All about 1st Grade
The 1st grade class is packed with excitement and learning. Mrs. Pederson and Ms. Raad are dedicated to making sure each one of their students meets and exceeds their academic goals. Many students come in to first grade at different reading levels, but whether a student is at grade level, a little behind, or way ahead, each one of them will set a goal at the beginning of the school year to reach. Once that goal is met, a new one is set. There is always something to strive for. Mrs. Pederson loves to give her students a sneak peek at what they will be learning by wearing an outfit that matches what they will be focusing on that day, kind of like Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus!
Daily 5
Every day after a whole group lesson in Language Arts, the 1st grade class completes Daily 5. This is where students move in small groups (most of the time with those in similar reading & writing levels) from one center to the next in a given rotation. The time spent in each center is about 15 minutes. The centers include Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Work on Writing, and Word Work. It is during this Daily 5 time that Mrs. Pederson works with small groups on reading and writing skills.
Read to Self
Identifying good fit books, increasing reading stamina, reporting on books using various story elements to increase reading comprehension, using an online platform (RAZ) to read assigned book at the correct level and then complete a reading comprehension test.
Read to Someone
Phonics/language/word family games, language weekly comprehension story read-alouds, reader theatres, using story cubes & cards to create group stories.
Listening to Read
Listening to stories online and completing tasks mostly online about them, working on phonics and other ELA skills via BOOM cards.
Work on Writing
Weekend reports, seasonal writing projects, art & writing projects, developing all forms of writing (lists, letters, opinion writing, persuasive, informational reports), handwriting, Free Choice Fridays.
Word Work
ABC order, rainbow write, pyramid spell, use it in a sentence, rhyme time, fancy writing, build it, stamp it, etc.
Many activities are differentiated for each group and/or child.
How we read:
Research proves that a child sounds out a word correctly the 1st time by starting at the end of the word and looking for chunks. For example:
ing
ay-ing
spr-aying
spraying
Guided Math & Whole Group
In math, the class starts with a whole group warm-up and short lesson time. Then the students will rotate through 3 centers: small group teaching, journal, game or technology. Some days they will have more of a whole group math lesson and then work time, where Mrs. Pederson will work 1-on-1 with those that need a little more time or a hands-on approach.
Curriculum
ELA – My View Literacy by Savvas Learning Company
Reading Leveling – Fountas & Pinnell
Math – enVision Mathematics & Common Core by Savvas
Science – Elevate Science by Savvas
Social Studies – Common Core Standards through various units
Religion – Grace made curriculum
Handwriting – Zaner-Bloser
Homework
Grace has homework expectations beginning in 1st grade. 1st grade is expected to complete 10-15 minutes of extra work at home every evening Mon-Thurs.
Specials
- Gym twice a week
- German twice a week
- Music twice a week
- Art once a week
- Library once a week
1st graders have the option to join Orchestra. They can choose to learn to play the violin, viola, or cello.
Recess
3 times on most days: morning with snack, after lunch, and mid afternoon.
Technology
1-to-1 with iPads. Apps that are used the most are Seesaw, Boom Cards, iXL Math, iXL Language Arts, RAZ, and Epic!
1st grade has fun with field trips and class parties! This year they walked to Dominican to watch the performance of The Nutcracker. They participate in service via the school walkathon and they have the opportunity to lead a chapel service one time during the school year.
1st grade students have 6th grade chapel buddies! 6th graders will visit the 1st grade classroom throughout the school year to spend time with their buddies. They also sit together during chapel when a Grace class is leading the service.
If you would like more information about 1st grade and/or would like to begin the admissions process, please send an email to agarcia@graceriverforest.org to be connected with our Director of Enrollment and Marketing.
