Welcome Letter

September 12, 2016

Dear Parents:
Welcome! The fun-filled year in front of us is designed to promote
and enhance your childs growth and development. This very important year
promises to be one filled with discovery and joy as your child works and plays in an
environment that is warm, safe and challenging.

The structure of daily activities is carefully planned to encourage independence,

self-confidence and cooperative learning through large group, small group and oneon-one participation in a variety of hands-on, interactive experiences. The activities
will incorporate instruction and skill reinforcement in reading, mathematics, writing,
science and social studies, as well as arts integration. I am sure that you will have
many questions this year, my website will answer many of them, but if any are
unanswered, please feel free to contact me.
I have a B.A. from NYU and a Graduate Certificate in Teaching from UNCC.
Since my start at Community Charter School in 2009, I have worn many hats here.
This year Mr. CJ Fossett will be my teacher's assistant. He is returning to CCS,
he has been my wonderful assistant in past years.
I look forward to our team approach concerning your childs education. We all have
the same goal for your child to be happy, challenged, comfortable, and secure at
school. We need to work together in order for your child to reach maximum success.
Together we will make this the best year ever!

Sincerely,
Ms. Crystal A. Graham
www.mscrystalsparents.weebly.com
cgraham@communitycharter.org
please allow up to 24 school hrs for a response
Community Charter School
510 S. Torrence Street
Charlotte, NC 28204
p (704) 377-3180 f (704) 377-3182
www.communitycharter.org

1st grade School Supplies Ms. Crystals Classroom

Supplies are due 9/6/2016
Please label the following items with a sharpie. This will be your child's personal materials this year:
1 Box Of Crayons *label each crayon*
1 Box Of Colored Pencils *label each colored pencil*
4 1 Subject Books (No Designs on item)
10 Glue Sticks *label each one* (Place only 1 in your child's pencil pouch, keep the rest home)
2 Boxes Of Non-Mechanical Sharpened Pencils (No Designs on item) *label each pencils* (Place only 5
in your child's pencil pouch. All need to be Sharpened)
1 Pair Of Scissors *label each one on blade*
2 Packs Of Erasers - Long Pink *label each one* (Place only 1 in your child's pencil pouch)
1 Pencil Pouch That Will Zip Closed And Hold All Of The Small Supplies (please no hard boxes)
1 Pencil Sharpener With Lid
1 White Shirt *label with name on inside collar, near tag)
1 Season Appropriate Change Of Clothes In A Ziploc Bag (all grades) *label on the outside of bag)
5 Folders With Pockets and MUST have holes [1 Blue, 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Orange And 1 Green] (No
Designs) *label upper right-hand corner*
2 Ream of loose leaf paper wide ruled is best
1 Binder or Trapper Keeper , zip it etc 2 inches *label on spine*
1 pack of binder tabs
1 set of ear-buds or headphones
********These materials are for the classroom this year, there is no need to label them: *********
1 Pack Of Dry Erase Markers
1 pack Of White copy paper
1 Box Of Tissues
1 Box Of Utensils (Spoons)
2 Boxes Of Ziploc Bags - Quart Sized
2 Boxes Of Ziploc Bags - Gallon Sized
2 Rolls Of Paper Towels
1 Bottle Of Hand Sanitizer
1 Box Of Baby Wipes
1 Box Of Clorox Wipes

~Wish List Items~

If you are able to help out our class with the following items it would be greatly appreciated!
Extra Baby Wipes
Three Ring Binders
Extra Pencils
Stickers/Prizes/Toys
Outdoor Toys (balls, jump ropes, chalk, etc)
Extra Ziploc Bags (quart, gallon)
Extra Paper Towels and Tissues
Extra Glue Sticks

