6300 West 41^st Street

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

(605) 361-8002

Dear Parents,

I would like to welcome you and your child to first grade at Christian Center School. I am certainly looking forward to a fun year of learning and rewarding experiences.

Learning about the Lord and applying HIM to every area of our life will be taught in all our subjects. Listed below, in the order shown, you will find some information that will help you and your child learn about what’s happening in first grade.

*Language Arts and Reading *Math *Computer Class *Art Class *Music Class *Gym Class *Library *Chapel Service *Baking and Cooking *My Weekly Reader * Grading and Report Cards *Indoor Rules *Reading Envelopes *Folders *Homework * School Hours *Lunch and Milk Tickets *Snacks and Water Bottles *Estimation Jar *First Day of School Poem

Sincerely In Christ,,

Mrs. Hayes

Language Arts and Reading

Language arts play a very important part of our school day. Language arts includes oral language—increasing our vocabulary, speaking our thoughts, learning poems, assuming parts, and acting in skits. It includes shared reading from a variety of books together and guided reading in the use of the A-Beka reading series and numerous supplemental books. We work on strategies of learning new words, getting ideas from pictures to predict new words and learn to read independently. Language Arts also includes writing creatively, spelling skills, correct handwriting, and phonemic awareness. All these subjects are essential for success in language arts and reading.

Math

Math is so important in first grade. Knowledge of numbers and counting are so necessary, but that is only the beginning. Thinking mathematically is so essential to problem solving. Children need to see relationships between numbers, see patterns wherever they go, recognize shapes, make graphs, know math facts and apply this knowledge from one area to another. We will be counting, estimating, patterning, measuring, solving math problems, graphing and so much more. Math goes on forever!

Computer Class

The children attend computer class once a week with the computer teacher. The children learn many skills on the computer and are tested regularly over these skills in applying to various projects in computer class and in the classroom.

Art Class

I love art and I love to incorporate art into every area of the curriculum. When we do creative writing we do an art project that correlates to the theme of the project. All our monthly themes (listed under Monthly Themes) are tied together with art. Children love art and it is such an expression of creativity.

Music Class

Music class meets 2 times a week with the music teacher. The children will learn many songs and skills to use in presenting a Christmas and spring program for parents and friends. Music is a wonderful and marvelous way to express our love for the Lord.

Gym Class

We have gym class 2 times a week. The children will not be changing clothes for gym. Please remind your child to wear appropriate clothing and tennis shoes on gym day. Children love gym class and it is a wonderful opportunity to get lots of good exercise and learn to increase body strength and physical agility.

Library

The children go to library once a week to check out books. Books may be checked out for 2 weeks. The librarian reads a book to the children and shares information about new books. Library time is a wonderful time to browse in the library and just enjoy reading a good book with classmates.

Chapel Service

We have a weekly chapel service in the church sanctuary every Friday. The chapel service is rotated on a weekly basis. One week it is in the am and the next week it is in the pm. The chapel service is lead by our principal. Our chapel services include a variety of presentations. We have the students present chapel services, guest speakers and various Christian groups come and present the Christian message in an exciting and informative way. All students are presented the salvation message and are given the opportunity to give his/her life to Christ.

Baking and Cooking

Baking and cooking is a favorite time of working together in first grade. Many times we work together in small groups and put our finished product together. Other times we work as a class group and help each other with a variety of preparation tasks. Working on a food project, the children will be experiencing science, math, language arts and the most important of all----eating the finished product!!!!

I will send home, at the end of one month, the list of food items that we will need and you may sign up on the sheet and return with your child. Please wait to send in the item, until you receive a verification of exactly what to bring, so we don’t have duplicates.

Thank you so much for helping to send various food items from home.

Weekly Newspaper

We plan on using My Weekly Reader newspaper in our first grade language arts class. This weekly newspaper is written especially for children in first grade and brings many new learning experiences each week. Each child will receive his/her own copy to bring home and share. For more information click on My Weekly Reader.

