FIRST GRADE CURRICULUM
Web Links and Resources
Weatherstone Elementary: http://weatherstone.weebly.com/
Wake County Public School System: http://www.wcpss.net/
First Grade Milestones: This link will give you an idea of what a First Grader looks like in Reading, Writing and Math
First Grade Milestones: (Spanish)
Good Fit Books
This year, your first grader will learn to select “good fit” books on their own. This process is called “self-selected reading”. Self-selected reading has proven to be an effective practice to build life-long readers. It allows readers to build fluency in reading. It also helps build their confidence by allowing students to work with text most appropriate to their reading level. Self-selected reading allows students to read books they are interested in and gives them an introduction to all types of literature. When students choose their own text to read, it fosters independence, responsibility and intrinsic motivation in a natural manner. “Good Fit” books are fun to read and helps students become better readers. In order to find a “good fit” book, students will learn to follow the “I Pick” steps.
I choose a book
P urpose-What is my purpose for reading?
I nterest-Am I interested in this book?
C omprehend-Do I understand what I read?
K now most of the words-Can I read almost every word?
Baggie Books:
In the mornings, as your child is getting ready to begin their day, they will visit the “classroom library” to select their own “good fit book” to take home that night. These books are organized by genre, level and/or topic. (All books are labeled with a sticker on the front cover for easy organizing and finding). While they are reading at home, please be their guide. At first, the book may be too easy or too difficult. It will take time for them to learn the “I Pick” steps to find which books are a “good fit”. If the text is too easy, please modify with other texts. If the book is too difficult, please be there to help read it with them. If the book is a “good fit”, give them extra praise and celebrate with them! Books will be kept in baggies with a reading log to fill out. Most of these books are my own personal books, so please help your child take care of the book they bring home. Continue to use the MClass Stem questions as a guide while reading.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
S.A.I.L. at W.E.S.
What does it mean to SAIL?
Weatherstone Explorers SAIL both inside the classroom and as they move
about campus. The goal is to get caught SAILing. So what does it mean to SAIL?
S - Safe
A - Accountable
I - Independent
L - Leader
Safe- Weatherstone Explorers are SAILing when they behave in ways which keep themselves and others safe. Keeping hands and feet to self, picking up objects on the ground or floor, holding doors for others, or not throwing inappropriate objects.
Accountable- Weatherstone Explorers are SAILing when they are accountable for their actions and for their learning. They accept responsibility for homework, coming to school prepared, respecting school rules, treating others kindly and acknowledging their mistakes.
Independent- Weatherstone Explorers are SAILing when they act independently. They follow directions the first time told, make good choices, complete work on time, and honor timelines for projects, homework and classwork.
Leader - Weatherstone Explorers are SAILing when they set the example for others and model good behavior at all times. They show the ability to be a leader and not a follower.
SAILing around school
Within the school community our class earns SAIL tickets from other administrators and teachers when demonstrating SAILing behavior in the halls, during specials, and in the cafeteria. SAIL tickets are collected as a class and are redeemed for whole class rewards such as a special read aloud from Principal Chadwick, extra recess time, or a class celebration.
SAILing in our classroom
Within our classroom, students will be rewarded for SAILing behavior with special prizes or other classroom incentives.
Web Links and Resources
Weatherstone Elementary: http://weatherstone.weebly.com/
Wake County Public School System: http://www.wcpss.net/
First Grade Milestones: This link will give you an idea of what a First Grader looks like in Reading, Writing and Math
First Grade Milestones: (Spanish)
Good Fit Books
This year, your first grader will learn to select “good fit” books on their own. This process is called “self-selected reading”. Self-selected reading has proven to be an effective practice to build life-long readers. It allows readers to build fluency in reading. It also helps build their confidence by allowing students to work with text most appropriate to their reading level. Self-selected reading allows students to read books they are interested in and gives them an introduction to all types of literature. When students choose their own text to read, it fosters independence, responsibility and intrinsic motivation in a natural manner. “Good Fit” books are fun to read and helps students become better readers. In order to find a “good fit” book, students will learn to follow the “I Pick” steps.
I choose a book
P urpose-What is my purpose for reading?
I nterest-Am I interested in this book?
C omprehend-Do I understand what I read?
K now most of the words-Can I read almost every word?
Baggie Books:
In the mornings, as your child is getting ready to begin their day, they will visit the “classroom library” to select their own “good fit book” to take home that night. These books are organized by genre, level and/or topic. (All books are labeled with a sticker on the front cover for easy organizing and finding). While they are reading at home, please be their guide. At first, the book may be too easy or too difficult. It will take time for them to learn the “I Pick” steps to find which books are a “good fit”. If the text is too easy, please modify with other texts. If the book is too difficult, please be there to help read it with them. If the book is a “good fit”, give them extra praise and celebrate with them! Books will be kept in baggies with a reading log to fill out. Most of these books are my own personal books, so please help your child take care of the book they bring home. Continue to use the MClass Stem questions as a guide while reading.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
S.A.I.L. at W.E.S.
What does it mean to SAIL?
Weatherstone Explorers SAIL both inside the classroom and as they move
about campus. The goal is to get caught SAILing. So what does it mean to SAIL?
S - Safe
A - Accountable
I - Independent
L - Leader
Safe- Weatherstone Explorers are SAILing when they behave in ways which keep themselves and others safe. Keeping hands and feet to self, picking up objects on the ground or floor, holding doors for others, or not throwing inappropriate objects.
Accountable- Weatherstone Explorers are SAILing when they are accountable for their actions and for their learning. They accept responsibility for homework, coming to school prepared, respecting school rules, treating others kindly and acknowledging their mistakes.
Independent- Weatherstone Explorers are SAILing when they act independently. They follow directions the first time told, make good choices, complete work on time, and honor timelines for projects, homework and classwork.
Leader - Weatherstone Explorers are SAILing when they set the example for others and model good behavior at all times. They show the ability to be a leader and not a follower.
SAILing around school
Within the school community our class earns SAIL tickets from other administrators and teachers when demonstrating SAILing behavior in the halls, during specials, and in the cafeteria. SAIL tickets are collected as a class and are redeemed for whole class rewards such as a special read aloud from Principal Chadwick, extra recess time, or a class celebration.
SAILing in our classroom
Within our classroom, students will be rewarded for SAILing behavior with special prizes or other classroom incentives.