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CURRICULUM - 1st GRADE
   
Language Arts
The
goal of the first grade language arts program is to help all
students develop skills that will lead to successful reading
and comprehension at grade level, to develop legible
penmanship, and to use reading, writing, and speaking as
effective communication tools.
Reading Notes
Reading is taught in 3 ways:
1.
Strong Phonetic Knowledge – Students will be
taught
sounds of the letters and letter
combinations, and to blend these sounds to form
words.
2.
Essential Sight Word Development – Not all words
are
decodable phonetically, therefore, students
will need
to memorize the most frequently used
sight
words.
3.
Literature-based Strategies – Thematic units will
allow
students to explore language arts skills as
they read
and write daily.
Writing & Handwriting Notes
Students will use the D’Nealian handwriting model.
Individual differences are respected as the student is
encouraged to use consistent size and spacing of letters.
Legibility is the goal! Students will begin written
composition skills by labeling pictures and will advance to
sentences. First graders will commonly use some inventive
spelling as they work through the writing process, which
includes learning prewriting strategies and editing
strategies.
Spelling Notes
Weekly spelling tests will be given over a list of words.
They will be encouraged to spell certain frequently
written words correctly. However, inventive spelling is
used for some words as the children begin to write.
Students are encouraged to write expressive, communicative
pieces. Correct spelling will develop and will be expected
as your child practices putting pencil to paper.
Math
First grade math is based on the six academic content
standards adopted by the State Board of Education. These
content standards are:
1.
number, number sense, and operations
2.
measurement
3.
geometry and spatial sense
4.
patterns, functions, and algebra
5.
data analysis and probability
6.
process standard: mathematical processes
Our goal
is to teach basic math skills and how to apply them in daily
problem-solving situations. The students will use hands-on
experiences and solve problems of the day to accomplish
these goals.
Major topics of study include:
1.
addition and subtraction through sums of 18
2.
identification and writing of numbers to 100
3.
telling time
4.
introduction to fractions
5.
measurement
6.
money
7.
applying strategies to solve word problems
Science
Science instruction in the first grade builds upon the
science skills developed in kindergarten and from the
child’s life experiences. Students have increasing
opportunities to explore how living things change, how they
interact with their environment, and how they acquire food.
Students discover that many objects are made of different
parts and characteristics. Students learn ways objects
change, move, the materials of which they are composed, and
their physical properties. Students recognize and realize
that natural resources are limited and can be extended by
recycling or decreasing use. First graders explore ways
people learn about science through questioning, comparing,
investigating, and observing.
Major units of study include:
1.
weather
2.
seasons
3.
recycling
4.
living versus nonliving
5.
living together
6.
nature of matter
7.
forces and motion
Social Studies
Social studies themes are identified as the focus of work
for extended periods of time. Concepts are learned through
a variety of projects and activities involving independent
research in library books, discussion, the relevant use of
language, and opportunities to develop social skills such as
planning, sharing, taking turns, and working in
communities. The classroom is treated as a laboratory of
social living and respect for individual differences.
Major topic themes taught in first grade social studies
include:
1.
citizenship
2.
government
3.
people in societies
4.
economics
5.
geography
6.
history
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