Ms. Grahams Classroom Policies and Procedures

Arrival and Dismissal
Children may arrive beginning at 8:00am, and after 8:10am they are marked tardy. Three
tardies equal one absence which carries an administrative penalty. Please ask the
administrative assistant about questions regarding your childs attendance. Dismissal begins at
3:10. Please enter the dismissal line on Torrence St. by using 3rd Street. Students who are not
picked up by 3:30 will have to go to after-school.
What to Bring to School Everyday
- Your child will need a lunch and snack everyday.
- Your child will need to bring a bag or backpack to school every day with his/her supplies
ready to go (pencils sharpened). Please check the contents of this backpack daily! (I will assign
each child a folder to keep important notes).
- Your child will need to bring his/her school supplies daily including: a zippered pencil pouch
to hold at least 2 sharpened pencils and erasers, a sharpener with a lid, a glue stick, a pair of
scissors, crayons, and colored pencils.
- Your Child will need an extra pair of season-appropriate clothing in a ziplock bag in your
child's backpack. Please label it. [This does not have to be brought in daily, but every trimester
you need to send in a set of season-appropriate wear to be kept in the classroom]
- Your child will need his or her homework or projects. This is not daily, but weekly.
The end goal to encourage responsibility in children so if your child does not have these items
daily he or she is considered unprepared and will receive a notice home.
Related sections: Snack Time and lunch, Communication, homework and Folders

Snack Time and Lunch

Please send a lunch and snack with your child daily (this includes a drink). Please include the
appropriate utensils (ie. Spoons, forks, napkins etc). If there is a financial hardship please see
me privately. Snack is in the morning and lunch is at 12:00pm in the caf. Please not send
your child to school with candy as a snack. Here is information on children and sugar from the
Mayo Clinic: http://goo.gl/WcvuiT
Please remind your child not to share food. This is a school initiative to ensure the
safety of students with food allergies and to lessen the transfer of germs.
Illnesses
Every year it seems like the cold and flu season begins as soon as school starts. Because we
are in such close quarters we ask that you talk to your child about covering his/her cough and
the importance of hand-washing. The school has the following sick policy: if a student has a
fever of 101+ or has vomit/diarrhea the student must remain out of school for 24 hours. This
policy is meant to protect the others from colds, viruses and other nasty bugs.

Ms. Grahams Classroom Policies and Procedures

Safety
For your childs safety and well-being, please let the front office know of any change in his/her
schedule to go home. Similarly the office and teacher needs to know when there has been updates to
your contact information to eliminate any confusion and to keep every child safe.
Talk to your child about the importance of listening to the teacher and staying with the class.
Behavior
Most of the time the children will engage in constructive and cooperative learning, however students
may become disruptive sometimes. Students who become disruptive will be asked to go to the office
and possibly receive a referral, which could carry administrative consequences depending on the
situation. CCS uses Class Dojo to manage behavior throughout the day. You will receive an invitation
from me. Please check it (https://home.classdojo.com/#!/login) regularly to monitor your childs behavior.
Please talk to your child daily about the 5 Bees
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Be Kind
Be Respectful
Be Resourceful
Be Safe
Be Your Best

In general, please remind your child to "keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself." This is a class
and school rule. Please talk to your child about using gentle hands with school materials as well as
with each other. Encourage appropriate play with balls and outdoor equipment. Talk to your child
about using words like, I didnt like it when to resolve conflict.
In the past there have been cases in which a childs behavior has caused him/her to have to miss
special activities within the classroom, school or community. This includes having restrictions on or
missing fieldtrips, performances, other special days etc. This year we have a Dean of Students who
oversees all behavior cases where intervention is needed.
Folders
Each child will have a folder that he/she is responsible for bringing it to school from home daily and
placing it in his/her mailbox. The folder will be used as a communication tool between the teachers,
school and parents. You can expect to receive our weekly school newsletter, The Buzzness, every
Friday as well as any other pertinent school related documents. The folder is also used for homework.
Related sections: Communication and homework

Communications
There are four ways to communicate with the teacher:
Ms. Graham can be reached through written letters. You may send letters to the teacher in the
folder. Please make sure the note(s) is bound together and labeled.
Ms. Graham can be reached through e-mail at cgraham@communitycharter.org.
Ms. Graham can be reached through phone at the school, however, if she is teaching she will return
the call.
Ms. Graham can be seen by appointment only. Although Ms. Graham would love to meet anytime,
to be respectful of the time and education of others an appointment is needed.
Please allow up to 24 school hours for a response, meaning that if you contact Ms. Graham on Friday, she has until school is
back in session to respond, which is usually a Monday.

