A Day in the Life of a First Grader 2012-2013

Meet Miss Dubach Grew up in Berne, IN (population 4,000) This is my 11th year at Cherry Tree Elementary (14th year overall in education) I have taught 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades I have 3 classes of students, including my 1st graders from student teaching, who are now juniors in college (yikes!) I enjoy reading, running, and spending time with friends and family

Community Circle Why do we do community circle? Allows students an opportunity to get to know each other It builds a sense of community Helps promote communication skills Gives opportunities to teach the character trait of the month and various academic standards

Daily 5 Why do we do Daily 5? Allows student choice Builds independent learning Allows time for small group guided reading Teaches students how to work together Allows for individualized conferencing where students can set reading goals

Guided Reading Why do we do guided reading? Allows instruction to occur at student’s reading level Smaller group allows more individualized attention Allows students opportunities to practice various reading strategies and standards

Shared Reading Why do we do shared reading? To build knowledge of reading strategies Covers all aspects of being a good reader (Fluency, Accuracy, Comprehension, Expanding Knowledge) Allows students to move from guided practice to independent practice Allows integration of science and social studies

Word Work Why do we do word work? Introduces students to spelling patterns Gives students practice with high frequency words Introduces grammar skills

Writer’s Workshop Why do we do writer’s workshop? Allows students to improve oral storytelling Gives students the opportunity to add details to illustrations before writing their story Allows for individualized conferencing where students can set writing goals

Inquiry Why do we do inquiry? Allows students to investigate a topic of interest to them Students learn to work together towards a common goal Students learn to ask questions and research to find the answers Allows students to explore non-fiction resources Introduces students to research process they will use in future years (i.e., PARCC Assessment)

Math Why do we do Everyday Math? To teach first grade math standards Students use games to practice and reinforce math skills Allows for teaching in small groups Students become fluent in addition facts through the use of Otter Creek

Homework Why do we do homework? Allows students opportunity to practice math skills covered in class that day Improves reading comprehension, accuracy, and fluency when practicing with an adult Mastery of reading and writing 1st grade high frequency words

Reading Log

Behavior Why do we have a behavior system? Promotes doing the right thing and treating people right Allows us to reward students who are doing the right thing Patriot PATS (school-wide reward)

Report Card Standards Based Report Card E-mailed home at the end of every grading period Assessed based on the end of year target SBRC.pdf

Before You Leave Write a note to your child that they will get tomorrow morning Take the papers on your child’s desk On the table: Look at the books our class made last week Sign up for volunteer opportunities Take something from the Wish List Find your child’s owl in the hallway