Welcome to First Grade
Welcome to first grade at St. John Neumann Catholic School. Many parts of first grade are very similar to Kindergarten: whole group lessons, art activities, partner and group activities, etc. First grade incorporates those same activities but also starts working towards more independence in regards to reading and writing especially.
First grade is a huge year of academic growth. Your child will learn spelling patterns, vocabulary words, begin reading longer texts, and will write more detailed sentences. First graders will also have the opportunity to read up to four different times at Mass this year!
Meet Mrs. Mancinelli
Born and raised in Kansas City, I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. I received my Master of Science in School Counseling from the University of Central Missouri, as well as my early childhood education, elementary education, and psychological examiner certification. I have worked with children in a professional setting for 24 years teaching early childhood, kindergarten, first, third, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.
My husband, Richard, and I have been married for 23 years. His work brought us to Knoxville in November of 2021 and we are loving living here. We have one child, Sophia, who will be a senior this fall at Mississippi State University. This summer she’s doing an internship with Dole Foods in California in plant science. We also have an adorable Maltese, Max, and a sweet tabby, Mango. We also have 7 koi fish who love our waterfall and pond!
I have just become a member of DAR and love spending my free time updating my family ancestry. I’m looking forward to participating in many civic activities with the DAR. I am also a birder and belong to the Knoxville chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society. I enjoy taking birding trips to Seven Islands State Park and watching my bird feeder for visitors. I am an avid gardener and particularly love roses. I am delighted to be teaching your child this year!
What We're Learning This Year
In first grade, your child will have reading (both whole group reading instruction and small reading groups for guided reading), writing (both creative writing and penmanship), math, science, social studies, spelling, religion, and health! Grades are assigned in each of these areas, as well as conduct and learning effort.
Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday. There will not be homework on Fridays or weekends. Our Superkids Reading Program has “backpack” pages that go along with our spelling words. I try to choose a little math, grammar, etc. to go along with the spelling practice to provide a good reflection of what we are studying in class. Please do not use ink pen or markers on any classwork, homework, or assignments (only pencil, crayons, or colored pencils).
Friday Folders come home each Friday. please check and clean out your child’s Friday Folder each week.