COMPUTERS - Mr. Friedman

Grade one began the year with an introduction to the new lower school lab. The children were introduced to the new computers and monitors and were encouraged to ask questions about the new computer set up. The children were also informed about the lab’s Internet AUP, Acceptable Use Policy, for Internet usage. First grade students enjoyed using the program Mighty Math Zoo Zillions to strengthen their skip counting skills. Kid Pix Deluxe 3, another exciting program, was also introduced. The students used this new version of the highly popular program to create multimedia slides for the Halloween slide presentation. The student’s keyboarding skills were enhanced by the usage of Kid Keys 2.0. This captivating program allows the children to learn and practice their typing skills in a fun-filled environment. The children also used KidWorks Deluxe to design and print Thanksgiving booklets. This activity helped develop word processing skills by allowing the children to insert text and graphics. Finally, students were informed about the year long boat race, Around Alone. This is an around the globe race that involves skippers piloting a boat by themselves. Each class selected a skipper to follow for the year. Students keep track of race news from the Internet using our web browser, Microsoft Internet Explorer. The students also contributed to the winter concert by creating program covers using the program Kid Pix Deluxe 3.0.

MUSIC - Mrs. Wilson

This semester first grade students reviewed the concepts of beat, rest, quarter and eight notes through the reading and writing of rhythm patterns from their song repertoire. On the software program, Music Ace, they matched pitches, identified same and different phrases and composed melodies on the music staff. Using Music Ace, the first graders also learned about meter, bar lines and the note names E and G. Through the singing of classical, folk, multicultural, holiday, seasonal and general interest songs, the children expanded their ranges and improved their vocal technique in such areas as pitch-matching, diction, blending of timbres and matching dynamic levels. Through the performance of partner songs and rounds they experienced the concepts of form and ensemble. Listening to examples such as Mozart’s, The Magic Flute and Saint-Saen’s, Carnival of the Animals as well as those from other cultures broadened the children’s musical horizons. Motor and social skills continue to be developed through creative movement, games and the playing of classroom instruments

PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Ms. Whelan

A new format was incorporated into the first grade physical education program at the start of the school year. All three classes have physical education at the same time with different instructors and in three different locations. In the old gym, one class participated in a physical fitness unit. This unit is designed to increase each student’s level of physical fitness and increase their awareness of the importance of being physically active on a daily basis. The second class divided its time between the new gym and the outside fields. Foot and eye coordination was emphasized through the practice of soccer skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting on goal. The third class met in the new gym where eye and hand coordination was emphasized through the practice of Pillo-Polo skills such as stick handling, dribbling, passing and shooting. During the course of the semester, each class rotated through all three locations. In each location, emphasis was placed on development of proficient locomotive movement, body control, space awareness, rhythm movement, perceptual-motor development and learned skill development. All learned skills were taught through repetitive drills, partner games, low-organizational games and cooperative games. Another component of the first grade program, body awareness, was taught through exploration activities such as interpretive movement to music. Emphasis is placed on listening, following directions and cooperation.

SCIENCE - Ms. Lee

Since the beginning of the year, our first grade scientists have regularly been involved in investigations, activities and discussions where they are asked to observe, predict, formulate hypotheses, communicate logically, and to think inferentially while they grow in their content knowledge of the sciences. In the Fall, first graders investigated plants and trees; they learned that plants have basic needs, how to identify different plant parts and describe their respective functions, examined a dissected lima bean seed, and learned to identify common trees by the shape of leaves and fruit. Then they learned about food chains and food webs, which serve as tools that help us understand how animals depend on plants and other animals for food, and the importance of maintaining balance in an ecosystem. Finally, they finished the semester with a unit on the moon. First graders learned to name the different phases of the moon and performed an investigation to understand why the moon seems to wax and wane.