |
before |
is |
them |
big |
it |
then |
black |
just |
there |
blue |
keep |
they |
boy |
let |
this |
brother |
like |
three |
but |
little |
Thursday |
by |
look |
to |
came |
looked |
Tuesday |
can |
love |
two |
come |
make |
p |
could |
man |
us |
dad |
me |
very |
day |
mom |
was |
did |
Monday |
we |
do |
mother |
Wednesday |
don't |
my |
went |
down |
no |
what |
for |
not |
when |
Friday |
now |
where |
from |
old |
while |
get |
on |
will |
girl |
one |
with |
giving |
or |
would |
go |
our |
write |
going |
out |
you |
good |
over |
your |
green |
people |
yes |
had |
ran |
From Resources for Primary Writing -Lucy Calkins |
Units of Study
Social Studies Units that we study in Grade 1 are
Map Skills, Family Celebrations/Traditions, School Community
Science Units that we study in Grade 1 are
Cycles in Nature/Life Cycle of Plants and Frogs
Shadows/Sun and Moon
Measurement
Math Units that we study in Grade 1 are
Data Collection, Numbers to 20, Addition and Subtraction, Patterns, Numbers to 100
Measurement, Geometry, Time and Money
A Year at a Glance Grade One
(Updated 9/1/06)
