Welcome to the Dual Immersion 1st Grade Program
***Mrs. Graham will teach reading, grammar, and spelling in English
***Mrs. Alba will teach math and social sciences in Spanish
Our Schedule: Students attend school from 8:35 am to 3:20 pm Mon-Thurs. Friday schedule- 8:35 am to 1:05 pm. As part of the Dual Immersion program, our students will switch classes throughout the day in order to have equal time between each class. Students start the day in their home class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Parent and Teacher Communication- Please set up an appointment with us if you need to talk to us or send an e-mail. We will be pleased to meet with you at the nearest opportunity.
Visiting School and Volunteers - We encourage parents to take an active role in your child's education. If you can volunteer at school, please let me know the day and time you can come. I will check our class schedule and inform you of the time to help out. I have volunteers for about forty-five minutes to an hour once a week or twice a month. Volunteers and visitors must get a pass from the office upon arrival at school. If you need to check your child out of school, it must be done through the office.
Sending money to school- Please make sure lunch money is an envelope with your child's name, teacher name, amount, and reason for sending money.
The Giving Tree- Outside our classroom we have a tree with apples on it which have items for classroom donations. All donations are completely optional and very appreciated.
Birthdays - You may send a treat if you wish for your child's home class. It is not expected and all treats must be store bought. Please no cupcakes, they are difficult to eat and pass out during the day. Great treats to donate for birthdays are cookies, fruit snacks, or granola bars.
1st Grade Language Arts Program
Reading - We use the Imagine It reading program and will be reading decodable books as part of this program. Students will take the decodable book home as part of their homework and return the next day. A reading log will be in your child's folder and a parent needs to sign next to the title of the book your child is reading. Our reading decodable books have many sight words ( instant recognition for words that cannot be "sounded out" phonetically) as well as vocabulary and phonic generated text. Students need to be exposed to a balance reading program. Your child will practice sight words and phonic skills in order to comprehend and respond to literature. We will focus on reading comprehension in class and go over the events in the stories we are reading.
Differentiated Guided Reading Groups - In a first grade classroom, our priority is to develop essential reading skills and to instill a lifelong love of reading. A major key to this success is the use of guided reading. Guided reading entails the use of reading selections specifically designed for students being taught using small group instruction. Each group will be taught on their reading level and focus on skills needed by the group.
Challenge Activities - After center work is completed, students may choose some extra fun learning activities that review what we have learned in class.
Spelling - Students will be start spelling in first grade. The spelling list and test will consist of about ten words. I will inform you when we will start spelling in our class. It will be around the end of September. Students will have spelling homework activities that will help them learn spelling words.
Grammar - Lessons will include how to write a sentence correctly. We will learn when to use proper punctuation and the use of nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
Writing - Your child will have handwriting lessons and a journal to draw and write words and sentences. Writing is a fun way for students to express themselves and facilitate reading in the classroom.
Math Review - Students will review math concepts in class. I usually have a self-starter that helps with math skills being taught for the week.
Red Daily Folder - Students will bring home a red folder each day. I will put class work, notes, and homework in folder. Please check it each day and praise your child. Return folder each day. I will store folders on Friday in the classroom and give them out on the following Monday. Spelling and Vocabulary homework will be given out usually on Monday and students need to return by Friday. Please make sure your child's name is on homework. Decodable books need to be sent back the next day. If you need more time to complete homework, please send me a note attached to your child's folder.
SEP conferences - Parents conferences are help twice a year and report cards sent out four times during the school year. I will let your know about when parent conferences will be held and dates of report cards being sent home.
Class Note - I send home a note to inform you of what we are learning each week. Please read and go over the skills for extra practice at home.
Start Student - Each student will have a special star week. A poster will be sent home for your child to color and return. If you can come and read a short story to the class during your child's start student week that would be great. I will send a note home and poster when it is your child's special week. It is a fun way to know each child in the class.
I hope your child has a wonderful first grade experience. If your have any questions, please contact me.
