1st Grade

1. 

   Math on an iPad!

2. 

   Bringing a Camp Read-Aloud to Life!

3. 

   Listening Center!

4. 

   We Met Published Authors!

5. 

   Art Appreciation - Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel Technique!

6. 

   Learning About Lent!

• First Grade

  August 05, 2011

  First grade is a big step for Saint Ann students.  Our first graders say goodbye to the first floor's Early Childhood classrooms and move on up to the 2nd floor for the first time!  Our first graders focus on their reading and writing through Morning Meetings, Writer's Workshop, Guided Reading, and center time.  They master their addition and subtraction facts as they continue learning about time, patterns, and shapes. 

• Meet Miss Longton

  August 04, 2011

  

  Miss Allison Longton is truly excited to begin her fifth year of teaching and second year at Saint Ann School.  She grew up on an island in Michigan called Grosse Ile and later attended Michigan State University.  At MSU, she earned a BA in Elementary Education with a focus on language arts.  Miss Longton always wanted to live and teach in a big city.  She moved to Chicago four years ago!  She loves skiing, traveling, ballet, and exploring Chicago’s many museums.  Miss Longton is also an avid reader!  You can often find her at the library or bookstore!

• Seize the Day!

  August 03, 2011

  Our days in first grade are filled from start to finish with learning!  Here is an inside look at a sample schedule that illustrates how learning is maximized on a typical day!

  
  

  -Morning Prayer and Announcements 

  -Literacy and Math Warm-ups

  -Morning Sight Word Practice

  -Phonics

  -Reading Strategy Workshop

  -Buddy Reading Fluency Exercises

  -Guided Reading Groups with Differentiated Learning Centers

  -Writing Workshop

  -Religion

  -Recess and Lunch

  -Daily Math Meeting

  -Math Workshop

  -Spanish, Music, or Physical Education

  -Science and Social Studies

  -Closing Prayer and Learning Reflections

• What Math Concepts Will My First Grader Cover?

  August 02, 2011

  
  

                   
  

          Measuring the Real World                                Daily Math Meeting                    

  
  

  Below is an overview of math concepts that St. Ann first graders will learn throughout the year to strengthen their mathematical knowledge and confidence!
  

  
  

  -Skip counting (2s, 5s, 10s, 100s)

  -Patterns

  -Grouping objects

  -Bar and pictographs

  -Adding one and two digit numbers

  -Subtracting one and two digit numbers

  -Place value

  -Fractions

  -Measuring in cm, in., and ft.!

  -Measuring weight and volume

  -Calendar

  -Adding coins

  -Telling time

  -2D and 3D shapes

  -Symmetry

  -Estimating

  
  

• Ready for First Grade Reading Strategies?

  August 01, 2011

  
  

  Rounding up story elements during summarizing!

  
  

  At St. Ann School, students learn a set of reading strategies that are reinforced each year and will influence their reading for life! While reading fluency is extremely important, understanding what one reads is crucial! Here is a look at the reading strategies to be covered!

  
  

  -Choosing Good Books

  -Connecting

  -Predicting

  -Questioning

  -Evaluating

  -Inferring

  -Summarizing

  -Visualizing

  -Monitoring & Clarifying

• Sight Word Link

  July 31, 2011

  The following link is a valuable tool for your student and family!  Sight words are words that often do not follow patterns and need repeated practice!  Click below to access lists and flashcards to cut and print at home! All material is from a first grade teacher, Jill Perkins, and her web staff!

  
  

  http://www.mrsperkins.com/

• Learning Apps for Smartphones and Tablets!

  July 30, 2011

  
  

  Students interact with an iPad alongside Miss Sullivan and Miss Palandech 

  
  

  Today's students are increasingly tech savvy. Smartphones and tablets may already be part of your daily lives for communication. They are also excellent methods of increasing a student's educational practice while families are on the go with busy schedules! Learning apps can reinforce concepts from your student's class in a manner that they relate to and enjoy!
  

  
  

  Here are examples of quality learning apps by subject!

  
  

  Reading

  -"1000 Sight Words Superhero" (By: abc-math-word-success)

  -"Audio Learn 2 Bee: Sight Words" (By: WILLHALL SIAU)

  -"Kids Learn Sight Words: 1-100" (By: Teacher Created Materials)

  -"Laz Level (insert a-t) Library" (By: Language Technologies, Inc.)

  
  

  Writing

  -"This Is My Story" (By: Gramercy Consultants)

  -"Speech with Milo: Sequencing" (By: Doonan Speech Therapy)

  
  

  Math

  -"Number Sense HD" (By: Emantras, Inc.)

  -"Addition and Subtraction Flash Action" (By: School Zone Publishing)

  
  

  Religion

  -"Noah's Ark - An Interactive Children's Bible Tale" (By: Tabtale LTD)

  
  

  Social Studies

  -"Kids Maps"  (By: Media Mechanic LLC)

  
  

  Science

  -"National Geographic Kids" (By: National Geographic Society)