Welcome to First Grade!
Please join me and the faculty and staff at St. Apollinaris in making this an exciting, productive, and rewarding year for your child. Every child is unique, and we will do everything we can to see that your child gets the best possible education. I look forward to working with you as partners in your child’s education. The following information should be very helpful for you.
Religion
The name of our religion book is God Loves Us. The We Believe program by Sadlier will help them to learn, celebrate, share and live our Catholic faith. Each day we will learn more about God. We will pray each day, learn key words, do all kinds of exciting activities and sing songs. At the end of each chapter we will review, reflect and pray. After a chapter your child will be bringing home a page to share with you and your family. Please practice the Sign of the Cross, the Hail Mary, the Our Father, the Glory Be and Grace Before Meals.
Reading/Language Arts
The first graders are about to experience the rich literature of our new Houghton Mifflin Reading Program. At the same time, they’ll be achieving the standards set for them by the Reading/Language Arts Framework for the California Public Schools as well as our student outcomes for reading and language arts. For me to become acquainted with each child’s abilities and needs, the Back to School section will review the previously taught reading strategies, listening comprehension skills, letter recognition and formation, as well as phonemic awareness skills. There are ten themes in the first grade reading series. Each theme begins with a read aloud story, followed by a Big Book, main selections, a poetry link, phonics library books, audiotapes and I Love Reading Books. At the end of each theme there is an assessment. I’ll be sending home activities that you will do with your child to reinforce their reading in school. Please become involved as much as you can. Studies have shown that children who get support at home in reading and learning do better in school. A special reading log will be coming home where you will read and discuss the book with your child. Even after children have learned to read on their own, there are many benefits to reading aloud to your child. Visit the library together so you can choose books that both of you will enjoy. It’s important to show your child that you think reading is valuable and enjoyable.
Handwriting will be tied into both our writing skills, and the spelling programs. Daily practice of the letters will help define formation and style. Attention will also be given to each child’s skill of writing sentences, using capital letters, periods, plurals, and question marks. A daily journal will also be used for creative writing.
The Scotts Foresman Spelling workbook is used in the first grade.
The students will do a lesson a week and be given a test on Friday that will be sent home for you to sign and return on Monday. There will be no other homework on the weekend but I do encourage your child to read.
Math
We are using the Scott Foresman California Mathematic workbook. The students will understand and use the concept of ones, tens and hundreds in the place value system. They will add and subtract small numbers and learn their basic facts up to twenty. They will measure with simple units, sort, make patterns, graph, estimate, and explore geometry shapes. They will write and solve simple story problems. They also will use a variety of manipulative that will provide them with many opportunities and experiences to observe different problems. They will learn the mathematical operations. (+, – , =, <, >, ) They will count by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s and 10’s to 100. They will learn to tell time with the use of clocks and work with money. The calendar will also be used on a daily basis for math concepts.
Homework
Please check your child’s homework folder every night. It will come home Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday the Spelling folder will go home for you to sign and return on Monday. Allow your child to try to do their homework on their own. If they need help, please assist them to make sure all of the assignments are completed. We always go over our homework in class before we leave school. Most of the homework is a review of what we did in the day. If your child forgets their homework they will do it at recess. It will help them to remember it the next time.
Discipline
Effective classroom management and appropriate classroom behavior are a critical part of an environment in which learning will occur. My goal is to create a classroom that is stimulating and safe for your child. This includes assisting your child in making appropriate behavioral choices. Our classroom rules have been discussed by the class and are posted for all of them to see. Each child will be able to keep track of his/her personal behavior by the use of the behavioral chart. If a rule is not broken, no warning is given, and the child receives a green (Go) card for the day. If one warning is given, the child receives a yellow (Caution) card. If two warnings are given, a blue (Consequence) card is received and the child will lose part or all of their recess. If three warnings are given, the child receives a red (Stop) card and you will be notified of the inappropriate behavior. Each child begins a new day with a green card. Your assistance with behavioral expectations is critical for maintaining a positive learning environment for your child. Thank you for your support.
Social Studies
The McGraw Hill’s My World Adventures In Time And Place will be used to learn about our world. We will study where we live, our homes, our neighborhoods, and our communities. We will explore people at work and the national holidays, both in the United States and in the world. We will be using maps, charts, graphs, and timelines.
Science
The Scotts Foresman Science book studies four units:
Unit A is Life Science: Living and Nonliving, Habitats, How Plants and Animals live, Life Cycles, and Food Chains. Unit B is Earth Science: Land, Water and Air, and Weather. Unit C is Physical Science: Observing Matter, Movement and Sound, and Learning About Energy. Unit D is Space and Technology: Day and Night Sky and Science in Our World. Any interesting thing that your child may find can be brought into the classroom to share.
Art/Music
Many art projects will be made throughout our curriculum areas as well as holidays and our seasons. Volunteers are always welcome to assist me in our art projects. Mr. McKeever will also meet with us once a week to expand our musical talents. Singing songs will also be used in other curriculum areas.
Physical Education
The students will have P.E. three times a week with Mrs. Freschi.
If you have any questions concerning your child at school please feel free to call or write a note. I will call you back as soon as possible. Working together as partners will make school a great experience for your child. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child as we learn and grow together.
God bless you and your family,
Sincerely,
Kerry Kempkey
