The first-grade is an exciting time, but for many kids the learning curve is steep. Suddenly, there are homework assignments, quizzes and tests when in kindergarten, the only assignment might have been: “Bring in your favorite stuffed animal for show-and- tell on Wednesday.” The transition between day-long play and intensive learning can be a smooth one if a teacher or parent combines the two. Children of all ages absorb information more readily when they are relaxed and happy, as during playtime. In addition, association of facts with favorite games helps to consolidate the first-grader’s ever expanding knowledge and vocabulary. There are many computer games and workbooks available for young students, but when children are encouraged to use their bodies and imaginations to explore new subjects, the information is incorporated in a way that is unique to the child. The following activities develop skills in areas that are new to first-graders, including language arts and mathematics.
Most first-graders are just beginning to learn to read, and it is important to encourage the development of good reading habits. Every child at this age should read aloud for at least 10 minutes each day. As important as reading aloud is the ability to comprehend the text. It is a good idea, after the child is finished reading, to suggest that he or she write a story based on the text. For a fun activity, other children can act out the story the child is reading, even if is only a section of a story, and continue the improvisational play as other readers complete the story. After the story is finished, ask the children to pretend to be a character in the story and to write a letter to another character. The child should be encouraged to read his or her letter aloud, since reading one’s own writing aloud is an effective tool for developing reading and writing skills. The child can then identify his or her own spelling and grammatical errors and to revise the letter as needed.
To cultivate a love of books, encourage students to identify with favorite characters. In addition to the written version, book reports can be done in the form of dressing up as the main character and giving a presentation to the class, along with reading favorite sections from the book and answering questions afterward. The children can then write stories based on the presentations by combining the characters from various story books.
At this age, children are beginning to understand the difference between reality and make-believe. One way of reinforcing this knowledge is to explore the same concept in real and imaginary forms. For example, read The Adventures of Peter Rabbit one day. The next day, read a non-fiction story about rabbits, including information about their food, habitat and display pictures of real rabbits. On the following day, encourage children to bring in stuffed bunnies. Finally, discuss the difference between these various rabbits. Which rabbits are real? Which rabbits are make-believe? Which rabbit talks? Do rabbits really talk? Which rabbits wear clothes? Do rabbits really wear clothes, etc…? This activity will help the first-grader, introduced to various kinds of reading material for the first time, distinguish fact from fiction.
To teach rhymes and assonance, play “Snap!”. Say two words. If the words share a similar sound, whether it is the in the beginning, middle or end of the word, the other children say “snap” and snap their fingers. Encourage children to write down the words that sound the same at the end. Tell them that these are called “rhymes” and that many poems are made from rhyming words. Give them examples of poems and encourage them to write their own rhyming poems. Finally, read Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss. This books is composed almost entirely of rhyming words.
When teaching capital letters, tell the children to stand up when they hear a proper noun needing a capital letter and to sit down when you say a word that doesn’t need one. This can also work when teaching children interrogative and declarative sentences. Discuss the difference between a question and a statement. Have them make their own question marks on pieces of paper. Show them that the tone of voice as well as the context tells a person whether they are being asked a question or if they are just being told something. Then, tell them that when they hear a question, they should stand up. The first one who stands up gets to ask another question. If someone makes a statement rather than asking a question, he or she sits down.
Math for first-graders consists of simple addition and subtraction and counting by numbers. A fun activity for addition or subtraction begins with giving each child a certain number of chips, two, for example. There should also be a pile of chips on a table. Tell the child that he or she needs five, and the child will go to the table and take three chips. The same activity can be done to demonstrate the concept of subtraction. Give each child five chips. Tell them that they only need two, and watch them as they place three chips on the table.
Paper money is a fun way to learn how to count by 5s. Give each child $1, $5, $10, $20, $25. Place some objects on a table. Show them your own paper money and tell them you want to buy something, a book for instance, that costs $10, but you only have $5. What do you do? Or “sell” them something for $15. They will give you a $20 and you give them back $5. This will show them that 20 minus 5 is 15.
Making a cake is a good way to teach children fractions. This exercise is more convenient when done in one’s own kitchen, but it can suit a classroom as well, either with imaginary or real ingredients. Bring all kinds of measuring cups and spoons, and show them one cup, ½ cup, ¼ cup etc…Then say something like “The recipe calls for ¾ cup of sugar, but I only have this ¼ cup measure. So what do I do?” Or “Now I need 2 ½ cups of flour, but I only have a one cup measure. So what do I do for the half?” . The kids will remember fractions more easily if there is a tasty incentive for learning them. The completed cake can also serve as an additional lesson if fractions.
