Curriculum

Welcome to First Grade!

I am looking forward to a great beginning of the year! The purpose of this information is to outline our first grade curriculum and to explain my educational beliefs.

My goals for the school year are:

*To foster a learning environment which focuses on cooperation and respect of each other, and

*To individualize educational approaches in order to meet the needs of each child.

*To continue to promote a positive self-image for each child

Everything we do in class will be connected to these goals while following the standards and curriculum provided by the Edina Public Schools.

FIRST GRADE CURRICULUM

MORNING MEETING:

Your child will start the beginning of each day in the classroom with a time to sit together in a circle and greet each other and get ready for the day ahead. The meeting will include a sharing time, some type of an activity and a reading of a chart. The chart will connect the previous day to the current day and have lots of possibilities for student interaction.

LANGUAGE ARTS:

The adopted Language Arts curriculum adopted by Edina Public Schools is by Houghton Mifflin. In addition, there are many books available in our classroom and at Concord. Reading strategies and phonic skills will be taught with authentic experiences using real literature. Few worksheets will be used. Our Language Arts curriculum takes a balanced approach and pulls from many areas. Some of these areas include:

* Small Groups- This is a time when children meet in a small group reading setting with me. Mini-lessons are taught based on the needs of the various groups. These groups are flexible and are continually changing.

* Reader’s Workshop-This is a time when the kids are developing an understanding of what readers do through large group instruction along with independent reading time. Students read self-selected books. Responding in a reader’s log format will also be done later in the year. This is one way I am able to individualize instruction for your child.

* Shared Reading- Many stories, poems and songs will be read each day. During this time the children will learn to use the three major reading strategies. They are: phonic cues (letter-sound relationships), semantic cues (What would make sense here?”) and syntactic cues (using knowledge of language patterns and grammatical structure). Good readers use all three cueing systems interdependently.

* Reading Homework- This is a nightly sign out of classroom books that your child can read and practice at home. This is a very important part of the reading program. Please look for a letter in September that will describe the program in detail.

* Writer’s Workshop: Every child is an author! We will publish stories throughout the year. We will work together to revise stories for content and organization. Writing will be presented in various forms including sharing work digitally.

* Phonics: Sonday is used for whole group and individual instruction in phonics. This is in addition to phonics practice done in small groups.

* Sight Words: Sight words will be introduced on a weekly basis throughout the school year.

MATH:

The first grade math program is Math in Focus. Your child will be involved in many activities that are designed to reinforce a math concept. There is also a math journal with written assignments that accompany the activities in the classroom.

There is not a homework component to this math curriculum. Occasionally I may send home extra practice packets for your child if they need additional reinforcement on a concept.

SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, AND HEALTH (Integrated Curriculum):

These subject areas are integrated throughout the curriculum. The following is a list of units covered through the year:

Science: Pebbles, Sand, & Silt and Insects

Social Studies: Edina then and now, Citizenship, Neighborhoods & Families and Geography

*** Throughout the entire year I will be incorporating lessons on feelings and the ethical values. The ICCCAR values are: integrity, compassion, courage, commitment, appreciation of diversity, and responsibility.

SCHEDULING

DAILY SCHEDULE

The first bell of the day rings at 7:35. The second bell rings at 7:50. At that time students are expected to be in their classroom, ready to go for the day. Students should not arrive earlier than 7:35, as they may not be supervised due to staff meetings and teacher prep in the mornings. Dismissal is at 2:25.

SPECIALISTS

* Physical Education: Days 2-5 for 25 minutes

* Music: Days 2-5 for 25 minutes

* Art: Day 1 for 50 minutes

* Media Center: Day 1 for 30 minutes. Students will be able to check out 2 books.

RECESS

Students will be going outside for recess each day before lunch (unless weather prohibits-rain or extreme cold), so please send appropriate clothing with your child.

CLASSROOM THINGS

BIRTHDAYS: Birthdays are special days! We enjoy making your child feel like their birthday is a very exciting day. Due to many circumstances, we as a first grade, will not be celebrating birthdays with a birthday treat. In lieu of birthday treats, book donations are recommended if you choose. I would invite your child to bring their favorite book or the book you have chosen to donate to school. Please refer to my book wish list (via the classroom webpage) for ideas on different book titles, as I am always looking for enriching literature for the classroom. We will read the book during the day. Children will also have the chance to lead the morning meeting, have the Happy Birthday song sung to them, and have birthday cards made during the day given to them. Summer birthdays will be celebrated on the half-birthday.

SNACK/WATER: We will have a brief snack time each morning. Please send a healthy and quick snack to school with your child. Good examples would be fruit, vegetables, cheese or raisins. We also encourage parents to send water bottles to school with their children. It is very important for children to be hydrated throughout the day. Bottles can stay at school, but will be sent home Fridays to be cleaned.

PARENT COMMUNICATION: Seesaw is used most weeks for a Friday update. Email will be used as well.

Thank you for taking the time to read this important packet! I look forward to working with you this year. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at anytime through voicemail, e-mail, or notes via your child’s backpack.

Kim Moore

Voice Mail 952-848-3912 ext. 4353

Email: kimberly.moore@edinaschools.org

I check email very frequently during the day-this is the best way to get a hold of me. However, if you need to be sure that a message gets to me and it is towards the end of the day, please call the office at 952-848-4300. Remember, there are days when our computers/servers aren't working, and I may not get your email. Also, if there are days I am not at school, I will not get your message via email! So if it is an important message, please try to get it to me the day before, or leave a voicemail. Thanks!