Chesterfield County Public Schools mychesterfieldschools.com

Greenfield Elementary School

Home of the Dragons!
First Grade
A boy and girl sitting on the floor making a project and looking up a the camera.

F is for being a good friend and going on field trips.

I is for learning how important it is to remember that “I” can be an important member of our community, even though I am still very young.

R is for having respect for myself, other people, and my world. 

S is for learning how to stay safe and set a good example for other people.

T is for taking ownership for our actions

 

G is for working to have a growth mindset that helps us to set goals and persevere to keep reaching for them.

R is for being responsible members of our family, classroom, school, and even the great big world where we live.

A is for becoming aware that we can be in charge of our attitude and how we respond to problems.

D is for developing our work habits so we can focus on our learning now and have a lifelong love for learning. 

E is for being engaged in our learning: This year we will have fun working independently, with partners, and with bigger groups to become better readers  and writers, to learn how to work fluently with numbers, to learn how to investigate our curiosities through scientific methods, and to learn that we, like many other people before us can contribute to making our world a better place to live.

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Language Arts
First grade language arts is divided into four parts to create a “Balanced Literacy” approach. The first part is, of course,Reading. We teach the children to use decoding strategies to “attack” troublesome words when reading. These strategies are taught in small groups (Guided Reading and Literacy Stations) and are based on the students DRA level. We ask for small group parent volunteers during this time.  We teach comprehension strategies as well. These strategies help students understand their reading. These are taught in a whole group setting (Shared Reading) and practiced in their small groups.

The second part is the Word Wall. Each week we will introduce 5 new Word Wall Words. These words are displayed in the classroom for the students to use in their writing. The students are encouraged to use “chunks” of these words to help spell new words too.

The children should be able to QUICKLY recall these words in their reading and their writing. While these Word Wall Words are reviewed weekly in class, it is very important that they are practiced at home, too.

The third part is Word Study. The students are given a “Spelling Inventory” in which we are able to determine what “word patterns” each child can apply successfully and which patterns they could use practice with. The students are then sorted into appropriate groups. Once this is established, the students will bring home a sheet of words each week that follow a given word pattern. These patterns should become quite familiar to the child throughout the week.
The final part is Writing! The students are taught to use their Word Wall and environmental text to help write a story with a Bold Beginning, Mighty Middle (details) and an Excellent Ending. Writing skills are modeled and practice each day.

In summary, the students will be immersed in a print-rich environment to develop oral language skills, phonetic skills, vocabulary, comprehension, and an awareness of print materials as sources of information and enjoyment. The students should also develop a love for reading!

Math

Math, Math, Math…it will quickly become every first grader’s favorite subject! This is a time when we focus on calendar, time, measurement, fractions, sorting, simple repeating and growing patterns, plane geometric figures, and LOTS of number sense! Each focus is introduced whole group and practice takes place in Math Tubs. These Math Tubs are lots of fun and a valuable teaching tool. While the students are enjoying Math Tubs, their teacher is gathering important information from each student. We are taking notes and guiding students in their learning.

Science

In first grade, we split time between Science and Social Studies. Before tests in these subjects, the students will bring home a study guide to help them prepare at home.

Students in the first grade will learn about the lives of American leaders and their contributions to the United States. During our discussions about early Americans, we explore Henricus Park to see how they contributed to the success of America. The students will also construct simple maps and recognize basic map symbols. Students will study economic concepts and making economic choices. Students will learn about what makes a good citizen in the class room and in their community.

First grade Science includes several hands-on activities that are engaging for all students. Students will begin to conduct experiments and learn how to classify objects. The students will also be exposed to moving objects and natural resources. The students will learn about the relationship between the sun and Earth, the cycle of the four seasons, and plants and animals. During our lessons on plants, we will explore Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and learn LOTS about plants!

Be sure to check your child’s Weekly Work folder each week and look for our newsletter on Bit.ly/firstenon for details on the most current information. We work very hard to insure that each first grader is successful and excited about learning!

Social Studies

In first grade, we split time between Science and Social Studies. Before tests in these subjects, the students will bring home a study guide to help them prepare at home.

Students in the first grade will learn about the lives of American leaders and their contributions to the United States. During our discussions about early Americans, we explore Henricus Park to see how they contributed to the success of America. The students will also construct simple maps and recognize basic map symbols. Students will study economic concepts and making economic choices. Students will learn about what makes a good citizen in the class room and in their community.

First grade Science includes several hands-on activities that are engaging for all students. Students will begin to conduct experiments and learn how to classify objects. The students will also be exposed to moving objects and natural resources. The students will learn about the relationship between the sun and Earth, the cycle of the four seasons, and plants and animals. During our lessons on plants, we will explore Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and learn LOTS about plants!

Be sure to check your child’s Weekly Work folder each week and look for our newsletter on Bit.ly/firstenon for details on the most current information. We work very hard to insure that each first grader is successful and excited about learning!