September 2026
Here’s on overview of our learning goals for September:
September is a big month in grade one! We will spend a lot of time getting to know each other, building relationships, learning expectations and rules, and reviewing academic skills learned in kindergarten. There are a lot of differences between kindergarten and grade one. We will be sure to include a lot of opportunities to play and learn in a variety of ways!
Reading: We will be exploring books, reviewing words, building stamina for reading and establishing readers’ workshop routines. Later this month, we will begin partner reading, small group reading, and strategy groups as well.
Writing: This month, we will work to establish Writer’s Workshop and independent work skills. We will make some class books together and practice/review writing sentences.
Math: We will be reviewing numbers 1-10, counting forwards and backwards, subitizing (recognizing numbers at a glance), and representing these numbers in a variety of ways.
Fundations Unit 1: This unit is a review of letter sounds (vowels and consonants) and letter formation.
Humanities: Zones of Regulation. Our feelings/emotions can be categorized into 4 colored zones: Green Zone- calm, ready to learn, happy; Yellow Zone- nervous, anxious, silly; Blue Zone- sad, tired, shy, slow moving; Red Zone- angry, frustrated, losing control. We will discuss these zones, learn to recognize and name our feelings and which zone they belong to, and strategies we can use to get our bodies back to the Green Zone. We will, also, learn about building positive friendships/peer relationships.
Social/Emotional Learning: This month, we will learn how to use "I Messages".
An "I message" is a way for children to communicate their feelings and needs in a kind and respectful way, especially when they are having a disagreement or something is bothering them. Instead of blaming or accusing someone, children learn to explain how they feel and what they need.
We are practising the simple format:
“I feel _____ when _____. Can you please _____.”
For example:
“I feel sad when you don’t let me play. Can you please let me have a turn.”
“I feel frustrated when you interrupt me. Can you please let me finish.”
“I feel upset when you take my things. Can you please ask me first.”
Students will practise using I messages through role-play and during real-life classroom situations. Learning this skill is important because it helps children express their feelings, solve problems peacefully, listen to others, and build positive friendships. At this age, children are still learning how to navigate friendships and manage emotions, so having a simple tool like an “I message” can be very helpful.
You can also encourage your child to practise using I messages at home.