The document provides information for parents about the first grade classroom of Ms. Lawton at J. Knox Elementary. It outlines her background and qualifications, the classroom schedule, curriculum including phonics, reading, math, and specials, homework, grading, behavior system, communication methods, and expectations for parents.

1. Ms. Lawton
WELCOME TO FIRST GRADE
AT
J. KNOX ELEMENTARY

2. Ms. Lawton
 Born and raised in Atlanta, GA
 Lived in Cherokee for 10 years
 Masters ECE, Gifted Endorsement,
Reading Endorsement, Teach 21
 2 children: Lauren 12-7th grade and
Nicholas 11-6th grade

3. My Children!

4. CCSD Performance Standards
 Cherokee County Performance
Standards can be found on the
Cherokee County Website.
 Standards are linked to the Georgia
Standards
http://www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Pages/W
elcome.aspx

5. Behavior
All students will have a fresh start daily, as they
begin the day on green.
 Sunshine=Student exhibits great behavior, meaning
he/she has gone beyond the normal expectations of
following the rules
 Green = Student has had excellent behavior and
completed all class work assignments.
 Yellow = Student received several verbal warnings and
2 minutes off of recess.
 Red = Student received 5 or more verbal warnings, 5
minutes off of recess and possible trip to the office.
 High five compliments from outside the classroom.

6. Our Schedule
 7:30-8:00 Morning Work
 8:00-8:30 Calendar Binder/Marcy Cook Math
 8:30-9:30 Saxon Phonics
 9:30 -10:40 Reading/Language Arts /Guided Reading/
Literacy Centers
 10:42-11:12 Lunch
 11:12-11:20 Restroom Break
 11:20-12:30 Math
 12:30-1:15 Specials
 Mon., Tues., Fri. – PE, Wed. – Music, Thurs. – Art
 1:15-1:30 Snack/Recess
 1:30-2:00 Science/Social Studies/Writing
 2:00-2:30 Pack-Up – Closing/Dismissal

7. Morning Work
 Free Journal Writing
 Handwriting
 Review Skills (Grammar & Math)
 Special seasonal activities
 School starts at 7:45

8. Saxon Phonics
 This year your child will participate in an
intense, systematic phonics program. Saxon
Phonics teaches readers the phonetic value of
letters, letter combinations and syllables.
This program presents information
incrementally and reviews daily. Spelling is
incorporated into the phonics program.

9. Reading
 Shared reading in text
 Small group instruction; guided reading
 Literacy center activities such as
spelling, phonics, sentence work, story
activities
 SuccessMaker program
 Independent and partner reading
 Accelerated Reader taken in library

10. Math
 Number Sense
 Charts and Graphs
 Addition and Subtraction
 Problem Solving
 Money
 Place Value
 Fractions
 Geometry
 Measurement and Time

11. Math
 Manipulate physical objects until the
topic has been mastered
 Timed math test called Mad Math
Minutes (addition / subtraction facts)
 Success Maker Math
 IXL
 Math Games
 Daily Calendar Binder
 Marcy Cook

12. Specials
 Monday: PE
 Tuesday: PE
 Wednesday: Music
 Thursday: Art
 Friday: PE
 Computer Lab: Friday
 Media: Every 3rd Tuesday

13. Language Arts
 Writing Process: prewrite, draft, revise, edit,
publish
 Write paragraphs: narrative, expository,
persuasive and informative
 Use graphic organizers
 Letter writing
 Sentences structure, Punctuation, Capitalization,
Rules of spelling, Parts of speech

14. Social Studies
 John Henry, Johnny
Appleseed
 Davy Crockett, Paul
Bunyan, Annie Oakley
 Meaning of America
 Map Skills, Oceans
and Continents
 Economics
 City, county, state,
country, and continent

15. Science
 Weather and
Seasons
 Water
 Magnets
 Plant and Animal
Life Cycles
 Sounds

16. Grading System
 O – Outstanding (96-100%) produces high
quality work consistently
 S – Satisfactory (80-95%)produces work of
satisfactory quality and applies learning
 N – Needs Improvement (70-79%)
produces work of inconsistent quality and needs
frequent reteaching
 U – Unsatisfactory ( below 70%) seldom
produces work of satisfactory quality or
demonstrates lack of effort
 TD = teacher directed lesson
 Check mark = reviewed for completion

17. Homework
 Sent home on Friday
 Due the following Friday
 Homework will be checked for
completion
 Any books that come home (library or
classroom) are to be returned the next
day

18. Snacks
You may send a snack with your child each
day. Snacks will be eaten when we
return from specials. Please make sure
that they are nutritious. Finger snacks
are best…nothing messy  Please no
drinks.

19. Communication
 Everyday:
 Agenda-Please sign each night.
 Transportation Changes:
 Please send note so that it may be sent to the
office.
 Friday Folders
 Sent home on Friday with weeks work, school
information , and homework.
 Send back to school on Friday with homework
inside.
http://www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/k
nox-es/default.aspx

20. Parent Expectations
 Read and sign your child’s agenda each
night.
 Have your child to school on time.
 Make sure that they get enough sleep
and eat a good breakfast.
 Read to or listen to your child read each
night.
 Please stress the importance of
school…this is your child’s job!

21. Important Information
 Every Friday is 1st Grade ice cream day.
Ice cream is $.75. Please send in money
with your child’s name on it.
 Individual birthday snacks are welcome
at lunch (10:42 in the cafeteria). Please
send in store bought finger items.
 Birthday invitations must be brought
for the entire class or not at all.

22. J. Knox Curriculum Night 2011
Thanks for coming!