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First Grade

CainMs. Erin Kowalevicz

Email: erin.kowalevicz@apsva.us

Erin Kowalevicz is a National Board Certified first grade teacher at Randolph Elementary. Before starting at Randolph in 2009, Erin taught at an international school in Nicaragua. Prior to teaching, she worked for the U.S. government in Côte d’Ivoire and China. Mrs. Kowalevicz received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and two Master of Education degrees from George Mason University; one in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis on International Education, the other in Special Education. In her free time Erin enjoys traveling, running, biking, and attending D.C. sports events with her husband, Tom.


picture of lyda barrera standing by the Randy mascot imageMs. Lyda Barrera

Email: lyda.barrera@apsva.us

Lyda Barrera is a 1st grade teacher at Randolph Elementary School. Ms. Lyda recently completed her student teaching here at Randolph in one of our other first grade classrooms, before accepting this position. She attended college at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia where she studied Elementary Education Pre-K-6th with a minor in Special Education. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks, playing volleyball, cooking, dancing, and spending time with her family and friends.

 

 


FullwoodMrs. Kaitlyn Karian

Email: kaitlyn.karian@apsva.us

Kaitlyn Karian joined the Randolph first grade team in 2018. Before becoming a Randolph Star, she taught second grade in Charlotte, North Carolina. She received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Slippery Rock University (PA). In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and playing tennis.

 


Photo of Sally Pen Ms. Sally Pencikowski

Email: Sally.Pencikowski@apsva.us

Sally Pencikowski joined Randolph in the fall of 2023.  This is her tenth year teaching having worked with students PK – G3.  She attended Muhlenberg College (PA) for undergraduate studies and George Washington University (DC) for her Masters degree in Elementary Education.  When she is not at work, she is a busy mom to two children and her dog, Rosie.  She enjoys traveling with her husband and children, reading and cooking.

 

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First Grade is a fantastic year filled with lots of learning, fun, and hard work.

Reading is the priority in first grade. The students will be immersed in a print-rich environment to develop oral language skills, phonetic skills, vocabulary, comprehension, and an awareness of print materials as sources of information and enjoyment. The students will use a variety of strategies to read new words and will read familiar selections with fluency and expression. The students will continue to develop an understanding of character, setting, main idea, and story sequence in a variety of texts.

In math, the emphasis in first grade is on counting, sorting, and comparing sets of up to 100 objects; recognizing and describing simple repeating and growing patterns; and tracing, describing, and sorting plane geometric figures. Students’ understanding of numbers will be expanded through learning and applying the basic addition and subtraction facts; using nonstandard units to measure; and organizing and interpreting data. Fractional concepts will be expanded. While learning mathematics, students will be actively engaged, using concrete materials and appropriate technologies such as calculators and computers. Problem solving has been integrated throughout the six content strands.

In science, students begin conducting simple experiments. They are introduced to the concept of classifying plants and animals based on simple characteristics. Students learn about the relationship between the sun and Earth, and between seasonal changes and plant and animal activities. Students will also begin to develop an understanding of moving objects, simple solutions, and important natural resources.

In social studies, students are introduced to the lives of leaders in the history of Virginia and their contributions to the Commonwealth. Students will develop basic map skills, and study the economic concepts of goods/services, consumers/producers, and making economic choices. Students learn to apply the traits of a good citizen and recognize that communities in Virginia have local governments. They learn that communities include people who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions, who make contributions to their communities, and who are united as Americans by common principles.

Through our transdisciplinary approach students become scientists and explorers.  Students begin conducting simple experiment this year and are introduced to the concept of classifying plants and animals based on simple characteristics. Students learn about the relationship between the sun and Earth, and between seasonal changes and plant and animal activities. Students will also begin to develop an understanding of moving objects, simple solutions, and important natural resources. As they develop a deeper understanding of the world around them, students are able tol develop basic map skills, and study the economic concepts of goods/services, consumers/producers, and making economic choices. Students learn to apply the traits of a good citizen and recognize that communities in Virginia, and throughout the world, have local governments. They learn that communities include people who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions, who make contributions to their communities, and who are united by common principles.