The Miracle of the Beginning ReaderBy Jane Miller

I wriggle and I jiggle, and I rock upon my chair.I wiggle my loose teeth, and I twirl a strand of hair.I chew on several fingers and I sometimes suck my

thumb.I tap the reading table like I’d play a drum.

I kick my foot with rhythm, lose the place where I should look.

I rub my nose and clear my throat, and sometimes drop my book.

I look outside the window, and I look down at the floor.

I pay very close attention when someone’s at the door.

I close my eyes and rest my head; my teacher’s heart must bleed.

But in spite of all this:I’M LEARNING HOW TO READ!

Welcome Welcome to 1st to 1st GradeGrade

Welcome Welcome to 1st to 1st GradeGrade

First Grade Teachers

• Mrs. Changnon -Room 106

• Mrs. Culen - Room 104

• Mrs. Grosskopf- Room 108

• Miss Hendrey- Room 110

• Mrs. Schaffer- Room 107

Important times! 7:55 a.m. First Bell

All students should be in line.

8:00 a.m. Second Bell

Students enter classroom.

2:45 p.m. Dismissal

School Behavior

•Be Respectful

•Be Responsible

•Be Positive

•Cool Coupons

•Individual-Class-School Rewards

Phonemic Awareness

• Auditory, whole group practice

• How letters represent sounds• Breaking words into smaller

units• Rhyming, blending, isolating

sounds

Phonics• Letter sounds• Blending sounds to make words• Short and long vowels, digraphs,

blends, vowel combinations, r-controlled vowels

Grammar• Rules of written and spoken

language• Parts of speech

(nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs)• Word endings• ABC order• Punctuation

Reading• Macmillan/McGraw-Hill• Vocabulary / sight words• Comprehension• Decoding Skills• Oral Expression• Fluency• Basal Book and Leveled

Readers• Oral Vocabulary Stories

Spelling• Words most frequently used in writing

• New words are added as old words are rotated out.

• Quarterly review tests

Spelling (cont.)• Building to 8 words, and a sentence

• New spelling words come home at the beginning of the week.

• Words can also be found on the classroom websites.

Writing• Brainstorming

• Recording ideas

• Teacher models writing

• Progressing from labeling and simple sentences to more complex, detailed writing.

MathHoughton Mifflin Series• Manipulatives• Number Concepts Counting, reading, writing numbers• Addition and Subtraction Fact families, number sentences• Data Analysis and Graphing• Strategies Number line, doubles fact, doubles plus

one, counting on, counting back

Math (Cont.)• Geometry• Fractions and Probability• Place Value to 100• Patterns • Measurement Length, weight, temperature Money, time • Timed test for learning math facts FAST• Otter Creek Program

•

ScienceInteractive Science-(New Series)• Hands on activities• Technology• Write-in science book• Science Inquiry• Take Home science bags

(2nd semester)

Social Studies

•Map Skills

•Geography•Citizenship•Symbols•Rules/ Laws•Historical Figures•Holidays•Jobs People Do•Scholastic News

Classroom Centers• Weekly themes• Four centers each week:

Math, Reading, Art, Writing• Specific activity to complete each

week• Children visit one center per day• * Work in small groups

Benefits of Centers•Provide cooperative

learning experiences•Promote social skills •Encourages independence•Review of curriculum

Healthy Snacks

• We will have a snack break every morning.

• Please remember to pack a healthy snack each day!!

•crackers-pretzels-fruits- vegetables-yogurt-juice

Please note if your child is in a peanut-free room!

SpecialsPhysical Education

Music

4 times a weekGym shoes are needed to participate.

Twice a week

SpecialsArt

1 hour a week

Learning CenterRemember your library book!

Technology(Computers) 30 min. a week

Lunch and Recess• Lunch time is 11:00-11:35

• Students should be dressed for daily outside recess.

BirthdaysIf you are sending

in treats, only NON-FOOD items are allowed because of food allergies and health concerns.

Friday Folders• This folder will come home every

Friday.• Please check folder for important

information, sign and return it to school on Monday.

Homework• Designed to be completed within 10-15 minutes

• Review and reinforce skills

• A great way for parents to stay informed

• Teaches responsibility

• At home projects

• Should be done in pencil

First Grade Extras• Adopt-A-Cop

Program• Picnic• Assemblies• Song and Poem

books

• President’s Song• Fall Musical• Family Day• “We Both Read”

books

Please visit our Please visit our classroom websites atclassroom websites at

Please visit our Please visit our classroom websites atclassroom websites at

www.district95.orwww.district95.orgg

Thank you for attending Curriculum

Night!Please stop by your child’s classroom.

****Sign up for November Parent-Teacher Conferences in the classrooms. ****