Welcome to Miss Schifferman’s webpage!

How to help your child...

Reading

Finding a “Good Fit” Book

Too Hard

There are more than five tricky words per page.

I have to reread a lot.

I read the story too slowly.

Too Easy      

There are no tricky words.

I read without having to think about it.

I read the story too fast.

Good Fit

There are less than five tricky words per page.

I think about the story as I read it.

I read the story at my own pace.

Reading Websites

www.starfall.com (phonics and stories to read)

www.storylineonline.net (stories to listen to)

www.spl.org (Seattle Public Library Children Section - "Read Books Online")

Book Lists

Below is a website to search books by reading level to help you find good fit books:

http://www.arbookfind.com

Sight Words

The goal for first grade is to master the first 300 sight words. Each week students are assessed and given a new list of words to work on. If you would like a list of the words your child is working on, please email me.

Useful links for sight words:

www.candohelperpage.com/sightvocab_1.html

www.sightwordswithsamson.com/sw/sight_words.asp

www.kendted.org/uk/ngfl/games/starwriter.html

 

Spelling

Spelling is a developmental process.  Students begin spelling by stretching out the beginning and ending sounds that they hear (emergent stage).  Then they move to the next stage where they begin to spell using short vowels and blends (letter name alphabetic stage).  As they see patterns, students learn to spell using long vowels (within word pattern stage) and begin conventional spelling. 

I will send a list of words weekly.  The best way to learn the spelling words is to sort them by different patterns. Below are some ideas of how to practice sorting spelling words.

• Write the words in pencil, marker, chalk, paint, in pudding, in shaving foam.
• Make the words using beads, cereal, seeds, wikki stix, yarn, playdough.
• Draw a picture of the word and write the word underneath
• Word Sorts – Write each spelling word on a flashcard. Sort words into different groups such as initial or final sounds, rhyming families, short vowels.
• Dictation – Tell your child a simple sentence with the spelling included in it. Ask your child to repeat the sentence then write it down. Correct together the spelling together.
• Games - Make games such as, Go fish! or Bingo
• Check out this website   Spelling City

 

Math

There are resources for parents and children at the Houghton Mifflin website. Just click on 1st grade to get started.

Houghton Mifflin Math

It is important to master addition and subtraction math facts in first grade. If you practice daily, it will help prepare you for regrouping in second grade! 

xtramath.org/

mathletics.com

If you want a challenge, please check out this website.  Look under Logic Puzzles for great games!

Math Playground

 

Religion

Check out this website!

EWTN KIDS

Useful Information

Library Search

Below is a link to a wonderful search tool from the St. John School library. Please explore!

First Mate schedule:

(updated due to snow!)

1/23 – Connor L.

1/30 – Gabby

2/6 – Cathy

2/13 – Lillian

2/27 – Maddy E. 

3/5 – Connor D. 

3/12 – Lucas

3/19 – Roman

3/26 – Jack B. 

4/2 – Bridget

4/16 – Samuel 

4/23 – Maddie A. 

4/30 - Kiera