Ms. Grahams Classroom Policies and Procedures

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences will happen three times this school year, just before report cards go out.
You will receive a letter asking you to sign up for a time slot outside of the classroom door. Ms.
Graham offers alternatives to in-person conferences to accommodate working parents. Conferences
are usually 20 minutes in length and focus on your childs academics to date. If you are more than 5
minutes late you may be asked to re-schedule.
Grading
Community Charter School, as well as many other public schools in North Carolina uses the
Powerschool system to report grades. Grades are reported as Letters and combine: projects,
homework, class-work, behavior and participation and assessments.
Homework
This work is to help reinforce what your child learning. I check receipt of homework. Homework is
due every Monday or the first day of the school week, in Ms. Grahams classroom mailbox. Please
staple or paper clip all homework together and have your child write his or her name on each
sheet. Sometimes papers get knocked down and become a puzzle to put back together, it would be
unfortunate to have hard work accredited to the wrong person or discarded simply because a name
was not present. Please do not turn in homework early or late, but on its due date. There will be at
least two at-home projects this year, and they have specific due dates.

The Classroom Library

Ms. Graham has set up a classroom library for students to borrow books for independent reading. As
with any classroom/school property, if your child damages or looses the item, you may be asked to
replace it.

Field trips
The class will be going on various field trips throughout the year. This year fieldtrips are pay as you go.
For the pay-as-you-go option, fees will have a due date and tickets that are not paid for by the due
date will be released back to the public. Generally, transportation will be via a small church bus that
will deliver the students door-to-door. I will usually ask for parent chaperons to help out. Students
who do not follow school/class rules will have restrictions on fieldtrips: attending with an adult
chaperone or missing it altogether.

Volunteering
Volunteers are the CCS heart and soul. If you would like to volunteer at the school see the main
office. If you would like to volunteer in my classroom let me know at least 1 day in advance so that I
have something ready for you. Volunteers also need to have a background check and go through the
CCS volunteer orientation. See the main office for that information.

Ms. Grahams Classroom Policies and Procedures

Clothing
Please dress your son/daughter in play clothes. We will get dirty! We will go outside daily as weather
permits and will be painting, gluing, etc.
Your child will also need to have sneakers or athletic shoes to wear on gym and Dance days (Thursday
and Friday). There is no need to buy a separate pair of gym shoes. If your child does not know how to
tie shoes, it would be helpful (but not necessary) if he/she has slipons or Velcro shoes. Please write
your childs name on his/her shoes, jackets, backpacks, etc. as they do go missing occasionally. If your
child has lost an article of clothing please ask the front office if you can search our lost and found.
Show and Share
Please send your child with an item he/she would like to show and tell the class about on
Fridays. Please do not send anything that is irreplaceable or very expensive as it will be your child's
responsibility to keep up with the location and well being of his/her belongings. Suggestions: a book, a
picture he/she drew or a story he/she wrote. Toys are ok, for this day only. Technology is ok, however,
your child must check it in with the front office upon arrival, then again after show and share and pick it
up for dismissal. This is the procedure is the school norm.
Birthdays
Birthday parties are FUN! Some children like to celebrate their special day with a birthday snack. If you
would like to send in a treat, please let me know at least three days in advance, any notice less than this
can be denied. This is in respect of students with food allergies and learning-time conflicts). Cupcakes,
cookies, jell-o, and fruit are always popular. Please do not send in a sheet cake, as it is very difficult to
cut and serve. There are many students with allergies so please no nuts at all. Birthday snacks will be
given out toward the end of the day. If your family does not observe birthdays or other celebrations due
to religious reasons and you do not wish for your child to partake in any birthday celebrations, please
see me privately.

