more on first graders...

First Grade Readiness for Reading

First grade children don't generally think logically. For example, many don't yet use "because" correctly. Some have trouble with words indicating location -"over," "under," "behind," and "in front of."

Most first graders don't realize that, by changing the shape of a ball of clay by rolling it out, the amount of clay remains the same - it just LOOKS different. Many don't see that, while two and three are five, by taking away the two and the three we are back at the starting point.

We adults can mistakenly assume that first graders are capable of our ways of thought.

First grade children vary in their development. In first grade, boys, particularly, need time. It is a teacher's task not to worry. Often, a little bit of learning in a child is OK.

In a stimulating environment, all children grow in many ways.

The First Grade Teacher's Wisdom
Some values have come to be highly regarded by most people, such as honesty, good sportsmanship, courtesy, and respect for the rights of others.

When there has been a breach, the teacher can use the situation to teach clear thinking by asking questions. "How did you feel afterwards?" "Would you do it the same way again?" "Would someone else have handled it differently? What do you think that person would have done? Are their differences between the two of you?" "What do you like (or not like) about what you did (or didn't do)?" "Do you have purpose in mind for what you did?" "Will something happen that you want to happen because of what you did (or won't it)?"

In whole-class evaluation sessions, the teacher will help the children to learn important classroom values, such as taking responsibility for materials, taking turns, showing kindness, and accepting others regardless of race or religion.