FIRST GRADE

Welcome to the first grade classroom.  I would like to take this time to give you a brief description of the first grade program.

This year as a first grader your child will be learning many exciting new things.  One of my many goals is to expose each child to the rich world of books and literature.  During our year together first graders will have the opportunity to read a wide variety of both fiction and nonfiction books.  We will do shared reading together, small-guided reading groups, partner reading and independent reading.  These language opportunities will provide the listening, speaking, reading and writing experiences that students need to become good readers.  Also I am very lucky to have the help of a classroom aide during the mornings.  Our aide will work with small reading groups reinforcing a variety skills learned in the classroom throughout the school year.

In math your child will be involved in exciting and challenging activities.  Mathematics will be "hands-on" activity-centered, incorporated with a math skills workbook.  What this means is that math skills will be learned with classroom materials, such as unifix cubes, pattern blocks, geoboards, etc.  Then skills will be reviewed/reinforced with our math workbook.

Throughout the year, students will be involved in a wide variety of science and social studies activities/themes.  These activities will incorporate both literature and projects.

Religion is found throughout our day in many ways such as daily prayer experiences, prayer services, discussions and weekly masses.  Several times during the year first grade will be in charge of planning the mass.

One of my favorite subject to teach is writing.  In our classroom many writing opportunities are incorporated daily through journaling, creating stories, essays, reports and countless other writing activities.  Spelling words is a process that develops all year.  Emergent young writers are encouraged to listen to the sounds they hear when attempting to write an unfamiliar word.  It's amazing to watch as the words and sentences improve as writing and phonics skills are learned throughout the year.

Every Thursday a folder will come home with important school information.  Please watch for a weekly single sheet called the "1st Grade Update" to keep you informed about some of the daily activities happening in our classroom.  Also on Fridays a homework folder will be sent home.

I am excited to be learning with your children!

Sincerely

Jill Mrochek

First Grade Teacher

St Francis Xavier School