This document provides an overview of the first grade dual language program taught by Maestra Silk at Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet Academy. It includes details about Maestra Silk's background and teaching experience, an outline of what students will learn in core subjects like Spanish language arts and math, classroom policies and procedures, assessments, homework expectations, volunteer opportunities, and important dates.

1. Welcome Back to School!
2016-2017
Maestra Silk ~ First Grade
Jackson STEM Dual Language
Magnet Academy
Dual Language Immersion Program

2. Questions and Goals
Use post-its to post
questions, comments, or concerns
Use a post-it to write goal(s) you have for your child
this year-write his/her name on the back
Sign in, Sign up
Folder – Take home

3. Introduction
• About me
– Born in Sacramento, CA
– Credentials
– BA and multiple subject
credential from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
– Master’s Degree from Cal State LA in curriculum and
instruction
– Bilingual credential
– 15 additional post-graduate units
– Love traveling, husband, and cats Paz and Alegría

4. Teaching Experience
•Founded, taught and administrated girls’ school in
Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala (3 years)
•Taught in Pasadena USD at 4 schools
over 12 years
•1 year-5th/6th grade-Webster
•4 years-4th grade-Jefferson
•1 year-1st/2nd grade dual language in Denver, CO
•6 years-1st grade dual language at San Rafael
•2 years-1st grade dual language at Jackson

5. Communication
Teacher (Please contact me first!)
– Websites: shutterfly, maestrasilksclass.weebly.com
– Email: silk.julie@pusd.us
(before/after school, allow 24 hours to respond)
– Conferences (October 14-sign up)
– Handwritten notes
-Scheduled appointments
– Thursday folders-student work/feedback
School/district
– Phone calls
– Fliers in Thursday folders
– Jackson/PUSD websites
– Facebook

6. Communication-Texts
To subscribe to reminder texts, enter
this number:
81010
Text this message:
@jsilk

7. What happens in first grade?
• STEM-Engineering Process (Engage, Explore, Expain,
Elaborate, Evaluate)
• Language development-English and Spanish
• Positive collaboration
• Developmentally appropriate instruction based on
Common Core State Standards
• Active engagement in learning
and inquiry
• Safe, supportive environment

8. What will my child learn?
Universal Themes/BIG Ideas
Structures-Structures are made up of parts that work together
for a purpose.
Relationships- Relationships are purposeful. Everything is
related in some way.
Patterns-Patterns repeat and help us make predictions.

9. Spanish Language Arts
•Balanced Literacy
•Guided reading groups-learn at their levels
•Read to self
•Work on writing
•Work with words
•Listen to reading
•Read to someone

10. Spanish Language Arts
•Literature
–Key details
–Story elements
–Retelling
–Compare and contrast
•Informational Text
–Main idea and details
–Compare texts
–Text features (headings, charts, glossaries, etc.)

11. Spanish Language Arts cont…
•Foundational Skills
–Isolating and blending syllables
–Read fluently
•Writing
–Narrative, informational, and opinion pieces
•Speaking & Listening
–Follow directions, take turns, complete sentences
–Presentations

12. Spanish Language Arts cont…
•Language
–Types of words (Nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.)
–Capitalization, punctuation, commas
•Vocabulary
–Determine meaning based on context
–Define and sort words

13. Can-Do Statements
•Show Spanish language proficiency
•Include specific skills in the following areas:
–Interpersonal communication
–Interpretive listening
–Presentational speaking
–Interpretive reading
–Presentational writing
•Scale: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced (low, medium, high within each
of those)
•Grade level targets & progress shared with report card

14. Math Standards
• Operations and algebraic thinking
– + and – to 20
– Relationship between addition and subtraction
– Add 3 numbers
– Find missing number in equations
– Solve word problems
• Number and Operations in Base Ten
– Count, read and write numbers to 120
– Place value
– Add within 100, 10 more/10 less
– Compare numbers

15. Math Standards continued…
• Measurement and Data
– Represent and compare data using tally charts, picture graphs,
bar graphs
– Tell time to hour and half hour
– Ask and answer questions about data
– Measure and compare lengths
• Geometry
– Distinguish, build, and draw shapes according to their attributes
– Compose shapes using other shapes
– Partition shapes into equal parts

16. Social Sciences
• Citizenship-rules & respect
• Maps and globes-making maps,
reading maps, where we live
• Our country-honoring our country and heroes,
national symbols, holidays
• Changes over time-compare & contrast past and present
• Cultures-similarities, diversity, traditions, immigrant influences
• Goods and services-how people use money,
how goods get to people

17. Natural Sciences
– Structure, Function, and Information Processing (How plants
and animals use parts to survive, grow, and meet their needs)
– Waves: Light and Sound (Effects of light on different materials;
causes and effects of sound)
– Space Systems: Patterns and Cycles (Seasonal patterns of
sunrise/sunset, patterns of sun, moon, and stars)
– Engineering Design (Define simple problems, draw/model
solution, compare 2 solutions)

