1st and 2nd Grade Classroom and Curriculum

Kristen Stockdale teaches the 1st and 2nd Grade classroom.

Goals and Expectations
My goal for your child is for them to be independent learners to the best of their ability. By giving your child the skills that they need to be independent, they will be able to internalize their knowledge and become life long learners. I want your child to be able to use resources from their environment to gather information and be a problem solver.

Our Classroom Agreements
Only after a child feels safe and comfortable in their environment will they be able to learn. Your child's safety and well being are of utmost importance to me each day. On a daily basis, I work with the 1st and 2nd graders on using problem solving language with their peers if a problem arises.
Our classroom agreements during Circle are as follows:
            1. Be an active listener
            2. Have a peaceful body
            3. Raise your hand if you have a question

If your child is having a challenging time remembering the classroom agreements, the following will occur:

They are given a warning and reminded of which agreement they didn't follow
They will be asked to leave the group and take a 3 minute break
They will talk privately with me
Parents will be notified

Communication
I am available after school at 2:35 if you would like to talk about your child. You may also send a note for me in your child's book bag. In addition, feel free to call the school telephone and leave a message for me with the Office Staff. In the Fall and Spring we will have Parent Teacher Conferences where we will discuss your child's growth. Between those times I will send Progress Reports home in order for you to stay informed.

Homework
Homework is given on a weekly basis. It is due to me on Thursday and is given out on Friday. For each week's worth of homework, your child is expected to do math, reading, writing, and spelling. Reading is the most important part of your child's homework. Each 1st grader is expected to read for 10 minutes a night and each 2nd grader is expected to read for 20 minutes a night.

Bookbags
Each child is given a handmade bookbag. This bag is used to transport materials, homework and books between home and school. Please check your child's book bag daily, as this is where you will find important notes from school as well. Since the book bags can often become quite dirty, please help to extend the life your child's book bag by washing it regularly. These book bags come back to the school at the end of the year.

Daily Schedule

8:45                        Welcome and Read Aloud
9:00-10:30             Morning Job Time
Montessori work jobs and thematic study through literacy, spelling, math and art (small group or independent)
10:30-10:50          Snack and Recess
10:50-12:00          Activity Time and Small Group Learning
Finish morning activities and small group lessons and activities in writing and phonics
12:00-12:30          Lunch
12:30-1:00            Recess
1:00-1:15            Calendar Time
Calendar includes: Days of the week, months of the year, weather, days in school, making the date with math and money, place value, estimating, graphing, patterns and fact families
1:15-2:15               Groups/Whole Class Instruction
Thematic study, Art, Writing, Editing, Grammar and Science
2:15-2:25               Chapter Book Read Aloud
2:25-2:30               Clean Up Jobs
2:35                         Dismissal

Weekly Activities

Monday Read aloud with Ms. Morrison
Ms. Morrison will read aloud from the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series for the morning read aloud.

Reading Buddies
We are very fortunate to have Ms. Barsanti's Independent Study class as our reading buddies! Each student has been paired with a student from the other class. Throughout the year, the buddies will have a chance to read to each other. This gives the students read aloud time and the opportunity to meet other students.

Library
The class will visit the library in small groups. The books the students select will be kept in
their desks for the week. Students are welcome to read their books throughout the
week as well as with their reading buddy.

Thursday Music
The class will have music in small groups with Mrs. Stephanie Raugust. They will focus on the elements of music, rhythm, and more.

Friday Life Lab
Part of the class will visit the Life Lab garden. They will be learning earth science through a garden based curriculum. They will also be working on planting, weeding, and maintaining the 1st and 2nd grade garden bed.

2010-2011 Thematic Plan

September-October                     Desert, Reptiles/Amphibians
November                                    Fall/ Thanksgiving/ Native Americans
December                                    Holidays Around the World/ Winter
January-February                        Rainforest
March-April                                  Birds/ Spring
May-June                                    Plants

*Units and timeline are subject to change throughout the year.