Daily Routines

A Typical Day

These times are an approximate framework for the day. Learning may take more or less time and we are, of course, flexible.... we have to be....we are first graders--where learning is an adventure--a world of discovery and surprise!

We also have to take into consideration changes due to specialist schedules and school-wide events. We also set aside time for Book Buddies.

 

Specials


Music
Music is fundamental to creative thinking, and is related to the intellectual and emotional development of the child. The program focuses on singing, listening, the elements of music, movement exploration, rhythms, and games.

 

 


Art
Art is a highly personal experience which provides the child with the opportunity to solve problems in unique ways. In addition to teaching skills and techniques, the program is designed to foster creativity and independent thinking.

 

 


Media
The Media program is designed to help a child understand how to use the library and reference materials to develop strong study skills. Literature appreciation and the importance of reading for pleasure are strsses throughout the program.

 


Physical Education
All aspects of learning depend upon the physical condition of the individual. The mind functions at the optimum level if the body is well nourished and rested and is properly exercised. The Physical Education program is designed to enhance the development of gross motor skills through participation in physical fitness activities, rhythms and movement exploration, games, sports, and recreational activities.

 

 

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Morning Message

What is a Morning Message?

_eptember 7, 20 _ _

dear frien_s,

_ello! every morn_ _ _ when the _ _ ildren come in, ther_ is a m_ _ning m_ _age. simply a le_ ter to the _-_ildren fill_ _ with learning opportunitys_ it tells ab_-_t the dayz event_. the childr_n are able two find you're errors by t_keing turns correcting the message? this is a _onderfu_ teach_ _ _ tool and a great spring board for daily lesson_. they are so p_oud w_en th_y find a mi_take.

Sincerely,

Ms. Schmidt

 

Look for these skills in this message:

  • Capitalization
  • Punctuation
  • Beginning, middle and ending sounds, blends and vowels
  • Homonyms (to, two)
  • Contractions (your, you're)
  • Verb endings
  • Plurals

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Morning Meeting: Calendar and Circle Time

Displayed on a bulletin board, our calendar goes beyond just putting up the date. From October on, the "Calendar Helper" leads the class in calendar activities. First, the child puts up the date. The child then proceeds to ask a series of calendar questions while displaying the answers on the board. He/she has a helper, for confidence and support, as well as help.

Activities include:

  • Yesterday was...(Days of the Week)
  • Today is...
  • Tomorrow will be...
  • How many days have we been in school? (Adding on)
  • Identifying place value: How many hundreds, tens, ones
  • How many days do we have left? (Subtracting)
  • Writing the date abbreviated (09/07/99)
  • Counting coins to equal the date
  • Determining if the date is an odd or even number
  • Writing number sentences, addition and subtraction, that equal the date
  • Tooth "Beary" tooth graphing: Who lost a tooth?
  • Current Events and Daily News
  • Weather Bear: Dress the bear according to the weather, graph results

We have a brief sharing time, chat about the day's events and read a story or two, depending on time.

 

 

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Blends and Vowels

First Graders need to learn a great deal of sounds in order to help them read better. By now, they should already know most of the sounds the consonant letters make.

They will be learning:

Consonant Blends:

bl, fl, pl, br, cr, dr, fr, gr, tr, str, sm, sn, pr, cl, gl, tw, sp, spr

Consonant Digraphs:

ch, sh, th

 

Vowels

Short Vowels

  • a... as in apple
  • e... as in elephant
  • i... as in igloo
  • o... as in octopus
  • u... as in umbrella

Long Vowels

  • If the vowel comes at the end of a word. (be, so, go)
  • Two vowels: The first vowel sounds like it's name, the second one is silent. (cake, boat)
  • a...as in ape (if the word ends with ay, it makes a long a sound: day, play)
  • e...as in eat
  • i...as in ice (if the word ends with a y, it makes a long i sound: try, my)
  • o...as in open (sometimes ow and ol makes a long o sound: snow, grow, told, gold)
  • u...as in use

"r" Controlled Vowels

  • ar...as in car
  • er...as in her
  • or...as in for

Special Vowels

  • all...as in ball
  • au, aw.. as in auto or saw
  • oi, oy...as in oil or boy
  • oo...as in book or moon
  • ou, ow...as in mouse or cow

Of course there are exceptions to every rule. Not all words will follow these rules. Some common examples are words like: have, they, was, been, you.

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B.E.A.R. Time

Be Excited About Reading

B.E.A.R. time is a quiet, "no talking" reading time for the children to read silently to themselves. This time is right after lunch and recess. It is "cooling off" period for the children to relax and read. There are many books for the children to peruse from our class library, but children are also encouraged to bring in favorite books from home.

 
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