This document provides an overview of the policies, curriculum, and schedule for Ms. Borodich's first grade class. It outlines the class schedule, homework and behavior policies, grading system, units covered in language arts, math, science, social studies, and health. It also describes programs like The Leader in Me which teaches leadership skills through 7 habits, and character education rewards. The class will participate in various celebrations and programs throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to check the school website and contact the teacher with any questions.

1. Welcome to First Grade
Ms. Borodich
2014-2015

2. Our Schedule
• Monday- Art and Computer
• Tuesday – Gym
• Wednesday – Media and Spanish
• Thursday- Music
• Friday – Physical Education
• Snack- in the afternoon – PEANUT FREE
• Lunch – 11:45-12:15
• Recess- 12:16-12:36

3. Classroom Policies
• Homework
Please read every night!
Weekly homework packets
Please check and sign all homework
and behavior chart in data notebook
Enrichment homework will be given
• Behavior
Children are expected to follow the rules
Rewards are given for outstanding behavior
Consequences occur when rules are broken
Mr. Potato Head is used to help synergize our team!

4. Grading
New Standards Based Report Card
More specific on strengthen and weaknesses of a child.
More accurate description of a child’s progress meeting the grade level
Based on Common Core Standards as well as New Jersey Core
Curriculum Content Standards (NJCCCS)
Standards are measureable and specific learning outcomes that students
must meet at certain grade levels.
Standards are an effective way to describe to all parents what students
are expected to know and be able to do in each grade level.

6. Language Arts Curriculum
Story Town, a research-based developmental reading and language arts program.
Program emphasize explicit systematic instruction of the five essential components
of reading:
1. Phonemic awareness- ability to hear, focus on, and work with individual sounds
in spoken language
2.Phonics- relationship of the sounds to the letters in written words
3. Fluency- ability to read text smoothly, accurately, and with expression
4. Comprehension- understanding the meaning of text
5. Vocabulary- knowledge of words, their definitions, and context
Each lesson consists of direct instruction- modeling- guided practice and
application.
Small group instruction is done daily while the other students engage in literacy
center activities.
* Writers Workshop is done daily during another period

7. Math
New Envisions Math
Topic 1- Understanding Addition
Topic 2- Understanding Subtraction
Topic 3- Five and Ten Relationships
Topic 4- Addition and Subtraction Facts to
12
Topic 5- Addition Facts to 20
Topic 6- Subtraction Facts to 20
Topic 7- Counting and Number Patterns to
120

8. Topic 8- Tens and Ones
Topic 9- Comparing and Ordering
Numbers to 100
Topic 10- Adding with Tens/Ones
Topic 11-Subtracting with Tens
and Ones
Topic 12- Length
Topic 13- Time
Topic 14- Using Data to Answer
Questions
Topic 15- Geometry
Topic 16- Fractions of Shapes

9. Four Part Lesson
1.Daily Common Core Review helps you reinforce Common
Core Standards
2.Develop the Concept: Interactive
Problem-Based interactive learning opportunities for
effective conceptual development.
3.Develop the Concept: Visual
Visual Learning Bridge provides a step-by-step bridge
between the problem-based interactive learning activity
and the lesson exercises. Visual Learning Animations also
make the concept come alive for students.
4.Close/Assess and Differentiate
Center activities for each lesson give opportunities to
reteach, practice, or enrich students.
* Math Centers and Math Games

10. SOCIAL STUDIES
Unit 1- People Everywhere
Unit 2-Where We Live
Unit 3- World At Work
Unit 4- Everything Changes
Unit 5- Good Citizens

11. Science Units of Study
Weather, Seasons, and the Sky
Investigating Matter
Plants
Animals All Around

12. Health Units of Study
Chapters cover the content of the ten major health strands with
hands-on activities.
1. Personal health
2. Growth and development
3. Emotional and intellectual health
4. Family and social health
5. Nutrition
6. Physical activity and fitness
7. Disease prevention and control
8. Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
9. Safety and injury prevention
10. Community and environmental health
Students will practice and learn six major life skills.
1. Setting goals 2. Making decisions 3. Managing stress
4. Obtaining help 5.Practicing refusal skills 6. Resolving conflicts

13. DATA NOTEBOOKS:
Research has shown that the simple act of writing a goal greatly
increases the chances of accomplishing the goal.
Every child in Ardena will have a data notebook.
Children write will set goals, make an action plan to achieve their
goals, and will track their successes.
Data Notebooks Sections:
1. School-Home Connection
2. Leadership
3. Classroom Data
4. Classroom Conduct
5. Miscellaneous- Poems and Songs

14. 7 Habits of Effective Leaders
• Children will learn about the habits of
highly effective leaders.
• By incorporating the habits and terminology
with our current character education program,
we are giving students the tools and the
language needed to help them make better
decisions. Therefore we are setting them up
for success.

15. 7 Habits of The Leader in Me
• Habit 1- Be Proactive
• Habit 2- Begin with the end in mind
• Habit 3- Put First Things First
• Habit 4-Think Win Win
• Habit 5-Seek first to understand then be
understood
• Habit 6-Synergize
• Habit 7-Sharpen the Saw

16. CHARACTER EDUCATION
ARDENA LEADERS make the RAM CHOICE by
following the 7 Habits
Children be rewarded with a Ram’s Choice when they choose behavior
that exhibits 7 habit leadership qualities:
1. Be Proactive
2. Begin With the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw
A Student Leader will be picked each month. Student Leaders will be
recognized during morning/afternoon announcements.

17. FIRST GRADE PROGRAMS
Halloween Parade and Party
Kick off the Let’s Read Program
Thanksgiving Play and Feast
Community Service Project- Toys for Tots
Winter Party and Polar Express
100th Day Celebration
Multicultural Day
Spring Party- April Fools Day
Class Trip to Longstreet Farms
Father’s Day Kickball
End of Year Party

18. Great source of information
• PLEASE USE THE WEB SITE FOR
GRADE LEVEL AND OTHER
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• www.howell.k12.nj.us
• cborodich@howell.k12.nj.us
• Remind.com

19. You don’t have to
read everyday….
Just on the days
you eat.

20. I am looking forward to a wonderful year
together.
Please feel free to email me if you have
any questions or concerns.
Transportation changes must go through
the main office.
Thank you for sharing your child with me!