Expectations of Students Entering First Grade  Students recognize all 26 letters (both uppercase and lowercase) and know the corresponding sounds.  Students begin spelling tests the first full week of school.  Students can blend 3 letter words.  Students know at least their kindergarten sight words.  Students are writing sentences by sounding out words.

 Students are starting to use capital letters and punctuation, appropriately, in sentences.  Letters are wrote correctly and legibly.  After reading or listening to a story, students can retell in sequential order what happened in the story.  Students can count to 100, and have basic understanding of math facts to 10. continued…

What Can You Do to Give Your Child a Great Start? READ, READ, READ!  Have your child read to you every night, and read to him/her.  Practice those sight words from kindergarten, and begin adding first grade sight words through the summer break.  Practice letter writing and letter sounds.  Practice math facts and counting to 120.

Practice these strategies when your child gets stuck on a word. We will use these different strategies in our class often.

 Leap Frog Letter Factory video/song  Between the Lions shows (YouTube)  Letter Sound BINGO  Fiddle!  Check our websites for great resources! Practicing Letter Sounds

 Play Concentration  Sight-Word Twister  Beachball  Bang!  Slap-it Sight Word Game  Word-O Fun Ways to Practice Sight Words

 Write letters in shaving cream or sand  Write on mirror or in bath tub with washable markers  Use play-doh or wikki stix (found at Dollar General) to form letters  String Fruit Loops  Cut play-doh with scissors  Picking up rice (small objects) with tweezers  **Watch for correct scissors hold/pencil grip and that your child is writing letters from top down. Ways to Practice Letter Formation and Fine Motor Skills

 household items for counting: beans, buttons, clips, etc.  check the $1 bins at Target for manipulatives  Greater Than/Less Than with playing cards  Play War with cards  Adding dots on dominoes or dice  Show a handful, take some away, and ask how many are missing. Fun Ways to Practice Math Facts

 Your child will be worn out! First grade is fun but busy!!  Homework starting the first full week of school. Due every Friday. Regularly doing homework will be an important key to your child’s success!  Students will start reading 1 A.R. book a night and will gradually increase to two A.R. books a night. Please read for at least 20 minutes a night.  Spelling Test every Friday starting first full week of school. What to Expect When School Starts

Thank you so much for being your child’s very first teacher. We know with communication and teamwork your child will have the most successful year in first grade possible! Please do not hesitate to contact the first grade team with any questions or concerns. We are truly honored to be your child’s teacher and can’t wait for a fantastic first grade year!