Author Archives: kb

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

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No experience necessary…just a little time to spare and share. 

  • HANDS-ON HELPERS:  Join us for special projects and have some fun in first grade.  CAC projects are sometimes messy, sometimes glittery, and always a good time.  If you like noise, paint, and glue…this job is for you!
  • TEACHER’S HELPER:  Do you like to work independently?  Good at organizing?  The first-grade teachers need helping hands to change bulletin board displays, create student materials, and assist with clerical tasks.
  • PARTY HELPERS:  Do you enjoy leading games and decorating for the holidays?  We need fun adults to celebrate with us!  Volunteers are needed to plan/host the Halloween Carnival, Winter Decorating, and Field Day.
  • FIELD TRIP CHAPERONES:  Our first-grade curriculum includes field experiences to extend our learning.  These trips will require several responsible adults to help lead the way and keep our class safe.  Volunteer request forms will be sent out about one month before the trip.  In the event that we have more volunteers than are needed, I will draw names from a hat.  I will make every effort to include all who are interested.

New this school year, ALL volunteers must complete the CPS online volunteer application.

Step 1: complete the online volunteer form   https://chicagopublicschools.civicore.com/admin/index.php?section=application&action=new

NOTE: You are requesting to be a level 2 volunteer. A fingerprint criminal background check is not required for Level II Volunteers.

  • volunteer service in their child’s school or classroom for less than 10 hours/week;
  • A parent accompanying his/her child’s class on a one-day field trip or another type of extracurricular activity that does not involve an overnight stay;

Step 2: Please stop by the school to present your ID to the volunteer coordinator as soon as possible.

Step 3: Once this step has been done the school will approve you as a volunteer candidate, you will receive a separate email with instructions regarding next steps.

Step 4: To access your account and review your status, please visit the Chicago Public Schools volunteer website: https://chicagopublicschools.civicore.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

 

Welcome

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Dear Disney Friend,

Welcome to first grade!  I am so excited for our new school year to begin.  Our first day of first grade will be Tuesday, September 4, 2018.  Join your new first grade friends in the CAC by 7:30 am.

All first graders will enter through the CAC and come to pod 100 together. Your teacher will lead you to your new classroom.  We are room 104.  After a little while, we will say goodbye to the grown-ups and begin our school day.  We will play games, read stories and do some fun projects.  I can’t wait to hear all about what you did this summer!

Don’t forget to plan a yummy lunch for the first day of school!  We will be eating in the cafeteria before recess.  You can bring your favorite foods from home or our cafeteria helpers serve delicious hot lunches too.  All school lunches are free. Don’t worry if this is new for you,  I’ll be in the lunchroom to help you and the cafeteria helpers are really nice people too.

Our classroom is a very special place to learn and grow.  I know we will have great fun playing games and reading stories together.  This year we will laugh a lot, explore, learn new things, sometimes get messy, and be very good friends.  See you soon!

-Mrs. Brannigan

Supply List

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Click the  following link to download and print:         -Supply List- Pod 100- Grade 1

 Walt Disney Magnet School First Grade Supply List

  • Please write your child’s first and last name on the following items:      (These items may need to be replaced during the school year.)
  • 1- Red plastic two-pocket folder with 3 prongs
  • 1- Green plastic two-pocket folder with 3 prongs
  • 1-book bag
  • 1-iPad compatible child-size headphones (3.5mm connector) Note: Most first graders needed 2+ headphones during the school year. The children use headphones throughout the day and carry them to other classrooms for reading. The cords on most brands of children’s headphones did not hold up to this type of daily use. Earbuds are not recommended. Young children find them uncomfortable and their smaller size means that they are more easily lost in the pod.
  • Please DO NOT write names on the following items:
  • 2- boxes of 24 count Crayola crayons
  • 5- Large glue sticks
  • 40- pencils (sharpened)
  • 1- pair of scissors (blunt tip)
  • 2- pink pearl erasers
  • 2- boxes of tissues
  • 1- ream of white computer/copy paper
  • 1- package of dry erase markers
  • If your last name starts with A-M
  • 1- bottle of hand sanitizer
  • 1- package of disinfecting multi-surface wipes (no bleach)
  • If your last name starts with N-Z
  • 1- quart size or box of Ziploc bags or gallon size box of Ziploc bags
  • 2 – rolls of paper towels

Language Arts Instruction

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WALKING READING CLASSES WILL BEGIN THE 2ND WEEK OF SCHOOL!

     One of the most exciting and challenging aspects of teaching first grade is creating a language arts program that meets the wide range of developmental abilities students bring to the classroom.  To best meet this challenge, first graders will participate in a variety of daily literacy experiences.

