First Grade

MY BOOK!
I did it!
I did it! 
Come and look
At what I’ve done!
I read a book! 
When someone wrote it
Long ago
For me to read,
How did he know
That this was the book
I’d take from the shelf
And lie on the floor
And read by myself?
I really read it!
Just like that!
Word by word, 
From first to last!
I’m sleeping with
This book in bed,
This first FIRST book
I’ve ever read!
~ David L. Harrison ~
(from Somebody Catch My Homework)

Checking Books Out

First graders may check one book per week and are encouraged to read the book at home, and  then take an AR quiz at school.  Students who don't return their book on the day it is due will receive a computer generated notice to remind them the book needs to be returned.  I use the notice as a way to communicate with the parent that the book wasn't returned on the day it was due.  No fines are charged at school, but all lost or damaged books must be paid for.  Students will be checking books out on the following days*:

Tuesday - 1H & 1S

Wednesday - 1W

*If school was not in session on their regularly scheduled check out students will check out books as follows: Thursday - 1H & 1S; Friday - 1W

What Do We Do in First Grade?

In first grade we spend a great deal of time with the letters of the alphabet.  We discuss words that begin with a given letter, animals that begin with a given letter, placing letters and/or words in alphabetical order, and identifying the placement of books based on letters.  Students will also spend time identifying words that they should be able to read in the first grade.  The favorite part of my day, however, is story time.  We usually spend 20 minutes of each class period reading fiction or nonfiction books. We also enjoy spending time with Reader's Theatre.

Student Readers 

Each student is encouraged to be a Student Reader.  To qualify the student must have a signed note from home stating that he/she has practiced the book with an adult at least three times and can read all the words. The book may be one selected from the library or a book from home; and can easily be read by the student in ten to fifteen minutes (Please do not send chapter books).  If there is more than one note on any given day I will select one of the students to read that day, but will do my best to allow the other student to read as soon as possible.

Elwood School Main Menu

Teacher Websites © 2012 Edline