Reading/Language Arts

Reading instruction in first grade is done in small groups with the classroom teacher, Title 1 teacher and a classroom assistant.  Companion Reading is taught in the first part of the reading block.  It is a phonetic and sight word approach to teaching reading.  When the unit is completed children take home a share sheet to be practiced at home.  The share sheets have parent notes attached to them that need to be signed and returned to school, indicating that the child has read them at home.  During the remainder of the reading block, students will participate in other guided reading books, self selected books, partner reading, and activities that work with words.  A writing block time is also part of the first grade language arts program.

D'Nealian Handwriting is a type of manuscript (printing) penmanship that is being taught in the primary classes.  It is a system of slanted lines, monkey tails, hooks and circles.  See the example below:

Spelling is introduced later on in the school year, after the completion of  the D'Nealian Handwriting program.  The spelling program works in conjunction with the words introduced in the Companion Reading Program.  Spelling word lists, that students need to study, are sent home weekly.

Daily Language skills are taught and reviewed during the second semester of the school year.  Each day the students will have a page of language skill activities to complete in a weekly booklet. 

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12/02/05 mlg