Current Unit/Classroom Learning

Current Unit: Becoming a Classroom Citizen (September 4 – September 28)

Our current unit is called Becoming a Classroom Citizen and focuses on helping students acclimate to their new school environment.  As the classroom community is developed, the rules and routines (including passing out, using, and cleaning up materials) will be developed, modeled, and practice in whole group, small group, and individual settings.  This unit will also focus on developing appropriate personal and social behaviors for a school setting.

By the end of the unit, we hope that students will be able to answer the following question(s):

• How do I get where I need to go?
• How do I take care of things/people in my classroom?
• How do I show my feelings?
• How do I use and care for materials?

Focus Skills – During this unit, we are working on the following skills:

• Literacy – We have started working on learning the alphabet and learning the different parts of a book (front cover, author, etc).  We are also focusing on helping children recognize their names, and also be able to tell us what letter their names begin with.  Over the next few weeks, we will begin to work on other skills such as rhyming and beginning sounds as well.
• Writing – Children are being exposed to what good writers do.  We are helping children learn to use materials correctly, write letters, and draw pictures.  We are also focusing on helping children learn to write their first names correctly.
• Math – Our main focus at this point in the year is on basic skills such as counting, colors, and shapes.  We are learning how to use math materials correctly to practice various skills.  We will soon begin learning about math concepts such as sorting and patterns.
• Content – Our main focus right now is learning about school and classroom expectations, routines, and procedures.  We are learning how to be a good friend and classmate.  We have also started helping children learn personal information, such as first/last names, birthdays, and parents’ names.

Here are some suggestions to work on these and other basic skills at home:

• Say the alphabet with your child.  At this point in the year, we are saying it slowly and NOT singing it to be sure that students are saying each letter.
• While reading each night, talk about the different parts of the book.  At this point in the year, we are learning to find the front cover, back cover, and title page.  There will be more things to discuss as the year progresses!
• Provide your child with opportunities to practice writing at home.  Practice makes perfect!  Encourage your child to hold his/her pencil correctly when writing.
• Help your child practice spelling and writing his/her first name.
• Have your child various objects around the house or while out.
• Ask your child to identify shapes and/or colors that are found in the environment.  You can ask him/her to name shapes/colors of random objects, or you can challenge him/her to find a certain shape/color.
• Ask your child to tell you about school and classroom routines.  Reviewing this information at home will help them remember what to do at school.
• Help your child learn important personal information such as first and last names, birthday, and parents’ names.

You can find more suggestions of activities to do at home with your child on the Home-School Connection page!