Teacher:
Mrs. Sherri Nunley
First Grade Class Summary
Language Arts:
The First Grade curriculum is designed to begin where the Kindergarten
program culminates, and continue to expand in the areas of word attack skills,
phonemic awareness, cueing systems, grammar, and fluency. Beginning the year
with a short vowel review, the skills curriculum develops along an increasingly
challenging continuum, and by the end of the year, the children have had the
opportunity to learn about a variety of concepts, including compound words,
contractions, synonyms, antonyms, etc. Both quality literature and textbook
materials are used; along with myriad other tools to engage all learning styles.
Our goal by the end of First Grade is to promote children who love to read
for pleasure, for the sake of finding information, and for exploring new areas
of interest so that they are prepared for the expectations of Second Grade.
Daily journal writing is a key element in developing writing skills. Recognizing the integral connection between reading and writing, the daily journal allows students to turn their speaking vocabulary into a writing vocabulary, and hence, a reading vocabulary. Creative writing stimulates the imagination, and writing to a prompt shapes the students’ abilities to follow directions and focus on a main idea.
Listening opportunities abound in First Grade. Discussion groups give students a chance to listen and to speak. Special guest speakers and readers teach the children audience skills. Listening is a key element in any classroom, as it is fundamental to following directions. Good listening skills are taught early on in the year, and reinforced frequently through the use of pro-social skills lessons and reading activities.
Throughout the year, students have different opportunities to speak. Obviously, daily interaction between the teacher and students allows the children to speak in front of a group. Dramatic play, formal dramatic performances, peer relations, reading buddies, and parent volunteers also provide a variety of settings and situations. This teaches the children the different types of communication and the different styles we use in talking to others.
The school-wide Accelerated Reader program is an integral part of reading motivation during the third and fourth quarter. While this program is not incorporated into individual student grades, it is used on a daily basis to encourage students to read books on their level and practice computer skills when taking corresponding tests.
Texts:
Houghton Mifflin Reading series (book and tape)
Zaner Bloser Handwriting: With continuous-stroke alphabet (Zaner Bloser Inc.)
Supplemental Materials:
Series workbooks & assessments
Making More Words by Patricia Cunningham
Phonics for Second Grade by Patricia Cunningham
CDs with readings by Dan Burton
Methods:
Reading is taught daily in a variety of ways to access the learning channels
of each child. The reading series has a strong phonics program that is balanced
with literature activities, “Big Books”, and hands-on activities
done in a “center” setting. High frequency, spelling and student
requested words are introduced and then posted on a “Word Wall”
to encourage the students to seek conventional spelling. Formal Spelling words
are given on a weekly basis. Words are introduced and practiced through centers,
games and homework assignments. Reading groups meet daily to go over the techniques
of good readers and focus on specific skills such as identifying compound
words and contractions as well as comprehension skills. Daily journal writing
encourages the children to explore new words and connect reading and writing.
This also encourages students to write to an assigned prompt while using their
imagination. Creative writing fosters the exploration of creativity. The goal
of this program is to provide solid reading instruction in all modalities
to ensure the students are exposed to the necessary skills regardless of their
learning style.
Mathematics:
Building on the number concepts initiated in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten,
First Grade mathematics broadens the scope of skills and concepts taught.
After reviewing one-to-one counting, simple addition and subtraction, the
students use manipulatives to explore more complex properties, including the
commutative and identity properties of addition and subtraction. Basic geometry,
measurement (including temperature, weight, volume and length), money and
time are developed more fully. Place value concepts are reinforced daily through
the use of calendar activities and are reinforced by double-digit addition
and subtraction with and without regrouping. The use of number lines, counters,
standard and non-standard units of measurement, word problems and other manipulatives
enable students of all learning modalities to explore mathematical concepts.
Text:
Everyday Mathematics (McGraw-Hill, 2004)
Supplemental Materials:
Math manipulatives and games
Math journals
Skills sheets (home links and class practice)
Methods:
Students explore mathematical concepts daily both in formal lessons and routine
activities. Calendar activities incorporate place value, counting money, number
order, time and graphing skills. Manipulatives are used whenever possible
to make lessons concrete and accessible to the children. Graphing is a skill
taught throughout the curriculum and math games are a vital part of this curriculum,
reinforcing concepts learned and practiced.
Science:
The scientific process of observing, classifying, using numbers, communicating
and recognizing spatial relationships is emphasized. Various thematic units
incorporate studies of matter, movement, the sky, trees, ponds and the human
body. The students expand their science-related vocabulary and are introduced
to the concept of intelligent design through viewing science in light of God’s
power in creation. They are exposed to the idea of a set lifetime and how
the cycles of life interact with each other
Texts:
Discovering God’s World (A Beka Book: Third Edition)
Methods:
Science is taught in a hands-on approach based upon the premise that children
are naturally curious about the world around them, or “born scientists.”
Discovery, or leading the children into the concepts and allowing them to
glean the information themselves, is a large part of the program. The goal
of this program is to foster an interest and involvement in their world and
to introduce them to the wonder of God’s creation.
Social Studies:
Science is taught in a hands-on approach based upon the premise that children
are naturally curious about the world around them, or “born scientists.”
Discovery, or leading the children into the concepts and allowing them to
glean the information themselves, is a large part of the program. The goal
of this program is to foster an interest and involvement in their world and
to introduce them to the wonder of God’s creation.
Texts:
Social studies concepts are taught through the use of big books.
Social Studies (Harcourt Brace)
Supplemental Materials:
Teacher collected thematic activities, school projects, trade books, and videos.
Methods:
Social Studies attempts to focus on topics of particular interest to children
of this age. Friendships, families, community helpers, special Americans,
American history, and celebrations are all themes that the children can relate
to and provide a basis for future formalized Social Studies instruction.
Bible:
Biblical history is taught in conjunction with the social studies concepts
discussed. An overview of the Bible focuses on major Biblical characters.
The study of manners and customs of various civilizations found in the Bible
provides an excellent reference for introducing ancient history and the progression
of the world up to the present time. By exposing the children to concrete
evidence (i.e. archaeological artifacts) and comparing/contrasting “then
and now,” they begin to develop a larger perspective of history and
the present world.
Texts:
Read with Me Bible An NIV Story Bible for Children (Zondervan Publishing House)
The Early Reader’s Bible (Gold ‘n Honey Books)
My First Study Bible (Educational Publishing Concepts, Inc.)
The Preschoolers Bible (Educational Publishing Concepts, Inc.)
Working with God series (Guardian of Truth Foundation Publications)
Supplemental Materials:
Assorted coloring pages, worksheets, review sheets, assessments, visual aids,
and songs.
Methods:
The First Grade Bible program is a basic overview of significant Biblical
characters. In addition to the factual information, we look at basic lessons
to be learned from their actions. The children are quizzed on a weekly basis.
Customs and the way of life in Bible times is explored and compared to present
day. The goal of the Bible program is to expose the children to a variety
of Biblical characters and concepts to prepare them for the more in depth
studies that occur in later grades.