READING WORKSHOP    

    Time will be reserved daily for students to practice reading independently.  A wide range of reading materials will be provided to practice applying reading strategies, promote fluency and build confidence as readers.  Whole group lessons using large books, chart poems, and songs provide the opportunity for students to participate as a reader with the support of the group.  We will use this time to demonstrate early reading strategies, build vocabulary and discuss story elements.  The Journeys reading series will serve as our main source of materials for these lessons.

 

    GUIDED READING SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION

     Students will work in small groups with a teacher or specialist to practice skills appropriate for their current level of reading.  Small groups will be selected based on student scores using the NWEA MAP test scores, teacher observations, classroom performance and student interests.  Small groups are reformed at regular intervals throughout the school year to reflect reading progress. Working with leveled books our lessons will focus on decoding strategies, fluency, and comprehension.

WORD WORK

    In order to read and write effectively, first graders must learn to recognize and spell the most commonly written words in the English language quickly.  These “sight words” will be introduced in the classroom and then sent home for practice.  First graders are expected to master 100+ basic words by the end of the school year.  They must also develop the ability to manipulate letter sounds and recognize letter patterns to identify and spell unfamiliar words.  A combination of whole class activities and independent assignments will be used to develop this phonological awareness.

 

WRITING WORKSHOP 

  Just as in our reading program, our writing program continues to provide differentiated instruction for all learners by utilizing a variety of writing lesson formats.  Students will participate in interactive writing lessons, sharing the pen with the teacher, to compose messages and stories on chart paper.  Daily instruction in grammar, punctuation and story elements will guide students as they are provided the opportunity to independently write for different purposes.  Students will participate in the revision and editing process as their written work is prepared for publishing.  Our writing program is supplemented by Units of Study for Primary Writing: A Yearlong Curriculum.

 ?? PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHILD’S RED READING FOLDER FOR A LETTER FROM THE WALKING READING TEACHER.

?? DETAILS ABOUT MRS.BRANNIGAN’S READING GROUP CAN BE FOUND UNDER THE “JOURNEYS” TAB ABOVE.

– THANK YOU! 

Attendance Policy

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     I want to make school an exciting experience for your child, one that they will look forward to each day.  I plan to incorporate activities that will enrich your child’s life and motivate them to want to come to school.  It is important that your child attends school every day and I ask that you arrive on time. I have listed below highlights of our district attendance policy.  For more information visit the CPS home page on the sidebar.

  • ARRIVAL: Entry into CAC will begin at 7:30 am
  • LATE ARRIVAL: Students arriving before 9:30 will be marked morning tardy.  Students arriving after 9:30 will be marked as half-day absent.
  • DISMISSAL: The 2:30 bell signals general student dismissal.   Please send a note if your child will be going home with a friend for a play date.  Students that are not picked up at the dismissal door will be brought to the office to wait for you.  Please call the office if something unexpected has delayed your arrival.  First graders become very worried when their grown-up is not on time.
  • EXCUSED ABSENCE:  The district has 6 types of excused absences; illness, observance of a religious holiday, death in the family, or family emergency, circumstances which cause reasonable concern for child’s safety, other situations beyond the control of the student.  Your child must bring a signed note stating the date and reason for absence to be excused.
  • UNEXCUSED ABSENCE:  5 unexcused absences = truant; 9 unexcused absences = at risk of not being promoted to the next grade

.Should your child not want to come to school for any reason (anything from a problem with peers to anxiety about an activity or concern about routines), please contact me and I will see how we can make the situation more comfortable for your child.

Homework Policy

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Homework is an important part of your child’s school experience.  It provides extra practice and review for topics taught in the classroom.  Completing homework with your child will also provide an opportunity for you to see how your child is learning and what topics we are studying in the classroom. Students will have homework almost every night, sometimes in more than one subject. Good study habits are an important skill for success in school. Please support and encourage your child at home by checking their backpack every night. Homework in the red folder has been assigned by your child’s reading teacher.  Assignments in the green folder will be from our homeroom subjects (social studies, science, math). Please contact me anytime a homework assignment has been too difficult for your child.

Homework Expectations:

  • Homework will be assigned every night – with some exceptions
  • Homework should be completed by the student, in their own handwriting.
  • Homework should be completed neatly.
  • Homework should be completed to the best of your child’s ability.
  • Homework will be collected every day and credit will be given for completion and general accuracy.
  • Online skill practice is encouraged. Website review and enrichment assignments will be provided by reading and math teachers. Passwords are located on your child’s red folder. If a internet access or computers are not available at your home, please visit any Chicago Public Library to access assignments.

Thank you for supporting our classroom learning.

 Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions regarding homework.

Scholastic Book Orders

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     Scholastic Book Clubs are a convenient way for you to acquire quality children’s literature at very reasonable prices.  Each purchase you make earns our class free Scholastic books.  Please do not feel obligated to purchase the book club.  These books and many other excellent books are available at the public library too.

