WRITING in first grade
First grade is such a big year for all learning. One of the main focuses in first grade language arts is written communication. You will be amazed at the progress your child will make this year in writing.
I begin the year helping students to get ideas down on paper – using inventive spelling, which can be read by the me and your child. I teach students how to gather their thoughts and write about things they know. They often choose to write about family members, friends, or things they like to do. This writing builds fluency, which is an integral part of developing the writer.
Oral language is a huge part of written communication. I teach students how to have a conversation with a peer, and how that can help them develop writing ideas. I teach them how to give constructive criticism or ask questions when they are in conversation with others. I begin each writing period with conversation. Talk to your child at home and listen to his speech patterns. Correct any grammatical errors, and ask for clarification when you don’t understand something. Require that your child speak in complete and grammatically correct sentences. The students that have the most trouble with writing are typically those that have difficulty with oral language. PLEASE also correct your child when she pronounces difficult words incorrectly. Take the time to let your child talk to you. You will be helping her writing fluency if you do!
Spelling is an important part of writing. I encourage inventive spellings of unknown words and work to correct the spelling of words, which are basic sight words or part of a known word family. Inventive spelling is only useful if your child can “read” what he has written. Inventive spelling is also called “phonetic” spelling. Help your child at home by stretching each word to hear all sounds when she is trying to spell something. It is also helpful if you get him to stretch the word with you!
I work hard to help your child get the basics of writing down before she leaves first grade. Writing expectations increase as your child passes through each grade. Please work continually at home to improve your child’s written and oral communication!
Although you will not see writing papers in your child’s graded work, we write everyday! We keep all of the pieces in a writing binder. Your child’s writing binder will come home each reporting period as a part of the progress report and the report card so that you may see her writing progress!