End-Of-The-Year Updates
from Grade One
Please check around your house and in your cars for reading books, library books, and other materials that belong to CES and return them as soon as possible.
Curriculum Notes: We will be learning and working right up to the last day of school! It becomes more of a challenge for many students to maintain focus and show star behavior as the year comes to a close. Please talk with your child about what needs to be done to finish first grade in a strong and positive manner. In reading and writing, we will review the skills and strategies we have been working on all year. For math, we’ll also review and work on solving different types of story problems. We’ve learned about organisms in science. We are working on our economics unit in social studies and we are anxious to see the great projects the first graders have been working on with you for a month. We will also be completing our drug awareness unit and learning about summer safety.
Important Dates:
Many thanks to the PE department and the volunteers who make our Field Day a SUPER fun event!
The class basket auction and first family dance at CES was a success!
Information about your child’s teacher for next year will be mailed to you in August.
The last day of school for students is a two-hour early dismissal on June 19th. You may want to send an extra bag for your child in addition to the backpack on that day.
The Star-Spangled Celebration will be on June 7th. It is always a great time! Look for more information from our PTA.
Most of our first graders have made such amazing progress this year! We are so proud of their accomplishments and know that you must be proud, too! However, without regular instruction, many children regress over the summer months, especially a nice long summer like we get to have this year. Some families are looking into summer tutoring. There are also many camps that may offer different types of learning activities based on your child’s interests. Some families will be able to keep the learning going right at home.
Here are a few tips to help your child maintain skills. Choose the ones that work best for you and your family.
- Read every day! Even if your child is able to read independently, it is still important to read aloud to them. The Media Center Webpage has grade level appropriate book lists. If you don’t have one, get a public library card and take advantage of the Frederick County Public Library summer reading program.
- Keep a diary, journal, photo album, or scrapbook with captions of your summer activities.
- Write letters and postcards to friends and relatives.
- Learn keyboarding skills on the computer. Google Typing Club is just one option.
- Play learning computer games. (Look at the Media Center Website for some games your child has enjoyed at school. There are many free and fun apps for your devices now available.
- Complete a few pages a day in a skills review workbook, or use the Xtra Math computer program.
- Practice math facts and play number games.
- Play board games together.
- Practice sorting and counting objects.
- Be a weather watcher.
- Observe nature.
- Plant a garden.
- Find opportunities for social time with other children.
- Practice spelling high-frequency words in fun ways such as with sidewalk chalk, in shaving cream, in different computer fonts, etc.
- Use real-life opportunities to count money and tell time.
- Read maps when you travel.
- Exercise often.
- Participate in an organized sport.
- Develop an artistic skill, such as painting, singing, or playing a musical instrument.
- Practice listening and following directions the first time they are given.
- Have your child develop responsibility by doing chores around the house.
- Take advantage of your child’s interests. Read, research, and write about those topics.
- Make sure your child knows how to tie his/her own shoes.
- Work on showing stamina and perseverance in all you do.
Make learning fun! Look for projects that you can do together, like planting a garden, building a birdhouse, trying new recipes, and making crafts. Spend time at the library and take advantage of its programs. If you travel, learn about the cultures and interesting facts about the places you go. Most of all, enjoy time together talking, reading, playing, learning, and observing.
First grade is such an important year and we feel that it has been a successful one. CES has many reasons to celebrate! Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout the year. Education is truly a team effort!
Have a safe and happy summer!
Thank you!
Team One