Mrs. Hathaway's Class: first grade & fabulous
Mrs. Hathaway’s Class: first grade & fabulous 1st Grade 2014-2015
Elizabeth Hathaway [email protected] 317-831-9216 ext. 2704 You can also follow our class facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Hathawayfirstgrads Welcome: Welcome to first grade at Northwood Elementary. My name is Elizabeth Hathaway. This will be my 10th year teaching 1st grade at Northwood. I received my bachelor’s degree from Ball State in 2005 and my master’s from Indiana Wesleyan in 2008. This past summer, I also received my certification for Project Lead the Way, a STEM (Science, technology, engineering & math) curriculum! Working with young children brings me so much joy. I see so much growth from my students throughout the year. That is one of the many reasons I love first grade! In 2006 I married my husband, Chris. I have a step-daughter named Kaylee. She just turned 14 and lives in Muncie. In 2009 we welcomed our first son, Jack, and in 2012 we had our second little man, Max! I have loved every minute of being a mom. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching football & baseball, and enjoying the outdoors! I look forward to getting to know you and your children throughout the year! Harmony: If you have not yet signed up for a Harmony account, please do so now. You can do this in the front office. Harmony is where all grades are entered. You are able to login from your personal computer to view your child’s most current grades. If you do not have access to a computer, you are welcome to use a school computer at any time.
Homework: Please take your child’s homework very seriously. This is your chance to help them practice the skills that have been taught in the classroom. This practice is essential to achieve mastery. Please see the list below for what is expected each night.
EVERY NIGHT: Read an average of 20 minutes (at least 100 min. for the week) Practice math flash cards every night or math facts in some other format (websites, Apps, etc.) for 5 minutes Practice spelling words every night (current words) Complete any additional assignments recorded in homework folder Practice old spelling words, “sight words”, regularly!
Be sure to place all completed homework in the “Return to school” pocket of your child’s V.I.P. folder to be turned in the following day. Incomplete or missing homework will need to be completed at recess. Also, your child will be asked to move their race car. Points will be taken off for citizenship for irresponsibility rather than for the work itself. If a circumstance occurs which prevents homework from being completed, please make me aware. There are certainly exceptions. If your child is absent, work can be picked up in the office or the first day back to school. They will have the equivalent to the amount of days missed to complete and return the work. *Homework: returning of books & folders, etc. are your child’s responsibilities…NOT YOURS! Please help them take on this role at home. Have them check their backpacks before bed each night or before they leave each morning for all of the supplies they need for the day! We strive to create independent, responsible learners out of them all! Morning Routine: When the children enter the room they are to put their backpacks away, take out their V.I.P. folders, and turn them into their cubbies; put any notes, lunch money, homework, etc. in the containers on my desk and take their reading books and reading folders to their seats. Reading: Reading will begin first thing each morning. We utilize a 90 minute reading block. During whole group instruction we focus on the story out of the basal. All students are expected to read the on grade level material during this time. Have high expectations for your child. Each Friday, we will test over grade level material for a grade and Accelerated Reader stories in the computer lab for additional comprehension practice. This will allow the students to practice their comprehension, practice various testing formats, familiarize themselves with the computer and keyboard, and earn story test points on the computer for end of the year rewards!