Contact Information
Ms. Crystal A. Graham
www.mscrystalsparents.weebly.com
cgraham@communitycharter.org
please allow up to 24 school hours for a response

Community Charter School

510 S. Torrence Street
Charlotte, NC 28204
p (704) 377-3180 f (704) 377-3182
www.communitycharter.org

***Please check the classroom website, the class dojo and the parent portal regularly to stay up-todate with your child's learning***
***Please refer to the CCS Parent Handbook for the school policies***
***If you do not have access to internet please contact me***

Community Charter School Information

Mission Statement
The Community Charter School is a school whose classroom is the community; a partnership of parents,
teachers, students and community resources who share a vision of hope for our school and our city.

Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning is an approach for classroom activity that emphasizes learning activities that
are long-term, interdisciplinary and student-centered. This approach is generally less structured than
traditional, teacher-led classroom activities; in a project-based class, students often organize their own
work and manage their own time. Within the project based learning framework, students collaborate,
working together to make sense of what is going on. Project-based instruction differs from inquirybased activity by its emphasis on collaborative learning. Additionally, project-based instruction differs
from traditional inquiry by its emphasis on students own artifact construction to represent what is
being learned.
At CCS, we use projects throughout the school year to cover various state content standards. Within
these projects we incorporate the arts. Whether it is incorporating music into a documentary or
incorporating drama into the creation of an opera, these end projects cover multiple objectives while
making it relevant to the students.
Individualized Learning
The Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test is administered throughout the year. It provides
detailed, actionable data about where each child is on their unique learning path. This data gives
teachers the opportunity to put children of similar academic ability into small learning group and
allows the teacher to set individual learning goals for each student. Students receive intense
instruction and support in areas of weakness and are encouraged to find their own upper limits in
areas of strength.
Learning Centers
Learning Centers are developed by teachers to nurture and grow different learning styles and multiple
intelligences. In addition to improving their academic learning experience, students learn to
collaborate, problem solve and manage time wisely.
Arts and Academic Integration
Arts Integration
Community Charter School utilizes arts integration. At CCS we believe that incorporating arts is crucial
to developing a well rounded student. Because of this, we have a full time music teacher and a full
time art/drama teacher. These teachers spend half of their time working in the classrooms co-teaching
and implementing arts integration into the project based learning activities. Community Charter School
utilizes an interdisciplinary academic approach as well. Interdisciplinary learning emphasizes and
allows students to seek and discover existing connections between the various academic disciplines.
A+ School
Community Charter School is part of the A+ Schools Program at the North Carolina Arts Council. As an
A+ School, we integrate the arts into all subjects, and students are exposed to all of the art forms,
which include: drama, dance, music, visual arts and creative writing.

Community Charter School Calendar 2016-2017

1st Grade Common Core Standards Summary: ELA

Reading Standards for Informational Text and Literature
Retell familiar stories; Ask and answer questions about key details of a text
Identify characters, setting and major events in a story; Identify main topic and key ideas
Explain differences between fiction and nonfiction
Identify words/phrases that suggest feelings; Identify who is telling story
Compare and contrast texts on the same topic; Compare and contrast experiences of characters
Describe the connections between individuals, events and ideas in texts
Know/use text features including headings, table of contents, glossaries and electronic
menus/icons
Foundational Skills
Recognize the features of a sentence, including capitalization of first word and ending punctuation
Distinguish long vowel sounds from short vowel sounds; Decode one syllable words
Isolate and pronounce beginning, middle and ending sounds in words; Segment words into sounds
Know common digraphs (sh, ch, th, wh)
Know conventions of long vowel sounds including silent e and two vowels together (ee, ai, etc.)
Read words with inflectional endings; Break some 2 syllable words into syllables to decode Read
grade level high-frequency words by sight
Use context to monitor for meaning; Self-correct as needed
Read grade level texts with accuracy, appropriate rate, expression and understanding
Writing Standards/ Students complete these tasks with guidance and support
Write opinion pieces including topic or name of book, an opinion and justification for that opinion
Write informative pieces with topic, facts about topic and a sense of closure
Write narrative pieces with two or more sequenced events, details and a sense of closure
Add details to strengthen writing; Use digital tools to publish writing

