Each month we will focus on one theme
or several themes which will integrate science, social studies,
reading, writing and other areas of instruction. The weekly
newsletter will highlight our current theme. The children are always
encouraged to share related materials from home.
For the first two weeks of school, the children worked on choral reading from "big books". I modeled appropriate reading techniques (ie. following text, using picture clues, identifying known words, etc.) and focusing on developing a beginning reading sight vocabulary. We are now working in our basal reading series. Each week we read a new story from our book and new set of related high frequency words are introduced. Throughout the week, we use several different techniques to read the story (ie. choral reading, echo reading, buddy reading, etc.) We will also look at the major elements of the story (ie. setting, characters, problem, main events, solution etc.) and work on comprehension activities that show an understanding of the story.
Monday:Library 2:15-3:00
Tuesday: P.E. 2:15-3:00
Wednesday: Health 1:30 - 2:15
Thursday: Music 2:15-3:00
Friday: Computer 10:05-10:50
Friday: Art 12:35-1:20
Each week we will be having a spelling test on the assigned spelling words and the word family words. The children will be given two or three "surprise words" that match the word family. ( For example, if we are studying the -am family, for the test, I may give them, the words ham and slam). As the year goes on, I will be adding a bonus word and adding more words to the list. The children should be studying their weekly words and word family words at home. By the end of the year, the children will be expected to read and spell all 110 high frequency/Word Wall words. Each day we practice clapping and chanting our word list and word family words to help with spelling and reading.
Our morning calendar activities incorporate numerous math skills. Take a look!! We use manipulatives to help the children understand math concepts. Counting songs add to the excitement of math time! We work on problem solving activities and writing about how we solve math problems to help us further understand math concepts.
All students are considered writers. Students are encouraged to write down their stories and ideas using the sounds they can hear. Emphasis on the mechanics of writing (ie. spelling, punctuation, etc.) comes with time and practice. When children write:
The children have already started writing in their journals and are gaining more confidence with each entry. You will find the attachment helpful in understanding your child's writing.
Once the children are able to read simple books independently, they will be taking one book home per week to read to their family and return the following day. A "log sheet" will be included for the listener and child to complete. As the year progresses, you are sure to see your child's reading skills blossom!
BOOK LOGS: Each week the
children will be completing a page in their Book Log. They will need
to identify the title and author of a chosen book, draw a picture of
something they remember from the book, decide if the book was too
easy, too difficult or comfortable reading and decide if they liked
the book. It is important for the children to be able to identify the
title and author of books for making future reading selections as
well as understanding that they may enjoy some books better than
others.
Our school policy is that first graders are assigned homework two times per week (usually on Tuesday and Thursday). This is a time for students to practice their spelling words, read aloud a literature selection to someone at home or complete a skills sheet. Most homework will be marked with an "HW". Although, there may be times when the paper may not be marked, we talk about each child taking responsibility for getting their homework home, completed and returned to school.