Welcome Parents!Back to School Night

Monday, October 2, 2017

A bit about me...● From NJ, USA● Egyptian, speak Arabic, but don’t read or write it :(● Husband, Mohamed, Physician at American Hospital● 3 kids (2 of them attend UAS)

○ Abe: 10th, Joe: 8th, Jenna: 6th● Graduated from Long Island University, NY● Experience teaching KG2, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 9th grade

English● 15 years teaching experience

Room parents:Thank you so much for all of you that

volunteered! Chosen at random:● Gabriela’s mom

● Carl’s mom● Karim’s mom

Please note that you will be getting a paper from our lovely room parents to sign and return to let them know who they

should contact for party planning.

sites.uasdubai.ae/nsalemPlease be sure to subscribe and check it regularly!

Class Instagram: mrssalemgrade1

I only accept requests from parents after an email has been sent with username in

order to insure safety.

Arrival• The whistle blows at 7:40am.• Attendance is taken at 7:50am.• It’s important to arrive to school on

time.

DismissalAt 3:10pm, parents will be allowed to come upstairs and pick up your child from our classroom.

If you are running late, at 3:20pm, you can pick up your child from the main reception area.

Early dismissal every Tuesday at 2pm. Teachers have a meeting immediately after school.

Homework 20 minutes of reading daily

Please check your blue daily folder everyday. That is where homework is sent. Please try to complete homework daily and return the next day. (If your child has a hard time, jot me a note....in English please :)

PM Reading BooksPlease bring the plastic pouch to and from school every day. Books will be changed every Sunday. If students are absent, I will change the books when they return. However, “forgotten” pouches will be changed the following week.

I encourage the students to reread their books. There are so many benefits to rereading. Rereading builds fluency, phrasing, expression, and comprehension.

Please search for their personalized reading goals in the pouch.

Grade 1 Reading Goals Reading comprehension is a huge focus in grade 1.

*Students should be able to retell stories in their own words with details.

*Students should be able to read grade level texts at an appropriate speed, accuracy, and expression.

*Daily practice is be necessary to build fluency and build vocabulary.

*Students should be able to read basic sight words.

20 minutes of reading daily

Spelling Test NotebooksEvery Thursday morning, we have our spelling test. The students practice their spelling words in class (Sun-Wed) and should be practicing at home for HW as well.

The goal for spelling is to learn and master the sound focus for that week. That way, they UNDERSTAND spelling, not just memorize words :)

I will send home the spelling test notebook once I’ve marked them. Please initial and return the notebook promptly.

PLEASE NOTE: NOT ALL STUDENTS GET THE SAME SPELLING WORDS EACH WEEK.

Math - EDMUAS Elementary (grades 1-5) uses the Everyday Mathematics program.

In grade one, there are a total of 10 units.

Assessing and Reporting the Learning of

Mathematics

Teaching the Grade Level Standards

• Student Friendly “I CAN” Learning Targets • Parent Friendly Examples of Learning TargetsThis is shared with parents at the beginning of each unit of study.

Pretesting of students to Inform Teaching

● Shows me who needs help in which area, and who needs to be further challenged.

● Not graded● May be sent home before a

test for kids that should further practice.

Post Assessment Progress Towards Mastery of Mathematical Standards

This will be sent home at the end of each unit for each child along with resources for standards not yet mastered scoring a 1 or 2.

Score of 3 = meeting grade level expectations.

Scoring GuideScores on the post assessments

align with trimester report cards.

Literacy at UAS

Reader’s Workshop6 Units of Study

Unit 1: Building Good Reading Habits

Unit 2: Reading Nonfiction

Unit 3: Readers Have Big Jobs to Do

Unit 4: Reading Nonfiction (second unit)

Unit 5: Meeting Characters and Learning Lessons

Unit 6: Readers Get to Know Their Characters by Performing Books

The Reader’s Workshop Model

• The Mini Lesson

• Independent Reading

• Partner Reading

• Conferencing with students

• Small group instruction / guided reading

• Class Library Set up

How You Can Support Your Child at Home

● Have your child read aloud to you.

● When your child comes to an unfamiliar word, allow them time to figure out the new word. Give them time to stop and think; work it out.

Check for understanding after reading:

• Ask your child to retell the story. Can they describe (in detail) the characters, setting, problem, and solution?

• Ask your child inferential questions.

How You Can Support Your Child at Home

Read with your child every day, even if they are able to read independently.

Ask questions to your child as you read; for example:

• What do you think will happen next?

• Why do you think the character did that?

• What would you do if you were this character?

Writer’s Workshop6 Units of Study

Unit 1: Small Moments

Unit 2: Writing Nonfiction

Unit 3: Opinion Writing

Unit 4: Writing Like a Scientist

Unit 5: Realistic Fiction Writing

Unit 6: Poetry and Songs

6 Units of Inquiry

Unit 1: Who We Are - Conflict ResolutionUnit 2: How We Organize Ourselves - Farm to TableUnit 3: How We Express Ourselves - CelebrationsUnit 4: Sharing the Planet - Plants and AnimalsUnit 5: How the World Works - Look Closely!Unit 6: Where We Are in Place and Time - Journeys

Social Studies and Science Curriculum

Library - WednesdaysLibrarian: Leslie Baker Assistant: Ms. Rania

• We visit the library WEEKLY for library checkout. Every other week they will stay for a 30-minute lesson with Ms. Leslie• Grade 1 students start out getting one book, but will soon “graduate” to getting two.

Students will move gradually to the novels (“chapter books”) as the year progresses. However, you can always check out novels for them under your name or talk with your teacher and Ms. Leslie.

• Encourage your first grader to bring his or her book back on library day!• Follow our library mascot, the rabbit puppet “Conejo,” on Instagram

@conejolibraryrabbit• Parents are welcome any time and already have a library account! You can check out up to 5 books per week. • Hours are: Sunday through Thursday 7:30 until 4:15 (Tuesdays until 2pm)

Please stop by after school for special reading time with your first grader!

If your child is going to be absent…Please send me an email and copy:

attendance @uasdubai.ae

If your child is going to leave school early…

You must get an “exit” slip from the attendance office. Our security staff will ask you to show this slip before leaving school grounds.

BirthdaysBirthday party invitations may be handed out in class only if ALL classmates are invited.

Selective party invitations may be made outside of the school so as not to hurt any feelings.

Typically, birthdays are very briefly celebrated during snack.

(students only, sorry…)

Field Trips and Theatre Performances

We plan for 3-4 field trips per year.

We also like to invite Theatre Companies to come perform here at our MPH. We plan for 1-2 shows per year.

Responsibility and Independence

It is our goal: We want your child to become an independent and responsible learner.

Here is how you can help:

•Let them pack their own backpacks the night before school and carry their own backpacks while at school. Especially on library day, they should pack their own library books.

•Teach and encourage your child to tie his/her own shoes, zip coat, snap and button clothing.

• Learn and practice your address, parent’s cell number, and birthdate.• Help your child by holding them responsible for their own homework and

behavior.

Communication is Key!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions.nsalem@uasdubai.ae

055-360-4121

I strongly believe that when it comes to the education of your child, we (parents and

teachers) are a team.

Let’s work together to make this the best possible first grade experience for

your son/daughter!Thank you in advance for your support.

Thank you for coming tonight!

Questions???