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The excitement in First Grade builds each and every day as children continually grow as readers, writers and mathematicians! We teach using an interdisciplinary approach integrating all areas of our curriculum - reading, writing, listening, speaking, math, social studies, art and science. Our experience and research demonstrates that this teaching approach contributes to optimal learning. The learning process becomes more meaningful when students have an opportunity to engage in an active, hands-on manner whenever possible. One of our goals is to prepare your child to continue his/her excitement for learning as a life-long learner.
Math: We use the research based Everyday Math series. Our curriculum includes facts to ten, geometry, fractions, measurement, time, patterns, problem solving and money. Each Friday, our classrooms are full of math activities...ask your child about exploratory. We do emphasize problem solving and learning through a variety of manipulative materials and exciting games.
Language Arts: Our curriculum covers the five basic areas of instruction - reading, writing, listening, viewing and speaking. We have a program called Reading First whereby the children have guided reading four days a week for forty minutes with a group of children with similar reading abilities. The children are continually evaluated to place them in the most suitable group. In addition, hundreds of books are found in our classrooms for independent reading. We also work closely with the library to bring in additional books for more information on various topics. Our framework for instruction is based upon our district's language arts curriculum guidebook for first grade.
The daily reading program consists of:
1. Hearing good literature (stories and poems) read every day.
2. Rereading literature with children inviting them to join in, as they are ready. We use big books, class books, predictable books - all pieces of literature that use rhythm, rhyme and repetition.
3. Fiction and non-fiction books are used to teach both phonics and comprehension strategies.
4. Small group guided reading instruction with leveled books.
5. Quiet reading time with individually self-selected books. It has been our experience, based on past teaching and research, that children can best develop a love of reading along with reading proficiency and vocabulary/language development through an authentic literature approach in beginning instruction.
A large part of our program includes daily writing. It has been demonstrated that first graders can write much more if they are allowed to use their own spelling and are encouraged to be creative. Good spelling comes later as the reading and writing process develops. We call this approximate spelling. Children are taught to correctly spell our 35 core words, plus other words. All attempts at any form of writing are celebrated and encouraged.
Our children also write and present research papers during the year. The children use computer programs to enhance some of their research reports. At least twice during the year each child will publish a book. Through this process children will feel the success of being an author. He/she will learn some basic editing and re-writing skills.
Social Studies and Science: Both science and social studies units are integrated thematically with language arts throughout the year.
Our science units are categorized under three general areas: animals - mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and insects; physical - how things move; earth - soil, rocks, water and air.
There are six social studies units. They are: maps and neighborhoods; family and friends here and in other countries; money, needs, and wants; caring for natural resources; Native Americans and the Pilgrims; and special national holidays including the lives of presidents Lincoln and Washington.
This year we completed an in-depth study of Mexico as part of our study of other countries. We culminated our study with a Cinco de Mayo celebration complete with music, dancing, games, journal sharing and food!
We first grade teachers eagerly look forward to each day of new discovery with our children. We operate as a team and plan activities together to meet the needs of all of our children as best we can so each child feels successful and looks forward to new discoveries.
direct parents and students to the names listed below the grade heading in the lefthand menu.
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