The second part of the 90 minute block is our small group instruction. A letter explaining this will come home once groups have been determined. I will not meet with every group every day. I will include a copy of the schedule with the letter you receive. The last portion of our reading block is reserved for phonics instruction. We will be reviewing individual letters and their sounds for the next few weeks. We will then move on to different letter combinations. Your child will be expected to apply these sounds in their reading and writing. We will assess these skills periodically. You will see a graded assessment come home a few days after administration. This information will be included in your child’s reading grade. Miscellaneous reading information: Students will receive a grade in reading. It will include all assessments given on grade level. No enrichment or remediation materials will be included in this grade. Students should be reading an average of 20 minutes each night. This can include the story from the basal, spelling words, library books, or anything you have at home. Each week your child will have a new poem to work on for fluency. Please make sure your child is participating in the poetry race weekly. Students will be rewarded for full completion of the poetry race. It is expected that they read the poem to someone at least ten times during the week. They will read to the students in their reading groups during one of our reading stations. They will be responsible for the remaining signatures outside of school. Signatures for proof should be recorded on the back side of each poem. I will collect and record them on Fridays. Fluent readers have a much easier time comprehending what has been read! Basal readers and reading folders will come home Mon – Thurs. Reading supplies will only come home on Fridays for designated students. You will be informed if this applies to your child. If your child needs additional support, you will receive information regarding Title 1 services. Writing and Language: Right now, most of the writing completed will be done altogether or with a lot of assistance. I will be modeling for students and asking them to replicate a lot of the work seen. They will be required to copy things from the screen. If your child complains about not being able to see, please make me aware. We will be creating a lot of word lists for students to use. If the word is displayed in the room on one of these lists, they are expected to use it as a resource. This is also the case with their green “Words I Use When I Write”
book. While your child is writing, they are expected to spell old spelling words, “sight words”, correctly. They will be graded using a rubric. You will see this come home attached to their first graded assignment. The rubric will grow and change as we introduce new language skills. I will not help students sound out words on graded assignments. They are encouraged to sound out words. I will not give them exact spellings! This is critical to helping them grow as readers and writers! We encourage inventive spelling in first grade! I will expect more and more independence as the year progresses. Creative writing will account for 80% of your child’s language grade. The other 20% will come from in class language activities and DOL (Daily Oral Language). We will regularly be introducing new skills. Your child will be expected to master these skills and assessments will incorporate new and previously introduced skills. Math: Most days, we will complete an Envision math lesson. There will be days where we replace it with another math skill altogether or supplement it. Each night, please complete the at home activity described on the bottom of the math sheet and the coordinating homework. Homework is due the following morning. Students will be asked to stay in at recess to complete work if they fail to do so at home. Tests will be weighted as 80% of your child’s grade and in class activities will be 20% of your child’s grade. Spelling: Each week we will introduce new spelling words. The words are first grade appropriate sight words. On the first day of the week we will give a pretest. If your child receives a perfect score they will be given a challenge list. If your child misses only 1 they are still responsible for the missed word on Friday. If your child misses 2 or more, they will be expected to practice the regular list of words and retake the entire test on Friday. We will complete activities in class to practice these words. It is also expected that they will practice at home. You will be given flash cards for spelling words. Please be sure you keep track of these words. Your child will be responsible for knowing every old spelling word, “sight words”, introduced throughout the year. Spelling homework will come home occasionally. If you need help coming up with new, exciting, or consistent ways to practice at home, please let me know! Citizenship: Learning how to be a productive citizen of a classroom, school, community and country is an important part of first grade. There are many expectations your child will need to follow while in school. These expectations are encompassed in a set of class rules we discuss together the first day of
