A Day In The Life Of A First Grader

I'm very excited to write this post! I love to hear about schedules of other first grade classrooms. Getting a glimpse into the life of another first grade classroom is such a blessing because it gives me new ideas and thoughts. I love it even more if there are pictures involved. I'm sorry to say that I don't have a picture schedule for you, but I am excited to share my day with you.

My day begins at 9:00am -- My students enter the room, get out their Take Home Folder and put their stick in the lunch chart and sit at the carpet. We go over our big rule: You may do anthing that does not cause a problem for anyone else. Then we say the date, review the long and short vowels, do a song or story (or both), go through some sight word flash cards, etc. Next it's boardwork -- we fix an incorrect sentence on the board and play a spelling board game (always on the lookout for good games). We do a handwriting page together - I'm on the overhead -- and we talk about sky, grass and underground letters.

Now it's time for Reading Groups (Read with Teacher, Read to self, work page at desk and a computer game/or listening center) and this lasts an hour.

Recess

Harcourt Basal reading -- they buddy read the story of the week and the decodable book. Then we transition into writing -- I have journal prompts based on our science and when they finish they can write about something of their choice. We use the Starfall journals and dictionary.

Lunch

Math -- M.T.I. (Mathmatical Thinking Instruction) - this class and philosophy is what we use to teach math - lots of story problems, rekenreks, # line work as well as tons of games. We teach an understanding of math through a lot of focus on # sense.

Science/Social Studies - depends on the month and topic

Recess

Specials

After Specials it depends on day of week: Brick Lab (use bricks - like leggos - to learn to construct and a focus on engineering), Book Share, extra Science/S.S., Poetry Journal, Art

Math Games (choice of games we've practiced)

End of Day Routine -- clean up floor (Quiet Person of Day finds a quiet cleaner), we get our folders out to stamp (or write about) behavior, get backpacks and meet on carpet to Spin the Wheel (for a question to answer) or read a story. We sing our song and line up to leave.

That's our day in a nutshell! It's busy but I love it! If you have any questions feel free to leave me a comment!

Natalie