First Grade Expectations

Learning Coach & Student Agreement

We are so excited for the many learning opportunities available to your students this year. In order to
help your child maximize his/her full potential, we have developed the following guidelines based on the
highest performance standards for first grade. Your child will be expected to do his/her best as we
work within his/her individualized learning program.

Deadlines:
-Nevada Connections Academy prides itself on flexibility, but there is a difference between flexibility
and falling behind.
-The schedule is clear and easy to follow. If you stick with it, you will be on the path to success and will
make progress towards completing the school year on time.
-Teachers are able to provide appropriate feedback and monitor progress when we see student work in a
timely manner. When the work is presented out of order or submitted in bulk at the end of a semester
we are unable to provide essential support to the student.

Attendance:
As a public school, Nevada Connections Academy is accountable to the State of Nevada for student
attendance and performance. As an online school, it is extremely important that we verify each student’s
attendance. Please mark your student’s attendance daily (1st Grade = 20 hours per week minimum). In
an effort to ensure accuracy in the attendance records reported to the state, student attendance hours
are now checked against lesson completion on a weekly basis. Attendance hours should match the amount
of lessons completed. Teachers will contact Learning Coaches if adjustments are needed. Thank you for
your cooperation.

Quality of Work Expectations:

Student Writing: All work should demonstrate evidence of the student’s best effort.

-First graders should be attempting all writing independently. Writing may be phonetic, missing vowels,
or merely have beginning sounds to represent whole words. Let them attempt the word work to sound out
the words they want to write. After they have done the work, you may write “translations” underneath
as they read their writing to you. Please mark the dictations with “DTLC” (Dictated to Learning Coach).

-Typing Student Work- Typed work will not be accepted for credit. Students should be completing
their own work and need the fine motor practice that writing provides for them. We are also working to
build written fluency in our students. When they type, it significantly slows down this fluency. When we
type for them, it takes away the opportunity completely. NOTE - Students will have opportunity to
practice using the keyboard in LiveLessons®, Educational Technology lessons, and through other online
activities. If typed assignments are submitted, the dropbox will be cleared and the student will be
expected to submit his/her handwritten work.

Grading: All work will be graded and posted to the gradebook in a timely manner.

-Viewing Graded Assessments – We would like to encourage you to view the comments and grading of
each assignment, and discuss them with your student. This will help you to understand better how grades
are given, and may improve future grades. This may be done as follows:
1. Click on the icon.
2. Click on the subject from which you would like to view an assessment.
3. Click on the number listed under the “Earned” column of the assignment you are viewing.
4. The graded assessment will appear, allowing you to view student answers, computer graded
responses, and teacher comments.

-Grading Guidelines: The following guidelines will be used to score assignments containing drawings and
writing:

-Neatness of Picture – Does it look like time was spent while drawing the picture?
-Colors and Details – Were multiple colors used? Are there extra details that enhance the
picture?
-Handwriting – Is there evidence of student effort according to student writing guidelines
above?
-Content – Does the writing/picture satisfy the assignment?

-If an assignment includes a drawing, we expect the BEST EFFORT to be put forth by the student.

-We expect to see students trying to use colors that portray “real life” images. Students are learning to
communicate through drawing, and should try to communicate as accurately as possible. Encourage them
to begin adding details or scenery to help them define setting in their drawings.

-Rubrics- Many of the portfolio assignments have “Rubrics” or “Writing Guides” included in the lesson.
These are expectations of how the portfolio assignment should be completed. It is also the criteria by
which we will grade portfolio assignments. Please be sure to read these documents carefully to ensure
that students complete the assignment accurately and completely.

-If an assignment includes a drawing, we expect the BEST EFFORT to be put forth by the student.
First grade best effort means that multiple colors are used to draw a nice, neat, detailed picture. We
will deduct points if these expectations are not met.

-Physical Education – Please be sure to read course instructions. The “activity Tracker” is one of a few
ways to document physical activity (90 min. a week). If you wish to use a calendar or spread sheet of
your own, please make sure you write the date, activity completed, and duration of the activity.
Remember to track physical activity daily! You will submit a record of your student’s physical activity at
the end of each unit. NOTE - P.E. should only be scheduled on your planner one time per week. It takes
a full week of exercise to complete one lesson!

-Science – Please be sure to submit all parts of the science portfolio. Please tear out the page
(Science 1A and B) or download and print the lab sheets for students to complete. All lab sheets
must be handwritten by the student. Check in the lesson viewer to see if there are other portions of
the assignment to submit. (Pictures, journals, etc…) Pictures of students conducting experiments are
encouraged. Thoughtful answers are expected.

-Math – We encourage colorful pictures to match numbers and number sentences. This will further our
students’ understanding of various math concepts while strengthening their other skills at the same
time. Simply printing up the worksheets and filling in the answers does not demonstrate the best effort
by the student.

-Art - Students should be doing their own drawing, coloring, painting, etc. These projects should reflect
their very best effort. For portfolios, please take a photograph of the artwork and upload the photo to
the dropbox.

-Resetting Assignments – It is not our policy to reset tests, quizzes, or quick checks. Please be sure to
double check assessments before clicking “submit.” If your student is struggling, please contact their
home room teacher so that a plan for your student’s success can be established.

-Message Boards and First Grade website – There is a lot of information on our class message board
as well as our First Grade website https://ncagrade1.weebly.com/. Please keep an eye on it as they are
updated regularly.

To get to the Message Boards:

LEXIA Core 5: Every first grader will have access to an account and it will be part of your child’s weekly
lessons. More information to follow.

Live Lessons: Live Lessons are offered several times a week. Students have the opportunity to interact
with their teachers, other students, and expand their knowledge. Live lesson attendance is highly
encouraged and regular attendance is rewarded.

Your child’s teacher is looking forward to helping your child succeed this year. Please let your child’s
teacher know if you have any questions or concerns.

Once you have finished reading this agreement, please webmail your homeroom teacher with the subject line
Astros.