Grade 1

Click here to see an overview of the curriculum of this grade.
Click here to view the School Handbook (general policies for grades K through 8)
Click here to see photos from 1st Grade
Click here to see the classroom news for first grade.

Grade 1 Policies

Assessment

Informal and formal assessment which may include teacher observation, writing samples, workbook pages, activities, and projects will be combined to assess each child. Children may be asked to correct a mistake in class to better understand their error. The children are told that mistakes are a part of learning and we always emphasize correct items. The ability of a child to apply the skills and knowledge they have learned is the goal. Correct answers and effort will be acknowledged. An I on a paper indicates "The child needs to check this paper, complete it and return it to us." Each child will have a portfolio which will include samplings of their work and formal assessments.

Homework

Homework will be assigned on Monday of each week beginning in October. All homework is to be handed in on Friday unless otherwise stated. Homework assignments will be handed out in written form each week. Homework will reinforce classroom lessons, prepare for upcoming lessons and develop independent study skills. Children should continue to read at home as often as possible.

Classroom Rules

The children discussed and decided which rules were necessary for our classroom. These rules are posted in the class and discussed when necessary. When a problem arises, children are helped to see that another way to behave is more appropriate. For the learning process to succeed, each person in the classroom must be respected. Through guidance and encouragement, students can understand and better manage their behavior.

Classroom Work

The class days will be filled with activities including whole class and small group instruction, learning centers, computer activities and group work. An integrated approach based on the themes developed from our reading book and the interests of the class will determine the direction of the activities. A comfortable climate filled with flexible and exciting learning experiences will help each child meet with success and foster a life-long love of learning.

Each class is comprised of children with many different learning styles and needs. Opportunities will be available which will help the children use their strengths and work through any difficulties they may encounter. Children are encouraged to learn to take more responsibility for their learning. Activities and projects will be offered to meet the needs of children who at times, may be at a different level than his or her classmates. We will encourage each child to do their work neatly and to the best of their ability. Students are expected to complete their work in the classroom. If a child has not finished an activity they will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Birthdays

Birthdays are always fun to celebrate with your classmates and teachers. The birthday child may wear play clothes on or near their birthday. If you would like to send in a small treat to share, we will enjoy these at lunch. If invitations are to be handed out at school, please be sure all the boys or all the girls are invited to avoid any hurt feelings. Summer birthdays may be celebrated in September or June.

Classroom News - November 2008

The month of November is filled with many exciting activities in the first grade. The first grade students will continue to reinforce the skills and strategies they have learned through many reading and writing activities. They are becoming wonderful writers and readers who love sharing their work. We will concentrate on:

• reviewing the short vowel sounds
• blends (s, l, r)
• r-Controlled Vowels
• learning more high frequency words
• writing sentences using (., !, ?)
• quotation marks
• Digraphs: /sh/, /th/
• Nouns
• One and more than one (one cat, two cats)
• Comprehension skills:
  • Compare and Contrast
  • Details
  • Plot
  • Setting

Our young mathematicians are wrapping up their study of addition and subtraction facts through ten. The second unit in Math has taught the children several strategies that will be beneficial in the learning of their basic math facts. We have explored the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction, and we will wrap up the unit with an introduction to fact families. It has been a joy watching the first graders approach math with both excitement and confidence.

Our days hold many interesting and fun learning experiences focusing on the study of animals. We will learn about the sounds, coverings, changes, homes and the habitats in which animals live through stories in our reading book, activities and through literature.

A very special holiday time begins with our study of the voyage of the Pilgrims, their settlement in the New World and what they shared with their new Native American friends. Stories, writing and art projects will focus on the importance of God in their lives. Thinking about how we can thank God for all he has given us will help us write our own prayers of thanksgiving. Our very own Thanksgiving Feast will conclude our celebration of this special holiday. All of this will tie into our Senior Luncheon which is a wonderful opportunity to thank our Senior friends for supporting our school. The first grade class entertained our friends with songs on this special day.

In religion we have been discussing the importance of praising God throughout the church year and why and how many people followed Jesus. We are learning the Lord’s Prayer and the meaning of the words.

We enjoyed meeting with all the parents and sharing the excitement of each child’s progress during the conferences. If there are ever any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call, email or write.

We wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Hudson and Mrs. Dolan

Classroom News - October 2008

During October the children continue to grow as readers, writers, speakers and listeners. Developing strategies to understand their reading. and improve their writing and listening is our goal. The children work in whole group, small groups, and with partners to strengthen their language skills . Through literature and our new reading program, the children make predictions, set a purpose before reading, recall details and recognize and discuss characters from stories. With each story consonant sounds are reviewed, and vowel sounds and more High Frequency Reading words are introduced. Recognizing the importance of different types of sentences and correct punctuation is noted when reading and writing. The children are very busy each day during their morning centers as they practice all their new skills and strategies.

God gave us many gifts but the most important one is Jesus. We learn that Jesus is our friend and through His example we better understand how to be a friend, love God, love others, and love ourselves. Role-playing and stories show us how to best deal with situations involving others and how we can care for and respect different people within the various groups which we belong. We discuss the special people that God gave us to help us each day.

The class continues to learn about different safety rules and the people who keep us safe. Our Social Studies program has focused on families. Classroom discussions and activities revolve around the feelings, rules and special times families share. Lessons compare and contrast different homes and forms of transportation. To conclude our first unit we will also compare how today’s families differ from those of long ago. In Science we continue to focus on the changes in the seasons and the weather, food, clothing and activities we associate with each season.

The first graders continue to enjoy math each day, mostly because they are under the impression that math is just “fun and games.” Little do they realize that every hands-on math activity has been turning them into regular mathematicians. Currently, the children are using items such as unifix cubes, dice, and dominoes to help them write addition and subtraction facts through 8, both horizontally and vertically. They are able to solve addition and subtraction word problems using an “Act It Out” and “Draw a Picture” strategy. Next, we will wrap up Unit I as we introduce how to read, make and use graphs to compare information.

During October we celebrate three exciting times in First Grade. In honor of Christopher Columbus we shared stories about his adventures and decided if we would have joined his crew. On Pumpkin Day this unusual orange vegetable will be the theme of all our fun center activities. The month concludes with a First Grade favorite...Halloween! Following our Halloween Parade and party, we will continue to enjoy the day by sharing our favorite Halloween books and working in our Halloween centers which will focus on math and language arts activities.

The First Graders continue to shine each day as they work together to share the excitement of learning!

Mrs. Hudson and Mrs. Dolan

Classroom News - September 2008

The first graders are continuing to adjust to their new classroom. The days have been filled with activities focusing around the theme “Follow Me” from our Language Arts program. We have been reviewing our sounds, and we are beginning to develop a larger sight word vocabulary. Through songs, poems, and literature, sounds and words have been reviewed and introduced. Our reading program offers many opportunities, at all levels, to practice these skills and share and read good literature. Using the sounds correctly and putting our new words into our writing is becoming more a part of our day. Through journal writing, games, activities, computer programs and various writing opportunities the first graders are learning and improving their language skills.

Each day we share and get to know one another better, we are realizing how very special God has made each one of us. The first graders will appreciate the wonders of the parts of our bodies working together and the need for good nutrition, exercise and rest to keep our bodies healthy. They will discuss safety rules and the community members that help to keep us safe. Singing and creating projects about God’s love have increased our understanding of the miracle of His love and the beautiful people and world He has created. We will discuss the special people that God gave us to help us each day at school and at home.

During apple season our little scientists will explore the seasons of an apple tree, use their math skills to graph and count different types of apples, and use their problem solving skills to write number sentences about their findings.

The first unit of our math program starts with a review of number concepts through twenty using hands-on activities that allow for the recognition, counting, ordering, and comparing of numbers and sets. Each student is building a math vocabulary as they become familiar with number words and terms such as before, after, between, more, fewer, greater than, less than, and equal to. The unit will introduce the children to addition and subtraction concepts and properties and will also explore simple graphing and problem solving skills.

The emphasis in handwriting will be on practicing the formation of letters and the spacing of words. The children are learning the correct way to hold their pencil when we write in our handwriting book and throughout our daily writing activities.

We will wrap up the month with a Social Studies unit titled “All About Families”. Our activities and discussions will investigate how families care for and help one another, the rules families use to stay safe and get along and how families celebrate special times. The children will recognize how changes in transportation and technology have influenced how families live.

We look forward to seeing all of you at Curriculum Night and sharing some of the wonderful experiences your child will have in first grade. Our presentation will begin at 6:30. Feel free to stop by between 6:30 and 7:25. Hopefully any questions you have concerning how your child spends their day at St. Mary School will be answered. If you ever have any questions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to write, email or call.

Mrs. Hudson and Mrs. Dolan