Mrs. Rassler introduces herself as the first grade teacher. She has 8 years of teaching experience and enjoys reading, music, and spending time with her family. She outlines several classroom policies including arrival/dismissal times, homework which focuses on reading daily, and her contact information. The daily schedule includes morning meeting, reading, math, science, and writing lessons.

1. Welcome To First Grade Mrs. Rassler 2011-2012 All images were purchased from Scrappin’ Doodles and may not be redistributed.

2. Get To Know Your Teacher Hi! I’m Mrs. Rassler and I am very excited for the upcoming year, as well as getting to know you and your child! Facts about Mrs. Rassler: Taught at Halverson for 8 years (1 in Kindergarten and 7 in 1 st Grade) Originally from Belle Plaine, Iowa Graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in Elementary Education and from Saint Mary’s University with a Masters in Teaching and Learning. I love to read, play piano, sew, and spend time with my family. Love anything that has to do with athletics and cheering on the Tigers, Hawkeyes, and Cyclones!! My husband, Larry, is a 5 th grade teacher at Hawthorne and we have two boys, Brodie (3 ½) and Cooper (14 months)!

3. Class Rules As part of a Responsive Classroom, our class will create their “Hopes and Dreams”. This is their goal or what they want to learn for the year. We will then use their “Hopes and Dreams” to create a list of norms or rules for the classroom that will allow us to reach our goals!

4. Additional Policies Attendance: Call the attendance line (379-4904) when your child is going to be gone. Notes: Please send a note or call if your child will be picked up by someone else or is riding the bus home with a friend. Arrival and Departure: Outside the back doors is a good place to drop off or pick up your child. Times: 7:50am Breakfast 8:10am Arrival Starts 8:20am School Starts 11:30am Lunch 2:50pm School Ends Take-Home Folders: Will be coming home every night and need to be returned the next day. These folders are a way for you to communicate with me, as well as a way in which you can send important notes, lunch money, etc. back to me

5. Additional Policies Milk / Snack Break: We will be having a milk/snack break during the day. If your child decides not to get milk or snack from the snack cart, you can bring in bottled water and a HEALTHY snack from home. Book Orders: Will be sent home once a month on a Monday and need to be returned on Friday if you choose to purchase any books. Library: The students will be able to go to the library everyday and Mrs. Waltman and I will show the students how to select books that are appropriate for them. Specialists: This year your child’s specialist schedule will look different. We will be having a 4 day rotation that will include music, phy. ed., art, and technology/media. Wish List: Bottom of the supply list (clorox wipes, dixie cups, paper plates, small paper bags, and a variety of baggie sizes)

6. We will be working off the Minnesota state standards and will focus on letters, sounds, reading, comprehending, spelling, and grammar. We will use guided reading, the Daily 5 and FACE approaches to teach reading!

7. We will again use the Minnesota state standards to teach these writing aspects: writing complete sentences, using punctuation correctly, and writing short stories. We will use a Writer’s Workshop approach to teach writing.

8. Math We will be using the Minnesota state standards, Everyday Math program, and the Daily 5 math approach to teach these skills: counting, adding, subtracting, money, graphing, time, ordering & comparing numbers, and place value.

9. Social Studies Units of Study: Bus Safety Fire Safety Communities Maps/Globes Past/Present

10. We are excited about our NEW Science curriculum!!!! Units of Study: Animal Life Cycles Animal Needs and Habitats Aspects of Earth: rocks, sand, air, water, space Exploring the Science World Using Science Tools to Complete Experiments Science

11. Homework Policy READ, READ, and READ! Read with your child 20 minutes EVERY night!

12. Get Involved Parents can get involved in their child’s education by: Participating in S.P.I.R.I.T (PTO group) Volunteering in the classroom (call Mrs. Rassler) Helping their child with their reading and learning at home

13. 8:20am School Starts 8:20-8:50am Morning Meeting 8:50-9:50am Large Group Reading 9:50-10:40am Specialists 10:40-11:30am Small Group Reading 11:30-12:10pm Lunch/Recess 12:10-1:00pm Science / Social Studies 1:00-1:30pm Writing 1:30-2:40pm Math 2:40pm Closure 2:50pm Dismissal Daily Schedule

14. Contact Information E-mail: [email_address] Phone: 379-4933 * Best time to call: 7:30-8:10am, 9:50-10:40am, and 2:55-3:30pm Website/Blog: www.teamrassler.blogspot.com

15. Extra Information Team Rassler Blog Our classroom will have a blog where you will find the latest class news, what we are working on, ways to help your child at home, pictures, videos, websites to go to, and what I am doing as a teacher to help your child! It will be updated with all the new information for this school year this coming weekend so please check it out after September 6 th !!! Team Rassler

16. My Pledge I know it is going to be a great year and I am excited to be your son or daughter’s 1 st grade teacher!! My pledge to you this school year is: To build a community where you feel safe and welcomed To fulfill your hopes and dreams To create a learning environment where we will learn together To meet all your needs To teach you to love learning To solve problems together To provide appropriate praise and feedback To allow you to be children To have fun while learning To be your teacher and friend

17. Important Forms Yellow Information Card Headphones Checklist of Places Up Front Turn in ALL Paperwork Up Front at the OUT Station Any Questions???