***Mrs. Graham will teach reading, grammar, and spelling in English
***Mrs. Alba will teach math and social sciences in Spanish
Our Schedule: Students attend school from 8:35 am to 3:20 pm Mon-Thurs. Friday schedule- 8:35 am to 1:05 pm. As part of the Dual Immersion program, our students will switch classes throughout the day in order to have equal time between each class. Students start the day in their home class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Parent and Teacher Communication- Please set up an appointment with us if you need to talk to us or send an e-mail. We will be pleased to meet with you at the nearest opportunity.
Visiting School and Volunteers - We encourage parents to take an active role in your child's education. If you can volunteer at school, please let me know the day and time you can come. I will check our class schedule and inform you of the time to help out. I have volunteers for about forty-five minutes to an hour once a week or twice a month. Volunteers and visitors must get a pass from the office upon arrival at school. If you need to check your child out of school, it must be done through the office.
Sending money to school- Please make sure lunch money is an envelope with your child's name, teacher name, amount, and reason for sending money.
The Giving Tree- Outside our classroom we have a tree with apples on it which have items for classroom donations. All donations are completely optional and very appreciated.
Birthdays - You may send a treat if you wish for your child's home class. It is not expected and all treats must be store bought. Please no cupcakes, they are difficult to eat and pass out during the day. Great treats to donate for birthdays are cookies, fruit snacks, or granola bars.
1st Grade Language Arts Program
Reading - We use the Imagine It reading program and will be reading decodable books as part of this program. Students will take the decodable book home as part of their homework and return the next day. A reading log will be in your child's folder and a parent needs to sign next to the title of the book your child is reading. Our reading decodable books have many sight words ( instant recognition for words that cannot be "sounded out" phonetically) as well as vocabulary and phonic generated text. Students need to be exposed to a balance reading program. Your child will practice sight words and phonic skills in order to comprehend and respond to literature. We will focus on reading comprehension in class and go over the events in the stories we are reading.
Differentiated Guided Reading Groups - In a first grade classroom, our priority is to develop essential reading skills and to instill a lifelong love of reading. A major key to this success is the use of guided reading. Guided reading entails the use of reading selections specifically designed for students being taught using small group instruction. Each group will be taught on their reading level and focus on skills needed by the group.
Challenge Activities - After center work is completed, students may choose some extra fun learning activities that review what we have learned in class.
Spelling - Students will be start spelling in first grade. The spelling list and test will consist of about ten words. I will inform you when we will start spelling in our class. It will be around the end of September. Students will have spelling homework activities that will help them learn spelling words.
Grammar - Lessons will include how to write a sentence correctly. We will learn when to use proper punctuation and the use of nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
Writing - Your child will have handwriting lessons and a journal to draw and write words and sentences. Writing is a fun way for students to express themselves and facilitate reading in the classroom.
Math Review - Students will review math concepts in class. I usually have a self-starter that helps with math skills being taught for the week.
Red Daily Folder - Students will bring home a red folder each day. I will put class work, notes, and homework in folder. Please check it each day and praise your child. Return folder each day. I will store folders on Friday in the classroom and give them out on the following Monday. Spelling and Vocabulary homework will be given out usually on Monday and students need to return by Friday. Please make sure your child's name is on homework. Decodable books need to be sent back the next day. If you need more time to complete homework, please send me a note attached to your child's folder.
SEP conferences - Parents conferences are help twice a year and report cards sent out four times during the school year. I will let your know about when parent conferences will be held and dates of report cards being sent home.
Class Note - I send home a note to inform you of what we are learning each week. Please read and go over the skills for extra practice at home.
Start Student - Each student will have a special star week. A poster will be sent home for your child to color and return. If you can come and read a short story to the class during your child's start student week that would be great. I will send a note home and poster when it is your child's special week. It is a fun way to know each child in the class.
I hope your child has a wonderful first grade experience. If your have any questions, please contact me.