FIRST GRADE

Goals

The most important goal is to help my students grow academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. I want to provide an atmosphere that promotes the development of positive self-esteem and an appreciation of our God-given gifts and talents.

Curriculum

First grade follows the approved curriculum of the Archdiocese of Hartford. This includes major subjects – Religion, Reading, Math, Phonics, English, Spelling, Science and Social Studies. Also included are Handwriting, Health, Music, Art, and Physical Education.

The First Grade has been so fortunate to incorporate the newest aspects of computer technology to enhance all areas of our curriculum. In partnership with the University of Richmond and Boston University, our program allows two instruction periods in our Computer Lab each week.

Our classroom is equipped with desktop computers and printers for the children to utilize independently for reading, writing, illustrating, graphing and much more.

I have a laptop in my classroom that connects me to the Internet. This is an invaluable tool for immediate access and presentation of material when teaching science, health and social studies.

The following are curriculum samples:

Reading, Phonics, English, Spelling

• phonics based letter/sound recognition
• decoding skills
• comprehension skills
• literature appreciation
• independent reading and writing skills
• study skills
• communication skills
• grammar (capitalization, punctuation)
• sentence structure
• nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs

Religion

• know, love and serve God - celebrating church seasons and holidays
• God’s gifts
• prayer and praise
• loving and caring for others - following Jesus' example by reaching out to help others in the community
• celebrating Mass
• the Rosary

Math

• understanding numbers to 99
• addition/subtraction facts to 18
• money
• measurement
• time
• geometry/fractions
• adding/subtracting two digit numbers

Science

• the study of plants and animals
• sound, heat and light
• our senses
• growing and changing
• our body
• nutrition

Social Studies

• our classroom and school
• our family at home
• neighborhoods
• our community

Significant Projects

In First Grade we learn to appreciate the "uniqueness" of each person – how our difficulties make life interesting and fun. We do this by participating in the following project/programs:

• "Fruity Fridays"
• multicultural experiences and celebrations (speakers, songs, dances, ethnic foods)
• learning Spanish
• study and appreciate Black History Month
• study and appreciate important women of our times
• field trips throughout our city, meeting important community helpers (the Mayor, Police/Fire Dept., Librarians, etc…)
• stamp collecting
• visits to local convalescent homes to spread our cheerfulness
• learning about and participating in Recycling
• earning allowance to donate to monthly organizations that help others
• following Annie the Bear's travels to many countries as well as throughout the United States
• helping at the local Soup Kitchen

Pat Timmeny

 Sacred Heart University
B.S. Sociology
MAT – Gifted Education
Connecticut Teaching Certificate, N-8

It’s amazing to have your classroom door open and to find one of your former first grade students visiting you – as a new teacher herself!  Having been the first grade teacher at Saint Ann for 18 years, Pat has had many of these visits, and realizes she will always share a special bond with her “little friends.” 

Pat and her husband Frank are the proud parents of two sons, Dan and Chris, both alumni of Saint Ann School.  Dan will be attending law school in the fall and Chris graduated this May with a degree in Speech-Pathology/Audiology.  Besides trying to keep up with her athletic family, Pat enjoys walking along the shore or spending time reading. 

Pat believes that each child brings a unique and special gift to our world.  She works with her students to create an environment in which love and respect for God, oneself and others is always present.  It is important to learn about and appreciate our wonderful differences.

Pat hopes to foster a love of learning in each child.  She wants each one to develop into a successful, responsible, and happy individual.