1

Welcome to 1Welcome to 1stst Grade Grade Open House!Open House!

Welcome to 1Welcome to 1stst Grade Grade Open House!Open House!

Mrs. Callahan’s Background

• 9th year at Southgate teaching 1st grade• Teach Post-K during the summer• Grew up in Guilderland; currently live in

Latham• Bachelor’s Degree in Inclusive Elementary and

Special Education from Syracuse University (May 2005)• Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist from

Columbia University (December 2006)• My husband and I are expecting our first child

in November I will be back!

Contact Information:*also in student planner*

• Southgate Elementary 785-6607• Best way to reach me us is via email:

stellacallahan@ncolonie.orgI will check this during the school days well as after school and weekends

• Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns

• Check out our class website:• www.mrscallahangrade1@pbworks.co

m

Home-School Communication

• Weekly Newsletter• Email/phone/notes• Please check your child’s planner dailyYour child will be responsible for

copying down their homework daily. • Please check and empty your child’s

Take Home Folder daily• Homework and time sensitive

materials will be on the RIGHT BACK TO SCHOOL side

• Completed class work and notes for parents will be on the LEFT AT HOME side

Goals • To develop independent,

responsible, learners • To incorporate a variety of

learning experiences in order to build student interest and engagement

• To provide appropriate scaffolding and guided practice so that students will be able to apply what they are learning

• To help shape conscientious and respectful students

Daily Routine*We start right at 8:05, please be

punctual!– Students unpack/Planners/Morning

Work/Take Home Folder Emptied- Read and Relax

*Instruction begins at 8:15 promptly

-To maximize support and collaboration, a master schedule for building

-6 day cycle; week A and week B

Behavior Management

System:• Positive reinforcement

– Verbal praise– Stickers– Extra time for an activity of choice– “Caught Being Good!” or “Praise Notes”

• Marble System (goal = 100 marbles)• Encourages students to work together as a class to

demonstrate exemplary behavior in order to earn compliments

• Clear expectations and routines• Regular communication with families

– “Working together for the child’s success!”

Behavior Management

System:• “Stoplight” Card System Based on School

Rules and Classroom Expectations (Our Class Promise)

– 1st time: Verbal reminder– 2nd time: Verbal warning (still on

green)– 3rd time: Pull a green card

• When the student is on yellow they are visually made aware that they need to “slow down” and be more attentive to their actions.

– 4th time: Pull a yellow card• When the student is on red they are visually made

aware that they need to “stop.” Red note is sent home and students may lose a class privilege.

Language Arts:• Reading: Developing life long readers!• We use a balanced literacy program that uses

a variety of instruction including whole group lessons which focus on reading strategies, small groups for guided reading to more specifically meet student needs, and immersion in quality literature.– Daily teaching strategies include: Shared reading

and writing, read alouds, Daily 5 literacy program (read to self, read to someone, listen to reading, work on writing, word work)

• Introduce purpose and procedure for Bookworm and Book in a Bag

Language Arts continued:

• Writing:– Journals, graphic organizers, Writer’s

Workshop, formal and informal– Mini-lessons for direct instruction in

structure, grammar, and mechanics– Incorporated across subject areas

• Goal: For students to develop a logical, sequential order (beginning, middle, and end), while also having the opportunity to experience different types of writing.

• Look for: Students ability to read back their work, complete sentences, application of “first grade words,” capitals in the beginning and punctuation at the end.

Spelling and Handwriting:

• Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser program; focusing on correct letter formation and spacing (neatness counts!)

• Spelling/Word Work: Formal spelling instruction begins in mid October

• Focus on manipulating words and developing effective strategies

• Program is more individualized based on Oct. assesment

• The goal is for students to carry over their knowledge of word families and sight words in to their writing. Moving away from memorization!

*Invented spelling or “sound spelling” is absolutely expected and accepted at this point.

Math:• Daily routines; i.e. calendar math,

weather, marble jar, and problem of the day

• Use of manipulatives, smartboard activities, and student textbook, along with “Math Talk”

• Focus on developing problem solving skills

• Assessment: Chapter tests, problem solving independently, participation, and daily work

Math: Newly aligned series with Common Core Standards

BIG IDEAS covered in first grade:• Addition concepts• Subtraction concepts• Comparing numbers• Problem solving and explaining how

you got your answer higher level thinking

• Measurement• Graphing• Time to the hour and half hour• Coin recognition

Science and Health:

• Science units are usually integrated into themes, i.e. Penguins in the Winter– Some major units of study: properties,

animal homes and adaptations, life cycles of plants/animals, weather

• Activities focus on questioning and exploration

• Mrs. Bonnano and Mrs. Winters-Bono come to teach us about mental and physical health

Social Studies:

• Social Studies in first grade focuses on a variety of activities to increase student awareness about the world around them ( our school community, holidays, different families, Now and Long Ago, map skills)

• Social Studies is also heavily integrated with Language Arts

• Foreign Language program in the Spring

Character Education:

Reporting:• Report cards go out three times per

year (Trimester change)– December, March, June– Progress reports in October, January,

May

• Phone calls/notes at least once per trimester (Not always a bad thing!)

• Individual parent- teacher conferences are in OCTOBER

• Don’t forget to sign up tonight! Let me know if you need another time or day.

• We welcome additional conferences throughout the year as you find necessary!

Homework:• Given nightly (appx. 15 minutes)• Improves organization and builds

study skills • Homework is expected back the

next day, but should be easy!• Don’t feel the need to correct

homework before it is turned in, it provides excellent feedback for me as is!

•Please read with your child for 15 min. each night.

ODDS and ENDS:• Snack: We do have snack daily, so please send in

a quick, NUT FREE, snack for your child • School News Notifier (SNN)• Recess/Lunch: Sending in money/prepaid accounts• Birthdays: We are no longer allowed to accept

birthday treats from home; however, we will still celebrate your child’s special day

• Bus notes and absences• Field trip to Elm’s Farm 9/26• Volunteers ( a bit different from K)

WE NEED YOU!• READ, READ, READ every night! • Practice addition and subtraction facts• Help your child get plenty of rest and eat a healthy

breakfast• Increase your child’s independence and

responsibility at home (chores, homework, etc.)• Look through student folder and prepare backpack

the night before to build organization• Talk about daily routines at home to help ease

anxiety• Homework routine• Practice sight words and word family words• Model reading and writing at home

Wrapping Up:• Any Questions?!!!• *If you would like to speak about

your individual student please feel free to send in a note and I will be glad to schedule a conference

• Feel free to write your student a note on their desk!

• Don’t forget to sign the sign in sheet and sign up to be a volunteer if you would like.

•Take a walk around the classroom and check things out.

Thank you for sharing your children with

me! I look forward to a wonderful year.