Our Day
The Morning Meeting
Our day is a very busy one! School starts at 9:00. After attendance and lunch count the children will take part in our morning meeting. Morning meeting consists of a greeting, calendar activities, weather observations, sharing, news of the day, and chart activities.
We will greet each other on a daily basis. Sometimes this may be in the form of a song, handshake, or just wishing each other a good day.
Calendar activities include not only the date, but also math activities related to the calendar. We will also discuss the weather. Children are invited to share on Mondays and Fridays. Sharing is telling news about themselves, a special event at home, or just something that the student finds interesting and wants to share with others. This is not a show and tell time. Toys and objects from home are discouraged. Sharing is a way to get to know each other and further develop social skills. Of course, if your child has very exciting news that can't wait - such as the birth of a baby, or a new pet, then they may share on a different day.
News of the day is a time when I will review what is happening in school on that day.
Chart activities may include reviewing letter sounds, practicing spelling and punctuation, and learning new sight words.
Theme Time
Theme time is included in our morning meeting. The themes I select are directly related to the State of Maine Learning Results and the first grade curriculum. Concepts are introduced and taught throughout the school year. Usually I introduce the theme by reading a non-fiction picture book. We have discussions, write on charts, and work on projects related to our themes. The first couple of weeks of school will be spent on developing a safe, positive, learning community. Our first science theme this year will be new plants. Check out the science and social studies pages for more themes.
Math
Math activities will focus on developing number sense, exploring geometry, exploring money and time, investigating patterns and relationships, looking into probability and statistics, and practicing measurement. Check out the math page for more information.
( 9:30 - 10:30)
Snack
Each morning will have time for snack. Each child is expected to bring a snack from home. Please make sure that your child has a spoon if he or she needs one. ( 10:30 -10:45)
Literacy Block
Literacy block comes next. Literacy block incorporates many different literacy activities which relate to the theme and needs of the children. Making sound associations with letters, practicing basic sight words, playing literacy games, listening to books on tape, working in reading groups, retelling stories, practicing spelling, working with words, taking part in oral language activities—all of these are just a few of the experiences that your child will be involved in during the reading block throughout the year. Check out the reading page for more information about reading. ( 10:45-11:45)
Writing Block
Each day the children will have an opportunity to write in small groups and/or individually. Children will work on putting their ideas down on paper. Creating a writing piece that contains four or more sentences that revolve around one topic will be our focus. We will often share our writing too! Often this writing block is used to further explore our theme. (11:45 - 12:20)
Lunch/Recess
Lunch and recess lasts about forty five minutes. Some children bring lunch from home, some eat school lunch. Lunch calendars go home at the beginning of each month listing the choices that are available each day. The children eat lunch in the cafeteria and then go out for recess, weather permitting. ( 12:30 - 1:15)
Read Aloud
Each day I will read aloud from a chapter book. This is an enjoyable time during which children can sit back and relax as they listen to stories. Because I read chapter books, students begin to make connections to various characters and their situations in the stories. This is one of my favorite activities of the day! For a list of some of my favorite books, check out the read aloud page. (1:20 - 1:35)
DEAR
Drop everything and read! It is quiet reading time.
(1:35 - 1:55)
Author's Chair or Focus Content Time
This time is dependant upon our current unit of study, and the number of children wanting to share their writing. (1:55 - 2:10)
Choice Time
Two or three days a week, towards the end of the day, students will have choice time. Choice time is when students may go to a center of their choice. Center choices may include construction, reading, writing, math, art, listening, puzzles, and games. Students not only learn and have fun at these centers but also have the opportunity to socialize with their classmates and practice various skills.
(2:10 - 2:55)
Music, Gym, Library, Computer, and Art
The children will have music, gym, library, computer, and art once a week. It will be important for children to wear sneakers on gym day. Children may bring home a library book, but it must be returned before another book can be checked out.
This year (2007 - 08) , we have art on Mondays, gym on Tuesdays, and music on Wednesdays. All of these specials will occur at 2:10 and last for forty five minutes. Computer and library will soon be determined.
