First Grade OverviewLiteracyReadaloudsThe teacher reads many, many books to the children. The books are carefully chosen to introduce the children to a variety of story structures, genres, characters, authors, illustrators and literary styles. This activity fosters a love and enthusiasm for reading. It provides many opportunities for children to hear stories they may not be able to read for themselves. It allows the teacher to model for the children how to read with fluency and expression. Reading to children is a highly valued activity. Shared ReadingThe teacher and children sit close together and read together from a Big Book, poem, or other short text. Shared reading encourages children to participate and become involved in the reading. The children are respected as co-readers. Less efficient readers read more confidently because they are encouraged by the enthusiasm of the group and feel that their mistakes go unnoticed. Repeated readings help children to become confident to read the text independently. Strategies and skills can be practiced in the context of reading a story. Guided ReadingThe teacher works with small groups of children on books that present just the right amount of challenge for them. The books are supportive, predictable and match the children’s needs, abilities, and interests. The teacher acts as the facilitator: setting the scene, arousing interest and engaging children in discussion that will enable them to unfold the story line and feel confident and capable of reading the text themselves. Word StudyWord Study helps children to focus on letters and words and how they work. They learn the rules of phonics as they make sense of the way written language works. Word study is composed of focused mini-lessons, the “buddy study” spelling program, and a great deal of word play. Word study goes on in many contexts throughout the day. PoetryChildren are introduced to many forms of poetry. Poetry is read aloud and some poems are memorized by the children. Others are written on chart paper and used for Shared Reading. The chart poems might then be reproduced for the children to add to their poetry notebooks. Interactive WritingJust as reading to children models reading behavior, so writing in front of children models writing behavior. Using shared writing on the easel with chart paper, children interact with the teacher in using interesting language, brainstorming ideas, and expanding on the conventions of punctuation and grammar in context. It shows children how we use our understanding of letters and letter sounds to help us with spelling strategies. In Interactive Writing, the teacher shares the pen with the students. Children take turns doing some of the writing while the rest of the class watches. Writer’s WorkshopThe children learn how the process of writing involves thinking and planning. They learn to think about what is to be written, then to write it, revise it, present it to an audience and finally have it published. Children have control over the choice of a topic, and their spelling approximations are accepted. They learn how to start and end a story, use punctuation and correct sentence structure, keep a focus, and use illustrations to match their writing. In Writer’s Workshop, the teacher confers with individual children on their writing piece. HandwritingThe children practice the correct method of making letters. The goal is that the children understand that legible, well-spaced words and letters are necessary for communication. Reading BuddiesClasses participate in the Reading Buddies program with a 4th or 5th grade class. Each child is paired with a 4th or 5th grader for once-a-week get-togethers. The children take turns reading to each other. Reading buddies work on many fun projects together throughout the year. MathThe North Andover elementary schools have adopted a brand new Math curriculum this year, the Houghton-Mifflin program. Students have their own workbook at their desk. In addition, each child has a Practice Workbook and a Homework Book. At the beginning of the Math lesson, students gather on the rug and the teacher introduces the lesson. The introduction typically incorporates the use of manipulatives such as cubes, number cards, a number line, pattern shapes, etc. The whole class discusses the math concept being taught and works through sample problems together. The Houghton-Mifflin program also includes a large easel-flipchart which features a problem of the day as a springboard for discussion. Next, the children go back to their desks and take out their workbook. One page is usually done together, and then one or two pages are worked on independently. The teacher circulates around the room to check on each child’s understanding and progress. The first grades have been using the Practice Workbook during morning Snack time. Children work on one page of the workbook while they eat their snack. This page serves as a review of the previous day’s Math lesson. Each of the first grades began using the Homework Book at the end of September. Students are assigned the pages that coincide with the week’s Math lessons. The Homework Book helps parents to know exactly what their child is working on in Math. ScienceThe Massachusetts Science Curriculum Framework calls for the study of the following topics in first grade:
Social StudiesThe Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework for first grade includes the following sections:
MiscellaneousMorning MeetingIn Morning Meeting children learn to value themselves and their classmates. Children greet each other by name, sometimes going around the circle and other times greeting across the circle using various games. Each child hears his or her name called by a classmate in a friendly and cheerful manner. Through Morning Meeting, children are learning each other’s names and learning about courtesy at the same time. It is also a time of day when the class can discuss any social problems that are occuring (such as on the playground) and brainstorm ways to solve them. Morning Meeting lets children know that school is a safe place where everyone’s feelings and ideas are important. Homework PolicyHomework for the week will generally be sent home on Mondays, along with due-date information (usually Friday). Occasionally, there may be homework assigned mid-week, so it is always important to check your child’s folder. The district standard for 1st grade homework is about 20 minutes per night. Homework should never cause undue stress or anxiety. If your child is having great difficulty with any homework, simply write us a note so that we are aware and can help. ConferencesParent conferences will be held on November 18th. However, we are always here to answer questions and discuss any concerns. Please feel free to call us at the school or send a note in with your child. NewslettersYou will receive a classroom newsletter every other week. We will keep you informed of what we’ve been working on and any important upcoming dates. Book Club OrdersBook orders are always optional. They often offer good literature at inexpensive prices. |
