Philosophy of Homework
Students will complete certain activities at home in First Grade. Students will need to study spelling words and word wall words regularly throughout each week in preparation for the spelling test at the end of the week. First graders will also need to periodically study for tests. Students will receive a study guide several days prior to the test. Also, students may receive books to read at home to other family members and activities to reinforce key skills.

Grading Policy
First Grade students will receive grades on assignments such as workbooks pages, projects, and worksheets as well as tests. Subjects such as math, phonics, and science include many graded assignments. Other subjects such as reading, language, and social studies include fewer graded assignments. Students will receive a grade that reflects the total points correct out of the total points available on assignments/tests. The number of points possible on an assignment/test may vary. I will correct work as quickly as possible. If students exhibit difficulty with an assignment, I will re-teach the specific objectives missed, and students will correct their work. Grades will be posted on the Parent Portal on Thursday evenings.

All graded papers will be sent home on Friday in the students’ Take Home Folders. Tests may be kept in students’ work portfolios. Parents may view these tests at conferences. I will send home a form called “My Test Form” following a test that will list your child ’s test score. This form will be sent in students' Take Home Folders.

The following grading scale is used in First Grade.

S	Satisfactory	85% to 100%
I	Improvement Needed	78% to 84%
U	Unsatisfactory	0% to 77%

Schedule
Here is our first grade classroom schedule. It may vary periodically for special activities and lessons.

Daily Schedule

8:15 - 8:45	Attendance/Pledge/Morning Meeting
8:45 - 10:00	Reading Workshop/Phonics
10:00 - 10:40	Writing
10:40 - 11:15	Bathroom Break/Lunch
11:15 - 11:30	Shared Reading
11:30 - 12:00	Recess/Bathroom Break
12:00 - 12:45	Science/Social Studies/PE
12:45 - 1:45	Math
1:45 - 2:00	Recess
2:00 - 2:15	Read Aloud
2:15 - 3:15	Guided Reading/Music/Library
Special Classes
PE	Orange Days	12:15 - 12:40
Music	Orange Days	2:15 - 2:45
Library	Wednesday	2:45 - 3:15
We also have Art class approximately every two weeks. (Link to Blue & Orange Day Schedule)

Contact Information
If you have questions or concerns, please send a note with your child to school or an email to jennifer.larson@k12.sd.us. You may also call the school at 495-4183 and leave a message. I will return your call as soon as possible. You may also check my webpage for pictures and further information on classroom policies, procedures, rules, and school supplies (http://jl046.k12.sd.us).