Speaking and Listening Standards

Participate in conversations about First Grade topics and texts; Seek to understand others
Follow agreed upon rules for discussions (listening and taking turns talking, staying on topic, etc.)
Clearly express ideas while describing familiar people, places, things and events
Produce complete sentences; Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says
Language Standards (Written and Spoken Language)
Print all upper- and lowercase letters
Use nouns and pronouns appropriately; Use verbs to convey past, present and future
Use adjectives, prepositions (such as during/toward) and conjunctions (such as but/or/because)
Write and expand upon complete sentences (statements, exclamations and questions)
Capitalize dates and names; Use ending punctuation
Use conventional spelling for words with common spelling patterns and some irregular words
Spell untaught words phonetically; Draw on knowledge of sounds and spelling patterns

1st Grade Common Core Standards Summary: MATH

Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Use addition within 20 to solve problems with unknowns in all positions (11+4= , 11+ =15)
Use subtraction within 20 to solve problems with unknowns in all positions (15-7=_ , 15- =8)
Understand the relationship between addition and subtraction
Solve addition problems using 3 addends ( 3+5+8= )
Demonstrate fluency in solving addition and subtraction problems within 20
Relate counting to addition and subtraction
Understand meaning of equal sign; Determine if equations are true or false
Numbers and Operations in Base Ten
Count to 120 starting at any number less than 120
Identify and write numerals through 120
Understand that the two digits of a two digit number represent the amount of tens and ones
Compare two digit numbers using the following symbols: <, >, =
Use understanding of place value while solving addition and subtraction problems
Add within 100 using concrete models, drawings and base ten strategies
Subtract multiples of 10 from multiples of 10 using concrete models, drawings and base ten
strategies
Measurement and Data
Understand the concept of measuring length
Compare the lengths of two objects indirectly using a third object
Tell and write time to the hour and half-hour using analog and digital clocks
Organize, represent and interpret data with up to 3 categories; Ask and answer questions
about data
Geometry
Identify and describe two and three dimensional shapes
Build and draw shapes to possess defining attributes
Compose 2 dimensional shapes: rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, quarter
circles
Compose 3 dimensional shapes: cubes, rectangular prisms, cones, cylinders
Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares
Describe equal shares using the words halves, fourths and quarters

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to a new school year! Last year was the first year that I used the Daily
Five method to facilitate literacy in my classroom and it was a success. I am EXCITED
to announce that we will continue embracing The Daily Five approach in my classroom!
Daily 5 is an organizational structure for literacy blocks to ensure that every
student is independently engaged in meaningful literacy tasks. These research-based tasks
will impact student reading and writing achievement, as well as help foster a love for
reading and writing. Students receive explicit whole group instruction and then are given
practice time to read and write independently while I provide focused, intense instruction
to individuals and small groups of students.
Currently, I am launching parts of the program one at a time, but when it is up and
running smoothly, students will:

Read to Self
Work on Writing
Read to Someone
Listen to Reading
Word Work

There are very specific behavior expectations that go along with each the Daily 5
program. We will spend our first weeks of school working intensely on building our
reading and writing stamina, practicing the behaviors of the Daily 5 and fostering our
classroom community. I will also spend time learning about your childs strengths and
greatest needs as a reader in order to best plan for each students instruction.
Your child will be taught many things such as how to select Good Fit Books or
books he or she can read, understand and is interested in. Most importantly, children will
spend most of their time actually reading with the Daily 5 program, which is best way to
improve literacy.
As you can see, I am excited about giving your child the opportunity to be
involved in a program that will have a positive effect on his or her learning. Please think
of our classroom as you visit garage sales or clean out your own childs bookcase. It is
my goal to make our classroom library as appealing as your favorite bookstore.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Thank you for being a
part of something powerful.
Sincerely,

