Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy

2013-2014

Ms.Shew’sFirst Grade

•About Me- I was born and raised in Rutherford County. I live in Cliffside, NC with my two children. Hunter is starting 7th grade and Molly is in 3rd grade this year. I received my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Gardner Webb University in 2000. I taught 1st grade for 14 years at Cliffside Elementary School. This is my first year teaching at TJ and I am looking forward to an exciting, fun-filled year!

•About Mrs. Roberts-She is a wife and mother of two. Mattie is a junior at TJ and Forrest is in the 6th grade. Mrs. Roberts graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in Youth Ministry. She has been an assistant for 5 years. Mrs. Roberts and her husband Jarred own PuzzleCreek Outdoor Company. She is so excited about our upcoming year!

8:00-8:10 Assembly

8:10-8:20 Unpack/Attendance/ Lunch Count

8:20-9:05 Specials

9:05-9:20 Restrooms/ Snack

9:20-10:30 Calendar/ Math

10:30-11:45 Skills

11:45-12:15 Lunch

12:15-12:30 Restroom/ Clean Up

12:30-1:45 Listening and Learning

1:45-2:15 Recess

2:15-2:20 Pack Up

2:20-2:55 Math/ Reading Small Groups

• Monday 8:20-9:05 Computer

•Tuesday 8:20-9:05 Library

•Wednesday 8:20-9:05 Art

•Thursday 8:20-9:05 P.E.

•Friday 8:20-9:05 Music

•School begins promptly at 8:00 and ends at 3:00.

•To have a successful year it is vital that your child be at school each day. It is also vital that they not be tardy or dismissed early. In the event your child is absent, please remember to send a written excuse for the office.

•If your child plans to go home a different way than usual, you must send a written note or contact the office by lunchtime.

•Follow directions the first time they are given.

•Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.

•Stay in your seat unless you have permission to speak.

•Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

•No teasing or rude behavior.

•Always do your best!

We will have a positive behavior system. In the classroom we use a flow chart with a puppy dog theme (I am a dog lover!) Each day your child will begin on READY To LEARN-Green. They can move up to Hot Dog- Blue if they display a behavior that is above and beyond what is expected of them. If the student continues to display exceptional behavior, they will move their puppy dog clip up to Tail-Wagging Good- Teal. Best in Show-Purple is at the top for excellent behavior. If they are having difficulty following the rules for some reason then they will have to move down to Dropping the Ball-Yellow (warning). If the student continues to misbehave, the clothespin will go to Barking up the Wrong Tree- orange (time out or loss of privilege. Lastly is In the Doghouse -Red- Contact (parent contact)!

• Please look in your child’s folder each day. We will send school information by way of your child.

•We will send home all classwork in a folder on Wednesdays. Please look over all of the papers with your child. The papers on the side labeled “Return to School” need to be sent back on the following day with your initials at the top of the stapled set of papers. This will make sure you are aware of important grades your child is currently making. The other side that reads “Keep at Home” should be left at home to be looked over at leisure with your child. Please make sure that you sign the log on the back cover of the folder. This assures me that you have seen your child’s weekly work and gone over it with them. This system is vital to keep you up-to-date with your child’s progress.

• Homework is very important. Look at homework as a chance for your child to show you what they are learning at school.

•Homework will always be a review of what we have learned in class, if for some reason your child is struggling please make every effort to help them, without doing it for them. Please let me know if your child has struggled to complete a homework assignment!

•Along with the review sheet for the night, your child will be asked to read each night. This is a great time to cuddle up with your child and read together. Once you have read, please fill out the reading log that will be

kept in your child’s homework folder.

• Our lunch time is 11:45-12:15.

•We will have hot lunches again for $3.00 per meal. Your child may order a lunch or bring one from home.

•If you are ordering hot lunch, please either set up a lunch account online or send your child’s lunch money in an envelope with your child’s first and last name on it.

•If you are sending a lunch from home. Please make sure it does not need to be refrigerated or heated. Also remember that it is a school rule that we have no soda.

•First grade will have a snack this year. Please send a simple snack (goldfish, crackers, etc.). We will be working while we are eating so the simpler the better! You may send a small water bottle for your child.

We love help from our parents!*You will see a parent volunteer form being passed around. Please fill it out. If you can be a room mom/dad please put a star by your name.

* The forum also needs volunteers. If you are interested in helping out with different forum activities, please email Christie Herndon at tjgrammarforum@gmail.com.

Volunteer in

our Classroom!

• Birthdays are wonderful!! Simple treats may be brought by you (or sent to school) on your child’s birthday. Sending a birthday treat is optional. Please let us know ahead of time if you plan on doing something special.

•We would prefer that these treats take place during lunch time or after recess (2:15).

Fables and Stories Early American Civilizations

Geography Matter

Mexico Astronomy

The Human Body History of the Earth

Different Lands/ Animal Habitats

Similar Stories Oceans

Early World Civilizations Fairy Tales

World Religions Birth of Our Nation

Electricity Frontier Explorers

• We will begin the year with a review of letter sounds and tricky words and then move into a continuation of learning sounds throughout the year.

•As new sounds are introduced we will begin reinforcing those sounds with the use of a reader. Your child will be asked to read a story from the reader for homework. Our first reader will be called Snap Shots.

•This year your child’s reading comprehension sheets will be graded. Please make sure they have a good understanding of the story. By the end of 1st grade, students should be able to read with fluency, accuracy, and comprehension, stories and texts which are first grade appropriate.

• We will continue to use Singapore Math this year. • Singapore is a different math program in that it provides your child the opportunity to become a true problem solver.• Each of our lessons will be hands on. Your child will be using items to help them solve our math problems. • You will see that you have a Math Tool Kit in with your packet of items tonight. These sheets will be useful throughout the year when helping your child with their homework.

• Please be sure your child is dressed in the proper uniform attire as written in the handbook. A note will be sent home if your child is not in the correct uniform clothing. • Please remember to write your child’s name in each item. We do not want your child to loose their jacket or sweatshirt.

•The only way that we can have a successful year is to communicate. It takes us working together for your child to have a year where they can SHINE. • Please check the website often. I will be posting what we are studying, homework, special dates, important information and pictures. • My email address is rshew@tjca.org Please feel free to contact me at any time. However I will be teaching your child during the day, so I will only be able to check my email in the mornings, at lunch, and after school. If it is something I need to know about, especially a change in the way your child will get home, PLEASE call the school.•You can reach me at school 828-245-9526 in the mornings by 7:30 or from 3:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon.

• August 21st First Day of School• August 23rd 15th Anniversary Gala at Le Grande in Shelby•September 1st Labor Day No School•October 16th Half Day For Students•October 17th No School, Teacher’s Workday•November 11th No School; Veteran’s Day Holiday•November 26th-30th Thanksgiving Holidays• December 5th First Grade Musical

for taking the time to attend Curriculum Night!

I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities!