Parent Handbook

Mrs. Verhougstraete’s Class First Grade 2017-2018

Table of Contents Introduction Letter Basic Information Going Fishing – Classroom Management Student of the Week Reading Program Writing Program Math Program Science / Social Studies Program

Dear Families, Welcome to First Grade! This is an exciting time for students and parents. Let’s work together to make this a wonderful educational experience for your child. In this packet, I have included some basic information you will want to be aware of throughout the school year. I have also explained a bit about our curriculum and how you can support your child at home. Please read carefully and keep it handy during the rest of the year! My goal is to help your child to develop a positive attitude about school and a love for learning. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child! Please feel free to contact me at any time. You may call me at school at: 668-3525. I will return your call when I am available. I also check my email frequently. My email address is: verhouga@dewittschools.net. Throughout the year, announcements, student work, and additional parent resources will be posted on my website: www.verhoug.weebly.com. Finally, I will manage a closed Facebook page. Only classroom families are able to view posts. You must request an invite to join. Go to: www.facebook.com/groups/verhoug. Open communication is very important to me. Please feel free to ask questions at any time! I am looking forward to a great school year! Sincerely, Amy Verhougstraete

Basic Information

Specials: Monday: Art Tuesday: PE Wednesday: Music Thursday: PE Friday: Music

Going Fishing! Students will learn about the FISH Philosophy in our school and classroom.

Student of the Week 

Student of the Week activities improve the students’ awareness of other children and families. It also aids in developing children’s verbal skills and builds the self-esteem of the child.

Our Student of the Week program will begin in October. Each week a different child will be our Student of the Week. This gives us an opportunity to get to know each person better. (A schedule will be given out at a later time). Here’s an overview of the activities: Monday: Your child should bring in a poster display with family snapshots, pictures from magazines, special drawings, etc. We will display the poster all week. Tuesday: Your child may bring in a special book from home. He/She can read the book, I can read the book, or a family member can come in to read. Wednesday: Your child may bring in a special object from home. This should not be a toy. Suggestions may include: postcards, metal, family heirloom, etc. Thursday: Students will write letters to the Student of the Week. These letters will be compiled into a book they can take home as a keepsake. Friday: Your child will plan and carry out a science experiment. A sample of some experiments can be found on our website. These experiments should be practiced at home and be prepared to present on Friday.

Our Reading Program 

Throughout the year, your child will be bringing home many books to reread with you. These books will be at their current reading level and should be practiced frequently until they are fluent. Rereading develops fluency and

supports comprehension!

Please do not hesitate to provide words for your child. There are many words that can’t be “sounded out.” Don’t expect your child to know every

word. Your child’s attitude toward reading can effect future reading success, so make it fun!

To encourage your child to use the meaning of the story, you might say: Try that again. You said, ____. Does that make sense? Look at the picture. What would make sense? To encourage your child to think about the structure of the sentence, you might say: Does that look right? Can you say it that way? What would sound right? To encourage your child to visually problem solve the word, you might say: Does it look right? What would you see at the beginning? Middle? End? Do you know a word that looks like that? Is there a part of the word you know?

Our Writing Program

Students will take part in a daily Writing Workshop. During this time, students will practice the skills I have introduced and apply them in their

own creative writing.

     

 

    Our Math Program

Our Science Program  

Science learning will be “hands-on” and “minds-on”. Many of

these lessons will involve cooperative learning, where we work together to answer questions. Students will use the Scientific Process to help them solve investigations. The process includes: asking questions, making predictions,

planning and carrying out the procedure, and finally drawing conclusions.

Throughout the year the students will be studying:

● Matter - Solids and Liquids ● Weather ● Animals ● Solar Energy

Our Social Studies Program

Learning how to cooperate with others and

understanding and appreciating the differences in people will be social studies skills we will be working

on all year.