Parent Corner
Helping My Child with First Grade Reading
How can you help your first grader with his reading homework? Here are some tips for parents on what to do to help your child develop good habits and get the most out of his homework assignments.
In class, the children are taught how to use the 5 Finger Rule to find a book that is at their independent reading level. This rule can also be used at home! 5 Finger Rule 1. Open to a page of the book. 2. Begin reading. 3. Each time you come to a word you don’t know, hold up 1 finger. 4. After you finish reading the page, check to see how many fingers you are holding up. Too Easy: 0 - 1 fingers Just Right: 2 - 3 fingers Too Hard: 4 - 5 fingers Helping My Child With First Grade Math In first grade, kids move from object-based, hands-on math, to more standard pencil-and-paper scribbling. Children still need visual and tactile learning in the mix, but they also need to start transferring many of their mathematical ideas onto paper. Here are some things you can do at home, to help your child make the leap.
Be creative in helping your child succeed at math. Most importantly, be patient; these are difficult skills, and it takes time for most children to perform them perfectly. Helping My Child with First Grade Spelling Some kids seem to spell naturally. Without so much as blinking, they absorb letter patterns, adjust to sight words, and scribble away. But for most, spelling is one of those old-fashioned learning tasks: it takes effort, focus, and above all, repetition. Especially in the younger grades, when children have just learned how to read words, spelling can be a major roadblock. If your child is feeling overwhelmed by all this, you can help! There are a few choice practice techniques that you can use to make the process easier for your child. One strategy to use when those spelling sheets start coming home is “Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check,” which uses a grid to take a child through the process of remembering her spelling words. To make the grid lay a piece of paper out on the table with the longest side running horizontally. Fold the paper in thirds, so that you have three columns that run vertically. Ask your child to write his spelling words in the first column, one underneath the other.
This technique works because it draws on several different learning styles, which is important because to spell a word, a child must use several parts of the brain at once. If you only use one way to get there, such as writing, things can move pretty slow. With each new word, your child has used three approaches: visual (“look”), auditory (“say”), and kinesthetic (“write”). If you have a child who also craves physical activity, you can even add to the kinesthetic part of this exercise. A physical activity like jumprope, in which she recites spelling rhythmically as she goes, or bouncing a ball as she spells, can be great ways to practice spelling. No matter what method you use, however, do make sure you finish up by having your child write the word correctly. That’s the structure of most tests, and certainly of essays both now and for years to come. With your encouragement, your child might even grow to love this famously difficult task! Daily 5 Information
DAILY 5 CHOICE DESCRIPTIONS: Read to Self When students Read to Self, students read good-fit books independently from their book baskets. Students take their book box and find a cozy reading spot around the room. Leveled readers from the A - Z reading series are read during this time. All books are carefully monitored by Mrs. Mabin to ensure they are indeed a good-fit for students. Why do we do this? The best way to become a better reader is to practice, practice, practice each day! Read to Self helps us become better readers and it is fun! Read to Someone When students choose Read to Someone, partners take their book baskets and read just-right books to read together. Partners are taught to sit "EEKK" style when partner reading (elbow to elbow, knee to knee). Students make decisions together about where they want to read, what they want to read (same book or different books), and how they want to read (echo or choral). Students are carefully taught to CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING when partner reading. This helps us improve our comprehension. While one student reads, the other student listens carefully and then "checks for understanding". The listener retells what he/she heard by saying: "I heard you say (who & what)." This holds the listener accountable. Students are also carefully taught how to be good reading coaches and to assist