· Combined Morning Meetings
Both 1-2 classes will combine to form a larger community of learners in the morning as school begins. In this larger morning meeting, all of the learners will participate in morning welcome songs, calendar time, and other activities as students and teachers share ideas, plans, and preparations for learning and community events. Classes will also focus more closely on particular plans for the day (the schedule) and expectations of learners. In addition, skills will be introduced from the calendar activities that include time, money, patterning, number concepts, counting, place value, reading, writing, etc.
· Language Arts: Reading Groups/Shared Reading/Mini-lessons/Reading Centers
Teachers will provide quality and enjoyable literature that the students can feel success with when reading. Skills will be incorporated such as reading strategies (ex. using phonetic and picture cues, saying blank and going on, rereading, etc.), spelling, handwriting and reading behaviors that are expected of these age and grade levels. Teachers will provide mini-lessons on reading and writing skills that are appropriate and needed to help children progress. Students will have opportunities to engage in a variety of learning experiences during our reading center time. Students will be given opportunities to read in large groups, small groups, with partners, and individually. Students working at a first or second grade level will be working with many materials from the Harcourt Reading program as well as reading other quality literature. Students who are above a second grade reading level will be challenged and will be utilizing material to meet their unique needs.
· Math
During this time, students will participate in their grade level group. The Everyday Mathematics program will be utilized. This program will incorporate a problem-solving approach based on everyday situations, frequent practice of basic skills, an instructional approach that revisits concepts regularly, and a curriculum that explores mathematical content beyond basic arithmetic. It will allow for hands-on learning experiences as well as direct instruction.
· Writing Workshop
This is a time for each student to create, edit, and publish ideas. Students will be allowed to write utilizing skills at their own ability level as they continue to progress. All children write everyday about various topics of their choice. The teacher’s focus at this time is to model correct writing behaviors, accept each student’s ability and to observe the student while they work. At this point, the teacher will conference with each student individually, have the student read their work, and encourage and assist the children to continue to progress as a writer. The writing program that will be used for instruction and assessment is the 6+1 Writing program. Skills that will be introduced and expected of learners will vary based upon their performance and ability at each stage of writing and we will help them to progress to the next stage.
· Science and Social Studies Theme Work
During this time, students will be provided opportunities to further explore science and social studies topics. Thematic topics will be covered based upon state and local guidelines as well as student interest. An integration of many subject areas will be provided within each theme as the students participate in authentic, meaningful, and enjoyable learning experiences. Students will work cooperatively in groups, in partners and individually to complete various tasks related to the theme. Within this framework, students will often be expected to explore, analyze, record, and share experiences as they learn.
The Science 21 program will be utilized. This is a K-6 hands-on, inquiry-based science program.
· Free Expressions
Students will be allowed to creatively express themselves during this period of time. They may work individually or with others to create a play, a poem, a picture, a painting, a song, a 3-D representation, etc. as a way to express an idea, feeling, or something they have learned. Students during this time will be provided with manipulatives and materials such as stamps, clay, paints, papers, etc. that they can choose from. Students may share their creations with the class.