Expect to see smiling faces! 1st grade is an exciting year! Below you'll find a short description of our core subjects. Every Monday the "Hillegass Herald" class newsletter will come home with a brief schedule of our upcoming week. Make sure to skim through so you don't miss out on field trip plans and weekly deadlines!
Phonics
Our Saxon Phonics program develops phonemic awareness so your child is able to phonetically sound out new words based upon the letter sounds (phonemes) he or she already knows. Your child will impress you with his or her technique of coding sounds using a breve or macron (among other symbols). Don't be overwhelmed! Our practice every morning encourages your child to remember these skills (and if you're struggling with his or her homework, there's a cheat sheet for parents!).
Reading
We plan to read (A LOT!) in order to develop fluency. Your child will use his or her reading strategies to grow sight vocabulary and dazzle you with "Amazing" challenge words every week. Our Reading Street series focuses on a themed unit every 6 day cycle. Your child will also participate in a guided reading group, chosen specifically for his or her reading level. Our literacy centers encourage exciting reading practice with buddies or individually. One of my favorite things to do throughout the day is read books aloud to demonstrate intonation and expression. Children need to see and hear how to make books come alive and become excited about reading! Our first grade goal is to be able to read at least 60 words per minute by the end of the year, and hopefully come June, your child will be flying through chapter books!
Spelling
Your child will have about 12 spelling words every 6 day cycle. We will have our spelling test every Day 6 (unless otherwise scheduled), and a new spelling list will come home every Day 1. On every spelling test, 1-2 challenge/bonus words will be given which relate to our themed reading unit. Practice those spelling words to earn 100% on your next test!
Math
Our Harcourt Mathematics program will introduce adding, subtracting, telling time, counting money, measurement, and fractions (among other things). Our first graders will be using TouchMath to make adding and subtracting easy. We will also be practicing our addition and subtraction facts using 2 minute math drills. Although at first these timed tests may be new and scary, all first graders learn to love them and try to get faster and faster with their math facts. Please practice basic addition and subtraction facts at home using flashcards everyday!
Science and Social Studies
A first grader's most memorable moments are doing hands-on science activities along with social studies exploration. Our reading units integrate science and social studies, and we will be doing a wide range of experimenting through outdoor field trips and indoor virtual field trips.
Welcome to 1st Grade with Miss Hillegass! Northern Lehigh School District 4055 Friedens Road Slatington, PA 18080
