Welcome to

First Grade

 

Welcome to First Grade!!!

Congratulations! You are on your way to first grade. We know you are looking forward to a fun-filled summer, but we hope you will take time to review a few things to be ready for the school year. Here are some suggestions to get you off to a great start this fall:

          ---recognize all upper/lowercase letters at random

          ---identify beginning sounds (dog begins with “d”)

          ---enjoy rhyming words

         ---write name

         ---identify numbers to 10, count to 100, etc.

         ---enjoy a story everyday

          ---review popcorn words often

Every student will need the following supplies:

          ---scissors (preferably Fiskars)

          ---box of 8 jumbo crayons (no bigger boxes)

          ---fat pencils (first nine weeks-may buy these at

              school) #2 skinny pencils thereafter (buy as needed)

          ---glue stick (Dab-N-Stic works well)

          ---pencil box

          --- 2 boxes of Kleenex

          --- 2 baby wipes

          ---bookbag (It must be carried everyday) No Rolling 

            Bookbags

          ---Water bottle (optional)

A small fee will be added at the beginning of the year and other supplies may be requested when school begins.

Have a great summer!!!                     

Sincerely,

First Grade Teachers

 

 

Teachers

Ms. Hyder

Ms. Stout

Ms. Mullen

 

     In first grade, the main focus is to teach the students to read.  Each week students learn new vocabulary and new skills that will help them become proficient readers.  We incorporate the Four Blocks method, involving students in Guided Reading, Make Words, Self-Selected Reading and Writing.  The games during Make Words are geared to teach the skills each week.  A variety of reading materials is used during Guided Reading and students are able to make their own reading selections during Self-Selected Reading.  Students begin creative writing and are able to complete short stories by mid-year.

     We use the Stevenson model for spelling, whereby students learn to spell by phonics, using peanut butter and jelly words and layer cake words.  Students are able to spell most one-syllable words and many two-syllable words by the end of the year.  Using phonics is so important in first grade. 

     In math, students build a strong foundation of basic skills.  It is important for students to memorize addition/subtraction facts to ten before leaving first grade.

     In science, social studies, and health, we do various in-class activities and require some outside projects, such as: dinosaur diorama, leaf collection, animal booklet, weather journal for a week, simple machine demonstration, etc.

     We, the teachers, feel it is so important for the child to read as much as possible and be read to on a daily basis.  In order for a student to retain the vocabulary, he/she must read a lot!!!!! 

 

 

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