Reading

Reading is one of the most exciting things we learn in first grade! There is a special kind of magic when reading begins to "click" for a child. Please make reading a priority in your home, and it will become a lifelong gift that will unlock a world of possibilities for your first grader!

Our Read-Alouds

One of the most impactful things we do to promote reading success is to read aloud with children. In our class, we read aloud multiple times a day. Some books are just for fun, but some will have specific learning goals attached. Here is a list of some of the lesson-specific books we will be reading this month:

September

  • First Day Jitters, by Julie Danneberg

  • A Birthday Basket for Tia, by Pat Mora

  • Max and the Tag-Along Moon, by Floyd Cooper

  • When I Am Old With You, by Angela Johnson

  • Papa and Me, by Arthur Doros

  • The Relatives Came, by Cynthia Rylant

  • Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henkes

  • Julius, Baby of the World, by Kevin Henkes

  • Lily's Big Day, by Kevin Henkes

  • Sheila Rae the Brave, by Kevin Henkes

  • Curious George Goes Camping, by H. A. and Margaret Rey

  • Angelina and Henry, by Julius Lester

  • Peter's Chair, by Ezra Jack Keats

  • ... stay tuned for more!!!

Phonics

Phonemic awareness (hearing and manipulating the sounds that make up letters and words) and phonics (connecting those sounds to written language) are foundational to both reading and writing. Here is what we'll be focusing on in phonics this month.

October

This month, we will continue our review of single letter sounds, rhyming, and syllables. You can highlight these language components as you read with your child at home, if you like. Make it a game: how many words can you find that have two syllables? begin with a selected letter? rhyme?