Welcome to First Grade

Welcome to First Grade! My name is Maria Stauffer. I have taught first grade here at St. Joan of Arc for 10 years.  I am a graduate of West Chester University.  Previously I taught for 8 years in the Catholic school system in PA.  I taught 2nd grade for 8 years there before I took time off to raise my own children. I have 3 children, 3 step children and 2 step grand children, with another one due this November. 

Children come into first grade with a wide range of ability.  Some children may be at reading readiness level while others are already reading independently.  The same holds true with number skills.  My goal is to meet each child where they are and help them to progress throughout the year.

The religion curriculum covers: Our church community,  God our loving Father, Jesus his son, the Holy Spirit as well the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent.  Children also complete the Family Life curriculum.  

First grade is all about reading.  This year children will build on what they have learned in kindergarten.  After a review of all the consonant sounds children will learn about short and long vowels.  Children will practice reading silently or with a whisper voice as well as aloud.  They will learn reading strategies to help them with comprehension such as looking at pictures, looking at the whole sentence and breaking large words into smaller parts.  Children will also learn the elements of a story such as setting, characters and plot.  Children will also be learning to write on their own using proper grammar and punctuation.

Mathematics is so much fun in first grade.  Children use a wide range of manipulatives to help them develop a strong number sense.  Learning addition and subtraction is the bulk of first grade math.  There is a  strong emphasis on mastering  basic addition and subtraction facts.  However children are also introduced to money, time, geometry, fractions and measurement concepts.

Children go to the computer lab once a week.  Here children are introduced to the parts of the computer, the internet, and software.  Children also work with the different computer software to enhance what they are learning in the classroom.

Social Studies and Science classes introduce the children to the earth and its plants and animals.  Children also learn how their bodies grow and change. Children learn about their families and their communities. 

As always I try to communicate with parents often.  Through our website, e-mail, newsletters and phone calls the lines of communication are always open.  Together as a team we can make our children's first grade year a great success!