�WELCOME

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2024-2025

1^st Grade

From Our Partners at Carlsbad Educational Foundation

�CHE PTA�

• Please use this link to join our PTA!

CHE PTA

1st Grade

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• 1^st Grade Team
• Mrs. O’Donnell
• Ms. Fairman
• Mrs. Menker
• Mrs. Hagar

�All About Me�

Questions

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• In case we run out of time, please write any questions you may have on the index card so I can respond to you.

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The 1st Grade Year

Goals for the Year

• Engage and support students
• Build the self-esteem of each student
• Nurture a sense of self-advocacy
• Prepare students for increasing responsibilities
• Organizational skills
• Time management
• Study Skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Problem Solving

Classroom Agreements�Coyote Code

• Be Safe
• Be Kind
• Be Responsible
• Be a Learner

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Behavior Management

• School-Wide Rules ~ Coyote Code
• School-Wide Monthly Student Recognition Awards
• Golden Tickets
• Marble Jar
• Class Dojo

Daily Schedule ~ Mrs. O’Donnell

Language Arts

• Common Core/Science of Reading curriculum using: Benchmark Advance, UFLI, Heggerty, Trade Books, SmartyAnts, Freckle
• Homework: UFLI, Independent reading for enjoyment.
• Common Core Language Arts Standards

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Foundational Skills

• Instruction ~ UFLI, Heggerty
• Additional practice at student level ~ SmartyAnts, Freckle
• Phonemic Awareness
• Practice weekly word patterns - Friday quiz
• Homework: UFLI, Independent reading for enjoyment.

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Language Comprehension

• Instruction ~ Benchmark Advance, trade books
• Reading, writing, listening, speaking
• Vocabulary words will be explored and assessed in all subject areas

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Differentiation

• Universal Access twice each day ~ Monday through Thursday
• Protected time within home classroom
• Leveled grouping to meet individual needs
• Flexible grouping depending on student need
• Intervention with dedicated intervention teacher as needed
• Everyone a Reader for students approaching grade level reading

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Writing 1

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• Journal Writing
• 3-5 sentence paragraph by end of year
• 1^st grade writing genres:
• Narrative, Opinion, Informative/Explanatory
• Integrated writing across curriculum

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Writing 2

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• Handwriting
• Curriculum ~ Handwriting without Tears
• Spatial Awareness ~ no Floaters
• Proper spacing
• Legibility

Mathematics

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• San Francisco Unified School District curriculum & GoMath
• Building Fact Fluency program ~ building conceptual understanding of addition and subtraction within base 10
• Freckle Math ~ at child’s level
• Common Core Math Standards

1^st Grade Social Studies

• Embedded into all units of study
• Focus on:
• Community
• Rules
• Laws
• Citizenship

1st Grade Science

• Carolina Biological Science Curriculum
• STEM enrichment class once a week in our amazing new STEAM lab
• Units of Study:
• Exploring Organisms
• Sky Watchers
• Light and Sound Waves
• NGSS Science Standards

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Art

• PTA funded art program ~ Art in Action ~ Will need volunteers
• 1 docent (leads the lesson)
• 2-3 assistants
• 90 minutes, 7 times a year
• Training
• In classroom (I’m here!)

MUSIC

• Carlsbad Education Foundation funded music program ~ once a week ~ Mrs. Lack

Physical Education

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• Throughout the week in class
• 1x week with PE teacher
• Whole School Activities
• Appropriate clothing and closed toed shoes
• Parent note required for excused participation

Technology

• Each student will have use of Chromebook stations across subject areas
• Clever badge on front of blue folder

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Field Trips

• Batiquitos Adventures Field Trip ~ We’ll be taking the bus to the lagoon on TBD
• In-class Field Trip ~ San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum in Spring

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Volunteers will be needed.

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Character Education

• Monthly character traits celebrated at assemblies held each month

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• Building a School Community through the Coyote Code

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• Emphasis on tolerance ~ building strong character to accept diversity on campus and tolerance of one another

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• Making Positive Decisions

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• Red Ribbon Week

Homework

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• UFLI

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• Required 15 minutes of daily independent/shared reading

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• Math Homework page when available

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• Blue Folder should be returned daily

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Report Cards

• Standards based grades according to performance, not traditional letter grades
• Common Core Standards
• http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/

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4 Excels at standards

3 Meets standards

2 Approaching standards

1 Below standards

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Health and Welfare

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• CUSD has adopted a health and welfare policy
• No birthday food treats (many students have food allergies) - please consider other options such as –pencils, stickers, etc.

School Safety

• Fire, lockdown, and earthquake drills
• Drop off – 7:50/ Pick up – 2:20
• Thursday early dismissal – 1:20
• Dress code
• Closed toe shoes
• Light sweater or jacket for air-conditioned rooms
• Names on personal items
• Shorts under dresses, please

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�Volunteers�

• Many Opportunities
• Classroom Helpers (copies, reading with students, etc.)
• PTA art program
• Room Parents
• Donations always welcome
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• Volunteer Application ~ only if you didn’t one complete last year

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�Wish List�

• Wet Wipes ~ Lots of them!
• Cardstock
• Dry Erase Markers ~ Black only
• Bandaids
• Gift Cards ~ Amazon, Lakeshore, Michael’s, Walmart, Target

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Communication

• Weekly Grade Level Newsletter~ online on ParentSquare
• Parent Teacher Conferences~ Principal Weekly Message via ParentSquare
• Teacher email
• sodonnell@carlsbadusd.net
• anna.fariman@carlsbadusd.net
• maddie.menker@carlsbadusd.net
• www.parentsquare.com

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Things to do

• Write a note to your child
• Volunteer Sign-up
• Join the PTA!
• *Donations* (optional)
• Explore our classroom

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Questions???�

���We’re looking forward to working with you to create a successful and memorable year for your child.

~The First Grade Team~