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Curriculum areas are often integrated into topics
or themes. Some topics covered are Color, Family,
Space, Farms, Friends and Zoo.
Language Arts
Reading
Word Skills
Writing
Handing-writing
Math
Social Studies
Science
Health
Technology
Child Expectations
Teacher Requests
Classroom Volunteers
Language Arts
Reading is the main skill learned in first grade.
Students are expected to practice reading daily at
home using leveled books from the classroom.
In school, reading is taught in whole group instruction,
small group instruction, and sometimes one to one.
Reading
- Use of information from pictures
- Use of introduced language of pattern
books
- Meaning linked with own experience
- Fluency and accuracy
- Use of "Reading Detective" hints
- Moving into multiple sources of
information
- Longer, more complex text as the year
progresses
- Retelling a story with characters,
setting, and events in sequence.
- Development of vocabulary
- Resources: children's literature, A-J leveled
books, Houghton-Miflin Readers
Word Skills
- Sight word recognition (see Dolch Word
Lists at bottom of page)
- Spelling & decoding strategies
- Use of:
1) Beginning consonants
2) Blends and digraphs
3) Short vowels and word families
4) Long vowel patterns and word families, R-influenced
vowels, Special vowel combinations.
Writing
- Journal entries
- Various story responses
- Newsplan and recount
- Use of:
1) Complete sentences
2) Capitalization
3) Punctuation
4) Beginning editing and revising
Handwriting
- Letter formation of capital and lower
case letters using the "Writing Man" as a guide to the lines (See
attached handwriting guide)
- Spacing
- Pencil grip and posture
- Resources: Handwriting Program for Print
Math
- Calendar
- Patterns
- Graphing
- Addition and subtraction facts to 12
- Numbers to 100
- Counting patterns (10's, 5's, 2's)
- Place value (tens, ones)
- Money (nickels, dimes, pennies)
- Telling time (hour, half hour)
- Measurement (inch, foot)
- Two digit addition and subtraction
- Word problems
- Fractions
- Resources: Scott-Foresman Addison Wesley
Math, Math Their Way, literature, computer software
Social Studies
- Identity
- Citizenship
- Families
- Community
- Maps and globes
- Patriotism
- Holidays
- Resources: Scholastic News, literature,
charts, maps, posters, computer software
Science
- Colors
- Weather and seasons
- Plants
- Animals
- Earth, sun, moon
- Ecology
- Resources: Scholastic News, literature,
charts, maps, posters, computer software
Health
Technology
- Basics of computer use:
1) Parts
2) Software
3) Log
on, off network
- Special keys
- Creative responses using text and
graphics on Kid Pix Studio Deluxe
- Exposure to Internet
- Skill games
- Language arts:
1) Math
2) Science
Child Expectations
- Adjusting to a full day at school may be difficult
for some students. For several weeks they may even
be reluctant to come to school. Be patient. Your
positive attitude and support of the school is crucial
at this time.
- Please consider the importance of a good breakfast,
as well as a consistent, reasonable bedtime to help
insure your child's optimum performance each day.
- The following are reasonable expectations at this
level in a child's development:
1) Be able to accept the limits that are necessary
for large group instruction.
2) Show growth in the ability to do independent
academic tasks.
3) Show growth toward academic-oriented activities
as well as play-oriented activities.
4) Show growth in the ability to complete appropriate
assignments within an allotted time span.
5) Show self-control, good manners, and respect
for oneself and others in the classroom.
- Throughout the year, children will learn about
"Smarty" and the Six Pillars of Character
- respect, fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness,
caring and citizenship. Please work in partnership
with us on the "Character Counts" program.
Teacher Requests
- Supplies: Students need basic supplies to fulfill
classroom expectations. Many of these will need
to be replaced on a regular basis.
1) Pencil box
2) Pencils and erasers
3) Crayons
4) Glue sticks
5) Scissors
6) Vinyl pocket folders
8) Composition book (Roaring Springs Grade 1 &
2)
9) Spiral notebook
- Toys: As a general rule, toys are not permitted
in the classroom unless otherwise specified by the
classroom teacher.
- Snack: Your child's teacher will inform
you of a snack as needed.
- Lunch: All first graders have a choice
of bringing their lunch or buying from the school
cafeteria. Money should be sent in an envelope or
change purse. A menu will be sent home monthly.
If your child forgets lunch money, he/she may charge
it.
- Room Mother: If your child's teacher requests
a room mother her responsibilities may include contacting
parents to send treats for holiday parties. Additional
responsibilities are at the discretion of the classroom
teacher.
- Classroom Parties: There are classroom
parties for most holidays. You will be asked to
contribute sometime during the year.
- Bus Changes: In addition to filling out
a Transportation Request Form which is given to
the bus driver, parents are asked to drop a note
to the classroom teacher.
- Birthday Celebrations: Parents should contact
teachers to determine the number of children in
the class and to avoid scheduling conflicts. Any
food allergies will also be noted so that all children
can eat the birthday treat. Please send treats that
are quick and easy to hand out. Summer birthdays
will be celebrated sometime during the school year.
Birthday party invitations should not be sent in
to the classroom. The teachers will be happy to
give you addresses of the children you wish to invite
if you send in a list of names, or consult the Lima
Primary Student Directory.
- Field Trips: Field trips will be planned
to enhance the curriculum. They will include walking
or bus trips throughout the year. Parents are asked
to volunteer to accompany the class in a supervisory
manner. Siblings and other children will not be
able to accompany the class.
- Outdoor Recess: Please consider the weather
when sending your child to school so that he/she
may be comfortable during outdoor play- time.
Classroom Volunteers
Volunteers are welcome and needed in first grade.
In general, we ask that volunteers not bring younger
siblings along. Some volunteer jobs may include:
- Work with students on sight words
- Read with students
- Assist with Word Study groups
- Clerical work i.e. typing, laminating,
assembling books, cutting, copying
- Assist with centers
- Help students on computers
- Prepare teacher materials at home
- Chaperone a field trip
- Share a special talent or vocational
skill
- Manage Book Club orders
- Serve as a Room Mother
Kindergarten
Home-School Communication 2002-2003
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