Meadowcreek Elementary School Mrs. Shannon s 1st Grade Class

Transcription

1 + Meadowcreek Elementary School Mrs. Shannon s 1st Grade Class

2 + Meet Mrs. Shannon n My name is Lindsey Shannon. I grew up in Roswell, Georgia with my dad, mom, and two older brothers. n After high school, I graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. I am currently in the process of pursuing my M.S. in Education, specializing in Elementary Reading & Mathematics. n This is my 6th year teaching 1st grade at Meadowcreek Elementary School, and I cannot imagine myself anywhere else! n I am married to my college sweetheart, Chris Shannon. We enjoy spending time with family and friends, being an Aunt and Uncle to our little nephews and niece, going to Georgia football games, fishing, camping, hiking, running, and traveling together! I also love fashion and shopping!

3 + My Philosophy and Beliefs n Our first grade classroom is a risk-free and a positive learning environment. The students feel comfortable in their surroundings and know that they can be themselves and make mistakes freely. n I strive to create a warm and inviting classroom. n We focus on building a classroom community. Everyone signs the classroom promise, which tells us that we know that it is a place where we truly care about and respect each other, our learning, our classroom, and our school. n Expectations are also a huge part of our classroom environment. n I believe in every single one of my students. Each of them has the potential to succeed in school and in life. I encourage my students to strive to be their best.

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5 + Academics Reading n Mrs. French, our reading specialist, comes in our classroom to read with small groups of students. While Mrs. French works with students, I read with students in small groups as well. In our cooperative learning groups, our students are working on fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and accuracy.

6 + Academics Math n During math, we work in a workshop model. We begin with a mini-lesson, and then break into groups. After groups, we come back together to summarize our learning. While I meet with students in small groups, the other students are working individually and collaboratively on math journals, seatwork, or math tubs. Working in small groups in math encourages communication, collaboration, and comprehension.

7 + Academics Writing n During writing, we do a workshop model as well. We begin with a mini-lesson, and then break into groups. After groups, we come back together to summarize and to share our learning. While I meet with students in small groups, the other students are working individually and collaboratively on their own writing.

8 + Academics Social Science n During Social Science, the students who are served in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) are pulled out. The remaining students stay with Mrs. Bailey and me in our classroom. Together, Mrs. Bailey and I team teach our science and social science curriculum with lots of hands on activities.

9 + Tests n Every quarter, we will take a reading, math, and language arts benchmark test. n We will take bi-weekly tests on the Activboard using Activoters. n I am constantly informally assessing, observing and note taking, throughout day. n We will also take the CogAT A cognitive abilities test. n The CogAT will be give in September. Letters will be sent home.

10 + Reading Assessments n Our goal is to be reading on a level 16 at the end of first grade. n In order to assess the students growth, we Rigby test them every quarter. n What does this mean? Your child will read a book and I use a running record to assess their reading. n Please make sure you are reading daily with your child!

11 + BEE Books Bring Everything Everyday n The BEE Book is an organizational tool for you and your child. There are two pockets to this folder. Inside on the left side, you will find the LEFT at home pocket. This houses any work or newsletters that need to be left at home. On the other side, you will find the RIGHT back to school pocket. This houses homework or any notes that need to come back to school. Please encourage your child to take care of their BEE Book. They are responsible for bringing home and to school every day.

12 + Friday Folders n Each Friday, your child will bring home a Friday folder. They will bring home a weekly conduct card to show how they are doing in school. Please sign this card, and send it back with the Friday folder on Monday. Any work from the week will also be sent home in here. Enjoy looking through your child s work and celebrating his or her week at school!

13 + Homework Reading n Your child will have a daily take-home reading sheet. This sheet is the book that your child read in his or her guided reading group. Have your child read the story to you. Remember to give specific praise as you listen. "I noticed you..." Also be sure to ask questions about the story to help build comprehension. Please sign the reading paper and return it to school the next day. Your child will then add it to his or her fluency reading notebook.

14 + Homework Math & Language Arts n Your child will have a daily Mathematics/ Language Arts practice sheet to complete. It is meaningful work that has been taught in our classroom, which will help deepen your child's knowledge of the first grade curriculum.

15 + Classroom Management n We have one class rule: You can do anything you want in this class, as long as it does not cause a problem for anyone else or the learning environment. n Positive reinforcement is an important component in our classroom. The students work as table groups or teams to earn tallies for good choices. n I also give out real money for individual good choices and good thinking, such as walking nicely in the hallway, for raising hands to speak, for making a Reading connection, or for sharing their thinking in Math. The students get to individually goes shopping in our school store every other Friday with me.

