Welcome Parents!

While you are waiting…

•Please write a letter to your child on the paper provided. Your letter will be left on your child’s desk to be enjoyed first thing in the morning.

Thank you!

Curriculum NightMrs. Lovinger ~ 1st GradeB.J. Hooper Elementary

All About MeMy Background-Live in Libertyville

-Grew up in Lindenhurst and Lake Villa

-I went to Hooper, Pleviak and Palombi

-My Experience-Graduated from Northern Illinois University

-Degree in Elementary Education (K-8)

-I taught 2nd grade for six years

The Second Grade Team

»Jill Lovinger»Monica Heifner»Kathy Lillig»Maureen Hohenstatt*

We will be working together closely this year. Our teamwork will include the following:

Planning common lessons and activities

Effectively utilizing and maximizing the time in each school day

Modifying lessons to meet students’ needs

Report CardsAligned with Common Core Standards

Your child’s report card will be able to view through Power School. If you would like a hard copy, you must make a request through the office.

Our grading is based on trimesters

3 report cards throughout the year

Power School is our online resource that is used for:

Attendance

Communication Information

Grades

Report Cards-3 trimesters

Jan Betustak, our school secretary is in the Computer lab (Room 124) to help you with questions about this.

Power School

Classroom Parties

Parties

-Fall Festival-Halloween

-Winter Party

-Valentine’s Day

Volunteer

-Party Coordinator

-In class help with activities

Field TripsYour child will be exposed to a variety of literacy concepts in these areas:

Marriot Lincolnshire Theatre

-December

Science Field Trip

-Date to be announced

Green Meadows Farm

-May

LiteracyYour child will be exposed to a variety of literacy concepts in these areas:

Reading

Word Study

Writing

Sharing and Expressing Ideas

Researching and Presenting

Shared ReadingWhat is Shared Reading?

Sharing a story and reading together

Tracking print left to right

Predicting and inferring

Enjoying and participating in reading with a high level of support

Building a sense of story

Expanding vocabulary

Finding letters and sounds in context

Attending to concepts of print

Sequencing events of a story

Focusing on story elements (character, setting, beginning, and end)

Identifying genres We use: Mentor Texts,Trade Books, and Big Books,

Reading

Centers

-Daily Five

Comprehension Strategies

Whole group

Small Group

Bagged Books

-Please return daily

Daily FiveThe Daily Five includes 5 types

of activities for children to build their reading skills.

The five types of activities include:

Read to Self

Read to Someone

Listen to Reading

Write to Read

Word Work

We will be focusing on mastering all the first grade

core words.

Spell words using patterns

Spell untaught words phonetically

Sort words into categories by meaning *Take Note: There

will not be spelling tests, because we

want the words to be mastered not memorized.

Word Study-Language

Speaking and Listening

Asking questions

Answering questions

Writing1st Grade writing instruction focuses on:

Responding to literature, narrative, opinion, informative, and research pieces

Expected to write a topic sentence, minimum of two supporting details, and a closing sentence

Steps to producing a published piece

Conventions: proper capitalization, punctuation, and subject verb agreement

HandwritingYour child will practice writing and exercise appropriate size, spacing, slant, and formation of the Zaner-Bloser Manuscript Alphabet.

We have a handwriting book in 1st Grade. Students will also practice on handwriting worksheets from time to time. *Take Note: Practice pages

can be downloaded and printed at

www.learningpage.com

Envision MathThe Envision Math program allows students to participate in mathematic activities that:

Incorporate hands-on experiences in which students utilize math manipulatives

Encourage math discussion that allow for a deeper understanding of math vocabulary

Engage students to explore mathematic concepts through visual and animated images presented on the computer and SMARTboard

*Take Note: Homework will be differentiated to meet the needs of your child. However, the concepts presented

will be the same.

Math

Operations ad Algebraic Thinking

Number and Operations in Base Ten

Measurement and Data

Geometry

Social StudiesThe focus of Social Studies in 1st Grade includes the following units of study:

Rules ad Responsibility

Holidays Around the World

Seasons-Seasonal Changes-Seasonal Activities

Historical Figures

Community

Current Events

Traditions and Customs

ScienceIn Science, we use inquiry based methods to study…

Force and Motion

Weather

Life Cycles-Insects-Farm Animals

Home FolderYou can expect to see your child’s

Home Folder everyday.

Stay Home Pocket-graded work-newsletters

Return Pocket-Homework-Notes from teachers-Permission slips

*Take Note: Please check and remove items from your child’s folder each day. This helps me

to know that you received the information.