partners when they come to an unknown word or when comprehension may break down. Why do we do this? Reading with a partner is fun and helps us become more fluent readers. It also helps us improve our reading comprehension. Listen to Reading When students choose Listen to Reading, they can either listen to stories on the computer or Ipads. Our classroom is very fortunate to have four computers with internet access, and access to Ipads. In addition, students are read to once each week by Mrs. R in the library, and daily by me. It exposes us to a variety of genre, too! Why do we do this? Listening to readers and books on tape is fun and helps us to become more fluent readers. Word Work When students choose Word Work, they explore and work with our weekly spelling and vocabulary words. They have a list of Word Work activities to choose from. Examples: Rainbow spell the words, flash cards, stamp them with alphabet stamps, print them on white boards and chalk boards etc. Why do we do this? Work work allows us to learn about words, to expand our vocabularies, and to become better spellers! Our writing is important to us and correct spelling allows our readers to have a better understanding and appreciation of our writing. Writing Work Work on writing is a time for children to practice the skills we are learning during our writing lessons. It could be free choice journal writing, letter writing to our buddies, or writing about a story we have read or heard. Why do we do this? Just like with reading, the key to becoming a successful writer is to practice. The more you do it, the better you become! Guided Reading Students work with the teacher to read with a group at a level that is just right for them. Why do we do this? Students need to spend time reading at a level that is just right for them and doing this in a group gives them a chance to help each other out. It also allows the teacher to work with more than one student at a time. Math Daily 3
DAILY 3 CHOICE DESCRIPTIONS: The Math Daily 3 is a method for structuring math time so students practice different ways of applying and learning math every day, fostering independent learning and success. The structure of Math Daily 3 is very similar to the structure of The Daily 5. Once your students know The Daily 5,the transition to Math Daily 3 is a natural step. Math by Myself Math by Myself is one of three tasks children choose from during the independent work time of Math Daily 3. It provides time for kinesthetic practice of math concepts that are primarily activity based. At the beginning of a new math unit, the activities are mostly review and practice from prior units of study. Then, as the new unit goes on, more of the Math Daily 3 activities become practice and reinforcement related to the current unit of study. Math by Myself can involve activity boards, various math tools/ manipulatives, or even the use of computers or tablets. Some Math by Myself activities are also fit for Math with Someone. Math with Someone Math with Someone is one of three tasks children choose from during Math Daily 3 work time. This task allows students to have experience with talking and writing about mathematics as they describe and explain their thinking to peers. Collaboration about mathematic concepts helps students identify, simplify, organize, express, and extend their thinking. Math with Someone can involve activity boards, various math tools/ manipulatives, or even the use of computers or tablets. Some Math with Someone activities are also fit for Math by Myself. Math Writing Math Writing is the third of the Math Daily 3 tasks. It is time students express and articulate their thinking and understanding by working an a particular math problem or math concept through pictures, numbers, and words, and occasionally by creating problems of their own as well. |
What are my Marvellous Mabin's Learning in September Language Arts We will begin by reviewing alphabet letters and sounds. We will also be working on sight words daily. Students will begin to learn about Daily 5 and picking out "right fit books". Math We are beginning Unit One - Patterns and relations on recognizing and working with patterns and sorting objects. Science We are beginning our colour unit. We will focus on primary and secondary colours. Social We focus on "Belonging In My World". Students will demonstrate an understanding of belonging in their world. Religion We are beginning Unit 1 – I Am A Child of God – based in Ordinary Time and introduces students to God as Creator and Father. Art We are working on a variety of themed arts and craft activities. Our first themes are lines and colours.
