Science and Social Studies
Monthly and seasonal themes, holidays and stories
we read in classs provide the basis for learning about our world, its people
and its animals. These subjects are integrated into our rerligion,
reading, math, and language arts curriculums.
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Assessment
The Diocese of Providence mandates the use of rubrics as our grading
method. Basically, this will tell you why your child receives
a specific grade. Some assignments will have a specific rubric attached
but most papers will come home with a grade (or symbol) showing a 1 through
5. I use symbols to make it easier for the children to see where
they need to improve and because it seems a little gentler for those who
are working hard and still need some help! The 'everyday rubric is
as follows. A final grade for the trimester includes class work and
participation as well as the completed papers that you see coming home.
Heart Shape
Sometimes recorded as a 5
This performance or response is exciting. In addition to
reflecting a broad range of understanding and the ability to apply this
understanding in different contexts, the response merits distinction for
special insights, good communication and reasoning, or other exceptional
qualities. Neatness always matters!
Star Shape
Sometimes recorded as a 4
The strategies and executions meet the content, thinking processes,
and demands of the task. The responses offer a broad range of understanding,
and the child can apply this understanding in different contexts.
Happy Face
Sometimes recorded as a 3
Responses convince me that with the help of feedback (teacher prompts)
the child can revise his or her work in order to meet the demands of the
task. While understanding is good, independent mastery is not yet
demonstrated.
Check Mark
Sometimes recorded as a 2
Child is not ready to revise his or her response without conversation
or more teaching. Part of the task is accomplished, but it is apparent
that more understanding is needed in order for children to accomplish the
entire task.
Sometimes a paper will have nothing marked except a note from me or
perhaps an OOPS!
This would represent a 1
The response may have fragments of appropriate material and may show
effort to accomplish the task. However, the response shows little
or no understanding of either the concept or the mechanical (computational)
procedure involved.
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Rules for a Happy Classroom
Our
Rules
'Bee' kind.
'Bee' respectful.
'Bee' a hard worker.
Then it will follow that everyone
will:
Keep hands, feet, and objects to
themselves.
Follow directions first time given.
Raise their hand when they need
to share something with the class.
Treat others with kindness and
respect.
Always walk in the hallways and
classroom.
Take good care of class materials
and clean up things when they are finished with them.
Always do and be their best!
Rewards
A happy teacher and happy students
Verbal praise
Added activity time
Extra recess
No homework passes
Lots of learning
Consequences
Verbal warnings
Loss of center/ activity time
silent snack time
5 minute loss of recess time
10 minute loss of recess
time
Parental Contact
Principal Conference
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APOLOGY TO NONE
When I am introduced as a teacher, I am usually
asked what I teach. When I
say, "first grade", I generally hear a very
flat "oh". I have never been
certain whether it is an expression of pity,
sympathy, disgust, or perhaps
disinterest. Always, I wish I had the time
to explain to them like this:
YES, I teach first grade.
WHERE ELSE would a handsome young man put his
arms around me and ask "Do you know that I'll always remember and love
you?"
WHERE ELSE could I walk up and down aisles
and have little warm hands reach out to me?
WHERE ELSE would I eat a squishy piece of candy
from a grimy little hand and not become ill? (I have to eat it because
he watches me to see that I do!)
WHERE ELSE would the future look so bright
as it does amid an energetic
group to whom nothing is impossible?
WHERE ELSE could I guide the first letter formations
of a chubby little hand
that may some day write a book or an important
document?
WHERE ELSE could I forget my own aches and
pains because of so many cut
fingers,scratched knees, bumped heads and
broken hearts that need care?
WHERE ELSE could I forget cares and even "the
state of the nation" because Stevie isn't grasping Reading as he should
and other methods must be tried?
WHERE ELSE would my mind have to stay so young
as with a group whose
attention span is so short that I must always
keep a "bag of tricks" up my
sleeve?
WHERE ELSE could I feel so close to my MAKER
as I do each year when, because of something I've done, little children
learn to read?
YES, I teach first grade, Mr. and Mrs. America,
and I LOVE IT!
-Author Unknown
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Fun and Games
Sites to Visit
I found these pages as I searched around the
web. Those I've visited seem safe. Whenever children are using
the computer, it's important to have an adult check out these links as
they may be deleted or changed.
Fun Activities for the Primary Grades
Clifford Scramble - Sequencing pictures
Gamequarium,
Jr. - a site with lots of links to try
Gamequarium - even more choices
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