September 5, 2008

What your children are learning~

Hello Parents & Guardians!
This is my first attempt at a blog. In the blog I hope to keep you informed of school events and happenings in the classroom. You will find information regarding curriculum skills the children are learning as well as new skills to be introduced. Sometimes I will feature photos from the class of interesting activities we are doing.

Teaching Grade 1 & 2 Combined~
As you are all aware, this class consists of 8 first graders and 8 second graders. You might ask, “How does a teacher do that?” Well, my answer is…lots of little groups, which is how I have always taught. I am very familiar with teaching a mixed age class. I used to teach a multiage of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd combined. It was great because I was able to have children for three years! In this class, first graders will learn from their first grade curriculum and the same goes for the second graders with their curriculum. There will be occasions where I will teach in a whole class setting. Those times will be for writing instruction and a few literature activities, which will have open response activities or art projects relevant to a particular story. All children will be challenged to their individual abilities.


Mathematics~
The Everyday Mathematics Program for math instruction is the program adopted by the Goffstown School District. Some of you probably remember that before each new unit is introduced, you will receive a “Home Link Family Letter”. It is extremely important that you keep these handouts for easy reference. The “Home Links” will inform you of the content to be taught, vocabulary your child will learn and will give instructions regarding how to help your child with homework they will be receiving. So, as the math becomes more challenging, it is important to keep yourself informed by reading the “Home Link”.

Literacy~
We will begin the school year with grade level instruction using the Scholastic Literacy Place Anthology.

1st Grade…
Cat on the Mat is the introductory story in the first grade anthology. Children at this level will be introduced to making predictions, phonics with the “at” family and using picture clues.

2nd Grade…
Children will enjoy reading a story called Ruby the Copycat written by Peggy Rothman. The skills emphasized throughout this story will be short vowels, digraphs (sh, th, wh, ch), vocabulary, word meaning, main idea, story details, character analysis, making inferences, predicting and understanding problems and their solutions.



Sitton Spelling~
The Sitton Spelling Program is our spelling curriculum. It is not like the old spelling tests you might remember as a child. This program teaches core words that children spell on a daily basis. Children will be taught to internalize these important words for everyday writing.
“Core Words” will be practiced daily and assessed through weekly Cloze Word Tests and Dictation. Second graders will begin the program soon. First graders will begin in a few weeks.