2017 Parent Orientation
- 1. First GradeFirst Grade is a “magical” yearis a “magical” year Welcome to First GradeWelcome to First Grade as a Kuentz Coyoteas a Kuentz Coyote
- 4. Please follow us on Twitter: @CummingsCubs
- 5. A Little about Myself
- 6. A Little about Myself
- 7. A Little more about Myself
- 8. My Teaching Style • I am motherly and loving - but firm. • I have high expectations for your child with a growth mindset. I look for progress to measure success. • I strive for learning to be fun and exciting taking into consideration your child’s opinions, interests, and learning styles. • I am very flexible.
- 9. My Teaching Style • My ultimate goal is for students to make as much progress as possible throughout the year not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.
- 10. Requirements for promotion to 2nd grade: • Read and comprehend unseen text at an ending first grade level (Level I). Students must…
- 11. Required Reading Levels for the End of Each 9 Week Grading Period • 1st nine weeks – Level C • 2nd nine weeks – Level E • 3rd nine weeks – Level G • 4th nine weeks – Level I
- 12. Students must also… • Work on grade level in mathematics and • Demonstrate most of the first grade TEKS in reading and math or be expected to do so early in the next year. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6148 Requirements for promotion to 2nd grade:
- 13. Math Units Covered • Place Value to 120 • Money • Addition and Subtraction to 20 • Geometry and Measurement • Financial Literacy
- 14. Science and Social Studies Units Covered Integrated Science and Social Studies • What is an Investigator? • Geography and Natural Resources in our Community • Family Fun and the Science of Recreation • Jobs, Technology, and Energy • Patterns and Symbols of Texas • The Gulf Coast of Texas • Mountains and Basins • Geography of our Nation • Transportation: Technology and Economics • Being an American
- 15. Grading System • Letter and Number grades are given. The letter grade scale is averaged as follows: E – 95% S – 82% N – 72% U – 69%-below • A grade below 50% will not be given. • Progress reports will be issued every 6 weeks as needed. • Guided Reading Levels will be recorded on the report card. • Report cards will be issued every 9 weeks.
- 16. Grading System • Grades will be entered in the system weekly. • Graded work will be returned in your child’s Daily Folder on Mondays and as graded. • If your child receives less than a 65 on an assignment, I will re-teach the concept to your child. We will correct the assignment together and they can raise their grade.
- 17. Homework • A lot of research has been done about the effectiveness of homework. Both the National Education Association (NEA) and the National PTA (NPTA) support a standard of “10 minutes of homework per grade level” and setting a general limit on after-school studying. • As a first grade team, we decided the most important thing a first grader can do in those 10 minutes is to practice reading. • Homework will be to read for at least 10 minutes every night. • Books read for homework can be logged for the school- wide reading program. Logs will be in your child’s Daily Coyote Folder.
- 18. Conduct Grading Scale Do not hurt anyone physically (with hands, feet, body or objects) or emotionally (with your words.) Grades for each 9 Week Period •E 0-3 marks in folder •S 4-6 marks in folder •N 7-9 marks in folder •U 10 + marks in folder Love and Logic
- 19. Birthday Celebrations Students may bring treats (cupcakes, donuts or cookies) to share with the class on birthdays. Treats will be served the last 15 minutes of class time. Please let me know ahead of time to arrange the date. Please send napkins or paper towels along with the treats.
- 20. Parent Communication • Parent Connection – available at www.nisd.net • Team webpage and Teacher’s webpage • Group email blasts • Remind texts – to join my Remind group, see attached page. • Follow us on Twitter @CummingsCubs. • ClassDojo (coming soon.)
- 21. Attendance • Students are considered absent if they are not at school by 9:00 am or leave school before 9:00 am. • Please send a written excuse within 5 days of your child’s absence. There will be some standard excuse forms in your child’s daily coyote folder. Please attach any doctors notes to the form. • An absence is considered excused with a note if it is due to illness, medical appointments, death in the family or family emergencies.
- 22. First Grade Field Trip • We will be going on at least one field trip this year. More information to come later.
- 23. Conferences • Our conference time is daily from 12:55-1:40. • Please let me know if you ever want to schedule a conference for whatever reason. • Fall conferences will begin in late October. I will send an electronic sign up sheet using SignUp Genius in the next couple of weeks. • Student-led conferences will be held towards the end of the year.
- 24. Safety • Please remind students not to bring toys or other personal items to school. Sports balls are permitted to use at recess. • Students may not be dropped of before 7:00 am. Students who come to school before 7:15 should report to the cafeteria since a teacher will not be on duty yet. At 7:15, students can sit in the 1st grade hallway and quietly read a book. • Please send a note in your child’s folder if he/she is going home a different way than usual. Please be aware that I might not be able to read my emails during the day. You can call the office and they will deliver a message. • Dismissal is at 2:45 pm. Students picked up after 3:05 pm will have to be signed out at the office.
- 25. Don’t forget, if you haven’t already • Join the PTA • Go online and fill out a criminal background check.