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First grade math consists of a variety of skills including concepts, computation, and problem solving. The more the students practice these skills, the more proficient they become in math. Our math routine includes our morning meeting at the calendar each morning, daily fact practice, a lesson with hands on learning, as well as written practice. Calendar skills We begin each day with a fifteen minute morning meeting. During this meeting we update our class calendar and work on a variety of skills which revolve around the calendar. You can help prepare your child for this by discussing the day of the week in terms of yesterday, today, and tomorrow on the way to school. The students need to know there are 7 days in a week, 12 months in a year, and 365 days in a year. They also need to know how to find the date on the calendar. We practice counting to one hundred by ones, twos, fives, and tens forwards and backwards. We record the weather on the weather graph and record this information in our daily news. Math Facts The mastery of addition and subtraction facts is a vital part of success in first grade. The class practices daily using flashcards, drill sheets, reviewing charts with numbers concepts and addition and subtraction strategies. Students make and receive flashcards each time a new set of facts is introduced to take home and practice. The students are taught a variety of strategies to find solutions to all problems and are encouraged to use the strategy that works best for them. I focus on touch math (adding or subtracting by counting up or back using dots placed strategically on numbers) and using number sense. Number sense is a thorough understanding of how numbers work. It is really helpful for students to have a basic understanding of number concepts such as:
When adding sums of ten, the order of the number does not matter, you can always count up by saying the higher number and counting up.
There are several links to fun sites to practice facts on the Students and Games People Play pages. If your child uses their fingers to add and subtract, and that is the strategy they feel the most comfortable using, I would never try to stop them. First graders should be able to add and subtract two digit numbers without regrouping. Money First graders should know the value of a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, and dollar. First graders should be able to count money using pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. Please practice counting pennies, nickels, and dimes with your child. If it is difficult then begin with just pennies, then go to pennies and dimes, then pennies, dimes, and nickels. Just letting you child count the change left in your pocket at the end of the day is better than no practice. Don't let them talk you into giving your change to them, or they will expect it every night, and the next thing you know they are rich and you are broke. Time First graders should be able to tell time to the hour and half hour on an analog and digital clock. First graders should be able to say the time to the half hour as half past the hour or as (hour)thirty. Fractions First graders should be able to recognize one-half, one-third, and one-fourth fractions. Story Problems First graders should be able to solve story problems with addition or subtraction. You can help practice these skills by helping your child make up stories about household objects. For example: I had two cookies. I ate one. How many cookies do I have left? Let them tell you the number sentence. 2-1=1 Measurement First graders should be able to measure using nonstandard units (measuring in paper clips), centimeters, and inches. First graders should also be able to recognize the best scale for objects by size. Place Value First graders should be able to identify the place value of numbers to the hundreds place. (For example: the number in the tens place of 267 is 6) This is one of the more difficult skills for first graders. You can practice by asking them what number is in either the hundereds, tens, or ones place in two and three digit numbers. |
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Donations
- It is not required that you donate items, but I would gladly
appreciate any donation you would like to make.
Emergencies
- You will be contacted if your child is injured on the
playground or during P.E. We also have a school plan in case of fires, tornados or intruders. It is very important you
give me a complete list of phone numbers where you can be reached, and the names of others who you would
like for me to call if I cannot reach you. 
Field
Trips - We like field trips! Parents are welcome to
join us. More to follow later.
Guests
- If you would like to plan some kind of activity...cooking,
making a craft, reading a story, and playing an instrument, to do with the class, please let me know and I can schedule
it. We love having our parents as teachers too. 
Homework-
Your child will take home a spelling practice packet every Friday that
is due every Wednesday morning. All homework has a purpose. It is a quick review of concepts we are
learning in class. Daily home learning should never take more than 30 minutes.
Aside from assigned homework,
reading 30 minutes a day is important.
Ice
Cream - I ask that my students purchase ice cream ONLY on
Fridays. 
Journals
- We keep composition books to use during journal time and
also when we have extra time or feel inspired to write! 
Keep
Up - You can "keep up" with all class info by using the
assignment book on the supply list. Your child will bring it to and from school everyday. In it, all communication between us
will be kept. Please check it on a regular basis as this notebook serves two purposes: fosters better
communication between home and school, and helps your child to develop strong organizational skills.
Lunch
Accounts - Please read the handbook to better understand our
lunch account system. 
Meetings
- We have classroom meetings each day. During this time, we work on
calendar skills, Language Arts skills, instruction for Academic and social skills. 
Newsletters
- My website will contain updates and activities from our
classroom and school as well as pictures of my students or recent events. 
Open
House - Our Open House date will be sometime after school
begins (you will be notified of the date). In the fall I present "First Grade 101." It is an overview of our day
in First Grade. You will learn techniques on how to help your child at home, as well as the fun
stuff we do all day. 
Phonics
and Parent Conferences - We will be using the
Houghton-Mifflin Reading Program. Please feel free to call and set up an appointment with me to discuss your child's
progress. Report 
Quick
Good-byes - leave dry eyes. 
Rules
- Please read the handout to find out about our First Grade discipline
plan. 
Show-n-Tell
- I do this a little differently. Your child's snack day
will also be your child's show-n-tell day. Your child may bring ONE thing from home to "show" to the class.
Toys
- This is why I don't do a classroom Show-n-Tell on Fridays...too many
toys! 
Unit
Study - Each month students are exposed to a different
science/social studies unit. We make special projects and learn facts based on our unit. 
Volunteering
- The best way to get to know our school, make friends, and feel a part
of our school is through
volunteering. Please join PTO and inquire about volunteering.
We Are A Team - Please feel free to
come and talk to me any time you have comments, concerns, or questions
regarding your child. I am a parent too, and feel it is our job to work
together as parent and teacher to help your child have a successful first year. 
Experiences.
We have experiences: science experiments, cooking, crafts, and making
class books that relate to our monthly units. They are fun and eXciting! 
Yearlong
calendar - is located on my website under Calendar
Zzzz.
What we do when we prepare for the very next day. 
