Welcome to First Grade!

Blog Post Written by: Nichole Moretine (1st Grade Teacher) and Paula Barros (School Principal)

Welcome to 1st Grade!
After a wonderful time in Pre-K and Kindergarten, learning how to be a student at MELA, our 1st graders continue to learn more foundational skills, but now they are more independent and they make deeper connections in their academic life. 

You will notice that your child will become a much more confident reader and writer. In 1st grade, we continue to use the Groves Method for phonics practice, and now that they are more used to this curriculum, they make great progress being able to sound out more complex words.They will also start using complete sentences and spelling words with increasing accuracy. Additionally in literacy, students will ponder about what they read, and talk about story elements, like the main ideas of stories. 

In Math, we continue to use the curriculum Bridges in Mathematics.  During this year, students focus intensively on the four critical areas specified by the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in Grade One:

• Addition and subtraction within 20
• Whole number relationships and place value
• Linear measurement in non-standard units
• Reasoning with shapes and their attributes

What are Students Doing Currently in 1st grade?
January's thematic focus is “Clouds and the Water Cycle”! Students have been reading and discussing the book Clouds by Erin Edison. The young scholars are identifying and applying “Question Words” such as Who, Where, What, When, and Why throughout their literacy unit. Students have enjoyed creating clouds with cotton balls, creating snow people by cutting and gluing shapes, acting out the water cycle, watching “Weather” in Brainpop, Jr., and playing with friends in the snow. Our next steps will be identifying the four types of clouds with descriptions, as well as creating stories about individual adventures in the snow! We are especially excited about reading our stories to one another in our class “Speaker Chair” and having a “Gallery Walk” with our illustrations.

We can't wait for your child to join MELA and share our excitement and enjoyment in our learning!