Mrs. Gomarlo’s First Grade
Mrs. Ellen Gomarlo
First Grade
Mrs. Gomarlo graduated with a BE from Keene State College.
She has taught for 24 years at Hinsdale Elementary School.
Contact Information:
Mrs. Gomarlo can be contacted at: 603-239-5332 ext. 525.
Curriculum
Our First Grade Curriculum follows the HES Curriculum Guides that are aligned with the New Hampshire Frameworks – Grade Level Expectations.
Our math program is the Everyday Math series, which is a school-wide math program. This math series builds upon concepts and skills that are taught in previous lessons.
Our literacy program is based upon the philosophy of the Literacy Collaborative model. This framework includes: Shared Writing and Language Experience, Interactive Reading Aloud, Shared Reading, Guided Reading and Reading Workshop, Independent Reading, Independent Writing, Guided Writing and Writing Workshop and Interactive Writing. Our literacy program is also enhanced by the Open Court Reading Series, Project Read and Wilson Language Basics/Fundations.
In spelling we use Zaner-Bloser Spelling Connections.
Social Studies and science are guided by the Silver Burdett Ginn and Harcourt series as well as Scholastic News.
Second Step Curriculum and the Responsive Classroom approach guide our Social Skills Curriculum. The Second Step Curriculum teaches children skills that help promote healthy emotional and social development. The skills taught are: impulse control, empathy and anger management. The Responsive Classroom approach consists of strategies that bring academic and social learning safely together. The components of the Responsive Classroom approach that are used in the classroom include: Morning Meeting, Guided Discovery and Classroom Organization.
Homework Polices:
Every Friday all school papers are sent home in a “Friday Folder”. This folder contains corrected school papers, important notices from the office or classroom, spelling lists and homework. Homework that is sent home on Friday is usually stapled to the “Friday Folder”. This homework should be returned to school on Monday.
A monthly homework sheet is stapled to the “Friday Folder” at the beginning of each month. The homework sheet, signed by a parent, and all of the written homework assignments are expected back at the end of each month.
We participate in the Book-It Reading Program in first grade. This program runs for six months from October until March. Each month a reading goal is set and the Book-It paper is sent home stapled to the “Friday Folder.” This reading may be done together; a parent may read to their child or s/he may read to a parent. When the reading goal has been met and verified with a parent signature on the Book-It sheet and returned to school, the child will receive a coupon for a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.
A book (in an envelope) is sent home every Friday in the “Friday Folder”. This book needs to be read many times over the weekend and returned to school on Monday. This reading can also be done together.
Here is a list of tips for parents on reading aloud to your child:
* Have a regular story time each day or night for about 10 or 15 minutes.
* Find a quiet place.
* Take time to talk with your child about what you read ~ stories can start wonderful discussions.
* Be willing to read the same book again and again ~ children often love to hear a favorite story many times over.
* Read nursery rhymes to your child.
* Most important of all ~ be a role model for your child. If your child sees that you enjoy reading s/he will learn that reading is a fun activity.
Our Everyday Math series has HomeLinks that are extensions of the lessons and also a good review. These HomeLinks show parents what the students are doing in math. The HomeLinks should be completed together and brought back to school the next day.
Classroom Specials Schedule:
Monday ~ Library
Tuesday ~ Art
Wednesday ~ Physical Education
Thursday ~ Physical Education and Computer Lab
Friday ~ Music
Classroom Rules to help us reach our Hopes and Dreams:
1. One person speaks at a time.
2. Raise your hand when you want to say something.
3. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
4. Don’t bother other people who are trying to listen.
5. Listen when someone is talking.
6. Look at the person who is talking.
7. Practice the “GOLDEN RULE” always.
Please enjoy this beautiful poem.
Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live,
Copyright 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte
Created 11/28/07
Updated 9/8/08