Reading,Writing, and Spelling
We will be learning many interesting things in First Grade. The children will learn to read and write and to use reading and writing to share their learning with each other. All children will write everyday. One of the ways we will write is called Interactive Writing. This is a group writing process. The children and I will think of an idea for writing together. We then take turns writing words and parts of words and supplying punctuation. The children then reread what has been written to check for understanding. During interactive writing we use correct spelling. This helps them to see that words are spelled the same way every time. The interactive writing pieces will be used as resources in our classroom.
Our school uses the Success for All Reading Program. Each student will be part of a homogeneously grouped reading class. Our reading instruction lasts 90 minutes each day. We have a 20 minute Fast Track Phonics component, 20 minute STAR component, a 30 minute Reading Roots component and a 20 minute Language Links component. There will be parent workshops throughout the year in which parents are invited to visit their child's reading class and experience each of the components of the program.
In their own writing they will not always spell the words correctly, as they are in the early stages of learning. Spelling is a developmental process. Even adults are still learning how to spell. Spelling should facilitate communication of written language not limit it. Over time they will spell the words correctly in their own writing. Your child’s own writing will be sent home on a regular basis. This will allow you to see their writing and the growth that occurs within the school year. We will be using our Spelling program and after the first few weeks of school formal spelling assessments wil begin. Spelling Assessments will be given on Fridays. |
