September · Week 1 of 4 · School week 1 of 36
Week 1: Welcome to First Grade
Skills this week
Phonics
Short a. Blend 3 sounds into a word: /m/ /a/ /p/, map.
RF.1.2b
Heart words: the a is I
Reading & writing
Routines; who, where and what happens in a story
RL.1.3, RF.1.3b
Math
Add by counting on from the bigger number
1.OA.5, 1.OA.6
Science
Five senses: observe and describe like a scientist
K-2 science practices
Social studies
Classroom rules and jobs
C3 D2.Civ.3.K-2, D2.Civ.8.K-2
Phonics this week: /a/
Short a: the letter a says /a/ in the middle of short words.
Words to read: cat, map, bag, sad, ham, jam, van, cap, fan, tag
Word chain: cat → hat → ham → jam → jab → cab
Decodable sentences: “Sam has a map.” “The cat is in a bag.” “Dad can nap on the mat.”
Spelling: map, bag, van · Dictation: “The cat is sad.”
Day plans
- Day 1Welcome to First Grade!
First Day Jitters - Day 2Our Names Matter
Chrysanthemum - Day 3Everyone Belongs
The Day You Begin - Day 4Kind Words and Actions
Do Unto Otters - Day 5Our Class Is a Family
Our Class Is a Family
Centers this week
- Word building: magnetic letters or letter tiles for short a words
- Book bins: choose two "just right" books for your book box
- Math: ten-frame flash and count-on dominoes
- Listening: a read-aloud recording from the public library
Student games this week
Short a Words Count On to Add Super Senses Our Class Rules
Week at a glance (printable)
| Block | Day 1 Welcome to First Grade! | Day 2 Our Names Matter | Day 3 Everyone Belongs | Day 4 Kind Words and Actions | Day 5 Our Class Is a Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question of the day | What are you excited to learn in first grade? | Who chose your name? Do you know what it means? | What is something you are good at? | What does kindness look like? | What makes a team strong? |
| Phonics | Introduce: Short a: the letter a says /a/ in the middle of short words. | Warm-up: flash the sound cards from earlier weeks, then the new pattern (/a/). | Sound boxes: draw a box for each sound. Say a word, push a counter into a box for each sound, then write… | Decodable sentences: "Sam has a map." "The cat is in a bag." "Dad can nap on the mat." | Review: read all 10 words: cat, map, bag, sad, ham, jam, van, cap, fan, tag. |
| Read-aloud | First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg | Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes | The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson | Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller | Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen |
| Math | Show 5 counters and say "five." Add 2 more one at a time: "six, seven." | Roll two dice. Find the bigger number and say it. | Tell a story: "There are 6 kids on the rug. 3 more come. How many now?" | Fill a ten frame with 6 counters. Ask: "How many more to make 10?" | Quick check: say 5 problems out loud (4 + 2, 6 + 3, 7 + 1, 5 + 4, 8 + 2). |
| Science / social studies | Social studies: Ask: "What helps a classroom (or a home learning space) feel safe and fair?" | Science: Say: "Scientists use their senses to notice. Which five senses do we have?" (see, hear, smell, touch, taste). | Social studies: Make a class jobs chart: line leader, plant helper, book helper, door holder. | Science: Go on a senses walk (inside or outside). Bring a clipboard. | Social studies: Review the rules poster. Ask: "Which rule did we use most this week?" |
| Writing | Write one sentence about your first day: "I like ___." Start with a capital letter and end with a period.… | Write your name in big letters. Under it write: "My name is ___. I like my name because ___." | Draw two things you are good at. Write: "I am good at ___ and ___." Remember the capital I. | Write a kind note to someone in your family or class: "Dear ___, thank you for ___." Sign your name. | Make a "Me in First Grade" page: draw yourself and write two sentences about you. Check for capitals and… |
| Game | Our Class Rules | Count On to Add | Count On to Add | Super Senses | Short a Words |