18. English
• 20% of 1st grade dual language program (1 hr/day)
• spelling patterns (long/short vowels)
• high frequency words
• sounds/decoding
• reading comprehension
• writing
• ELD for English learners
• integrated-science, cooking, library

19. STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
•Science lab
•Cooking/Gardening
•Library
•Computer Lab
–Lexia
–ST Math

20. Formal Assessments
• Language Arts
– Informal Reading Inventory-3 times/year-to determine
independent and instructional reading levels
• Math and Language Arts (Spanish & English)
– District trimester benchmarks-(SLA, ELA, and Math)
• Dictations
– Each Friday
– Includes words using learned syllables
– Sent home Mondays
– Sign and return to school Tuesdays

21. Homework
PUSD Policy-1st grade
• 20 minutes/day
• 15 minutes of reading
Daily:
• Reading-the most important part!-3 days Spanish, 1 day English
OR 80% Spanish/20%
• Math or Language Arts
Weekly:
• Packets sent Mondays and due Fridays
• Poem of the week
• Words of the week (sight words, vocabulary)
• Syllable game (optional, but very helplful!)

22. Classroom Rules
for the first grade “stars”
• I shine.
• I respect.
• I make good decisions.
• I solve my problems.

23. Positive Behavior Plan
– Rainbow: Students move up and earn points
– 20 points=pencil,
– 30 points=lunch with teacher
– Other positive recognition: praise, smiles, high fives,
positive feedback for parents, “marble minutes,” Student
of the Month awards

24. Positive Behavior Plan
– Consequences: rule reminder, reflection, loss of
privilege, conflict resolution, fix the problem, conference
with parents and/or principal, behavior contract
– Severe actions (disruptive and/or dangerous) and
incidents occurring outside of my direct supervision (at
lunch/recess, with subs) will be referred directly to the
principal to be handled

25. Field Trips
• Zoo-Thursday, October 6
• Huntington Museum-Friday, January 20
• Science Center-?

26. Special Events
School-wide
• Move-a-thon
• Picture Days-fall and spring
• Halloween/Costume Parade
• Winter Performance
• Astronomy/STEM night
• Restaurant Nights
• Open House
• Engineering projects
• Valentine’s Day Bags
• Literacy Cafes
• Plants
• Winter Lights
• Global
• End of Year ice cream party

27. Volunteers
6 week grace period-routines and bonding
Roles: Room Parent, Parent Information folders, Homework
folders, Photographer
During class: Special events, field trips
After class: Prepping for projects, displaying student work,
cleaning, sharpening pencils
Requirements:
• TB Test and volunteer form (in office)
• Sign in and wear badge
• Confidentiality of students
• No drop-ins
• Use office restroom
• No younger siblings

28. I don’t have time to come to school or
take home projects…
How else can I help?
• Join PTA/Fundraisers
• Daily student attendance (on time)
• Early bedtime (10-12 hours of sleep)
• Healthy breakfast and snacks for recess (wash hands)
• Talk to your child about their learning
• Read weekly updates
• Donations: See wish list

29. Attendance
Absences
• Call school 626-396-5700
• Provide note for illness
• Keep your child home if he/she has a fever!
Tardies
• Students marked tardy after 7:50 am
• Get late slips in the office after 8:15
• Tardies disrupt & affect instruction
Transportation
• Parent drop off/pick-up-playground (rainy days-class)
• Provide written permission for pickup by non-parents

30. Miscellaneous
Uniforms
• Wear daily
• Close-toed shoes
• Label sweaters and jackets
Bathroom
• before school, recess, lunch, and after school
• medical exceptions
Snacks-send daily
• HEALTHY-no sweets, high protein
• NO NUTS/No sharing
• label containers

31. Miscellaneous continued…
Lunch
• Daily (even minimum days)
• Free/reduced
• Check account balance
• Label containers
• NO NUTS
Library Forms
• Needed for book checkout
Medication
• Prescription,
instructions, parent note
• Health office administers
Headphones
• Needed for Lexia
Scholastic
• Order from catalogs sent home
every few months

32. Important Dates
Minimum Days
• 12/22
• 3/17
• 5/4 (Open House)
• 6/1 (Last Day)
Student Free Days
10/14-Parent Conferences
11/11-Veteran’s Day
11/21-11/25-Thanksgiving
12/23-1/6-Winter Recess
1/16-Martin Luther King
2/13-Lincoln
2/10-Presidents
3/20-3/24-Spring Recess
3/31-Staff Development
5/29-Memorial Day

33. Thank you for coming!
It’s going to be a fantastic year!