FIRST GRADE

Our goal Is to provide a welcoming and loving environment in which young children will thrive and grow. In the classrooms we provide experiences, individual and group, which promote positive self-esteem, creativity, language development, fine and gross motor skills and physical fitness. In addition, we plan activities to foster environmental awareness, social skills and development of faith in our loving God and wonder at his creation.

In first grade the students will learn:

A comprehensive theme-based program integrating reading, vocabulary, spelling, and writing. This program continues to build strong reading strategies through whole group and small group learning.
Four different levels to facilitate an understanding of curriculum for all learners.
Digital path for whole group teaching and individual center time.
Each lesson is broken down into three sections.
See it! Big question videos to introduce the question of the week Concept talk video to give a deeper understanding of the question of the week Interactive sound-spelling cards Envision it! Animations Sing with me animations (songs teach students about the question of the week).
Hear it! Sing with me animations eSelections Grammar Jammers (a break down of the parts of speech Leveled reader database.
Do it! Vocabulary activities (online and other support activities) Story sort 21st century skills activities (writing) Online assessment Letter tile drag and drop.

Science

An inquiry based study including exploration opportunities in:

Life Science Plants/Animals & their homes.
Physical Science Matter/Motion & Energy.
Earth and Space Science Our Earth/Weather, and Sky.

Social Studies

Celebrate cultural heritages in the community
Community - important places, people, relationships, seasonal changes, natural resources
Responsibilities of leaders, team players and the ability to be either

Faith Formation

Learning about Jesus’ teachings.
Developing positive social skills.
Conflict resolution.
Developing a relationship with God.
Community service.

Math

Students use real materials that can be manipulated to develop fine motor skills as well as counting, addition, subtraction, time and money, simple story problems, number order and place value to hundreds, graphing, comparing, and estimating. Building upon skills learned in Kindergarten, the calendar is used daily to examine dates, days of the week, number of days in school, special events, numeral writing and patterning.

She became a teacher because she has always enjoyed working with children. Before returning to school to acquire her teaching license, she taught preschool for eight years. Ms. Harris believes teaching young children is truly a blessing. Besides teaching, she LOVES her dogs and loves to help better the lives of animals in any way. Teaching her students about helping the world around them (humans and animals), makes each day a positive experience.

At St. Agatha since: 2001

Education

Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.

University of Portland

Master of Education

Portland State University

E-mail Ms. Harris