What are we learning about this year?
Reading- In our classroom, we implement a reading structure based on Dr. Lucy Calkins' Reading Workshop. This is a structure that helps develop daily habits of reading, writing, and working with peers that will help transition your child into becoming independent readers and writers. The students have already learned and have begun practicing how to choose a good fit book that has purpose, interests them, and is not too hard or too easy for them to read and enjoy. During Reading Workshop, I will be pulling strategy groups as well as guided reading groups (these groups will vary from week to week depending on the skill we are working on and your child’s needs). I will meet with my groups daily; reading every day is important for your child’s literacy success. I will make sure your child is reading at school to help build his/her skills; please make sure they are reading at home too!
Writing - Your child will be participating in Writers’ Workshop based on the work of Dr. Lucy Calkins and the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Your child will also progress through the North Carolina Literacy Assessments. We will use a developmental approach to teach writing, which will permit your child to pass through a variety of writing stages before reaching the ultimate goal of standard writing. As they progress toward this goal, children will view themselves as authors as they use the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing). Your child will be taking part in writing narrative, informational, opinion pieces throughout the year. Click below to see Wake County's Writing Rubric and expectations for these written works.
Writing - Your child will be participating in Writers’ Workshop based on the work of Dr. Lucy Calkins and the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Your child will also progress through the North Carolina Literacy Assessments. We will use a developmental approach to teach writing, which will permit your child to pass through a variety of writing stages before reaching the ultimate goal of standard writing. As they progress toward this goal, children will view themselves as authors as they use the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing). Your child will be taking part in writing narrative, informational, opinion pieces throughout the year. Click below to see Wake County's Writing Rubric and expectations for these written works.
Spelling and Phonics –
We use many resources for phonics instruction, including Fountas & Pinnell (F&P) Phonics.
F&P Phonics includes lessons in the following areas....
Early Literacy Concepts Phonological Awareness Letter Knowledge Letter/Sound Relationships Spelling Patterns High Frequency Words Word Meaning Word Structure Word-Solving Actions
Math -
Science - Just as in math, science will focus on using and strengthening your child’s problem solving skills. The science curriculum in first grade focuses on four areas of science including earth materials, force and motion, living organisms, and measurement. We will be using a scientific approach to studying these topics centering around questioning skills. Inquiry will be a big focus in our science activities. In looking for answers, students usually start with free exploration of materials, followed by a discussion of their discoveries. Usually new questions arise while students seek answers, leading to additional student-motivated inquiries with materials to reinforce and extend concepts.
Social Studies - Social Studies will surround topics such as family, community, responsibility, mapping skills, wants and needs, and holidays. Also, we are working hard to try to teach our students how to be good citizens. Throughout the year each week will focus on one particular character trait as part of our Positivity Project curriculum. Examples of traits we will cover each week are perseverance, integrity, love, zest, kindness, bravery, open-mindedness, curiosity, teamwork, fairness, leadership and forgiveness.
We use many resources for phonics instruction, including Fountas & Pinnell (F&P) Phonics.
F&P Phonics includes lessons in the following areas....
Early Literacy Concepts Phonological Awareness Letter Knowledge Letter/Sound Relationships Spelling Patterns High Frequency Words Word Meaning Word Structure Word-Solving Actions
Math -
Science - Just as in math, science will focus on using and strengthening your child’s problem solving skills. The science curriculum in first grade focuses on four areas of science including earth materials, force and motion, living organisms, and measurement. We will be using a scientific approach to studying these topics centering around questioning skills. Inquiry will be a big focus in our science activities. In looking for answers, students usually start with free exploration of materials, followed by a discussion of their discoveries. Usually new questions arise while students seek answers, leading to additional student-motivated inquiries with materials to reinforce and extend concepts.
Social Studies - Social Studies will surround topics such as family, community, responsibility, mapping skills, wants and needs, and holidays. Also, we are working hard to try to teach our students how to be good citizens. Throughout the year each week will focus on one particular character trait as part of our Positivity Project curriculum. Examples of traits we will cover each week are perseverance, integrity, love, zest, kindness, bravery, open-mindedness, curiosity, teamwork, fairness, leadership and forgiveness.