Mrs. Brienne Schneider
First Grade
Welcome to First Grade!
Here is an overview of your student’s First Grade year at
St. Ignatius.
CURRICULUM:
Morning Routine: We will begin each day with an academic warm-up and the Daily Oral Language. We will then proceed to the back rug for our Morning Prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, singing, and our daily calendar. In order for students to get their day off to a great start, it is vital for them to be here before the 8:30 bell. Students that arrive after that time will be counted as tardy.
Calendar: Our calendar program (Every Day Counts) works in conjunction with the information covered during math. During this time we will learn the months of the year, days of the week, follow and read a calendar, tell time on analog and digital clocks, keep track of the days we have been in school, find patterns, and create graphs.
Reading: This year we will be developing our reading fluency, comprehension, and phonemic awareness through exposure to a variety of stories, poems, dramatic scripts, and non-fiction articles. It is incredibly important that students continue reading at home. Reading will be a part of our weekly homework, asking students to read a total of at least fifty minutes each week.
Writing: We will begin the year with a focus on letter formation, grammar, and sentence structure. This unit will follow the phonics laid out in our reading text. After that, we will complete our Writing Journals (which cover a variety of styles such as narrative, descriptive, creative, and poetry writing) as well as “publishing” at least two other works on the computer.
Religion: First graders develop an understanding of their place and responsibilities as a member of God’s community. We will learn about the different roles one may take on within the parish, the history of Christianity, and ways to serve Him as a member of the Catholic Church. Father Tom will also be visiting our classroom to help us experience our role as Jesus’ followers at St. Ignatius.
Math: First Grade is an exciting year for students because they explore so many elements of mathematics. We incorporate our knowledge of computation and estimation to begin studying statistics and probability, graphing, measurement, geometry, time, and money. In order for us to fully experience and understand these new and complicated topics, it is imperative that students continue practicing math facts outside of the classroom experience. A strong background in the basics will ensure success in the many subjects of math that lie ahead.
Science: We will be conducting three major Life Science units: habitats, plants, and the life cycle; and one Physical Science unit on sound. At the conclusion of each of these units, students will complete a project at home that utilizes the skills and knowledge gained during our school studies.
Social Studies: Tying into Religion and Science, First Graders learn about communities. We focus on the jobs, homes, buildings, services, and environment necessary for a successful city/town and how we can make a positive contribution to society. We even build our very own towns!
Physical Education: The students will have P.E. three times a week with Ron Baglien. First graders do not wear P.E. uniforms, but every student need to provide clean, non-marking P.E. that will be kept at school for the duration of the year.
Music: The students will have Music three times a week with Joe McKenzie.
Computer: We will be building our technology skills at the computer lab twice a week with Kirk Auer.
Library: The students will visit our wonderful library under the supervision of Susanne Lohkamp twice a week.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Homework:
Homework Folders will go home with the students on Wednesdays and are to be returned the following Monday with work completed and the Reading Log filled. Each week’s packet will contain supplementary material that enforces the math, reading, writing, and phonics taught in class. Students are to complete the first three sections of the Reading Log, and parents are to verify the information by signing off each recorded day.
Birthdays:
On your student’s birthday, he or she may wear Free Dress. We will celebrate the special day by writing a class letter to the birthday boy or girl. Your student is also allowed to bring in treats to share with the class during the afternoon. Parents are, of course, welcome and encouraged to join us for this event. A letter will go home stating the date/time of the celebration.
NOTE: If your student’s birthday falls outside of the school schedule (weekends not included), we will commemorate the special day on his or her half-birthday.
Classroom Volunteers:
Volunteers are always welcomed and needed. If you are interested in volunteering in our classroom, please sign-up for a time on the bulletin board near the front office!
If you would ever like to meet with me before or after-school, please call or email me to schedule an appointment. My school phone number is (503) 774-5533 ext. 248.
It is a pleasure to have your child in my class, and I look forward to a wonderful year!
Brienne Schneider