Grading and Report Cards

First Grade children will receive 4 report cards a school year. Parent teacher conferences are held after the 1^st and 3^rd school quarters. Report cards are given at the parent-teacher conferences and sent in the mail at the end of 2^nd and 4^th quarters.

Students receive the letter grades of A-B-C-D- in the academic areas of reading, spelling, handwriting, language, and mathematics. Each child is graded on Achievement and Effort. The letter grades of S-N-I-U are given in the areas of social studies, science/health, Bible, music, art, physical education and computer.

Indoor Rules

I have listed a few indoor rules for you to discuss with your child. Rules are not made to hinder a child, but to guide them in the proper behavior.

1. Walk quietly in the halls.

2. All hands will stay by your side and not on the walls or touching someone else.

3. When walking in the halls, stay to the right side and walk single file.

4. Raise your hand to speak in class.

5. Be courteous to others at all times..

6. It’s a privilege to go to a Christian school.

Remember to let your light shine for Jesus!!!!

Reading Envelopes

We do lots and lots of reading in first grade and your child will bring home these books to share with you. Your child will put down the name of the book on the outside of the envelope and you need to initial that your child read the book. Please take a minute and have your child read the book to you, as it is so important that you hear them read orally and get to share their joy of reading.

Folders

Going Home Folder

Your child will have a going home folder. Daily papers that have been graded and corrected and other school letters of information will be put in this folder each day. Please look your child’s papers over when they bring them home. Please go over any errors so your child understands any items missed. Papers need to be removed each day. I will ask each day if your child has any notes from note.

Do Folder

This folder always stays in class. This folder contains various projects that your child is working on in class and needs to remain in school.

Homework

First grade students will not be given daily homework. The only time a student will have homework is if a student did not complete an assignment in class.

We will be memorizing various phonics charts, studying for spelling tests, doing monthly science projects and reading many books. Any extra help from home is very much appreciated.

School Hours

For children to do well in school they must be in class daily. Our school stresses good attendance and arriving on time each day. This creates the best opportunity for learning. School starts promptly at 8:30 and is dismissed at 3:15. Children may arrive on the playground at 8:15. There isn’t any supervision before 8:15. Children do not come into the building unless we have inclement weather or they have a special project. Please call the school prior to 8:30 if your child will be absent. Children are counted tardy when they arrive after the teacher has started taking attendance.

Lunch and Milk Tickets

Lunch and milk tickets may be purchased from the school office. The office will notify you when your child is low on tickets. Lunch tickets and milk tickets are separate. Milk tickets may be purchased for cold lunches or extra milk. Students have the option of bringing a sack lunch from home. Hot lunch tickets include milk.

Snacks and Water Bottles

Your child is welcome to bring a nutritional snack to eat during the 10:00 recess if he/she seems to be getting too hungry. Your child may also bring a water bottle to school to use at any time. The bottle should have a tight fitting cap.

Estimation Jar

We have an estimation jar in our classroom that we use for estimation in our math class each week. I am asking each child to bring the jar home on Friday and return it on Monday with a food item in it. The food item can be anything from cheerios to gumballs. You may put as many food items in the jar as you wish. Please tape a folded slip of paper in the jar lid with the number of items on it. The children will get to estimate how many are in the jar and eat the estimation treats on Friday. The children bring the estimation jar home in alphabetical order. The children can hardly wait to find out how many items are in the math jar.

The First Day of School

I gave you a little wink and smile

As you entered my room today.

For I know how hard it is to leave

And know your child must stay.

You’ve been with him for six years now

And have been a loving guide.

But now, alas, the time has come

To leave him at my side.

Just know that as you drive away

And tears down your cheek must flow.

I’ll love him as I would my own

And help him learn and grow.

For as a parent, I too know

How quickly the years do pass.

And that in a few short months

Your child will leave my class.

So please put your mind at ease

And cry those tears no more.

For I will love him and take him in

When you leave him at my .door.

(by Jamie Solley)

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old,

he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6