Lynne Kern - First Grade 25 years at Holy Family - 28 years teaching experience Room 104 Ext.209 kernl@archmil.org
Philosophy of Education
First grade is a very crucial year. Children are beginning their formal education. I believe it is very important to give small children the sense that learning is fun. Giving children many opportunities to be successful builds confidence and self-esteem. It is essential to completely engage students in their learning to keep them interested, eager, and enthusiastic about school. Addressing many learning styles is a must because all children do not learn in the same manner. My primary goal is to integrate all the academic areas and help children make connections, learn problem solving, make appropriate decisions and learn to be the best they can be.
Curriculum Summary
Religion
Sadlier - We Believe Grade 1 - God Loves Us   The "We Believe" program consistently integrates content that is faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church and that holistically embraces the four pollars of the Catholic Church: CREED, LITURGY and SACRAMENTS, MORAL LIFE, and PRAYER. Activities and reflections involve the children and their families in catechesis, prayer, and living their faith. Music and prayer echo and anticipate liturgical celebrations. Some of the key concepts in First Grade are: God is our Father We Believe in the Blessed Trinity Jesus Died and Rose to New Life The Holy Spirit Helps the Church to Grow We Belong to the Church We Celebrate the Seven Sacraments We Celebrate the Mass ----(The first grade attends weekly Wednesday Mass)
Reading/Literature
Emergent readers learn to read by being introduced to various types of good literature. First graders are constantly involved in shared reading, silent reading, guided reading and partner reading.   The Rowland Reading program was introduced to the first grade this year. It is called the Superkids Program. There are five main components of the Superkids program. - Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify and manipulate sounds in spoken words and is known to be a strong predictor of reading success. - Phonics teaches the relationship between written letters and spoken sounds. Systemic and explicit phonics instruction is the backbone of the Superkids program. - Fluency is the ability to read text accurately, effortlessly and with natural expression. - Vocabulary is the knowledge of words and word meanings. - Comprehension is the purpose for reading.   Reading in first grade is exciting and fun!
Language Arts / Phonics
Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening must be integrated throughout each day to develop the important skills of reading and writing. Making books, writing stories and poems, and class discussions are essential for a good language arts program. Spelling is also emphasized in first grade. The core words are the first 100 most commonly used words in the English language. Word families, vowel sounds and phonetic awareness are crucial to this grade level.
Mathematics
The first grade uses the Houghton Mifflin Math series. The concepts that are emphasized in the first year are: - Basic number concepts - Addition and subtraction strategies through 20 - Data and graphing - Fractions and probability - Place value to 100 - Time and calendar - Money
Social Studies and Science
Social studies units include a thorough overview of Columbus, Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln. One very exciting highlight of 1st grade is the Reading Rodeo. We learn about the culture and history of the Old West. We read 30 minutes or more each night at home to "stay in the saddle". We learn Western songs and have fun learning to square dance. At the end of four weeks of being totally immersed in cowboy life, we have a barbecue lunch for our parents and perform in a western show of songs and square dancing. Awards are given out to everyone who read nightly and stayed in the saddle.
Science
FOSS Science program is used in 1st grade. The main modules are the study of rocks and insects. I also supplement with a very thorough unit on Dental Care.
Student Testimonials
Each year I hear from former students about how much they loved first grade. They remember the Reading Rodeo as a high point as well as the various songs they learned. Many students return to first grade and visit with me and reminisce about their favorite activities and projects. They remember life lessons that were taught. "Warm fuzzies" are good feelings that we give to others. We're here in school to make other people feel good and to think of others first.