Welcome to Mrs. Kelly’s

Back to School Night!

Getting to Know Me!

• This is my 4th year teaching at Lynnewood Elementary, and

my third year teaching first grade. I also have experience in

second grade.

• I am a former Lynnewood Lion, and a graduate of Haverford

High School. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in

Elementary Education from Penn State University in 2008.

• In 2012, I received my certification in Special Education

from Cabrini College. I am currently taking classes there to

complete my Master’s of Education degree.

Contacting Me

• Email- akelly@havsd.net• Phone - 610- 853-5900 ext. 4139• Notes can be placed in your child’s

communication folder• If your child’s dismissal plan

changes, you must send a note or call the office. Thank you!

Classroom Information

• Please visit the classroom website for important dates and announcements, Word Wall Words, links to games, and other valuable information.

• Go to Lynnewood’s Website, click on “Faculty”, and then click on my name.

• Important information is also on the back of your child’s maroon Communication Folder (“Lion Folder”) and is included on the weekly newsletter/homework sheet.

Math in Focus (Singapore Math)

• Math in Focus is a mastery based program. This program teaches concepts using a concrete–pictorial–abstract learning progression. While we will cover fewer topics, we will study them in greater depth.

• Numbers and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis, and Problem Solving are some of the main topics we will work on.

• Technology, games, manipulatives, and real world/hands-on activities are important components of the program.

• Unit Tests will be sent home for you to review. Please sign and return the test to school after you have seen it.

Math HomeworkMath homework will be a combination of written homework and “at home” activities. When written homework is provided, it will be found in the “Return to School” section of the Lion Folder. Your child should complete it in pencil and return it the next day.

If your child does not bring home written homework,we will provide you with a list of activities or games that can be used at home to reinforce the skills we are working on.

Thank you for bearing with us as we adapt to our new Math program!

Language Arts• Whole Group Reading Block

• Small Group Guided Reading Block– Includes support from Mrs. Bordogna

• Working with Words Block

• Writing Block

• Homework: Nightly Reading Log & Spelling (October)

Writing• Kid Writing in Journals

– Students use the Word Wall and Phonics skills (sounding out) to write stories. On Mondays we we usually write about our weekends!

• The Writing Process – Brainstorming, Rough Draft, Revising, Editing, Good

Draft/Publishing– Special writing pieces include: Personal Narrative,

Friendly Letter, Descriptive Writing, A Story (with story elements), and a Research Report

• Focus/Grammar Skills – Punctuation at the end of sentences, capital letters at

the beginning of sentences, and recognition of the need to capitalize proper nouns

Word Work, Spelling, and

Handwriting• Word Work – Each week we will learn new sight words

to add to our Word Wall and will focus on various phonics skills (short and long vowels, digraphs, vowel pairs, etc.)

• Spelling – Word lists are typically based on the phonics skills we are working on. We will take a pre-test on Monday and a post-test on Friday. Nightly homework will help to reinforce the words we are learning in class.

• Handwriting - Handwriting Without Tears is a developmentally appropriate program that begins with the letters that are easiest for children to form. We review capital letter formation and then focus on lower case letters.

Social Studies • Belonging to a family, groups, and a

neighborhood/community

• Making choices and voting

• Needs vs. Wants

• Caring for the environment & our natural resources

• Geography and landforms

• Holidays and cultural diversity

Science • First graders are encouraged to observe

objects, note their properties, and develop explanations.

• As children become more familiar with their world they can be guided to observe changes and make predictions.

First grade science consists of three units: Balls and Ramps, Weather, and Organisms

Homework Routine

• Every Monday a Homework Sheet and Newsletter will come home in your child’s Lion Folder.

• Please return the Spelling Book (starting in October) and the red Nightly Reading log every Friday.

• Written Math homework will be found in your child’s “Return to School” pocket of the Lion Folder. Please return it the next day. A list of games and activities will be provided for nights when there is no written homework.

• Homework Tips are included in the Back to School Night folder!

Snack and Lunch

• We will have a break at 2:10, so please send in a healthy snack and a water bottle for your child everyday!

• If your child is buying a lunch, please make sure he/she knows what to order before arriving to school.

• Children should memorize their lunch account numbers. Your child can practice putting in the number at home on a calculator!

Dismissal

• Your child must have a note if he/she is going home with a different person or in a different way! If the plan changes last minute, please call the office and they will let me know.

• Car Riders and Walkers will be dismissed from Mrs. Wilson’s kindergarten door. If you arrive after 3:35pm and the door is closed, please meet your child in the main lobby.

1-K Star of the Week• Each week will we celebrate and learn about a

student in the class. The Star Student will make a poster showing his/her favorite things, information about him/herself, photographs, etc.

• A week before your child’s turn, you will receive a letter outlining the project. It also includes ideas for your child’s poster.

• On the Monday of your child’s week, he/she will share the poster with the class. Other classmates will also have the opportunity to ask questions. Thanks for your support at home!

Birthdays

• We will celebrate birthdays during Morning Meeting. On your child's special day, we will sing and make cards for your child.

• Summer birthdays will celebrated at the end of the year. Please let me know if your child would like to celebrate on his/her half-birthday.

• If your child would like to do something special, he/she may bring in pencils or stickers for the class, donate a book to our classroom library, etc.

• No food please!

Scholastic Book Orders I will be sending home Scholastic Book

Orders at the beginning of each month. You can send the order into school with a check or order online with a credit card.

Volunteering in 1-K

• Mystery Readers – Thursdays at 2:30pm

• Art in The Classroom

• Homeroom Parents

• Spring Field Trip Chaperones

Absence Notes • In order for your child’s absence

to be marked “Excused”, please send in a note within three days.

• If your child is leaving school for a vacation, it must be approved by Mrs. McGilvery. There is a form on the Lynnewood website.

• Absence Notes are available in the Back to School night folder and in the main office.

• Thank you for attending Back To School Night tonight! I look forward to working with you and your child this year!!

• Questions for the common good??

• Specials teachers are available in the Library. Also, Mrs. Thompson, from Food Services, is in the Lobby if you have any lunch related questions.