What are my Marvellous Mabin's Learning in October Language Arts We will continue to work on letter names, sounds, sight words daily. We will also work on Daily 5 reading and writing activities. Math We are beginning Unit Two - Patterns -Equal and not Equal. Students will begin to recognize that patterns are all over. Religion We are continuing Unit 1 – I Am A Child of God – based in Ordinary Time and introduces students to God as Creator and Father. Social Studies We will still focus on "Belonging In My World". Students will demonstrate an understanding of belonging in their world. Science We are continuing our colour unit (using and making primary and secondary colours) with an additional focus on seasons. Art We are working on a variety of theme arts and craft activities. Our second theme is Autumn and Thanksgiving. What are my Marvellous Mabin's Learning in November
Language Arts We will continue to work on sight words daily. We will also work on Daily 5 reading and writing activities. Students will focus on reading “just right fit books”, word families and writing simple sentences. Math We are beginning unit 3 – Counting numbers up to 20. We will continue to work on sequencing to 20 and patterning. Religion We are beginning Unit 2 - The Road To Bethlehem - presents the seasons of Advent and Christmas through stories and scripture. Social Studies We will still focus on "Belonging In My World". Students will demonstrate an understanding of belonging in their world. We will continue to talk about all of the groups we belong to. Science We are continuing our focus on colours and seasonal changes. We will begin learning about the five senses. Art We are working on a variety of theme arts and craft activities. Our next themes are Remembrance Day and Advent. We will be focus on using lines, shapes and a variety of textures. What are my Marvellous Mabin's Learning in December
Language Arts We will continue to work on sight words daily. We will also work on Daily 5 reading and writing activities. Students will focus on reading “just right fit books”, word families and writing simple sentences. Math We are beginning Unit 4 - Showing Numbers. Students will begin to count using a five frame, ten frame and a number line. We will continue to work on sequencing to 20 and patterning. Religion We are continuing Unit 2 The Road To Bethlehem - presents the seasons of Advent and Christmas through stories and scripture. Social Studies We will still focus on "Belonging In My World". Students will demonstrate an understanding of belonging in their world. We will continue to talk about all of the groups we belong to. Science We are continuing our focus on colours and seasonal changes. We will continue learning about the five senses. Art We are working on a variety of theme arts and craft activities. Our next themes are Advent and Christmas. We continue to focus on using lines, shapes and a variety of textures. What are my Marvellous Mabin's Learning in January
Language Arts We will continue to work on sight words daily. Spelling tests will now be ten words. We will also work on Daily 5 reading and writing activities. Students continue to focus on reading “just right fit books”, word families and writing simple sentences. Students will begin writing in their journals. Math We are beginning Unit 5 - Seeing Numbers. Students will begin to group numbers in many different ways. We will continue to work on sequencing to 20 and patterning. Religion We are beginning Unit 3 – My Life In Jesus. Based in Ordinary Time and focuses on Baptism as a call to life in the Church. Social Studies We will begin the "Looking At My World" unit. Students will demonstrate an understanding of geographic features in their community, and they will develop an understanding of how belonging to groups and communities enriches their lives. Science We are continuing our focus on colours and seasonal changes. We will continue learning about the five senses. Art We are working on a variety of theme arts and craft activities. Our next themes are New Years and Winter Fun. We continue to focus on using lines, shapes and a variety of textures. What are my Marvellous Mabin's Learning in February
Language Arts We will continue to work on sight words daily. Spelling tests will now be ten words. We will also work on Daily 5 reading and writing activities. Students continue to focus on reading “just right fit books”, word families and writing simple sentences. Students will do targeted writing activities and continue to write in their journals each week. Math We are beginning Unit 6 - Comparing Numbers. Students will demonstrate an understanding of less than and more than. They will also practice counting to 100 by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's. Religion We are continuing Unit 3 – My Life In Jesus. Based in Ordinary Time and focuses on Baptism as a call to life in the Church. Social Studies We will continue the "Looking At My World" unit. Students will demonstrate an understanding of geographic features in their community, and they will develop an understanding of how belonging to groups and communities enriches their lives. They will also create a community from paper bags and assorted materials. Science We are beginning our focus on building things. We will continue learning about the five senses, seasonal changes and colours. Art We are working on a variety of theme arts and craft activities. Our next themes are Winter Fun and Valentine's Day. We continue to focus on using lines, shapes and a variety of textures What are my Marvellous Mabin's Learning in March
