Getting Ready for Grade One
Each year at Open House, the Grade One Team is approached by parents who ask if their child is ready for Grade One. I have found that the most successful students possess specific skills.
Children preparing for Grade One will face new responsibilities
in school. Your child will learn to adjust to a longer school day, take more
ownership of homework, eat lunch in the gym, peacefully play outside with
others at recess and learn to responsibly move around a school by her/himself.
Every child is special and unique and develops at her or his own
pace. However, there are certain skills and knowledge sets that most educators
and developmental experts agree are essential for social and academic growth,
development and achievement in school.
Academics. The child can:
- Spell and legibly print first name.
- Identify every letter of the alphabet and the corresponding sound.
- Begin to legibly print upper and lowercase letters in order.
- Identify some sight words (and, the, it, like).
- Identify colours.
- Count numbers and their quantities to 10.
- Hold a pencil with proper grip.
- Use scissors with proper grip.
- Sustain attention to a single task over a period of time.
- Avoid blurting or interrupting. Child is able to happily show patience while waiting for her/his turn to speak or play.
- Responsibly transport items such as an agenda, notes and library books between school and home.
- Use materials purposefully and respectfully. Show respect for classroom materials – i.e. books, games, Math manipulatives. The only thing that enters our mouth is food and drink – not learning tools or sleeves.
- Organize, track and maintain personal belongings – i.e. backpack, school supplies and desk.
Health & Hygiene. The child can:
- Properly blow her/his nose and clean hands.
- Independently and responsibly use the washroom, flush the toilet and thoroughly wash her/his hands.
- Keep hands away from face – including keeping fingers away from nose and mouth.
- Independently unwrap and eat food.
- Clean up after her/himself.
- Properly dress self – buttons, zippers, coats, shoes.
Social Skills. The child can:
- Keep hands, arms, feet and legs to self. Respect personal space of peers and teachers.
- Respect others, their feelings and their rights.
- Use words instead of physicality to solve conflicts.
- Demonstrate good manners, patience and courtesy to peers and adults.
- Understand that – unlike home – school is a formal environment. There are more people at school than at home. Different rules apply at school to keep us safe and happy learners. For example, being loud and running around may be fine at home, but is unsafe inside a school.
- Regulate voice and know the difference between an inside and outside voice. Follow directions agreeably and easily.
- Act safely and take turns in play.
- Show self-control and avoid impulsivity.
- Work, play and share with others.
- Sit and listen.
- Quietly stand in a line without touching other people.
- Comfortably adapt to changes.
- Sit cross-legged on floor rather than spinning or laying down.
Part Three: Supporting Your Child
- Read daily with your child for 15-20 minutes.
- Make sure your child is in bed by 7:30 or 8:00 pm. Grade One students need 11-12 hours of sleep daily.
- Wake your child with ample time to prevent rushing before school.
- Ensure your child eats a well-balanced breakfast.
- In Grade One, we have morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack. Pack a healthy snack to eat at snack times and recesses. Carrot sticks, crackers or apple slices work well. (We prefer that you do not give them junk food as healthy eating is part of the Health curriculum. Water is better than sugary juice boxes which cause energy spikes and crashes.)
- For eating times: Please send containers that your child can independently open. Send your child in clothes and shoes s/he can independently manage. Please, no laced shoes as they are cumbersome and dangerous during recess transitions, fire drills and Physical Education.
- Thoroughly read papers that your child brings home. Sign and return papers in a timely manner.
Thank you so much for your time and attention to this reading
material.
