Sight
Words
Each
week we will be reading a new story in our reading series. The stories contain various attributes that are studied
throughout the week, including sight words. Sight words are words that are
to be memorized, because they are commonly used and often aren't phonetic (ex:
fall, color, because, etc). Sight words broaden your child's vocabulary
and help him/her to read more fluently. On Fridays, I will send home a
list of sight words. Your child should practice to read these words
during the week. On the following Friday, he/she will be tested on them. The
students will be assessed on if they can read the word, not spell the word. These records
will be included on the report card.
Spelling
Words
Along
with the weekly sight words, I will send home a weekly spelling list on Fridays. A particular
phonetic rule will be emphasized on each weekly spelling list. Your child
is to learn to write the words correctly by the following Friday (note: I do
take off partial points for backwards letters). I will assess
the students on their spelling words every week. Please keep in mind that
spelling is also included on the report card as a grade.
(Beginning
mid-September)
Use this website below to have extra spelling word practice at home:
Spelling Practice
Pizza-Hut
Reading Logs
Pizza-Hut
has offered a wonderful Book-It
incentive program for years. With this program, your child gets free
pizzas every month for simply reading! First grade students are required
to read 5 books a week (20/month). This is MANDATORY! Research shows that
student achievement is significantly boosted by just 20 minutes of extra
reading a day. Reading logs will be collected and recorded every Friday.
(Beginning
October - April)
Click below to read on ways you can help your child read at home:
Helping Your Child Read At Home
Guided
Reading
During
whole-group, teacher directed instruction, I guide the entire class
through the lessons and stories with a high level of support. Guided
reading has many of the same components as the basal reading program, except
that it is conducted in small groups and focuses more on the individual reading
needs of each child. During guided reading, I work with students at
their instructional level to aid them in using context, visual, and
structure cues in stories to generate meaning. By using instructional
level texts that gradually increase in difficulty, students apply strategies in
context and can hopefully feel successful! The end goal, as with any
literacy component in 1st grade, is for students to become confident,
proficient readers. Guided reading is done daily with various groups.
Students are assessed regularly to determine reading levels and groups.
Click below to help your child pick books that are appropriate for their reading level:
Finding Just-Right Books
DEAR
Time (Drop Everything And Read)
A very
important component of any first grade literacy program is providing ample
opportunities to read in enjoyable, non-threatening situations. DEAR time
is a time where students can practice and experiment reading by themselves, or
with a partner. We will have DEAR time every day (see schedule).
During this time we usually shut off some lights and put on some quiet,
relaxing music. The students can use the "reading buddy"
stuffed animals, reading guides, whisper tubes, or "magic glasses" if
they choose to. The children can sit wherever they like, and simply. . .
read!
Reader
of the Day!
Every
student will have several opportunities to be "Reader of the Day"
throughout the year. This is when the student chooses a book (at their
appropriate level), practices and practices, and then reads it to the class!
I've found that students love being able to show off their hard work! The
children should practice reading loudly, slowly, expressively, and showing each
picture as they get to it. "Reader of the Day" provides
excellent practice with not only reading skills, but speaking skills, and
self-confidence.
(Beginning
of April-June)
RAZ Kids:
http://www.raz-kids.com/main/Login