Our Kindergarten class has begun an adventure that will continue through Grant School. We have started by making new friends and getting used to our classroom and our routine. We have reviewed things to make the children comfortable and we have begun to introduce new and exciting things.
Our adventure will teach us to listen to a story and to others. We will learn about ourselves and the world around us. We will have lots of fun and laughs along the way.
During our trip we will go through the alphabet in a new interesting way. While we are learning the letters and their sounds, we will incorporate all areas of our curriculum. During “P” week we may pile up pennies and count them. “D” week we may learn about dinosaurs. We ask you to add to our alphabet unit by sending in snacks or pictures. You can even visit for a letter-“N” week if you are a nurse, “P” week if you are a policeman or a pilot, etc!!!!
We will work in our math books and start recognizing sight words. We’ll even be reading a little by the end of our journey! There is so much for us to learn in kindergarten and we’re sure to have fun along the way! I would like your children to finish this year feeling good about themselves and school!
Candee Romba-Kindergarten Teacher
First grade is the place to be! It is in first grade that children are introduced to many life long skills. One of them is learning how to read! Our day is filled with letters, sounds, words, and stories. Other skills we will develop include telling time, learning about money, and counting numbers. Every day we count the number of days we have been in school. Once we have reached 100 days in school (which is sometime in February) the first grade has a 100th Day of School Party. It is a special day for the first graders. They celebrate their hard work and accomplishments.
In science, we will investigate how and why the moon changes, demonstrate how a magnet works, and understand the life cycle of plants and animals. Children will also learn how to read a thermometer and write the temperature. We will explore the water cycle (we will even make it rain!) and the wind by making weather vanes. In first grade children are introduced to the world of experimentation. We will perform various experiments with liquids, solids, and gases.
In social studies, patriotism, citizenship, and communities are some of the topics about which children will learn. We will read about the Statue of Liberty, The Liberty Bell and the American Bald Eagle. We will learn what the Pledge of Allegiance means and what the colors of our flag represent. Throughout the year first graders will visit the Ridgefield Park Public Library, the post office, and the firehouse.
Maria Amato – First Grade Teacher
SECOND GRADE
This second grade class is second to none! Our classroom is an exciting and nurturing place where each child will continue on the path to becoming a life long learner. Throughout the year the children are engaged in many challenging and fun activities. They will learn to work independently, as well as cooperatively with their classmates.
The children will have a wonderful reading experience. Reading is such an important part of the second grade curriculum. Everyday in the classroom we will read stories and poems, while working on comprehension skills and other reading strategies. Each child will have opportunities to read favorite books to their classmates. We look forward to “Guest Readers” coming in and sharing a story with us. The second grade has teamed up as “Book Buddies,” with Miss Lella’s fifth grade. We’ve joined Governor McGreevy’s Book Club and are participating in the Pizza Hut Book-It Program.
Children will continue to develop their creative writing skills throughout the year. They will be involved in writing reports, letter writing, and daily journal writing.
Making the connection between math and the real world will be one of our goals. An example of this will be when we follow recipes and bake as part of our study of measurement. We will also participate in many fun activities as we count our way to the 100th day of school. Some skills the children will be working on include the following:
Upon entering our classroom you may find an assortment of prehistoric creatures lurking about. Not to worry, it’s only one of the second graders’ favorite topics – “DINOSAURS.” Learning about dinosaurs, animals, weather conditions, plants, stars and planets are all part of our second grade science curriculum. We look forward to “Dinosaur Day” and planting a school garden in the spring.
The study of life during Colonial time, learning about holidays, describing our local community and understanding the characteristics of a good citizen are just part of what we work on in social studies. We’ll be inviting Mayor Fosdick to speak about Ridgefield Park and what it takes to be a good leader.
The year ahead will be a great one!
Barbara Beeman, Carolyn Donoghue – Second Grade Teacher
Each day 3rd graders from Ridgefield Park come to Room C20 and Room C24 at Grant School. But we don’t stay here! Where do we go? – to quiet rural areas, busy urban areas, many areas of the United States, foreign countries, inside the minds of famous authors, inventors, and leaders, to the bottom of the deep blue oceans, to the top of majestic mountains, to outer space. Each day’s journey teaches us fascinating facts and skills to prepare us for tomorrow’s challenges. No travel agent in the world can plan a trip like this!
Deanna Griffin – Third Grade Teachers