1st Grade - Ms. Theresa Pusey
Notes For Parents
FEBRUARY 2012
Important Days this Month
2/1-Shoebox Due
2/10-100th Day Project Due
2/17-School Closed-Teacher Planning
2/20-School Closed-President's Day
2/24-Trimester 2 ends
Family Foundations Academy is proud to be collecting pairs of shoes for children and adults who have suffered from Disaster Relief. From February 6th-March 31st students will be able to bring in gently used or new shoes. Shoes may be dropped off in the front office. Thank you for your support!
Uniform Policy
Please make sure you send your child to school in the correct uniform or they will recieve a demerit. Students are required to wear khaki pants (no cargos), jumpers,or skorts with an official FFA logo polo. The polo may be green, pink or white. Students shirts MUST be tucked in at all times. Students must wear brown, black or white solid shoes.
School Supply List-This is the classroom list. Please check the Specialists website for additional supplies
**Must be replenished every tri-mester
**Crayons (24 pack)
**3 Packs of Pencils
**Pencil Top Erasers and Large Erasers
**Lysol Wipes
**1 ream of Paper
**Multicolored Construction Paper
**Glue Sticks (4 Pack)
We will be working on a website called Study Island. It is a standards based website designed to help prepare students for state testing. Assignments are to be completed weekly. www.studyisland.com
Scholastic Information Will be sent home on Fridays. Please check your childs friday folder. The issue is due back the last Thursday of every month.
Students can recieve a free pizza coupon once a month if they complete the required reading.
Daily Schedule for Room B133
8:30-9:30 Morning Work, Breakfast
9:45-11:30.....ELA (RTI from 11-11:30)
11:30-11:55....Bathroom Break/Prepare for lunch
12:00-12:30.....Lunch
12:30-1:00.....Recess
1:05-1:55.......Special (M/F-Handwriting, T-Music, W- Spanish, TH-Gym)
1:55-2:45.......Math
2:45-3:25.......Science/Social Studies
3:25-3:45.......Snack/Pack
3:45-4:00.......Read Aloud/SSR
About the Teacher
Ms. Theresa Pusey
I am glad to be a part of the FFA family. I recently graduated Cum Laude from Neumann University. Over the years I have been afforded many opportunities to work with many different children in a variety of settings. I strongly believe that every child can succeed if given the opportunity to do so. Experience has proven that students learn best in a warm, safe and welcoming environment, which promotes positive reinforcement. Students will learn to work together as well as independently as they reach their maximum potential. I understand that there has been a lot of change since the beginning of the year, but with a consistant and structured environment the students will be able to achieve whatever they set their minds to. I also feel that parent communication is essential in any childs success story. So if at any time, you have any questions/comments/concerns please contact me. I am looking forward to a FANTASTIC year!!
I am also the Cheerleading Coach. This year the Royal Monarchs are back!! We are looking to redeem our State Championship Title! :)
January 29th-St. Mark's High School 1st Place
Classroom Rules and Expectations
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE CLASSROOM
BULLYING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!!!!!
Students are to be respectful (Keeping their hands/feet to themselves, Raising their hand to speak, Doing as they are told the first time, Not laughing at their classmates etc.)
Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct if you have any specific questions.
There is a behavior chart set up in the classroom to monitor students behavior. Each child has 4 cards, each a different color. Every student begins the day on GREEN. To be fair, every child is given a verbal warning, before having to flip their card to YELLOW, which is their final warning. The next color is PINK, which takes 10 minutes of the students recess away. Following is BLUE, which takes away 10 minutes of recess and requires a phone call to home. Please understand that depending on the situation it still may require a phone call home or referral to the Dean's Office. The Parent or Guaridan is required to sign it daily. Please do NOT have a sibling sign.
Student's will also be rewarded for good behavior with a Sticker Chart. Students will have the opportunity throughout the day to recieve stickers. Once their chart is full, they will be able to select something from the Treasure Chest.
Student's will also learn how to work together as a team. On my desk is a Marble Jar. When the class as a whole is demonstrating good behavior, the students recieve marbles. Their goal is to fill the jar. Once the jar is filled the student's will have a Pizza Party!
NO HOMEWORK NO RECESS. If for some reason there is a legitimate reason please let me know via email or phone as soon as possible. If consistency occurs students will be penalized.
Grading Policy
A+ 98 or above Exceeds Proficiency
A 97-90 Meets Proficiency
B 89-82 Meets Proficiency
C 81-74 Near Proficiency
D 73-66 Below Proficiency
F 65-below Below Proficiency
Goals for the Year
Our goals, as First Grade teachers, are to meet the individual needs of your child and to ensure that he/she has a rewarding and successful school year 
Homework
Guidelines for Monday night thru Thursday night:
*20-30 minutes per night
*This may include: reading, math home link activity, or a word study activity
* Also parental support or guidance
**Please check your child's Homework Folder each night and make sure it is returned to school the next day**
PLEASE LOOK FARTHER DOWN FOR NIGHTLY HOMEWORK!!!!!
The First Grade Curriculum
Readers Workshop
Students develop an interest in and desire to read through immersion in literature. They learn to read in shared, guided and independent reading activities that develop an appreciation and knowledge of a wide variety of genre. The First Grade Reading Program gives children the strategies and skills necessary for independence and fluency in early reading.
Writers Workshop
The goal of our writing program is to develop young writers who:
*are confident in taking risks
*are familiar with the writing process
*think of themselves as writers
*use a variety of writing genre
Word Study
The purpose of phonics instruction is to expand and refine children’s reading and writing powers. This is accomplished through:
*teaching students spelling strategies
*helping students memorize high frequency words
*teaching students to generalize spelling patterns
*creating conditions that develop student’s spelling consciousness
*communication with parents about our methods
Math
Everyday Mathematics in First Grade offers students a broad background in mathematics. Some key features of the program include:
* Problem solving for everyday situations
*Developing readiness through hands-on activities
*Establishing links between past experiences and explorations of new concepts
*Sharing ideas through discussions
*Cooperative learning through partner and small-group activities
*Practice through games
Science
FFA uses an excellent science program called the Smithsonian Science Kit. The best way for students to appreciate the scientific enterprise, learn important scientific concepts and develop the ability to think well is to actively construct ideas through their own inquiries, investigations and analyses. The Smithsonian science kit was created to engage students in these processes as they explore the natural world. We will accomplish this in teaching three units:
*Weather
*Solids & Liquids
Social Studies
Students explore the world around them by:
*Learning about families and communities
*Celebrating diverse customs and holidays
*Comparing and contrasting communities and cultures from around the world
*Acquiring geographical awareness of the world
While building on social skills such as:
*Communication and cooperation
*Responsibility and respect
*Problem solving and personal wellness
*Developing tolerance and appreciating diversity
Lunch
Your child can buy food from the cafeteria, or bring a packed lunch from home.
Snack
We encourage you to send in healthy snacks that your child would enjoy such as fruit, vegetables, sandwiches, crackers and cheese, sushi, raisins, or yogurt. If your child has a hearty appetite be sure to send enough food to last the entire day. Some children require an afternoon snack. Please note that sunflower seeds, chocolate, candy, and sodas are discouraged at school.
Your child may refill his/her water bottle if they bring one.
First Grade Teachers will be working together to provide an enriching learning environment for the students. We’re looking forward to a great year of learning.
Contact the Teacher
Please feel free to contact me whenever you have a question, comment or concern. You can reach me via email or phone.
(302) 324-8901 Ext. 228 Room B133