school. They are fair and reasonable. Please encourage your first grader to behave appropriately at school. Our rules are: 1. Respect yourself and others. 2. Listen to the speaker (Regardless of whether it is a teacher, parent volunteer, other student, etc.) 3. Walk carefully and quietly through the building. 4. Always try your personal best. If these rules are not followed, there are consequences. It takes a strong partnership between the parents, or adults at home, and me to make this work! If we see negative habits forming, we will come up with an alternate plan for your child. This year, we will be trying something new. If you are familiar with “1, 2, 3 Magic”, it is similar. If children do not respond after being warned twice, they will take a break in our “Relaxation Station”. This gives them an opportunity to regroup before rejoining the class. Breaks can be given for not following the rules stated above. These breaks will result in a deduction of citizenship points. Each time the behavior escalates to the point of a break, 2 points will be deducted. Behaviors such as hitting, kicking, etc. will send a child immediately to a break. There are a total of 10 points allotted each day. Children will start fresh each day. Breaks will also be given for behaviors we are trying to help your child change, but do no impact the overall learning environment. 2 warnings will be given for behaviors, such as rocking in a chair. The child will take a break, but points will not be deducted from the child’s citizenship grade. The overall goal is to help change behaviors that are not ideal, rather than just documenting that they are happening. We will communicate with you each day on your child’s behavior on the back side of the homework log. Please be sure to sign each week acknowledging that you have seen your child’s grade and all teacher comments. Grading Scales: Citizenship: 100% Classroom Performance Language Arts: 80% Creative Writing; 20% Daily Language & In Class Work Math: 80% Tests, 20% Homework & In Class Work Spelling: 80% Tests, 20% Homework, Contracts & In Class Work Reading: 80% Tests, 20% In Class Work
Specials Classes: You will receive a specials calendar soon so you are aware of which specials class your child will attend each day. This will help you know when to send back library books and send your child in tennis shoes for P.E. General Information: Send all lunch money in a sealed envelope with your child’s FIRST and LAST name, my name: Mrs. Hathaway, and the words “LUNCH MONEY” Birthday treats are to be store bought. You may send them in any day near your child’s birthday, and the kids can enjoy them at lunch! I will let you know how many students we have soon! We will go out to recess unless it is unbearably hot/cold, raining, or snowing. Please make sure your child has whatever they need to be comfortable. I am more than willing to spray sunscreen, zip coats, wrap scarves, etc. : ) Since we cannot always go out, we are always looking for new and exciting indoor recess activities. If you would like to donate games, puzzles, craft supplies, etc. we would gladly accept! During the winter, indoor exercise will be a regular part of our schedule! I will send home newsletters as needed. They will not necessarily come home each week. Please keep an eye out for my “first grade & fabulous”! If you do not check your email regularly, please make me aware! Thanks!
Updated 7.22.14
-----------------------------------------------------By signing below, you are confirming that you and your child have read all parts of this newsletter and have a full understanding of the expectations aligned with the newsletter. Look for future newsletters that will come home periodically to remain aware of what is going on in the classroom! You are free to stop in any time to witness our day for yourself or contact me when you have questions! Parent signature____________________________________________ Parent signature_______________________________________ Student signature___________________________________________
Elizabeth Hathaway [email protected] 317-831-9216 ext. 2704 You can also follow our class facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Hathawayfirstgrads Welcome: Welcome to first grade at Northwood Elementary. My name is Elizabeth Hathaway. This will be my 10th year teaching 1st grade at Northwood. I received my bachelor’s degree from Ball State in 2005 and my master’s from Indiana Wesleyan in 2008. This past summer, I also received my certification for Project Lead the Way, a STEM (Science, technology, engineering & math) curriculum! Working with young children brings me so much joy. I see so much growth from my students throughout the year. That is one of the many reasons I love first grade! In 2006 I married my husband, Chris. I have a step-daughter named Kaylee. She just turned 14 and lives in Muncie. In 2009 we welcomed our first son, Jack, and in 2012 we had our second little man, Max! I have loved every minute of being a mom. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching football & baseball, and enjoying the outdoors! I look forward to getting to know you and your children throughout the year! Harmony: If you have not yet signed up for a Harmony account, please do so now. You can do this in the front office. Harmony is where all grades are entered. You are able to login from your personal computer to view your child’s most current grades. If you do not have access to a computer, you are welcome to use a school computer at any time.
Homework: Please take your child’s homework very seriously. This is your chance to help them practice the skills that have been taught in the classroom. This practice is essential to achieve mastery. Please see the list below for what is expected each night.
EVERY NIGHT: Read an average of 20 minutes (at least 100 min. for the week) Practice math flash cards every night or math facts in some other format (websites, Apps, etc.) for 5 minutes Practice spelling words every night (current words) Complete any additional assignments recorded in homework folder Practice old spelling words, “sight words”, regularly!
