First Grade

Our First Grade Team
Tony Staton- statond@lisd.net
Tricia McDuffie- mcduffiet@lisd.net
Michelle Kelly- kellym@lisd.net
Ashlee Harrison- harrisona@lisd.net
Welcome To First Grade
We had a wonderful first few days of school! Our students have been busy getting to know their teachers, meeting new friends, learning classroom routines, and becoming familiar with our school. We are so proud of how well they are adjusting!
Thank you, families, for helping us begin the school year successfully. We are excited to partner with you and look forward to an amazing year of learning and growth!
What We Did This Week
During our first three days, students practiced:
- Following classroom and school procedures
- Using classroom materials responsibly
- Walking safely through the hallways
- Following lunch and recess expectations
- Building relationships with classmates and teachers
- Working independently and as a classroom community
We will continue practicing these routines over the next several weeks. Establishing strong routines helps students feel comfortable, confident, and ready to learn.
Looking Ahead
Social Studies
What are we learning?
I can recite the U.S. and Texas pledges and explain what a pledge means.
Writing
What are we learning?
I can generate ideas for writing and develop drafts with pictures and words.
Math
What are we learning?
I can describe the characteristics and actions of a mathematician.
Science
What are we learning?
I can explore what scientists and engineers do.
Reading
What are we learning?
I can identify and share ideas about friendship and new experiences.
Foundational Skills
What are we learning?
I can use my knowledge of letters and sounds to read and spell.
Short a and i
Your child will need to identify the spelling pattern in each word and sort the word into the correct column: short a or short i.
Start the Day Strong! ☀️
Please make sure your child arrives at school on time and has eaten a good breakfast. If your child will be eating breakfast at school, please have them arrive early enough to eat in the cafeteria and report to class by 7:40 a.m.
Arriving on time helps every student have a successful start to the day!
Cafeteria Breakfast: 7:15–7:40 a.m.
Class Begins Promptly: 7:40 a.m.
Dismissal
Important Dismissal Policy
Thank you for being on time to pick up your child each day. We dismiss promptly at 3:05pm. Teachers have meetings and other responsibilities after school.
Transportation Changes
All changes in transportation must go through the office.
Please use the link below to submit any changes in transportation for your child. This form is checked regularly by the office staff and communicated to teachers.
No Sign Outs/Transportation Changes After 2:00pm.
Transportation change form LINK https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzhmOcD5ah9EX_AL5HC8O-n3PA09aASTEyscS0Puuzcy2GRA/viewform
Medications **** Very Important****
All medications must go through Nurse Rachel. Students are not allowed to bring medications in their backpack in order to keep all students safe. You are able to administer medication during the day, but you will need to come to the office to request to pull your child out of class to do so. Thank you for your assistance.
Rachel Martin
Important Dates & Reminders
Be sure to look at Driver's Falcon Forecast sent every Friday!
FREE & REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATIONS
Free and reduced lunch applications are open. If your child was receiving free or reduced lunches last year, a new form must be completed. These forms must be completed each year.
Even if you think you might not qualify, it does not hurt to apply. Benefits are not limited to school meals - this program also provides discounts for academic testing (SAT & ACT), discounts on Internet service, discounts on Pay to Play athletic fees, and discounts on college applications.
https://www.lisd.net/our-district/all-departments/child-nutrition/free-reduced-program
Let's Make Spelling FUN!!
At home practice strategies:
Helping your child with spelling at home can be a fun and effective experience with the right approach. Here are some practical and engaging ways to support your child's spelling skills.
Read and sort: Student will read each word and sort into their Spelling pattern.
Listen and Say: Say the word out loud. Your child will repeat it and tell you if its sort a or short i.
Rainbow write: Student will write the word 3 times in different colors while saying the letters out loud.
Silly sentences: Make silly sentences with short a and short i. For example: The cat sat on the hat.
Quick Quiz game: Say: I’m thinking of a short a word that rhymes with hat. Your child guesses the word. Take turns!
Use a whiteboard: Let your child write and erase spelling words
Trace and Copy: Have your child trace, then copy words on paper or in sand/flour for tactile learning.
Air Writing: Spell words in the air with your finger.
Sticky Notes Around the House: Post spelling words where your child will see them often.
Use Wikki Sticks or pipe cleaners to make each letter.
Stamp each spelling word with letter stamps.
Build words with magnetic letters or letter breads.
Spelling word Go fish: Students write the spelling words on index cards two times and play go fish for each word with a partner!