Phonics and Spelling
Knowing how to spell is more than just memorizing ten or fifteen words a week. That is why we practice applied spelling. As a class we explicitly practice working with a specific phonics sound or sounds every week. At the end of the week, we will take a test based on applying those sounds we have been practicing. We will send home a few example words, but those words are not necessarily words that will be on the test, just words that could be on the test. We also work on two sight words each week. Most sight words do not follow typical spelling/phonics patterns and must be memorized. These are the only two words that you know will definitely be on the test.
Reading
My biggest goal in reading is for children to see the power of reading and learn to LOVE reading. If a child is given books that are too hard for him/her to read, they will become frustrated and dislike reading. During our reading block, students will be taught skills as a group, but then practice those skills using books that are on their level. Your child's goal is to improve their personal level throughout the year. Students will work on reading skills in groups of children with similar reading levels. In our classroom, we use the guided reading level for books that uses letters A-Z. Most first graders will begin the year on a C or D level. By Christmas, we hope for most students to be at an F/G level and at least a J by the end of first grade. Our goal is for them to read books fluently AND understand what they read. Without both of these components, children are not really "reading."
Writing
In writing, students will be getting a lot of practice this year. Students will hear model literature and then use that to get ideas for their own writing. We write daily in journals during writing, but also practice writing in the other subjects almost daily as well. Students will practice writing many different genres this year: narratives, nonfiction, poetry, etc. At home, let them help you write anything: birthday cards, grocery lists, emails,etc.
In both reading and writing, practice makes perfect so please encourage your child to practice these disciplines as frequently as possible!
In both reading and writing, practice makes perfect so please encourage your child to practice these disciplines as frequently as possible!
Mathematics
With the current standards and expectations, knowing the answer to a math problem is no longer enough. Students are now expected to know the answer, as well as be able to explain how they got their answer, or how they know they are right. In our class, we work all year explaining how we got the answers to our problems. We celebrate the many different ways there are to achieve the same correct answer. As you work with your child at home, please encourage him/her to explain how he/she got their answer and how they know that is right. It's amazing the various ways kids solve problems!