GENERAL INFORMATION
First Grade Curriculum
General Information:
Thank you for all the supplies you have already sent in with your child: Kleenex, hand sanitizer, zip loc bags, and table wipes. These will all help us keep a clean and healthy classroom environment.
Schedule changes: please be sure to write a note if your child’s schedule is different than normal, particularly if you are picking them up at the end of the day or before the school day is over. We do not always get a chance to check our email during the day so call the office if an emergency pick-up becomes necessary.
Check backpacks daily and empty your child’s take-home folder. If you are sending in lunch money, please send it in an envelope with your child’s name on it.
Your child should bring a healthy snack daily along with a water bottle.
Dress for the weather; students go outside for recess everyday.
Label all supplies and CLOTHING; this includes mittens, gloves, jackets, snow pants and boots.
Language Arts
Reading Workshop Model
Individual, small group, and whole class instruction
Students read individually from their own reading baskets that include books that are “just the right fit” for them as readers.
Yearly units include building good reading habits: read to self, partner and group reading; identifying story elements; improving fluency and comprehension skills.
CR Success Program-Explicit instruction on phonetic concepts aligned to the common core standards.
Spelling-Wordsmith Program Connects spelling and writing to word study. This program is designed to support the CR Success Phonics Program.
RTI- (Response to Intervention) This is a Brighton Area School District support program for students struggling in reading and/or math.
Writing Workshop Model
Writers workshop model by Lucy Calkins
This model focuses on students generating and organizing ideas while developing punctuation, capitalization, sentence formations and spelling skills. The units of study include: opinion, information and narrative writing.
Math
Everyday Math Program (New Edition)
Family letters are sent home to inform parents the skills being taught in each unit.
Home-Links (Homework) -Students get homework pages 2-3 times a week to help reinforce the skills being taught at school.
This program provides opportunities for all learning styles including support and enrichment activities.
Units include: number recognition; counting to 120, not always starting at 1; addition and subtracting utilizing manipulatives, pictures and number sentences; money recognition and counting; telling time; measurement; story problems; and math skills related to calendar activities.
Specials
40-minute classes which include art, music and physical education. These rotate in an A, B, C schedule and are posted on the school website monthly.
Science
The district has adopted a new science program called:
Phenomenal Science
Unit 1: Star Light, Star Bright
Unit 2: Functions and Frames
Health
Dental Health
Nutrition-Healthy eating habits
Social Studies
Family
Needs and Wants
Learning from the Past
Good Citizenship
Newsletter
A periodic newsletter will be found on our first grade website. If your child’s emergency card does not include a current email address, please email your child’s teacher with this information.
If you have any questions please contact your child’s teacher via email or phone, 810-299-4350.
Thank you for sharing your children with us,
Mrs. Clark, Ms. Hillman, and Mrs. Stamper
General Information:
Thank you for all the supplies you have already sent in with your child: Kleenex, hand sanitizer, zip loc bags, and table wipes. These will all help us keep a clean and healthy classroom environment.
Schedule changes: please be sure to write a note if your child’s schedule is different than normal, particularly if you are picking them up at the end of the day or before the school day is over. We do not always get a chance to check our email during the day so call the office if an emergency pick-up becomes necessary.
Check backpacks daily and empty your child’s take-home folder. If you are sending in lunch money, please send it in an envelope with your child’s name on it.
Your child should bring a healthy snack daily along with a water bottle.
Dress for the weather; students go outside for recess everyday.
Label all supplies and CLOTHING; this includes mittens, gloves, jackets, snow pants and boots.
Language Arts
Reading Workshop Model
Individual, small group, and whole class instruction
Students read individually from their own reading baskets that include books that are “just the right fit” for them as readers.
Yearly units include building good reading habits: read to self, partner and group reading; identifying story elements; improving fluency and comprehension skills.
CR Success Program-Explicit instruction on phonetic concepts aligned to the common core standards.
Spelling-Wordsmith Program Connects spelling and writing to word study. This program is designed to support the CR Success Phonics Program.
RTI- (Response to Intervention) This is a Brighton Area School District support program for students struggling in reading and/or math.
Writing Workshop Model
Writers workshop model by Lucy Calkins
This model focuses on students generating and organizing ideas while developing punctuation, capitalization, sentence formations and spelling skills. The units of study include: opinion, information and narrative writing.
Math
Everyday Math Program (New Edition)
Family letters are sent home to inform parents the skills being taught in each unit.
Home-Links (Homework) -Students get homework pages 2-3 times a week to help reinforce the skills being taught at school.
This program provides opportunities for all learning styles including support and enrichment activities.
Units include: number recognition; counting to 120, not always starting at 1; addition and subtracting utilizing manipulatives, pictures and number sentences; money recognition and counting; telling time; measurement; story problems; and math skills related to calendar activities.
Specials
40-minute classes which include art, music and physical education. These rotate in an A, B, C schedule and are posted on the school website monthly.
Science
The district has adopted a new science program called:
Phenomenal Science
Unit 1: Star Light, Star Bright
Unit 2: Functions and Frames
Health
Dental Health
Nutrition-Healthy eating habits
Social Studies
Family
Needs and Wants
Learning from the Past
Good Citizenship
Newsletter
A periodic newsletter will be found on our first grade website. If your child’s emergency card does not include a current email address, please email your child’s teacher with this information.
If you have any questions please contact your child’s teacher via email or phone, 810-299-4350.
Thank you for sharing your children with us,
Mrs. Clark, Ms. Hillman, and Mrs. Stamper
HOMEWORK GUIDELINES
Homework Guidelines for First Grade
The experts conclude that homework in the early grades does not increase academic achievement but can be used to encourage good study habits. It should not be stressful as it can set a negative tone for young children causing them to struggle with it in the future. Children work hard at school and have little time these days with their families in the evenings. Listed below are important homework guidelines based on current research of developmentally appropriate best practices for first grade.
- Homework should be about 10 minutes per grade per night. (For example K & 1st about 10 min.; 2nd about 20 min.; 3rd about 30 min.)
- With the hectic schedules of families today, it is okay to take 2 nights to complete assignments if necessary.
- Families should communicate with the teacher if homework is too hard or their child is taking too long to complete. Also, families should not do the work for their child however checking it is a great practice to begin early.
- Families can help children by having a designated homework area with needed supplies and modeling appropriate work behaviors.
- Finally, it is also suggested that reading 20 minutes a night (with a family member or independently) be added to daily homework minutes. Your child is at an important stage of his/her reading development where it should be a positive experience in order to associate reading with enjoyment.
