Welcome to 1st Grade Room 213!

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

I hope that everyone had a nice and relaxing summer. My name is Mrs. Higgins
and I will be your childs first grade teacher this year. We have a very exciting
year ahead of us. Your child will be learning many new things, growing spiritually,
developing physically, and making new friends!

In this packet you will find information about our school policies,
our classroom expectations, the 1st grade curriculum, and more!
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Christian Atmosphere and Attitude

Each of us is precious in the eyes of God. God created us and gave us special talents to be used for
our own good and the good of others. It is my hope that each child will treat others as a very special
gift from God.

Academics and Curriculum

Academic success is dependent upon our mutual understanding of responsibilities. The parent, child,
and teacher form a triangle. We must all work together to ensure a school year in which your child will
excel, succeed, and mature both personally and academically. To ensure positive behavior in our
classroom I use the traffic light system where the students aim to stay on green. We also have a
conduct calendar and a student of the month award.

The First Grade Curriculum:

Religion
Christ Our Life by Loyola Press is our Religion series. This series is faithful to the teachings of the
Catholic Church. It holistically embraces the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Moral Life, and Prayer. Religion time is our special time. We learn
about God and talk to Him. We begin each day with prayer and pray especially for all those in need in
our own lives. We will attend mass at various times through out the school year.
http://www.loyolapress.com/grade-1-whats-my-child-learning.htm#sthash.9R2vE5OA.dpbs
Listed below are the prayers we recite each day: (Please have your child say these prayers at home)
Our Father Glory Be Grace After Meals
Hail Mary Grace Before Meals Angel of God
Mathematics
Progress in Mathematics by Sadlier-Oxford is our Mathematics series. This program uses a
systematic step-by-step approach to develop mathematical concepts and skills. The focus on
problem solving and reasoning provides opportunities for students to demonstrate and apply their
understanding. Please continue to practice addition and subtraction fact families with your child.

Math Key Concepts:

Addition Graphing Time
Subtraction Geometry Measurement
Place Value Money Value Fractions and Probability

Reading
Journeys by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is our reading series. Journeys is filled with a variety of
literature. We will be reading nonfiction stories that will support our reading habits (articles,
biographies, research, etc.). Fiction stories include wonderful narratives, poems, plays, and fantasy.
This series offers materials tailored to each students reading level.

Journeys also delivers differentiated instruction with leveled readers. We have literacy centers that
will strengthen skills taught during the week. It is extremely important that you read with your child
each night. Our goal is to instill in your child a love of reading!

Grammar and Writing

The students will be writing each day and will be focusing on grammar skills. They will be writing in
their journals on a daily basis. The children will be editing sentences for correct grammar and
punctuation. They will also be learning to write short stories with a good beginning, middle, and
ending. Our grammar books are geared to help strengthen these areas of writing.

Language Skills
Language Skills include Phonics, Spelling and Vocabulary. Our Phonics/Spelling lists and vocabulary
word lists go hand-in-hand with our Reading series. Spelling lists are given out every Monday.
Spelling Tests will be given every Friday, unless otherwise noted. Please study the spelling words with
your child every night; this will make your child feel more comfortable on test days. Challenge words
and sentences will be added as students become familiarized with taking Spelling tests.

Portfolio Assessment
Portfolio assessment is a system of gathering relevant samples of a students work in order to
document his/her educational progress. Each student will file pieces of writing that are different
phases of the writing process in their working portfolio. At the end of the year, writing samples will be
chosen and passed on to the next grade.
Handwriting
We will be using Zaner-Bloser Handwriting books to help us practice our handwriting skills
throughout the year. Practice makes perfect! Neatness is emphasized and students are encouraged
to take their time to form letters and numbers properly.

Homework
Homework is important! Thirty minutes of homework is the Archdiocesan requirement for first grade.
If your child is having a difficult time with a particular concept, please send in a note. I will make sure
to spend extra time on the misunderstood concept. Please initial all homework every night.

Assessment
Assessment is an integral part of instruction. It is the gathering, recording, and analysis of data about
a students progress and achievements. At least five assessments are administered within each
trimester, as well as progress reports, report cards, and conferences. If you have any concerns about
your childs progress, please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at
mhiggins@stmartinoftoursphila.org. You can track your childs grades online at
https://philadelphia.mystudentsprogress.com/MSP/index.cfm (login information will be sent home)

Technology Integration
Our classroom has an interactive SMART Board that we will be utilizing on a daily basis. We also have
a computer center in our room. When time permits during school, we go on First in Math. If you
have Internet access at home, please allow your child to go onto www.firstinmath.com.

Please make sure to check our classroom website http://smtfirstgrade.weebly.com/. We will be

posting important information, classroom announcements, homework assignments, and upcoming
events on the classroom website. Please make sure that you check for updates and notifications.

Important Websites
Saint Martin of Tours Website: http://stmartinoftoursphila.independencemissionschools.org
Mrs. Higgins 1st Grade Classroom Website: http://smtfirstgrade.weebly.com/
First in Math: www.firstinmath.com
Mrs. Higgins E-mail Address: mhiggins@stmartinoftoursphila.org
Extras

Conduct Calendars should be signed or initialed every night. Discuss wise choices with your child.
Good behavior should be rewarded; unwanted behavior should have consequences. (W.W.J.D?)

Students should be getting a good nights sleep each night.

Students should have a healthy snack and juice (or water) for snack time.

Please label EVERYTHING, especially supplies, sweaters, and gym uniforms.

If your child is absent, written notification must be sent in upon return.

Birthdays are an exciting time in your childs life. Please feel free to send in a small birthday treat
such as munchkins or cupcakes. (No cakes, please.)

Go over your address and phone number with your child, as well as tying shoes and zippering
jackets.

Please let me know of any changes to your childs usual dismissal routine. We are here for the
safety and well-being of your child. I want them to feel at ease at dismissal time.

Each child will be responsible for bringing in a box of tissues, a roll of paper towels, a bottle of
antibacterial hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and a package of computer paper for our
classroom to use. We would like to keep our classroom neat and germ-free.

I am happy to be part of the Saint Martin of Tours family and to have your child in my class this year. I
am looking forward to a successful year with you and your child! Thank you for all that you do!

We are Better Together

Mrs. Marissa Higgins

Mrs. Marissa Higgins