Ms. Graham
cgraham@communitycharter.org

Information About Core Knowledge

Our Philosophy
Every Child Deserves Equal Access to Common Knowledge
The Core Knowledge Foundation is dedicated to the mission expressed in our mottoeducational excellence
and equity for all children. To make that mission a reality we offer detailed help and materials to schools,
teachers and parents; and effective advocacy grounded in scientific research to citizens and policy makers.
We believe that every person in a diverse democratic society deserves equal access to the common
knowledge base that draws together its people, while recognizing our differing traditions and contributions.
We believe that offering universal access to this shared knowledge is a primary duty of schooling, critical to
literacy, and to the closing of the achievement gap between ethnic and racial groups. Most important of all,
we believe that shared knowledge, a shared narrative, and shared ideals of liberty and tolerance are
indispensable ingredients for effective citizenship and for the perpetuation of our democratic institutions.

The Ideas that Drive Our Work

In all of its publishing, support and advocacy work, the Core Knowledge Foundation is guided by the
following principles:

Our work is not driven by ideology, but logically by science, history, and research.

For the sake of academic excellence, greater equity, and higher literacy, elementary and middle
schools need to teach a coherent, cumulative, and content-specific core curriculum.

The persistent gap in reading achievement in U.S. schools can never be reduced until the
knowledge gap is reduced. And the knowledge gap will not be reduced unless broad, rich content
knowledge is integrated into the many hours devoted to language arts instruction.

We recognize that every school and community is different, and each student and teacher has
individual interests and strengths. Schools teaching the Core Knowledge curriculum should still
have ample time over the course of the school year to address any additional state or local
requirements not reflected in the Core Knowledge Sequence.

An effective curriculum must be coupled with effective teaching. We believe teaching excellence
requires a mastery of subject matter, as well as the ability to engage students, build language
competency, use assessment to drive instruction, scaffold instruction to meet individual needs, and
provide targeted feedback to students to further shape their learning.

We need to see the reading comprehension problem for what it primarily isa knowledge problem. There is
no way around the need for children to gain broad general knowledge in order to gain broad general
proficiency in reading.
E. D. Hirsch, Jr.

http://www.coreknowledge.org/mimik/mimik_live_data/view.php?id=1833&record_id=16

1st Grade Sight Words

September Spelling Tests

Words

Spelling Test Date

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Read
Write
Tell

9.16.16

What
Why
How
Where
Who
Name
When
Say

9.23.16

Were
Explain
Happen
Follow
Sentence
About

9.30.16

These test will help get the children back into the swing of
things and the first two weeks do not count toward the final
score. From September 30th and on all spelling test count
toward final grades.

Homework Examples

This is a Word Ladder:

It sharpens phonic skills
and critical thinking

This is a reading comp passage:

It challenges students to read a
text and respond to questions
that invoke specific
comprehension skills

Homework will begin in September

Email Address__________________________________________________

Volunteer Information:

What Days of the week and times can you come in to help (coping etc)?

Can I send home projects with your child (cutting, sorting, laminating..)?

Turn over and Complete

Acknowledgement
I, _________________________________(please print your name), parent /
guardian / family member acknowledge receiving Ms. Grahams open house
materials including the welcome letter, the school supply list, the classroom
policies and procedures, school information, the school calendar, the common
core standards summary, this years sight words, upcoming spelling tests,
homework examples and the student information sheet.

Parent Acknowledgement________________________________________Date:

/___/2016

(please sign here)

Print Childs Name here:_________________________________________________________

Please return this to Ms. Graham as soon as possible (students who return this by
the second day of school September 7 th, receive a treat).
Sign and Return this piece of paper only, you make keep the other information for your records