Reader's Workshop
Reader's workshop is the most exciting part of our day! Reader's workshop begins with a mini-lesson. Mini-lessons will be based on the district's 10 Keys to Comprehension, reading strategies, and modeling of what good readers do. Students are then given time to read independently and practice the skills of the mini-lesson. In the beginning of first grade, we start off working to build our independent reading stamina. Books read during this time are "good fit books" for each student. Our classroom library provides many books that the students can choose from to work on reading at their level. After our independent reading time, students will engage in a variety of literacy activities while small groups are pulled for guided reading or one on one conferences with the teacher.
Writer's Workshop
First graders will have many opportunities to engage in writing throughout their day. Writing curriculum will be taught through a writing workshop approach. During workshop students will be exposed to skills through a mini-lesson, then be given time to apply these skills in writing pieces of their choosing. Students will be immersed in the genres of personal narrative, expository and persuasive writing through the use of mentor texts. Using picture books (mentor texts) to teach these writing skills, allows students to see examples of good writing, understand why and how writer's write, and begin to think and see themselves as writers. Grammar, punctuation, capitalization rules, and various other types of writing will be taught through daily mini-lessons as well. Writer's workshop gives the students a chance to pick their own topics and writing forms. I believe this free choice writing is imperative for the students' motivation to write! They will engage in the writing process during our workshop time, and learn how to draft and edit their own stories! Writing conferences will be done with students daily, and students will work with me to set goals for their writing.
Meet the Authors!
Below is a video showing our authors hard at work!
You will see them. . .
creating, collaborating, learning from and getting ideas from other authors, peer conferencing, and sharing their writing!
You will see them. . .
creating, collaborating, learning from and getting ideas from other authors, peer conferencing, and sharing their writing!
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Math Workshop
Our district math curriculum revolves around Everyday Math. It provides a spiraled curriculum aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Math will be conducted using the workshop model as well. A mini-lesson is taught, and then students are given time to practice those skills. On most days, this will look like a small group meeting with the teacher while others are engaging in math activities such as math games, computer or iPad time, hands-on activities, or seat work. This allows for differentiation as students are at a variety of levels in their acquisition of skills. The workshop model allows for extension activities for those students who have already mastered the standard, and reteaching and extra practice for those who are still working to meet the standard.
Click HERE to view a list of first grade standards.
Click HERE to view a list of first grade standards.
Word Study
Students will be engaged in word study in a variety of ways in first grade! Each week, students will be responsible for 10-12 new sight words. We will do activities in class to work on these words, and it is very helpful if you could help your child with these words at home as well. Students need to be able to both read and write these words. Students will keep word cards for practice in their pouch in their M.A.G.I.C. (Home-School connection binder).
Another way we teach word study is through a program called, Words Their Way. Words Their Way is a differentiated program that allows kids to work on word patterns at a level that fits them. They are given an assessment at the beginning of the year to gauge their level of understanding of word patterns. For example, some students may be working on short and long vowel sounds, while others may be working on when to double the consonant before adding -ing. It is another way to differentiate to meet the needs of all students. These sort activities will be done during class time, and students will not be tested over these words.
Another way we teach word study is through a program called, Words Their Way. Words Their Way is a differentiated program that allows kids to work on word patterns at a level that fits them. They are given an assessment at the beginning of the year to gauge their level of understanding of word patterns. For example, some students may be working on short and long vowel sounds, while others may be working on when to double the consonant before adding -ing. It is another way to differentiate to meet the needs of all students. These sort activities will be done during class time, and students will not be tested over these words.
Science
The district is in the process of transitioning the Science curriculum to meet our new NGSS Standards (Next Generation Science Standards). These standards provide a more inquiry-based approach to teaching and engaging in Science. Students will be encourage to think more like scientists and engage in hands-on activities in their acquisition of learning in science.
Social Studies
Click HERE to view our Social Studies curricular targets for first grade.
Grading
The district has been transitioning to a Standards Based Report Card. This will be how you will see grades in first grade this year.
The grading scale will look like the following:
3 = Consistent mastery of the standard
2= Developing skills and concepts of the standard
1 = Needs continuous teacher support to meet the standard
**Occasionally, you may see a "4" given for a particular skill. Not all assessments or exit slips provide this opportunity. A "4" is given when a child goes ABOVE and BEYOND mastery of the skill on their own without prompting.
You may see these numbers on assessments and exit slips that will be coming home. Just a reminder, this number indicates where your child is currently on that particular skill. If you see an exit slip with a "2" or "1" come home, you can certainly help your child with that skill. However, it is most often that we will revisit that skill in class, and the paper you saw is just a checkpoint along the way to help guide my instruction. Don't panic!;-) If you ever have any questions regarding this, please let me know.
The grading scale will look like the following:
3 = Consistent mastery of the standard
2= Developing skills and concepts of the standard
1 = Needs continuous teacher support to meet the standard
**Occasionally, you may see a "4" given for a particular skill. Not all assessments or exit slips provide this opportunity. A "4" is given when a child goes ABOVE and BEYOND mastery of the skill on their own without prompting.
You may see these numbers on assessments and exit slips that will be coming home. Just a reminder, this number indicates where your child is currently on that particular skill. If you see an exit slip with a "2" or "1" come home, you can certainly help your child with that skill. However, it is most often that we will revisit that skill in class, and the paper you saw is just a checkpoint along the way to help guide my instruction. Don't panic!;-) If you ever have any questions regarding this, please let me know.
