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PHILOSOPHY-
The major focus and concern of most first graders and their parents lies with 'learning how to read'! Our
year begins with a review of sounds and letters, thus the foundation for the phonics part of reading and sounding out words.
Exercises are designed with letter cards whereby the student builds words dealing with a specific vowel /letter sound. Time
is spent with quality literature, both read to and by the students. Simple sight words are introduced and reinforced as they
read simple repetitive stories and later more complex ones. A variety of teaching techniques guarantee that each student is
challenged. Writing time is set aside each day to give the children practice putting the reading and writing skills together.
First Grade Everyday Mathematics content emphasizes the following content strands, skills and concepts:
- Numeration--Counting; reading and writing numbers; investigating place-value of whole numbers; exploring
fractions and money.
- Operations and Computation--Learning addition and subtraction fact families, and extended facts; beginning
informal work with properties of numbers and problem solving.
- Data and Chance--Collecting, organizing and displaying data using tables, charts and graphs; exploring
concepts of chance.
- Geometry--Exploring two- and three-dimensional shapes
- Measurement and Reference Frames--Using tools to measure length, capacity, and weight; using clocks,
calendars, timelines, thermometers, and ordial numbers.
- Patterns, Functions, and Algebra--Exploring attributes, patterns, sequences, relations, and functions;
finding missing numbers and rules in Frames-and-Arrows and "What's My Rule?" problems; studying properties of operations.
Within the content of Everyday Mathematics, emphasis is placed on:
- A problem-solving approach based on everyday situations that develops critical thinking.
- Frequent practice of basic skills through ongoing program routines and mathematical games.
- An instructional approach that revisits topics regularly to ensure full concept development.
- Activities that explore a wide variety of mathematical content and offer opportunities for students
to apply their basic fact skills to geometry measurement and algebra.
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HIGHLIGHTS-
Our fall begins with an emphisis on science. Characterists of living and non living things are studied. Students
explore various insects and observe the life cycle of a butterfly. In October we learn about health and safety. In November,
we begin a social studies unit. Children study about our First Thanksgiving and characteristics about life in the past and
compare it to life today.
During the Winter months, we enter into the discovery of animals. Students rae exposed to animals from various
regions and learn about how they survive. February finds first graders studying a unit entitled USA Past and Present. Songs,
activities, projects, and literature enhance our learning which is culminated in a music program and open house.
Spring units include weather, push and pull, magnets and outer space. There is a heavy emphasis on investigations
where children are allowed to learn through hands on explorations and activities.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS-
- Red Ribbon Week,
- Earth Day clean up,
- Field trip to the Lime Creek Nature Center
- Mason City fire station
- Dr. Suess Reading Celebration
- Thanksgiving Feast
The DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy skills) is administered at the first grade level.
DIBELS--Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literary Skills
Why are we doing the DIBELS assessments?
Current research is telling us:
*We can improve reading outcomes to the average range by focusing on the early literary skills that DIBELS assesses
*Students who are poor readers at the end of first grade are likely to require intensive instructional support
to reach third grade reading outcomes.
*Students who meet the DIBELS benchmarks throughout kindergarten and first grade, they are likely to be reading
at the expected level in third grade
What areas are assessed?
DIBELS assesses the areas of:
*Phonemic Awareness
Onset Recognition Fluency--beginning soundsPhoneme Segmentation
Fluency-orally segmenting words
* Alphabetic Principle
Nonsense Word Fluency-sounding out Unknown words
*Accuracy and Fluency of Text
Curriculum-Based Measurement
--the rate of reading
--the Number of correct words read
TECHNOLOGY-
First graders explore the world of technology through the use of computers and calculators. Computer labs are used
to provide students individualized work in reading and math. Computers are also used to reinforce various skills through the
use of CD ROMs in the classroom. We use calculators to support mathematical principles.
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