Welcome to Curriculum Night

First Grade

August 20, 2013

The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn.

*John Lubbock*  

Ish emphasizes the power of believing in our abilities despite other’s reactions and despite our fear of failure.

“We can do anything ISH as long as we try!”

About Miss Makela“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou

Grew-up in Gurnee, Illinois

Attended Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin

Minor in Adaptive Education

NAU Elementary Education M.Ed.

This is my 11th year teaching 1st grade at Cerritos!

This is my kid…

Wrigley

P.E. Tuesday

Music Friday

Art Wednesday

Library Monday (Please return books each week!)

Recess/Lunch 11:00/10:20

Teacher Duty Friday after school at 2:30

School Hours 7:40-2:35 Please drop your child off ON TIME!! Wednesday until 12:35

Birthdays We will celebrate!!! Please do not send treats.

Classroom Information

We are an ALLERGY AWARE classroom. There are numerous allergies in first grade. It is critical that

students do not share food.

We are AWARE that the success and uniqueness of our class is driven by the diversity and differences between us.

We are AWARE that our abilities and strengths will be celebrated and used as a basis to learn from one another.

We are AWARE that we recognize each other through our strengths not our limitations.

We are AWARE that people come first … not labels!!

We are an AWARE Classroom!

We are an AWARE Classroom!

Volunteers

Volunteering will begin later in the fall. Stay tuned for email communication!

Art Masterpiece and Jr. Achievement volunteers will be contacted by the appropriate person with further information.

Class Parties: Please sign-up if you are interested in helping out or leading class parties. I would like to have a lead party parent for each party.

Thank You for all of you support!!!!!

Teacher

• Newsletters/bulletins (email)

• Notes home

• Phone calls

• E-mail

Parent

• Send a note

• Call 541-2353

• E-mail kmakela@kyrene.org

Communication

Folder and Agenda

Please check daily

Send lunch money, homework and

notes in folder – Students are responsible for turning things in to

“MORNING BUSINESS”.

Homework will go home Monday and return on

Friday

Homework

Sent home Monday and due Friday

Spelling, writing, reading, and math

Extension of what we are doing in class

Math games are sometimes sent as the math homework

Reading 15 minutes a night

Please sign the homework so I know you checked it

Every student will be the “Big Cheese” for a week.

I will let you know the week prior to your child’s “Big Cheese” debut!

Every student will receive a book of special letters from the class at the end of their

week!

Big Cheese

Math NOW aligned with the new Math Common Core Standards

x Calendar mathx Math Investigationsx Hands-on mathx Problem solvingx Math journal for problem

solvingx On-going assessments and

a district test in the springx Grades based on

observations, class work, and assessments

ReadingAssessments

Reading Logs and at-home Reading assignments

Balanced Literacy Program

1. Reader’s WorkshopWhat is it?

Workshop time is motivated by mini-lessons and a set purpose Lessons are derived from trade books , chapter books, poetry and many forms of

rich/relevant literature AND often correlates to Harcourt lessons Consists of small group and individual instruction Students have individual reading goals and read at appropriate reading levels Often students will have choice in the books they read

Why Workshop? Promotes higher level thinking Allows students to make connections through literature Allows students to read for meaning Allows students to feel ownership a sense of responsibility for their learning

2. Harcourt Reading Program and Phonics Emphasizes word work and language study – phonological awareness and phonics skills Explode the Code phonics

WritingWriter’s Workshop: Short mini lessons each day addressing a writing standard Teaching goes beyond the idea that writing is just handwriting and conventions Students will work individually and collaboratively on writing projects Individual students and small groups will conference with me regularly about their personal

writing goals

Writer’s Workshop Yearlong Plan Includes: Genre studies (narrative writing, friendly letters, expository writing, poetry, etc.) Specific units of study (conventions, voice, etc.) The habits and processes of writers (neat writing, steps of the writing process, etc.)

In Writer’s Workshop Students Will: Create rubrics as a tool to judge their own writing Publish their work often Keep a portfolio of his/her written work Share/publish with authentic audience

Other Writing Practice: Handwriting Writing in content areas “Big Cheese” letter writing

Spelling

Harcourt – 10 spelling words/week

Spelling lists will be sent home weekly once we begin homework. Tests on Fridays.

Apply spelling to daily writing

Phonics/word families

Science

x Sky and Weather

x Rocks, Earth Materials, and Conservation

x Living Things and Their Habitats

x Balance and Movement

x The Scientific Process

x Hands-on and inquiry based

Social Studies

x Our self, family, and community

x Mapping skillsx Geography and mappingx Arizona History and

Pilgrims, farmingx Customs and traditionsx US historical figuresx Ancient Egyptx Thematic units integrated

across the curriculumx Character Counts- School

wide program for citizenship throughout the year

We believe that every child possesses leadership skills.

We believe that every child will serve as a leader in some way, either in their careers or with family and friends.

We believe that character education is essential.

We believe that students must be taught how to collaborate with others.

We believe that leadership training will have a positive impact on student achievement.

Why a Leadership Focus?

School-wide Individualized Goal Oriented (attainable and measureable) Monitoring of goals and progress. Intrinsic motivation for personal best. Allows for REFLECTION Will be used for student led conferences in

Spring.

Data Passports

All receive “What’s Up in Room 53?” email?

If you have not signed up for Listserv please do so soon to get all school and district communications

Thank you so much for all of the donations!

Housekeeping

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS??

I dreamed I stood in a studio

And watched two sculptors there,

The clay they used was a young child’s mind

And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher

The tools she used were books and music and art,

One was a parent

With a guiding hand and a gentle loving heart.

And when at last their work was done

They were proud at what they had wrought,

For the things they had worked into the child

Can never be sold or bought.

And each agreed she would have failedIf she had worked alone.

For behind the parent stood the school,

And behind the teacher stood the home.

Thank you for coming to

Curriculum Night! I look forward to

teaching your child! We are going

to have a great year!

Good Night!