CURRICULUM NIGHT
2018-2019
Philosophy of Education
I believe that children should be active learners who are encouraged to love learning.I believe that a classroom should be filled with kindness, respect, encouragement, challenges , strategies and resiliency. I believe that all children can learn and that their individual learning style and uniqueness should be celebrated in the classroom.
Responsive Classroom
Philosophy which believes that the social and emotional curriculum is just as important as the academic curriculum.
Components of the Responsive Classroom Approach:
- Morning Meeting
- Hopes and Dreams
- Rules and Logical Consequences
- Take a Break
- Guided Discovery
- Academic Choice
- Working with Families
Independent Reading – students select an appropriate level reading book: this allows students to practice reading skills and develop a love for literature.
Guided Reading – when the teacher works with a small group (3-5 students) to help them access more challenging books at their instructional level.
Shared Reading – when the teacher uses an enlarged text that all students can see and involves the children in reading together with a pointer. Selections are usually read many times for enjoyment.
Buddy Reading – reading a book with a partner who may or may not be at the same reading level, allowing time for student discussion and questioning.
Read Aloud – time spent reading a higher level book to the whole class, working on vocabulary, comprehension, and more difficult concepts.
Phonics – learning and mastering basic letter/sound combinations and trick words to be applied when decoding and spelling.
Just Right Books
Student can decode most of the words on each page.
Student can retell and comprehend the text.
Student is interested in and can make connections to the text.
Writing Workshop
Typical writing workshop block:
- Mini-Lesson
- Practice
- Shared Reflection
Fundations:
- Letter review
- How to form both upper and lower case letters correctly
- Learn sounds using keywords (letters, digraphs, glued sounds)
- Blending sounds into words
- Bonus letters (glass, will, puff)
- Trick Words
- Math
- Think Math & Engage New York
- Think Math and Engage New York comprehensive mathematics programs which provide high quality mathematics instruction to all children.
- Both are aligned with both the Massachusetts State Standards and the Needham Public School standards.
- emphasize developing important mathematical ideas, skills, and methods by blending a deep conceptual understanding with computational fluency.
- What can you expect to see at home?
- Home/School Connection Letters. These letters are sent home at the start of each new chapter.
- LAB book pages
- practice pages
- games
Students engage in inquiry-based science and explore the scientific method by participating in the following units:
LIfe cycles
Seasons
Air/ Weather
The Needham Science Center provides support and enrichment for the required science curriculum with living animals, hands-on materials, exhibits, demonstration lessons, and programs.
Social Studies
Students learn about geography and engage in inquiry-based social studies as they study the following units:
- Self & Society
- Calendar/Holidays
- Maps/Directions
Second Step is a classroom-based social-skills program for children 4 to 14 years of age that teaches social emotional skills aimed at reducing impulsive and aggressive behavior while increasing social competence.
Homework:
First Graders should read for 20 minutes each night.Math worksheets will come home with your student. They are optional.
Volunteering in the classroom:
- Celebrations throughout the year include Halloween (October), Winter Party(December), 100th Day of school (February) and Valentine's Day and End of year party
- Guest Readers throughout the school year
- Share your talents and interests with our classroom community
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I will communicate with you through e-mail . I will do my best to respond to emails within 24 hours.
Check your child’s folder every night for notices and any homework.
Please send dismissal changes to school in your child's home folder. If there is a last minute change, please call the office.
(do not email)