Ms. Mooney

Upcoming Events

 

September 9 and 10 - Picture Days

September 20-24- Fall Break

 

 

 

 

All About The First Grade

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Welcome to the FIRST GRADE!

 Activities the children will be involved with include Accelerated Reader, Guided Reading, Minute Math, Writer's Workshop, Literacy Centers, and Calendar Math. Much of our class work involves cooperative learning groups where we all help each other learn and grow. First graders are generally inquisitive, energetic and enthusiastic about learning.

What happens in the first grade?

The first grade is a year where the children grow tremendously. Reading is one of the major instructional areas in this grade. The children are taught skills that help them become independent readers. Through Words Their Way phonics, Shared Reading, and  Guided Reading,  the children have many opportunities to learn a variety of reading skills. Writing instruction is also a major focus area. The children participate in a Writer's Workshop setting which enables them to learn and practice writing skills at their own pace. Mathematics for first graders includes Math Review and Practice (RAP),  which involves structured, daily math skills review. Students are given a math pre-test at the beginning of each quarter which helps determine skills that have been mastered as well as skills that need to be learned.  Along with Math RAP,  math instruction is supported by other resources such as the Harcourt math series. First graders have Science, Social Studies and Health lessons as well as P.E., Art, Music, Spanish and Computer Lab.  For more information about the first grade curriculum and Georgia Performance Standards, please go to http://picasso.cobbk12.org/  First grade is a busy and exciting year!

Cherrie Mooney

This is my 22nd year teaching in the public school system. I taught Special Education for 5 years and have been teaching 1st graders for 17 years. Originally from Palatka, Florida, I moved to Kennesaw 11 years ago with my husband and 2 daughters. I am a graduate of Kennesaw State University (Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Education), University of North Florida (Bachelor of Arts in Education), and St. Johns River Community College.  I am certified in the areas of Elementary Education and Special Education. Recently I completed training in Highly Effective Teaching (H.E.T.) which is a brain-compatible model grounded in the biology of learning, effective instructional strategies, and the development of conceptual curriculum. I have held the office of president, vice president and secretary with the Council for Exceptional Children, Putnam County, Florida Chapter.  Throughout the years, I have volunteered with organizations such as The American Cancer Society, Special Olympics, The American Heart Association, the Chandler Ridge Homeowners Association, the Great Gig Dance Ensemble and Girl Scouts. 

My hobbies and interests include painting, home improvement/home decorating projects and collecting antiques. I also love spending time with my family and teaching 1st graders!                                                                                                         

Mathematics

First graders love math! As the school year progresses, it gets more and more challenging.  Here is a list of math websites that can help your child build his/her math skills:

Addition:

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/adding_bricks_k/

http://www.dositey.com/addsub/addex1.htm

http://www.dositey.com/addsub/add2basic.html

Subtraction:

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/busy_bees/index.html

http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/games/game8.htm

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/day_at_beach/

Math Facts:

http://www.tvokids.com/framesets/play.html?game=4&

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/thats_a_fact/english_K_3.html

Geometry:

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/loading_shapes/

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/buzz/buzz.html

Money:

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/counting_money/

http://fen.com/studentactivities/Piggybank/piggybank.html

Time:

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/willy/willy.html

http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/preview/harcourt_math/tellingtime_splash2.html

 

Language Arts

Reading with your children everyday is very important.  Please take at least 20 minutes each day to sit with your child and read together.  For so many children, reading does not come naturally.  However, the more a child is exposed to words, books and various reading material, the better he/she will get.  Here are some fun language arts websites that can help reinforce reading, writing and spelling skills:   

Sadlier-Oxford Phonics                                       

Fun Brain

Children's Storybooks

On Line Spelling Tests

Jan Brett's Home Page                

You can also go to Links for Kids on the Kennesaw Elementary webpage for more fun learning opportunities for your child.

Class schedule

Here is our Class Schedule

7:50 Announcements, Attendance

8:00-8:15 Calendar/RAP Math, Review morning work

8:15-8:50 Words Their Way

8:50-10:10 Language Arts

Guided Reading, Reader's Workshop, Literacy Centers, DWL, Shared Reading

10:10 Specials

11:00 Recess

11:20 Writer's Workshop

11:45  Science, Social Studies, Health

12:12-12:42  Lunch

12:45-1:45  Mathematics

1:45-2:10  Read aloud, DEAR, Journal writing, Class meeting, Reflection

2:10 Dismissal begins

Homework Procedures

 

Dear Parents,

            Each Friday, your child will be given his/her homework folder containing a homework packet.  The homework packet will include various assignments such as math activities, language arts review and handwriting practice.  (The types of activities will vary from week to week.)  The purpose of these homework assignments is to:

 

·     allow your child extra practice on new content and skills introduced throughout

           the week

 

·     enable you to see how your child works on various tasks

 

·     keep you updated on what your child is working on and learning from week to

           week.

 

            You certainly can help your child if he/she is struggling with the homework, but homework must be completed in your child’s handwriting and in pencil only.  Crayons may be used where coloring is requested.  Homework should be completed and returned on Thursday of each week in the homework folder.  Another very important part of homework is daily reading.  The more a child practices reading, the better he/she will get.  Please sign the reading log each day after your child has finished reading.  (Your child may write in the name of the book for extra handwriting practice.)  When the completed Reading Log is returned, your child will get a special treat!  Thank you for your help in teaching your child independence and responsibility. 

 

 

Morning Procedures

1.                    Greet Mrs. Mooney.

2.                   Take Daily Communication Folder out of backpack and check for notes.

3.                   Put notes in basket on Mrs. Mooney’s desk.

4.                   Put Communication Folder in your desk.

5.                   Put your snack in your desk and water bottle on your desk.

6.                   Put lunch box on the white shelf.

7.                   Hang up backpack on hook.

8.                   Begin morning work.