Welcome to first grade!  The first grade teachers would like to welcome all of our families to first grade.

On this website, you will find information about the teachers, important dates, monthly curriculum outlines, photos/videos, and useful websites. Please consider this website as a resource outside of the teachers and Wednesday folders. We update the site at least once a month.

The first grade year marks a year of tremendous physical, social, and academic growth. This is the year we focus on learning how to read, how to be good writers, and how to do and think about math. We will care for each and every child and do what we can to help your student succeed. It is going to be a wonderful year!

Although some items may serve as a comforting piece, please remember that toys are not allowed at school unless approved by a teacher for a special occasion. It is crucial that you remind your child to leave those precious items at home. If we see these items, they will be confiscated and parents will be asked to pick up the item at school if your student wants it back. We appreciate your cooperation to help us create a less distracting learning environment.

Getting your child to practice spelling words and sight words can be a daunting task sometimes! Try practicing in a variety of ways to make homework more interesting.

 Sound Words
Use tape recorder and record your words and their spelling
 X Words
Write two words having one common letter so they criss-cross
 Other Handed
If you are right-handed, write with your left, or vice versa
 Choo-Choo Words
Write the entire list end-to-end as one long word, using different colors of crayon or
ink for different words
 Silly String
With a long length of string, “write” words in cursive, using the string to shape the
letters.
 Back Writing
Using your finger, draw each letter on a partners’ back, having the partner say the
word when completed
 Telephone Words
Translate your words into numbers from a telephone keypad
 Flash Writing
In a darkened room, use a flashlight to draw letters in the air
 Newspaper Words
Search a newspaper page from top to bottom, circling each letter of a word as you
find it
 30 Second Words
Write a TV commercial using all the words from your list
 Popsicles
Make words using popsicle sticks
 Secret Agent Words
Number the alphabet from 1 to 26, then convert your words to a number code
 Etch-A-Word
Use an Etch-A-Sketch to write your words

(Activities were found on ReadingResource.net)

Or Click Here to try Roll and Spell Homework

Remember to read with your child daily! Reading is a crucial part of the first grade curriculum. The more opportunities your student has to read in environments other than school, the more they will realize how important reading really is!

Here are some strategies to help your student become more fluent readers:

Strategy 1: Look at the picture.
Strategy 2: Does it make sense?
Strategy 3: Get your mouth ready.
Strategy 4: Does it look right?
Strategy 5: Reread
Strategy 6: Does it sound right?
Strategy 7: Look for known chunks.

It is also important to discuss the story when you’re finished or as you read. Ask questions about the characters, setting, problem/solution, beginning, middle, and end or ask your child to state some facts if you are reading a non-fiction book.

“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” –Dr. Seuss

The number of words your first grader can read and spell increases dramatically during this year. Children can achieve this through lots of practice, at school and at home. Through talking with adults, listening to books read aloud, and discussing everyday experiences, they continue to develop the language skills that help them learn to read and write. Most importantly, your first grader starts to “crack the code” of written language, as he sounds out words, learns to identify them, and understands their meaning.

First graders develop the tools for reading the printed word. They learn to recognize many common words by sight, and they develop strategies for “decoding,” or figuring out, words as they read. By the end of the year, most first graders are able to read easy books all by themselves. Writing daily helps your first grader learn to read by reinforcing the relationships between sounds and letters. At the same time, through talking and listening, she continues to develop new vocabulary and knowledge about the world that will help her understand what she reads.

First graders spend a large part of their day at school reading and writing. However, parents still have a huge effect on a child’s literacy development. When you talk to your first grader about new words, listen to her read books aloud, and communicate with her teacher on a regular basis, you take simple but important steps in supporting her reading and writing. Learn more ways you can encourage and inspire your first grader as she learns to read and write.

This article was found at the PBS Parents website:
http://www.pbs.org/parents/readinglanguage/first/main.html