SJGS' Upper Beta Class moves at an advanced pace. First grade is an exciting age for all the students, filled with new experiences, field trips and traditional education that continues to form a strong foundation of learning.
As of late September this year, Upper Beta students have improved their writing skills, started to learn the multiplication tables, and embraced enrichment classes such as Art, Music, Violin, P.E., and Spanish.
January 4, 2010:
As the new year begins so does our Upper Beta spring semester. With this new semester, come some exciting changes to the schedule. The children have very successfully measured up to my academic standards, as well as the standards for neatness, accuracy and speed within a challenging and busy schedule. The Upper Beta schedule is designed to expand as the students meet initial goals and exhibit success without stress. Additions to our schedule will include:
Dictionary work--already introduced before the vacation break will be an in-class activity in vocabulary, grammar, writing and illustration.
Vocabulary--will be a home computer based activity. The Wordly Wise website has been successfully used by Cobb Hall students and will be excellent for the Upper Betas. The website is interactive and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete a lesson. At the end of a group of 5 lessons, there are activities for the student to do. The Upper Betas should begin in book 2, lesson 1, working on 1 lesson per night and do each of the activities after each set of 5 lessons. www.wordlywise3000.com
Science --taught by Ms. Janice, will be an interactive experience using our campus as the classroom. Curriculum will include classroom and home activities with a focus on Ecology, to include mapping, animal habitats, food chains and conservation of resources. The students will choose a class project from their studies to enter in the Science Fair.
Literature--taught by Ms. Julie, is already underway. Ms. Julie’s passion for literature and language arts brings vitality and intensity to this very exciting class. The students have begun by exploring the genres of writing. The class is currently traveling the globe with a focus on Folktales, Fables and Fairy Tales. In addition, the class will be reading Mr. Popper’s Penguins and Stuart Little.
SRC Reading—will continue to expand as Ms. Tori oversees the testing and book selection of each Upper Beta student. Ms. Tori is dedicated to the success of each student in the reading program and has recently expanded the Decker Hall library to include an additional computer for student testing.
Please know that I always have the best interest of the children at the top of my priority list. I believe these schedule changes will enhance and challenge the Upper Beta students.
Blessings,
Ms. Jeannine