Mrs.+Perry's+First+Grader

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Many students in my classroom have a low socio-economic status (SES) and are English Language Learners. These students will often develop academically at a slower rate than their peers with a higher SES. They are more likely to have reading difficulties. This creates a need for students to be exposed to LOTS of vocabulary, to make up for the lack of literature in their home environment. These students are less likely to have been read to or have access to books to read independently.

Most of my students receive free and reduced lunches at school which usually indicates some nutritional challenges for students and their families and has a direct effect on student learning. They may lack sufficient iron in their diet to assist with cognitive skills in learning resulting in difficulty with vocabulary and reading. Lack of breakfast will impact their ability to perform classroom functions. These students are also more likely to miss school due to illness.

= ﻿Developmentally = First graders are usually in a hurry and can be pretty noisy. They enjoy conversation during meals. My first grade students will be 5 to 6 years old. They still enjoy playing and have lots of energy - consider them a perpetual motion machine! While all of this activity is taking place, even when sitting at their desk, they like to test their large motor skills. They need to work on their fine motor skills which are just beginning to bloom. There will be many, many lost teeth in first grade as baby teeth are replaced with permanent teeth.

=Emotionally = They will form close attachments with teachers and will make their first "best" friend. Friendships will fluctuate many times throughout the first grade year. First grade is where they learn "how" to be friends. They become critical of other children that do not conform to their understanding. Although they will play with both genders, they prefer children of the same gender. For some children, separation from mother may be a big step at this age. They need to know they are loved and will get attention from the adults in their lives. They will try to mimic adult behavior.

Being the best or first becomes a major focus for them in school and they can often be inflexible. At this age they want to do things well. They seek encouragement or reinforcement for appropriate behavior and are very sensitive to negative comments or suggestions. They are easily embarrassed. First graders become very competitive and will often be a poor sport, cheat or invent new rules in order to win; however, following the rules is absolute. At this age they are just beginning to develop their moral sense. First graders want to do what is expected in an effort to please others, usually adults.

They can often exhibit mood swings - happy one minute and upset the next. They begin to think about how they look to their peers. They want to be helpful to others.

=Intellectually = Welcome to the world of black and white. For first graders there is no middle ground, it is either right or wrong. The difference between fantasy and reality can be confusing for them. They become more involved in developing real world projects, i.e. pictures, jewelry, toys etc.They are still willing to accept supervision but will try independently only those things they are able to complete. They need lots of encouragement to explore and to understand how to learn from mistakes. First graders want to learn new things.

Language development is growing, although they may still reverse some letters. They are improving in vocabulary skills in communicating, both speaking and listening. They are able to use vocabulary to represent something they cannot see. Their problem solving skills are getting better. They love to ask questions.

First graders are able to focus for longer periods of times, allowing for more learning opportunities. They are beginning to understand the concept of time, past and present as well as the more common concepts such as days of the week and times of the day.

They are kinesthetic learners and will do better in situations that involve manipulatives for learning.

=Resources =

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