Mrs. O’Connor’s Class

Welcome to First Grade

 First grade is an exciting time for everyone! Students are busy making new friends, forming new ideas and learning important skills that will be with them throughout their entire education. You will see tremendous growth in your child this year! Our class is a safe, structured environment where students can excel socially, emotionally, and academically.  Each child is valued for his or her individuality and personal qualities that they bring to our class.

Mrs. O'Connor's 2007 - 2008 Class

 For Mrs. O'Connor's Class Schedule: Click Here

A Day in the Life of a First Grader

 Arrival and Opening:

During this time students get ready for their busy day!  They put belongings in their lockers, hand in folders, empty reading bags, choose

lunches, sharpen pencils, choose new books and work at their desks.

 Morning Meeting: 

During this time students will practice skills designed to encourage social development.  Children will greet one another every day, share thoughts and comments while developing connections and friendships.  In Morning Meeting we “take care of each other” and discuss the importance of learning each other’s names, good eye contact and reflective listening.

 Guided Reading and Literacy Centers:

During this time students are engaged in small group instruction that meets their individual reading needs.  Students practice reading strategies and work on comprehension tools. In Literacy Centers students work both cooperatively and individually on literacy based activities.

 Silent Reading, Conferences and Snacks:

During this time students are able to choose a leveled book and enjoy a quick snack.  Other students will meet with Mrs. O’Connor for individualized instruction, testing and conferencing.

 Working with Words and Cast-a Spell:

This is a fun time when students get to practice new “word wall” words and look at word patterns and spelling rules. We do a variety of activities from chanting to acting.  We use dry erase boards and other manipulatives to work with words. 

 Writer’s Workshop:                

During this time students are engaged in writing activities that encourage risk taking and form creative ideas. Writing time includes; shared writing, interactive writing, individual writing, editing and revising their work, and sharing published work as authors.

Read Aloud Time:

Listening to someone share a story is a very important part to reading development.  During this time students are engaged in listening to various authors and genres.  Students make predictions and verify their thoughts. They develop a critical stance to literature while making connections to their own lives. 

Math:                    

During math time we work daily on: calendar activities, count the days of school, time, money, weather and place value.  Students also work on problem solving skills using hands on math tools.  They are encouraged to talk and write about how they solve problems. Students are encouraged to think about math in terms of real life applications. Students are also engaged in weekly graphing activities. 

During “Numeracy Centers” students rotate through a variety of activities designed to foster mathematical thinking and communicating.

Science and Social Studies:                        

In Science we are learning about the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly!  Students are observing our classroom caterpillars and recording their observations in journals.

In Social Studies we are learning about each other!  We are learning names, sharing information and discovering how to work together.  We have a weekly “Student in the Spotlight” who presents important information about themselves to their class friends.  During this time we are working on public speaking and presentation skills.

Homework:

In an effort to make homework more flexible and family-oriented we have developed homework “tasks” to be worked on throughout the week. A “Homework Task” checklist will go home on Mondays.  Please review and check off the tasks as they are completed.  You may sign it and send it in with any required work on the Thursday of that week.  Please note that some of the tasks are activities that require some assembly at home.  These learning materials can be kept at home and used throughout the year.  Enjoy and have fun with it!

Reading is a skill that improves with PRACTICE.  In addition to the weekly “Homework Tasks”, students are required to read for at least 20 minutes each night.  Please encourage this in positive ways.  You may use chapter books of high interest, leveled books from school, magazines and other forms of literature. Students are provided with reading bags.  They must bring these bags to school each day.

Also, please remember to check your child’s communication folder daily. In this folder, I will be sending notices from the office and other important information from school. This is also a great way for you to update me on any important information from home.

Husky High Fives:

Harwinton Consolidated School’s climate must be of harmony and respect to all persons and property. Our school wide expectations are based on four principles: 

1. Respect others

2. Respect property

3. Be responsible

4. Be safe. 

These expectations are taught and modeled in all areas of school-life.  Students are able to earn Husky High Fives when demonstrating these positive behaviors and earn rewards that reinforce positive choices.