Stay Home Return

HomeworkWord Study

An assignment will come home for each word study unit.

Reading15-20 minutes of reading each night

Envision MathExpect to see a Homework assignment

nightly

*Take Note: Time will be given to complete in class work during the day. Unfinished work may

be sent home as homework if student is not using time wisely.

*Friday Homework: I do not send homework to be completed over the weekend. I feel it is

important for the students to spend time with their families.

Behavioral Expectations

A positive approach to discipline is implemented in our 1st Grade

classroom.

Students are rewarded for…

Responsible behaviorBeing kind to othersTurning work in on timeFollowing directionsReceiving compliments from

adults Bucket Fillers

This year we have our own buckets. We are striving to be bucket fillers all the time throughout

our days by making people feel good.

If we make poor choices we dip into our buckets .

AbsencesResearch indicates that students

are the most successful when they attend school regularly.

Of course I do understand that, students become ill from time to time. If your child is absent, notify the office. I will gather your child’s make-up assignments.

Upon returning to school, your child will have two days for every day that he/she was absent to complete the work.

Celebrating Birthdays

Your child will be recognized on his/her birthday and is more than

welcome to bring in treats.

If your child was a summer baby, we would love to celebrate his/her half-birthday.

Please notify me prior to your child’s birthday so that we can make arrangements.

Treats can be a foood item, stickers, erasers, pencils, bookmarks, snacks, or a book to donate to the class library.

We currently have 22 students in our class. Please send enough for everyone.

Snack TimeYour child is more than welcome to bring a snack to

school.

Please send healthy snacks that are quick and easy to eat. NO CANDY! Suggestions:

*Fresh fruit *Packaged crackers

*Pretzels *Granola bars *Cut Veggies

We have a PEANUT /TREE NUT FREE ROOM due to allergies. *Snacks must be nut free.

Classroom GuestsI always welcome parent experts

into our classroom. As you review the curriculum, you may find that

you have some knowledge in a particular area. I would LOVE for

you to come and share your knowledge with the class.

You may contact me to make the appropriate arrangements. Email is always a quick and easy

way to make such arrangements.

*Please make sure you fill out the volunteer form 48 hours before

coming.

Transportation Notes

It is very important to call the school or send a note when your child’s transportation routine changes for

any reason. In addition, please send a note if someone different will be

picking your child up from school.

If the school is not notified, your child will be sent home in

the regular manner.

CommunicationIt is extremely important to keep the lines of communication open

between home and school.

I will make every effort to keep you informed of your child’s progress here at school.

I hope you will also feel comfortable contacting me with any concerns, questions or celebrations.

I can be reached by email and phone.

Conference Sign-Up

Dates: Monday, November 25th ad Tuesday, November 26th

Conferences before this data

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend Curriculum

Night. I especially want to thank you for having such a WONDERFUL and precious

child! I truly love what I do and am looking forward to a fabulous year!

Packet Resources

Daily Schedules

Class List

Second Grade Priority and Core Word List

Volunteer Questionnaire

And More!

Star of the WeekEach student is a unique and

valued member of our classroom. Children will be given their own special week to show how bright they can shine!

PicturesFavorite BookDemonstrate/Share a Special Talent

Classroom Expectations

Students are expected to be respectful and responsible, do their personal best and be prepared! We have discussed

that we all have the right to:

Be happy and have fun!

Make mistakes

Teach

Learn

Have an opinion

Safety

Ask Questions

Possible Consequences

*Verbal Warning from Teacher (s)

*Teacher/Student Conference

*Phone call, email, or letter sent home

* Alternative Recess

*Student/Principal Conference

All About Mrs. Hohenstatt

My Background-Live in Ingleside

-My children attended school in District #41

-I now have a grandchild attending Hooper

My Experience-This is my twenty-fifth year as a paraprofessional at Hooper

Book OrdersBook orders are a wonderful,

inexpensive way to build your child’s home library.

We will be ordering from Scholastic.

If you choose to order, please send a check, made out to Scholastic Book Clubs.

Please do not send cash.

Book orders will be sent home once a month. *Did you Know?- When you order books, I earn

points that add up to free books for our classroom library!

All About Mrs. Saam

My Background-Live in Lindenhurst

-My husband, Dave and I have 2 children

-Both of my children attended District 41 schools

-My Experience-I have worked as a paraprofessional for 7 years

-I have 5 years of experience in second grade

-I was a paraprofessional in kindergarten for 2 years