Be sure to place all completed homework in the “Return to school” pocket of your child’s V.I.P. folder to be turned in the following day. Incomplete or missing homework will need to be completed at recess. Also, your child will be asked to move their race car. Points will be taken off for citizenship for irresponsibility rather than for the work itself. If a circumstance occurs which prevents homework from being completed, please make me aware. There are certainly exceptions. If your child is absent, work can be picked up in the office or the first day back to school. They will have the equivalent to the amount of days missed to complete and return the work. *Homework: returning of books & folders, etc. are your child’s responsibilities…NOT YOURS! Please help them take on this role at home. Have them check their backpacks before bed each night or before they leave each morning for all of the supplies they need for the day! We strive to create independent, responsible learners out of them all! Morning Routine: When the children enter the room they are to put their backpacks away, take out their V.I.P. folders, and turn them into their cubbies; put any notes, lunch money, homework, etc. in the containers on my desk and take their reading books and reading folders to their seats. Reading: Reading will begin first thing each morning. We utilize a 90 minute reading block. During whole group instruction we focus on the story out of the basal. All students are expected to read the on grade level material during this time. Have high expectations for your child. Each Friday, we will test over grade level material for a grade and Accelerated Reader stories in the computer lab for additional comprehension practice. This will allow the students to practice their comprehension, practice various testing formats, familiarize themselves with the computer and keyboard, and earn story test points on the computer for end of the year rewards!
The second part of the 90 minute block is our small group instruction. A letter explaining this will come home once groups have been determined. I will not meet with every group every day. I will include a copy of the schedule with the letter you receive. The last portion of our reading block is reserved for phonics instruction. We will be reviewing individual letters and their sounds for the next few weeks. We will then move on to different letter combinations. Your child will be expected to apply these sounds in their reading and writing. We will assess these skills periodically. You will see a graded assessment come home a few days after administration. This information will be included in your child’s reading grade. Miscellaneous reading information: Students will receive a grade in reading. It will include all assessments given on grade level. No enrichment or remediation materials will be included in this grade. Students should be reading an average of 20 minutes each night. This can include the story from the basal, spelling words, library books, or anything you have at home. Each week your child will have a new poem to work on for fluency. Please make sure your child is participating in the poetry race weekly. Students will be rewarded for full completion of the poetry race. It is expected that they read the poem to someone at least ten times during the week. They will read to the students in their reading groups during one of our reading stations. They will be responsible for the remaining signatures outside of school. Signatures for proof should be recorded on the back side of each poem. I will collect and record them on Fridays. Fluent readers have a much easier time comprehending what has been read! Basal readers and reading folders will come home Mon – Thurs. Reading supplies will only come home on Fridays for designated students. You will be informed if this applies to your child. If your child needs additional support, you will receive information regarding Title 1 services. Writing and Language: Right now, most of the writing completed will be done altogether or with a lot of assistance. I will be modeling for students and asking them to replicate a lot of the work seen. They will be required to copy things from the screen. If your child complains about not being able to see, please make me aware. We will be creating a lot of word lists for students to use. If the word is displayed in the room on one of these lists, they are expected to use it as a resource. This is also the case with their green “Words I Use When I Write”
book. While your child is writing, they are expected to spell old spelling words, “sight words”, correctly. They will be graded using a rubric. You will see this come home attached to their first graded assignment. The rubric will grow and change as we introduce new language skills. I will not help students sound out words on graded assignments. They are encouraged to sound out words. I will not give them exact spellings! This is critical to helping them grow as readers and writers! We encourage inventive spelling in first grade! I will expect more and more independence as the year progresses. Creative writing will account for 80% of your child’s language grade. The other 20% will come from in class language activities and DOL (Daily Oral Language). We will regularly be introducing new skills. Your child will be expected to master these skills and assessments will incorporate new and previously introduced skills. Math: Most days, we will complete an Envision math lesson. There will be days where we replace it with another math skill altogether or supplement it. Each night, please complete