Welcome to First Grade!

Reading

Text: Harcourt Trophies A researched-based, developmental reading/language arts program.

The program contains:

* explicit phonics instruction

* Direct reading instruction

* Guided reading strategies

* Phonemic awareness instruction

* Systematic, intervention strategies

* State of the art assessment tools

Language Arts

Each weekly lesson will include:

– A big book

– Story of the week in student anthology

– Decodable book

– Phonemic awareness activities

– High frequency word practice (rather than spelling tests)

– Comprehension activities

– Various writing activities

1st Grade Phonics Skills Rhymes 1st, middle, and last sounds in spoken and written words (recognize) Short and long vowels Wh, ch, sh, th at beginning, middle and end of words R, l, s clusters Contractions Double final consonants Two sounds of c and g Silent consonants – kn, wr, mb Vowel pairs – ee, ea, oa, oe, ow, ou, oo, ew, ue Sounds for y Endings – s, ing, ed, est, ly, ful, y, es, ies, (changing y to i), er, est Long i- igh, ight Compound words Ar, er, ir, ur, or, ear, wor Sounds for s (s, Z) Recite alphabet Alphabetize to 1st letter

Reading Strategies

1. Go back and read again…

2. Try the beginning sound and read to the end…

3. Go back and read again…

4. Look at the pictures…

5. Now have a try Does it make sense?

Does it look right?

Does it sound right?

6. Go on.

1st Grade Writing Handwriting

• D’Nealian Handwriting Program

• Our main goal is to help your child write legibly.

• Most Lower case letters are written with one continuous strokes.

•Most upper case letters have two strokes.

•D’Nealian will all your child to make an easier transition to cursive in second grade.

•We encourage you to use the D’Nealian alphabet and numbers at home during homework.

Writing Program Six-Trait Writing

Six traits writing include:

1. Ideas

2. Organization

3. Voice

4. Word choice

5. Sentence fluency

6. Conventions

Writing will include:

Writing TO children – Thinking aloud as children watch the

teacher write – daily lessons. Emphasis on writing conventions – capitals, spelling, punctuation, etc.

– Children write to each other or pen pals, especially at the writing center. They write cards, notes, or letters and then deliver them to classmates’ mailboxes.

Writing With Children

– Morning journals – sentence correction – emphasis on writing conventions – capitals, spelling, punctuation, etc.

– Composing group experience stories, recipes, letters – teacher writes as children participate in the process – shaping their ideas, choosing their words, reading what has been written, etc.

– Rewriting familiar books as a class

Writing By Children – Writer’s Workshop – individual stories

that have gone through the writing process – brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, publishing (after January)

– Journals – read aloud to teacher and class

– Writing center

– Mini-lessons before writing times – grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.

– Math journals

– Book of squiggles

Math Text support from, Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley Additional support from Investigations This 2-part approach to learning mathematical content will be able to reach all students needs and deepen all students knowledge of mathematical content.

Math

Investigations in Number, Data and Space is an application based math resource. It encourages students to think creatively, develop critical thinking skills and acquire a deeper understanding of the mathematical content.

Hands-On Learning!

•A traditional textbook approach to the teaching of mathematical content.

•It encourages problem solving, practice and spiral review.

•Your child will be encouraged to practice and review many different types of experiences in a lesson-by-lesson format.

Scott Foresman Addison Wesley (SFAW)

Science

Science will be taught in units using Fossil Kits.

Topics include:

•Rocks & Earth

•Sky & Weather

•Living Things and Their Habitats

•Movement and Balance

•People and Careers in Science

Social Studies The social studies curriculum is from Harcourt

Social Studies. The themes include: School Rules Solve a problem Community Rules Map and Globe skills People Lead the way Make a Choice by Voting Government Helps Us / Citizenship Our Rights / Work and Play together

New Curriculum and Materials which

include: – Big Books

– Literature

– Maps

– Atlas

Social Studies

Technology

KTTP – Kyrene Teaches With Technology Project.

Integrate technology in everyday teaching.

All classrooms contain 6 laptops and a projector.

Our First Grade Teachers attend meetings to further knowledge and ideas of using technology in our classrooms.

Goal – For you to notice your child’s improvement in using the computer.

Computer Lab

One time, One hour a week we are in the Computer Lab.

Goals:

Recognize and use the computer effectively.

To create a PowerPoint slide show.

Use various programs such as; Kid Pix, Kidspiration, Type to Learn, and Encarta.

Use educational websites to enhance a unit.

School Wide Behavior Plan

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT STEPS

Step 1: Friendly Reminder

Step 2: Refocus Desk (in classroom)

Step 3: Call Parent

Step 4: Refocus Desk (in another classroom)

Step 5: Office Referral

A Few More Things!

Scholastic News and Luke Letters cost $6.00 per student for the entire year. If you can donate please send in $6.00 cash ASAP.

Please NO birthday party invitation distribution in the classroom unless the entire class is invited. This may cause hurt feelings if a student is not invited. A class directory will be provided for sending out invitations by mail.

Water bottles are welcome in our classrooms.

Homework will begin after Labor Day. Homework folders will be sent home on Friday and will be due the following Friday.

Thank you for coming!

Please join us in your child’s classroom for more information.

Have a great evening!