Language Arts We will continue to work on sight words daily. Spelling tests will now be ten words. We will also work on Daily 5 reading and writing activities. Students continue to focus on reading “just right fit books”, word families and writing simple sentences. Students will do targeted writing activities and continue to write in their journals each week. Math We are beginning Unit 7 - Estimating Students will demonstrate an understanding estimating by 5, 10 and by comparing. Students will continue to work on the + and - signs, adding and subtracting to 20, and counting to 100 by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's. Religion We are beginning Unit 4 – The Story Of Lent And Easter Roots the passion and death of Jesus in the liturgical celebrations of Lent and Easter. Social Studies We will continue the "Looking At My World" unit. Students will demonstrate an understanding of geographic features in their community, and they will develop an understanding of how belonging to groups and communities enriches their lives. They will also create a community from paper bags and assorted materials. Science We are continuing our focus on building things. We will continue learning about the five senses, seasonal changes and colours. Art We are working on a variety of theme arts and craft activities. Our next themes are St. Patrick's Day and Spring. We continue to focus on using lines, shapes and a variety of textures. What are my Marvellous Mabin's Learning in April
Language Arts We will continue to work on sight words daily. Spelling tests are ten words from the Dolch lists. We will also work on Daily 5 reading and writing activities. Students continue to focus on reading “just right fit books”, word families and writing simple sentences. Students will do targeted writing activities and continue to write stories and in their journals each week. Math We are beginning Unit 8 - Adding and Subtracting Students will demonstrate an understanding of basic addition and subtraction strategies. Students will continue to work on the + and - signs, adding and subtracting to 20, and counting to 100 by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's. Religion We are continuing Unit 4 – The Story Of Lent And Easter Roots the passion and death of Jesus in the liturgical celebrations of Lent and Easter. Social Studies We will continue the "Looking At My World" unit. Students will demonstrate an understanding of geographic features in their community, and they will develop an understanding of how belonging to groups and communities enriches their lives. They will also create a community from paper bags and assorted materials. Science We are continuing our focus on building things. We will continue learning about the five senses, seasonal changes and colours. Art We are working on a variety of theme arts and craft activities. Our next themes are Fairy Tales and Spring. We continue to focus on using lines, shapes and a variety of textures. What are my Marvellous Mabin's Learning in May
Language Arts We will continue to work on sight words daily. Spelling tests are ten words from the Dolch lists. We will also work on Daily 5 reading and writing activities. Students continue to focus on reading “just right fit books”, word families and writing simple sentences. Students will do targeted writing activities and continue to write stories and in their journals each week. Math We are beginning Unit 9 - Mental Math Students will demonstrate an understanding of counting back, counting on, doubles and making 10. Students will continue to work on the + and - signs, adding and subtracting to 20, and counting to 100 by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's. Religion We are beginning Unit 5 – Jesus Is Always With Us – Taught in Ordinary Time, focuses on the call to live our lives as Jesus taught. Social Studies We will begin the "Then and Now" unit. Students will demonstrate an understanding of geographic features in their community, and they will develop an understanding of how groups and communities are different now than they were in the past. Science We are continuing our focus on Living and Non Living things. We will continue learning about the five senses, seasonal changes and colours. Art We are working on a variety of theme arts and craft activities. Our next themes are Spring, Plants and Animals. We continue to focus on using lines, shapes and a variety of textures. What are my Marvellous Mabin's Learning in June
Language Arts We will continue to work on sight words daily. Spelling tests are ten words from the Dolch lists. We will also work on Daily 5 reading and writing activities. Students continue to focus on reading “just right fit books”, word families and writing simple sentences. Students will do targeted writing activities and continue to write stories and in their journals each week. Math We begin Unit 10 -Shape and Space - Measuring/ Sorting Students will demonstrate an understanding of mass and area. Students will continue to work on numbers 1 to 100, the + and - signs, adding and subtracting to 20, and counting to 100 by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's. Religion We are continuing Unit 5 – Jesus Is Always With Us – Taught in Ordinary Time, focuses on the call to live our lives as Jesus taught. Social Studies We will continue the "Then and Now" unit. Students will demonstrate an understanding of geographic features in their community, and they will develop an understanding of how groups and communities are different now than they were in the past. Science We are continuing our focus on Living and Non Living things. We will continue learning about the five senses, seasonal changes and colours. Art We are working on a variety of theme arts and craft activities. Our next themes are Summer, Plants and Animals. We continue to focus on using lines, shapes and a variety of textures. |