Family Foundations

1st Grade - Mrs. Stephanie Bell-Knight

Notes For Parents

Celebrate Black History Month

Dear Parents,

Please make sure that students are wearing the proper uniform attire unless otherwise stated. Students are to wear gym uniforms, only on gym days (logo tops and logo bottoms). If your child is going to wear a FFA sweater please write their name on the tag. Thank you

Breakfast Procedures

Students must arrive at Family Foundations Academy no later than 8:50 am and be in the cafeteria line for breakfast no later than 8:55 am in order to receive breakfast. Breakfast will not be served past this time as it does affect the timeliness of preparing for effective instruction.

IMPORTANT DATES

Homework will be posted on the link section of this web page. If your child is absent, or forgot his/her homework you may print a copy form the link section.

Please make sure that students have a composition book for spelling homework. All spelling homework is to be completed in this book.

*Students also need crayons, glue sticks and siccors.

Stephanie Bell-Knight

Class Schedule room B132

8:30……………………………..Students Arrive

8:30-9:00…………………….Breakfast/Morning Work

9:00-9:10…………………….Announcements

9:10-9:30…………………….Morning message, Calendar, Read Aloud (Circle time)

9:30-10:30………………….. Reading

10:30-10:45………………… Bathroom Break

10:45-11:15............................RTI

11:15-11:50…………………English

12:50-12:00………………… Prepare for lunch

12:00-12:30……………….. lunch

12:30-1:00………………... Recess

1:05-1:50………………….Special

1:50-2:00.................. Bathroom Break

2:00-2:30………………….Science/Social Studies Mon. Wed. Fri Science, Tues. Thurs. Social Studies

2:30-3:15………………… Math

3:15-3:30………………… Snack

3:30-3:45…………………Pack-up

About the Teacher

Welcome to Mrs. Bell-Knight's web page. I hope you find my page informative and helpful. My goal is to teach your child Reading, Writing, Math, Social Studies and English in ways that they will find learning fun and exciting.

First grade is a fun grade; however, I must be honest with you it is also challenging. Your child's time here will be well spent. He or She may even come home exhausted from all the thinking done during the day, but I will make every minute count.

Teaching is my passion and I am committed to guiding your child through a successful school year. Previously I have taught 5th, 3rd, Kindergarden, and Pre-K, but first grade is the grade that I find most exciting. It is an exciting time in a childs life. It's a time when children begin to learn to decode words and connect literature with their lives, other stories they have read and events that has happened in their communities. I enjoy being the catalyst to students developing the love of learning, discovering new and interesting things.

My interest are reading, writing, singing, and African Dance. I enjoy attenting jazz concerts and plays. I am married and we have two beautiful children grades 7th and 5th.

My Philosophy is that all children can learn. It's the teachers responsibility to discover what avenue to take to reach that child.

Classroom Rules and Expectations

Rules

Raise your hand and wait to be called on

Be careful with school property

Follow directions

Get permission from the teacher to write on the board

No Homework no recess

Expectations of Students

Respectful to the teacher

Respectful to each other

Complete all homework on time

Expectation of Parents

Assistance with homework

Sign weekly behavior report (report will go home every Friday and must be returned on Monday. Failure to return report will result in time off recess).

Support students with following directions and honoring the class/school rules.

Homework Policy

Homework is given everyday except on Friday.

Homework is due the following day.

If student does not turn in homework the student will lose recess.

Consequences

Ticket change system

White ticket-All students start their day with a white ticket (Super Day)

green ticket- Warning

Blue ticket- 10 minutes off recess (seat will be moved)

Yellow ticket-No recess (student will be moved closer to the teacher)

Red ticket- Student will be sent to Mrs. Roberts/phone call home

(Student will receive a Demerit, and sent to Mrs. Roberts for further consequences depending on the severity of the student's action.)

Birthdays

Parents May bring cup cakes and juice (I would prefer no sodas).

Grade Range

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

Class procedures:

Students are to enter the room quietly, unpack and either go to breakfast or complete morning work quietly.

Students are to work quietly ,or they may have quiet talk at the teaachers discretion.

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 thru Friday:

30-45 minutes per night

may include: reading, math home link activity, or a word study activity

parental support or guidance

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

Organisms

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

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.

Lunch:

Your child can buy food from the cafeteria, or bring a packed lunch from home. 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.