Our school will host a Scholastic Book Fair during our parent-teacher conferences.  A book fair is a temporary bookstore with part of the proceeds benefiting the Disney PTA.  Students will have the opportunity to browse/purchase books during the school day.  The book fair will be open to all visitors during regular conference hours.  Items for purchase vary in price from $2.00 erasers to $25.00 large hardcover books. A 10% sales tax is added to all purchases.

Scholastic Book Order Instructions

 Online Ordering: Click on the picture below to be taken to our class link.  Our class code is NFQ96. Follow the instructions on the website to order.  Payment must be made online at the time of order.

SCHOLASTIC BOOKS

 Bonus: This month, you can pick a FREE Book (up to $5) when you place an online order of $25 or more! 

Delivery: Book orders will arrive about one week from the order due date stamped on brochures.  All books will be sent home with your child in their backpack.

Gifts: If you are planning to use all or part of your order as a gift for your child please indicate this with your order.  I will contact you by note/email when your order arrives to arrange special delivery.

Thank you for supporting our reading program!

Let’s Eat!

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     Although the lunch period is one of the shortest time slots on our schedule, it is the area that I receive the most questions from parents and an area that many children feel anxious about.  Below I explain the lunch procedures, provide links to the school menu, and outline payment options.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.LUNCH OPTIONS  

  • You may choose the school “hot lunch” with a drink.  All school lunches are free of charge. Children join the “hot lunch line”, tell your name to the cafeteria helper, select a tray,  and choose from the different menu items on display.  The cafeteria staff will assist your child in choosing a well-balanced lunch if needed.  Students are also given the choice of white or chocolate milk.
  • You may choose to pack a lunch and drink at home.  Send the lunch to school in an insulated lunch box labeled with your child’s name.  These boxes are kept in our class cubbies and brought to the cafeteria at our lunchtime. Please do not send “family size” bags of chips to school.
  • You may choose to pack a lunch at home and purchase milk at school.    Upon entering the cafeteria, students join the milk line to retrieve a carton of their choice.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Where can I find the school lunch and breakfast menus?    Click the picture below for current menus at the Chartwells site

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  • What time is lunch?  Our class assigned lunch period is 12-12:30. It can be difficult for first graders to settle in and eat lunch in such a short period of time.  Please encourage your child to eat their sandwich first.  I will encourage the children to take home any unfinished food so that you can see just how much is being eaten at school.
  • Will you be in the lunchroom to help my child?  Reassure your child that a friendly adult will be there to help them and answer their questions.  During the first week of school, I try to stay in the lunchroom until all of my students are settled at a table.  However, this is also the only time I have to eat lunch and prepare for afternoon activities too.  We are very lucky to have great cafeteria employees who are happy to help all students!
  • What is Disney Fine Dining? Each week 2 students will be chosen by the lunch-recess monitors to be our classroom “Fine Diners”.  These students will each choose a friend to join them at their specially decorated table to eat lunch.
  • How does our school keep children with food allergies safe?  If your child has a food allergy, please contact the main office to arrange a meeting with the school nurse and support team.  An individualized 504 PLAN will be written stating your child’s allergies, emergency procedures and precautions.  For the safety of all students, we ask that children do not share food with friends.  Special cafeteria seating is available if needed.

 

Reading Together

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     Help your child become a lifelong reader.  Research tells us that children learn to read by practicing.  Reading is the primary way a child gains a wide vocabulary and is highly related to success in every academic area.  I recommend that your child read aloud a minimum of 15 minutes per day.  In addition, please read to your child for at least another 10 minutes each day.  Hopefully, the time reading at home will be even more than this minimum.  Included below are some tips on how to make the most of your time reading together.

  • Pick a time when you can devote your full attention to your child.  It may be before dinner, during bath time, or at bedtime; these uninterrupted few minutes are important.
  • Take time to talk about the cover of the book before you start to read.  Point out the author and the illustrator and discuss what those terms mean.  Ask your child to predict what the story is about on the basis of the cover illustration and refer back to those predictions as you read.
  • Be dramatic!  The more enthusiasm you display, the more your child will enjoy the book.
  • Help your child connect print to speech by pointing to words in the text as you read.
  • Encourage your child to ask questions about the story and take time to ask questions as you read.
  • When you finish reading, talk about the story.  Then ask your child to tell the story in his or her own words.
  • Read your child’s favorite books over and over.  Studies show that each time a child listens to the same story, new kinds of learning take place.  When your child knows the book by heart, let him “read” it to you.
  • Most importantly, enjoy this special activity.  Reading together will become a happy, comfortable routine that will open the door to discussions about your child’s thoughts and concerns.

special thanks to CTP; I Can Read!  I Can Write! for these tips