16 + Classroom Management n We celebrate all of our small achievements by participating in classroom cheers. n Treating everyone and everything in our school and in our classroom with respect is very important. One activity that we do is create an imaginary classmate. The students know how important our special friend is, and if we say or do something in any way that is unkind or unfriendly, we have to tear a tiny piece off of our paper friend. The kids get very upset if we have to tear a piece from Justin.

17 + Newsletters n Each month, a newsletter will be sent home in your child s BEE Book. You can also find the newsletter on our website: mrsshannonsclass.weebly.com. n Please make sure you look over the newsletter because it will have important dates and updated information to remember.

18 + Conferences n Two conferences will be held each year in October and in February. On these days, students will be released from school early. One or two weeks before the conference, I will send home a schedule for you to select a conference time. Conferences are a very important time for us to discuss your child and how he or she is performing in school. Please also make sure to bring your child because we will be doing student led conferences. If you are unable to attend, please send a note or call the school, so we can reschedule your conference. n At any other time in the year, I will be very happy to meet with you about your child s progress. Please send a note in your child s BEE book or call the school if you would like a conference, and we can arrange a date and time.

19 + PTA Events n Fliers will come home about specific PTA events throughout the year, and I will also include the dates on our newsletter. If you would like to become a PTA member please ask me what you need to do to sign up!

20 + Classroom Parties n Classrooms are allowed to have 2 parties per school year. There is a winter party around holiday season, and one in the spring. We will also exchange valentines on Valentine s Day.

21 + Birthdays n Your child's birthday is special, and we want to celebrate! On each student's birthday, I make sure to make the children feel extra special! They will each receive a birthday pencil, and we read a special birthday book and sing to the birthday boy or girl! n If you would like to bring cupcakes or any other special treat to celebrate, please bring it to the cafeteria during our lunchtime at 12:00. The kids can enjoy their yummy treat after they eat their lunch!

22 + School Procedures Arrival n Students can begin arriving at 8:20. Students should not arrive before 8:20 a.m. n Students arriving after 8:50 a.m. are considered tardy and will need to be escorted to the office for check-in by a parent or guardian.

23 + School Procedures Early Checkout n For the safety of your child, anyone checking out a student must be listed on the emergency card and will be required to show a Driver s License. Students cannot be checked out after 3:00 p.m.

24 + School Procedures Changes in Transportation n A written note with a phone number from the child s parent or guardian indicating the change in his/her transportation is required on the morning of the change. Permission will not be granted for verbal requests for a transportation change made over the phone or by the child. In the absence of a note from the parent/ guardian, children will be sent home via their usual modes of transportation.

25 + School Procedures Car Riders n Car rider dismissal will begin at 3:20 p.m. Display your car rider number in the front window. Pull in the side parking lot of the school and remain in your car while waiting to advance forward to pick up your child or children. Cars arriving without numbers will be asked to park and report to the office to show proof of identification.

26 + School Procedures Lunch Procedures n Our lunchtime is from 12:00-12:30. Parents and students are not to bring food from restaurants or soft drinks. Adult lunch is $3.00. If you would like to visit for lunch, please meet our classroom outside the cafeteria.

27 + School Procedures Absences n Excused absences include: illnesses, religious holidays, death in the family, illness in the family, military deployment or temporary leave of absence of an immediate family member. n Please make sure to send a note in your child s BEE book when your child returns to school. n After 5 unexcused absences a letter will be sent home n While You Were Out Folders will be sent home the day your child returns to school.

28 + School Uniforms n The atmosphere of a school must be conducive to learning and a student s appearance can positively impact the climate of the school. The dress and appearance of each student should always be neat and proper. The uniform is a symbol of unity, pride and excellence. Uniforms are strongly encouraged. n Boys - Dress shirts, Polo shirts, Turtlenecks, Long pants, Walking shorts, Ties (optional), or Sweaters n Girls - Dresses/ jumpers, Skirts/ skorts, Blouse, Polo shirt, Turtlenecks, Walking shorts, Long pants, Sweaters n Uniform colors are light blue, dark blue, or white for blouses or shirts. Pants can be khaki or navy.

29 + Parent Center Please make sure to use the parent center! They have great resources to use with your child at home! They also have free English classes and workshops!

30 + Our Class Website n We have a website for our classroom! On the website you will find our class list, about our classroom, what s happening, our schedule, homework, and pictures of the students learning in action!

31 + Thank You! n I am looking forward to a wonderful year of teaching and learning in first grade with your children! Contact Information: Lindsey_Shannon@gwinnett.k12.ga.us School Phone: