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Language Arts~ Our language arts curriculum uses a workshop approach that includes a strong literature, language and comprehension program with a balance of oral and written language and explicit skill work including phonemic awareness (sounds in words), phonics and decoding skills. Elements of the reading workshop will include whole group instruction, choosing just right books with BOOKMATCH, read-alouds, poetry, guided groups, independent reading, one on one reading conferences, ongoing assessment using running records and comprehension assessments, self directed reading reflection and reinforcement, word work/skill development and spelling. Our writing workshop will include 7 units of study:
Writing workshop allows children to build upon their prior development and skills as a writer, and is individualized to meet the needs of each student at their writing level. Reading and writing are linked to make each purposeful, enjoyable, and part of a “full literacy curriculum” (Calkins, 2001).
Here is a brief outline of our language arts philosophy: · A successful learner is motivated and is encouraged to take risks. · Children learn best when they have real purpose and make real connections to life. · Effective learning is a combination of student exploration and teacher/mentor modeling. · Making reading and writing connections across the curriculum facilitates meaning. · Literacy is developed within the personal, social and intellectual context of the individual learner. Adapted from: Literacy Research, Scholastic Publications
Families Invested in Reading Stories Together We believe parents, teachers and students are partners in reading development. Young readers need daily opportunities to practice reading both in and out of the school setting in order to become fluent readers. Our F.I.R.S.T. Books program supports both parents (or other at home reading partners) and students as they work along with teachers to maximize reading success with a focus on fluency. Weekly F.I.R.S.T. Books packets for students, communication logs and literacy activities are some of the components of this exciting first grade experience. You will learn more about our F.I.R.S.T. Books program and your role as a reading partner at a fall Parent Meeting/Open House. Poetry Notebooks~Poetry is an integral part of our language arts curriculum. Each week students will be introduced to three or four ‘poems of the week’. Throughout the week these poems will be read and recited with an emphasis on rhyme, rhythm, fluency, word analysis and enjoyment. Each Friday, your child will bring home a packet containing copies of these poems, three hole punched and ready for insertion into their poetry notebook. Each packet should be sequentially numbered and kept in order with the previous poems. Please help your child maintain a complete set of poetry in their poetry notebook. Each first grader is expected to keep his or her poetry notebook at home, insert the week’s poems each Friday and read from it often. Students will be asked to bring their notebooks back to school in the spring as we prepare for a special Poetry Celebration to conclude our first grade year. The poetry notebook will be explained further at a fall Parent Meeting/Open House and sent home that evening. Spelling~First graders will concentrate on the important link between spelling and writing. We develop the look of literacy in our emergent writing by focusing on 35 core words throughout the year. These words are identified as high frequency words in writing and the children will be accountable for the conventional spelling of these words in their everyday work. Temporary or developmental spelling is still an important stage in the growth of emergent writers and is encouraged in independent writing. In addition to the 35 core words, students will work individually and as a class on recognizing patterns in spelling, word families and topical words from units of study. Furthermore, a word wall will emerge in our classrooms, taken directly from students' writing. “Spelling instruction helps students develop a mental bank of high-use words. Then, as they write, they can focus their attention on the content of the message being written, rather than on the mechanics of writing it.” (Sitton, 1996). Curriculum materials used to teach and reinforce spelling and word work will include Rebecca Sitton’s Practice Book for Learning Spelling and Word Skills, an Important Words Dictionary and a Word Family Dictionary. Sitton, R. (2006). Sourcebook for teaching spelling and word skills. Scottsdale: AZ: Egger. Handwriting~ Children will continue to see D’Nealian handwriting modeled in most print throughout the classroom. In addition, first graders will work in D’Nealian handwriting workbooks to move them toward more confident formation of the upper and lower case D’Nealian letters. Periodically, handwriting practice pages will come home for reinforcement of letter formations. Math~First grade math concepts will include number sense, place value, coin identification and counting, time, measurement, problem solving and fractions, as well as developing fact power in addition and subtraction. They are introduced to these concepts through our math curriculum, Everyday Mathematics. Math skills are introduced and reinforced through hands-on activities, games, whole group instruction and paper/pencil practice. Homework, called Homelinks, is sent home during the week to maintain practice and keep parents informed as we progress through this exciting curriculum. In addition, the Homelinks Family Letter is sent home at the beginning of each new unit in math. This resource is vital in supporting your child at home. Please read each one over carefully and keep it available as a reference throughout the unit. It will provide you with homework explanations, at home games and reinforcement activities and other valuable information that will enable you to best support your child in their math development. Science/Social Studies~ Science and Social Studies concepts are taught through our curriculum, Science and Technology for Children and Social Studies Alive!: My School and Family. We further encourage learning through personal experiences and interest groups. Units to be studied include but are not limited to: · Living/ Non-Living Things · Building a Learning Community: Respect and Responsibility · Sense of Self · Featured Friend · Research Study : Bears · Family, School and Community · Organisms ~ The Study of the Characteristics of Plants and Animals · The Study of Our Earth: We are EARTHKEEPERS! · Maps (including continents) Field Trips~We plan many trips throughout the year to make connections between school, our studies and the real world. Past trips have included trips to the Glen Oak Zoo and the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. We also visit places in and around our campus and neighborhood community. Trips are planned to enhance the curriculum and we’re always open to new suggestions.
************************************************************************ Each first grader will have the chance to be our Featured Friend for an entire week. Once we start in mid-September, and each Friday thereafter, we will randomly draw a name “from the hat” to see who will be our Featured Friend for the following week. Each Friday, information and supplies will be sent home with the child who was chosen for the next week. During “their week” we will reserve time each day for the Featured Friend; allowing time for sharing, special visitors and really getting to know that person as a unique and loved individual. Featured Friends will be encouraged to decorate their Featured Friend board with family photographs and other items that help us learn more about them. They are asked to bring a special healthy snack to share with the class and also to fill our Estimation Jar to enrich our math curriculum. Other highlights of the Featured Friend program include going out to lunch with the teachers (every other week at Bone Student Center) and the Featured Friend website appearance. Each Featured Friend is “featured” on our first grade website which is password protected. First grade teachers will provide you with the password, please keep it handy for access to this exciting component of Featured Friend. This is always a favorite first grade experience! Thank you in advance your support when your child is our Featured Friend!
Birthdays in First Grade~ We love to help a child feel special by celebrating his or her birthday in the classroom. Please keep birthday treats simple and note the list of healthy snacks provided by our PTO/FAC as part of a school-wide Wellness Plan. Individual treats such as granola bars or bags of snacks help the class celebrate a birthday of a special friend without complications. It is very important that you make arrangements with your teacher in advance to schedule a day to bring birthday snack. Other birthday celebrations must be handled from home with family. Teachers or first grade students will not be allowed to distribute party invitations, gifts or any “outside of school” birthday items. Thank you for adhering to this policy. Before and After School Routines~ School begins at 8:00 AM with our morning assembly. First graders are expected to be sitting with their class at 8:00 AM in the auditorium to begin the day. Stopping at lockers prior to the morning assembly is not permitted. If children arrive at school prior to 8:00 AM, they are expected to go to the playground or in inclement weather, the auditorium. Please communicate to your child's teacher the after school arrangements for your child. There are two choices at Metcalf: the After School Program or pick-up. Children who are picked up right after school will be directed to the adaptive gym to wait for their ride. Children who partake in the After School Program will go directly to After School Check-in. Please adhere to these after school policies to ensure the safety of your child.
Home-School Communication~ We are committed to keeping the lines of communication between home and school accessible. We rely on your partnership to provide the richest and most positive school experience for your child. Please take advantage of and use the various resources and communication tools to support your child and keep informed throughout the school year. Communications include our first grade website (a link is on the Metcalf home page), email updates, the Friday letter (where you will find a summary of the week, vocabulary words, spelling words, shared literature, pertinent information etc.), the F.I.R.S.T. Books Reading Log and the Take Home Folder (goes back and forth to school and home each day). Additionally, teachers are accessible by phone or email. Please set up an appointment if you need to speak to your child’s teacher as before and after school are often not the best times to drop in. Appointments can insure that adequate time is set aside to give you the attention you deserve. Thank you. Mrs. Schumacher 438-2497 labruck@ilstu.edu Mrs. Wutz 438-2370 jawutz@ilstu.edu
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