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Welcome to First Grade |
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| First Grade is a year dedicated to building and strengthening the social and academic foundation that was established in kindergarten while preparing our students for the rigors of second grade. All of this is accomplished through a first grade program comprised of strong social and academic goals. | |
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Language Arts: |
Our language arts program is a balanced-literary program entitled Spotlight on Literacy from MacMillan/McGraw Hill. This program incorporates phonics through letter/sound associations and word patterns, highlights sight-word building, and fosters the acquisition of reading strategies through the use of authentic literature. Spotlight on Literacy features a variety of literature including fiction and non-fiction stories and poems. Software programs such as Story Web and Phonics Tronics also accompany this balanced-literary program. To foster the reading/writing connection, our writing program focuses on sentence structure, punctuation, D’Nealian penmanship, and the transition from temporary to conventional spelling. |
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Science: |
Our Discovery Works science program created by Silver Burdett Ginn Science is comprised of six units: properties, magnets, weather, plants, animals, and living and non-living things. Through our science units, our students participate in hand-on activities which encourage them to think independently and reflectively. In addition to our hands-on activities, big book discussion posters and Windows on Science videodiscs are used to supplement our units. |
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Math: |
First Grade Math is based on the Harcourt Math Series. Through this extensive series, students are exposed to many skills/concepts such as number writing, patterning, adding and subtracting one and two digit numbers without regrouping, sorting/graphing, solving story problems, identifying simple fractions, recognizing numbers 0-100, counting by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s, identifying coins and their value, estimating, telling time, and measuring. Manipulatives and computer software are used to assist the children in becoming abstract learners. |
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Social Studies: |
Our social studies unit is composed of Second Step and Commack’s Character Education programs. Our first graders also have the opportunity to learn about the world in which they live though the integration of Weekly Reader or Scholastic News within their classrooms. Through these programs, children focus on and learn about self-esteem, empathy, compassion, problem solving/decision making, sense of community, health and safety, and diversified holiday celebrations, to name a few. It is through our social studies unit that study skills are also explored, such as understanding and following directions, active listening and speaking, categorizing, organizing and sequencing information, increasing self-sufficiency, working independently, and respecting the feelings and space of others. |
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Trips & Activities: |
To supplement our social and academic programs, in-school activities and field trips are integrated when appropriate. Although subject to change, field trips include a visit to Hoyt Farm (Native American Program), Staller Center (Play), Suffolk County Farm (Fleece to Fabric Program), Vanderbilt Planetarium, Brookhaven National Lab and Holtsville Ecology Center. Special in-class programs, also subject to change, include: Gingerbread House Construction, Pet Den Visitation, Sweetbriar Nature Center Visitation, egg/chick incubation, and Suffolk County Farm “Egg to Chick” program. |
| As previously stated, First Grade is a year dedicated to building onto and strengthening the social and academic foundation that was established in kindergarten while preparing our students for the rigors of second grade. Enjoy every moment of First Grade as your child blooms before your eyes! | |
05/10/2004