the at home activity described on the bottom of the math sheet and the coordinating homework. Homework is due the following morning. Students will be asked to stay in at recess to complete work if they fail to do so at home. Tests will be weighted as 80% of your child’s grade and in class activities will be 20% of your child’s grade. Spelling: Each week we will introduce new spelling words. The words are first grade appropriate sight words. On the first day of the week we will give a pretest. If your child receives a perfect score they will be given a challenge list. If your child misses only 1 they are still responsible for the missed word on Friday. If your child misses 2 or more, they will be expected to practice the regular list of words and retake the entire test on Friday. We will complete activities in class to practice these words. It is also expected that they will practice at home. You will be given flash cards for spelling words. Please be sure you keep track of these words. Your child will be responsible for knowing every old spelling word, “sight words”, introduced throughout the year. Spelling homework will come home occasionally. If you need help coming up with new, exciting, or consistent ways to practice at home, please let me know! Citizenship: Learning how to be a productive citizen of a classroom, school, community and country is an important part of first grade. There are many expectations your child will need to follow while in school. These expectations are encompassed in a set of class rules we discuss together the first day of
school. They are fair and reasonable. Please encourage your first grader to behave appropriately at school. Our rules are: 1. Respect yourself and others. 2. Listen to the speaker (Regardless of whether it is a teacher, parent volunteer, other student, etc.) 3. Walk carefully and quietly through the building. 4. Always try your personal best. If these rules are not followed, there are consequences. It takes a strong partnership between the parents, or adults at home, and me to make this work! If we see negative habits forming, we will come up with an alternate plan for your child. This year, we will be trying something new. If you are familiar with “1, 2, 3 Magic”, it is similar. If children do not respond after being warned twice, they will take a break in our “Relaxation Station”. This gives them an opportunity to regroup before rejoining the class. Breaks can be given for not following the rules stated above. These breaks will result in a deduction of citizenship points. Each time the behavior escalates to the point of a break, 2 points will be deducted. Behaviors such as hitting, kicking, etc. will send a child immediately to a break. There are a total of 10 points allotted each day. Children will start fresh each day. Breaks will also be given for behaviors we are trying to help your child change, but do no impact the overall learning environment. 2 warnings will be given for behaviors, such as rocking in a chair. The child will take a break, but points will not be deducted from the child’s citizenship grade. The overall goal is to help change behaviors that are not ideal, rather than just documenting that they are happening. We will communicate with you each day on your child’s behavior on the back side of the homework log. Please be sure to sign each week acknowledging that you have seen your child’s grade and all teacher comments. Grading Scales: Citizenship: 100% Classroom Performance Language Arts: 80% Creative Writing; 20% Daily Language & In Class Work Math: 80% Tests, 20% Homework & In Class Work Spelling: 80% Tests, 20% Homework, Contracts & In Class Work Reading: 80% Tests, 20% In Class Work
Specials Classes: You will receive a specials calendar soon so you are aware of which specials class your child will attend each day. This will help you know when to send back library books and send your child in tennis shoes for P.E. General Information: Send all lunch money in a sealed envelope with your child’s FIRST and LAST name, my name: Mrs. Hathaway, and the words “LUNCH MONEY” Birthday treats are to be store bought. You may send them in any day near your child’s birthday, and the kids can enjoy them at lunch! I will let you know how many students we have soon! We will go out to recess unless it is unbearably hot/cold, raining, or snowing. Please make sure your child has whatever they need to be comfortable. I am more than willing to spray sunscreen, zip coats, wrap scarves, etc. : ) Since we cannot always go out, we are always looking for new and exciting indoor recess activities. If you would like to donate games, puzzles, craft supplies, etc. we would gladly accept! During the winter, indoor exercise will be a regular part of our schedule! I will send home newsletters as needed. They will not necessarily come home each week. Please keep an eye out for my “first grade & fabulous”! If you do not check your email regularly, please make me aware! Thanks!
Updated 7.22.14
-----------------------------------------------------By signing below, you are confirming that you and your child have read all parts of this newsletter and have a full understanding of the expectations aligned with the newsletter. Look for future newsletters that will come home periodically to remain aware of what is going on in the classroom! You are free to stop in any time to witness our day for yourself or contact me when you have questions! Parent signature____________________________________________ Parent signature_______________________________________ Student signature___________________________________________
