First

Grade
Handbook
Ms. Johnstons Class
Room 105

Communication
I believe that parent communication is vital for the success
of my students. I hope we can communicate openly about the
well-being and progress of your child. You know your child better
than anyone, so any information you feel I should know would be
greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns,
please do not hesitate to contact me. I cant wait to get to know
all the wonderful Harvest families!
Your child will bring home a green Take Home folder every
night. I will be sending important information home in this folder. I
will also be sending home your childs work every few days so you
can see all the progress they are making in school! On the left
side of the folder you will find papers that need to be returned to
school. On the right side of the folder you will find items that can
be kept at home. Please feel free to send notes, book orders, or
lunch money in these folders.
I will also be sharing information on my website or through
e-mails. This handbook will be posted on my website as well.
Please let me know if you are not receiving my e-mails so I can
get your e-mail address in our classroom loop. I will be posting
newsletters every Monday on my website:
http://johnstonfirstgradefun.weebly.com/
I would also be happy to schedule conferences as needed. I
truly value your input and feedback. I know we are going to have a
wonderful year!
Paige Johnston
School phone:
Cell: 248-752-9025
e-mail: johnstop@salineschools.org
Messages
With our busy schedule, I may not check my voicemails
throughout the school day. For urgent messages, please contact
the office.
Harvest Office:
(734) 401-4500

Pick Up
When picking up your children from school, you can
meet us outside in front of the school. You will be waiting
at line #3 so you can easily find us.
If your childs arrangements change, please send me
a note. This is very helpful, especially at the beginning of
the year!
If your child needs to leave school early, you can
sign them out in the office. The secretary will then call
my classroom and I will send your child to the office.

Curriculum
Math:
We will be using the Everyday Mathematics curriculum.
Everyday Mathematics is a research-based program that
incorporates whole group, small group, and individual
activities. This curriculum utilizes spiraling, so that
students are exposed to concepts over and over. If
students do not master a mathematical concept the first
time, they will have more opportunities to review these
important ideas.
*Math Homework: I will be sending home math
homework for the whole unit at once. This does not need
to be done all at once. It is most beneficial for students
if they complete corresponding homework after I teach
the lesson in class. For example, if I teach lesson 1.4 on
Monday, it would be beneficial to complete the 1.4
homework on Monday night. I do understand that
schedules are busy, and your child may just be tired
some nights! For this reason, I will send home the entire
unit of math homework so there is some flexibility with

your schedule. In my newsletter, I will post the lessons I

plan to teach each day.
Reading:
We will be using the Lucy Calkins program for our
reading instruction. Through this program, students will
learn to balance word recognition and comprehension
strategies. Students will work in small groups, individually,
partnerships, and as a whole group to become better
readers. I will be sending more information about reading
homework after I have assessed all of my students.
Writing:
We will also be using Lucy Calkins program for writing
instruction. Students will be learning about the writing
process and developing their skills through a workshop
model. Students will participate in a variety of activities
like whole-group guided practice, mini-lessons, small and
whole-group sharing, along with individual writing
conferences.
Every Friday, my students will be writing a letter to their
family about what we did in school that week. Family
members will have a chance to respond in the Family
Letter Notebook over the weekend. At the end of the
year, your child will have a notebook with all their
memories of first grade!
Spelling:
We will be using Phonics for Reading this year. This
program will help students develop essential foundational
skills like phonemic awareness, decoding, and fluency
skills.

Parent Helpers/Mystery Readers

I am thrilled to have parents volunteer in the
classroom. I will send out a Parent Volunteer Form
electronically so I can get a better idea of your interests
and availability. From there, I can create a monthly
schedule that I will e-mail.
We will also be inviting mystery readers to come into
our classroom and read during March for reading month.
I hope this will be a great opportunity for parents to visit
our classroom!
If you are unable to come to school, but would like to
help out, I can send home tasks such as prepping
projects, homework, etc. I am very thankful for your help
and willingness to volunteer!

Birthdays
In order to comply with the SAS Wellness Policy,
protect students with health issues, and save
instructional time, students may not bring in birthday
treats or other nonfood gifts to distribute. However, we
understand it is important to do something special on
your childs birthday. Students will have the opportunity
to bring in a birthday book to donate to our classroom
library. These books will have a sticker that says your
childs name and their birthday. The books will also have
a special space in our classroom library. On your childs
birthday, they will be able to share a new book that will
be enjoyed for years to come.

Book Orders
Book orders will be sent home once a month. Look
over this with your child and decide if you want to add to
your library at home! If you order online, you get coupons
for free books and so does our class! You can order
books online by going to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Our class code is P8WCH. You may also send a book
order with a check made out to Scholastic Book Club.

Snack/Lunch
We will have snack time every afternoon. In first
grade, students bring individual snacks daily. Please
provide a snack that is nutritious and can be consumed in
about 5 minutes.
Our lunch is from 11:05-11:35. Lunch money is
collected every day. You may send money in an envelope
with your childs first and last name, our room number
(105), and Lunch Money written on the front. The
money you send in will go into your childs account.
Checks can be made payable to Saline Area Schools
Class Schedule
8:55-11:05
11:05-11:35
11:35-12:20
12:20-12:50
12:55-2:10
2:10-3:40
3:44

Academic Time
Lunch
Academic Time
Recess
Specials
Academic Time
Dismissal

Specials
The monthly schedule for specials can be found on the
Harvest Website. Remember to bring gym shoes on P.E.
days!

First Trimester Specials Schedule:

1
Art/Spanish

2
Music/P.E.

3
Spanish/Art

4
P.E./Music

5
Media