Curriculum- 2008-2009

Please refer to the information provided on the Channing Hall website to learn more about our curriculum and the IB program. For specific skills and concepts to be covered, visit www.uen.org and read the first grade core objectives.

Parents:
This will be an exciting and challenging year for your child. The following information is intended to help you understand my classroom expectations so that your student will have a successful experience. Please review these pages with your child and save this copy for future reference.

Spelling:
Channing Hall has adopted the Words Their Way program. This allows me to tailor your child's spelling words to his/her level. If your child spells at a kindergarten level, he will receive kindergarten words. If she spells at a second grade level, she will receive second grade words. The word lists that are sent home with your child are NOT intended to be memorized. Rather, you are to work with your child on the spelling pattern being taught. Your child should be able to spell any word with that spelling pattern- not just the words on his list. We will have spelling tests on Fridays. I will randomly choose eight words from your child's list. Each week, two of the words on the spelling test will come from the previous week's list. So, save your lists for constant review!!!
Don't be alarmed if your child spends more than one week with one word sort. We are looking for an understanding of the spelling pattern, as demonstrated in your child's personal writing. It is not uncommon for students to repeat a sort, or several sorts.

Math:
In addition to our Real Math program, we will utilize our daily calendar time to reinforce skills such as numbers recognition, patterns, skip counting, place value, time, odd/even, graphing, estimating, money, and addition and subtraction. We will also use math centers to provide hands-on practice and reinforcement of skills.
We will be using Math Superstars (Sunshine Math) this year, but in the classroom only. I know many of you are big fans, so have no fear, we are just structuring it a little different this year!

Reader’s Workshop:
Please review the information on the school website about guided reading and balanced literacy. Reader’s Workshop will begin with a mini-lesson on a specific comprehension strategy, followed by independent and buddy reading. Yes, during Reader’s Workshop we do just that- READ! Every student will keep a Reading Journal (not a log) and we will end each workshop by sharing. While students are reading independently, I will be pulling small groups for guided reading and strategy groups.

Writer’s Workshop:
In addition to writing assignments from our reading program, our class will have a 45 minute writing block each day. This time includes a lesson, writing time, and sharing. This is an opportunity for students to write on a subject of their choice, within a particular genre. Phonetic spelling is encouraged during Writer’s Workshop. This allows students to apply sound-spelling patterns previously taught and gives them the confidence they need to break out of patterned writing (ex: I like _____. Here is a ____.) As high frequency words are taught, they will be placed on the word wall and students will be expected to spell these words correctly.

Units of Inquiry:
As part of our IB program, our year will be broken up into six cross-curricular units of inquiry. Tentatively planned for this year are units focusing on school, needs and wants, traditions, folktales, plants, and water. Within each unit we will focus on internationalism. For example, during our school unit the students will not only learn about our school, but about how students attend (or don’t attend) school in other parts of the world. Much of our exploration will come from the students’ own questions/inquiries about how or why children go to school.
The IB attutides and Learner Profiles are the driving force behind how and what we teach.

Want to learn more?
Teaching is my passion and lifelong learning is an essential part of my job. I love learning from each new group of students and the wonderful teachers I have worked with. If you are interested in learning more about the philosophies and programs your child will experience this year, here are some of my favorite websites and books:

Units of Study by Lucy Calkins
The Art of Teaching Reading by Lucy Calkins
Teaching the Youngest Writers By Marcia Freeman
Math Their Way
Dr. Jean
Debbie Miller
Reading with Meaning by Debbie Miller
Love and Logic
Raising Self-Reliant Kids in a Self-Indulgent World - a MUST READ!
Postive Discipline
Einstein Never Used Flash Cards
The Minds of Boys