1st Grade - Heather Smith

1st Grade - Heather Smith

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First Grade Syllabus

Welcome to 1st Grade! I'm excited about the opportunity to get to know you, and I'm looking forward to a happy and productive school year.

Curriculum areas we will focus on this year include Math (Scott Foresman), Reading (SFA), Language (Harcourt), Spelling, Handwriting (Handwriting Without Tears), Science (Scott Foresman), and Social Studies (Macmillan/McGraw-Hill).

My Homework Policy:

Homework is given on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday every week. (if your child fails to turn in 5 or more homework assignments during a 9-week period, it will be documented in the report card). There will be a daily folder sent home each day. Any papers placed on the left side of the opened folder should be "left" at home and any papers on the right side should come "right" back to me. If your child is buying lunch for the week, please place money in an envelope with your child's name and my name on it and place it in the right side of the daily folder.

Grading Policy:

My grading policy is to grade weekly tests given in each subject and participation in group activities. All tests are graded at the same level, the scale ranges from 100% (A) to 60% (D-) anything below this is considered an F. Tests in 1st grade build on your child's growing knowledge in the subject areas.

Homework is checked to insure student understanding, but will not be given a letter grade. A student's Read and Respond will be worth 6 points each time it is due. A new Read and Respond is given every fourth day. Parents are encouraged to help with any and all homework.

It is extremely important to keep in mind that we all build on small successes. Each child will progress at his/her own rate, acquiring skills as he/she is developmentally ready. Maintaining each child's self-esteem and building a secure foundation for future growth will always remain a priority in our first grade.

Parent/Teacher Relationship:

I believe that a good parent-teacher relationship is necessary for maximum school success. Throughout the year I will communicate with you through notes, telephone calls, quarterly reports and parent-teacher conferences. I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at any time. You can call me at school, send me a note, or e-mail me. I am available for conferences regarding your child's progress from 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. by appointment on school days.

Birthday

If you are interested in having a birthday party for your child in school, I ask that you inform me at least a week in advance. Cupcakes work great, but full cakes are welcomed. Birthday parties are held at the end of the day.

Changes in Transportation

If you plan to pick up a child that normally rides the bus or you wish for your child to ride a different bus than usual, you must send a written note. Do not rely on your child to tell me this information, because children often become confused and relay messages incorrectly. If no written note is received, your child will be sent home by his/her usual method of transportation. You may call the school to change your child's transportation, but please try to contact the school before 2:30. It can be very difficult to get through this late in the day.

Discipline:

Every child should feel that the classroom environment is safe and secure; free from all threats of physical or emotional harm. In addition, it is important that each child learn to develop self-discipline and good work habits, to resolve conflicts peacefully, and to think independently. For these reasons, the discipline plan I have chosen has several components.

First follow the rules:

  1. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

  2. Treat others with kindness.

  3. Follow directions

Second be prepared to loose privileges and rewards if not following the rules.

Privileges include but are not limited to the following:

  • Student of the Day (earns 2 stickers on Ticket for Fun)

  • Pencil Sharpener

  • Line Leader

  • Stickers for various reasons on student's Ticket for Fun

  • Free Time

  • Scrapbook Keeper

  • Photographer

Ticket for Fun:

Students must fill their ticket before they can go through the "Big Treasure Box". It takes students some time to fill ticket but it is a good motivator to follow the rules. Students like the nice prizes, but they seem to get as much enjoyment from the completion of their ticket. Many students set goals to see how many tickets they can fill during the school year.

Discipline System

I believe in handling discipline in my classroom. The students tend to lose respect for the teacher if the parents and principal are told about every little thing. I feel that most things can be handled by the teacher and student. If you don't hear from me then you'll know that everything is fine and your child is behaving.

Group Compliment Reward:

Compliment chain (every time they receive a compliment, as a class, they will receive a link on the chain and when it gets to the floor they get a popcorn or pizza party in class).

If you have any questions or concerns or if you would like to visit our classroom, schedule a conference, or volunteer to help out, you can contact me at school or at home. The best time to reach me is from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at home (417-284-8128).

Once again, welcome to 1st grade. Let's work together to make this the best year ever!

Sincerely,

Heather Smith
1st Grade (1A)
heathers@bakersfield.k12.mo.us

School: 417-284-7333
Home: 417-284-8128
Cell: 417-505-9134

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:

Math-related:

Reading/Sight Words:

All subjects: