Curriculum
Reading/Language Arts
Schoolwide Reading Fundamentals is our new reading series this year. This series promotes a balanced literacy framework. Within this framework, there are opportunities to read to students (mentor texts), to read with students (shared texts), and to have students read independently (books and other texts at their independent reading levels).
Guided Reading:
In addition to the whole group instruction that students receive during reading, I will meet with guided reading groups weekly. Guided reading focuses more on the individual reading needs of each child. During guided reading, I work with students at their instructional level to guide them in using context, visual, and structure cues in stories to generate meaning. By using instructional level texts that gradually increase in difficulty, students are better able to apply strategies within context. Through guided instruction, students feel more successful!
Reading Logs:
Your child will also complete monthly reading logs beginning in September that go along with the Book It! program. In order to achieve the monthly goal, students should be reading to/with an adult for at least 20 minutes each night. Reading logs will be checked for completion and will be used as part of your child's Home Practice grade on the report card.
Schoolwide Reading Fundamentals is our new reading series this year. This series promotes a balanced literacy framework. Within this framework, there are opportunities to read to students (mentor texts), to read with students (shared texts), and to have students read independently (books and other texts at their independent reading levels).
Guided Reading:
In addition to the whole group instruction that students receive during reading, I will meet with guided reading groups weekly. Guided reading focuses more on the individual reading needs of each child. During guided reading, I work with students at their instructional level to guide them in using context, visual, and structure cues in stories to generate meaning. By using instructional level texts that gradually increase in difficulty, students are better able to apply strategies within context. Through guided instruction, students feel more successful!
Reading Logs:
Your child will also complete monthly reading logs beginning in September that go along with the Book It! program. In order to achieve the monthly goal, students should be reading to/with an adult for at least 20 minutes each night. Reading logs will be checked for completion and will be used as part of your child's Home Practice grade on the report card.
The Daily 5
The Daily 5 is a literacy program consisting of different centers for student-guided learning while I meet with students in small groups for guided reading/individual assessments. The students rotate among 5 different literacy stations: Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Word Work, and Work on Writing. It's an engaging program that introduces new strategies to encourage independence in all areas of literacy.
The Daily 5 is a literacy program consisting of different centers for student-guided learning while I meet with students in small groups for guided reading/individual assessments. The students rotate among 5 different literacy stations: Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Word Work, and Work on Writing. It's an engaging program that introduces new strategies to encourage independence in all areas of literacy.
Writing
Your child will be writing daily for many different purposes. We will begin the year by focusing on the basic components of creating a coherent sentence (using focus, clarity, and conventions). Students will incorporate spelling words, sight words, and invented spelling into their writing. Each month we will focus on a specific unit of study to cover the Common Core writing standards. These units will focus on opinion pieces, informative/explanatory writing, and narratives. We will use modeled instruction, small group instruction/support, shared research, and collaboration with peers to complete these units.
Students will also keep a journal at school to practice and experiment expressing their ideas, creativity, and feelings through their writing. These journals allow your child to incorporate newly learned sight and spelling words. This journal will be used to compose authentic pieces of writing, finish prompted sentences, form structured pieces, and free write.
Handwriting is taught using the "Handwriting Without Tears" resource. "Handwriting Without Tears" uses a step-by-step approach for teaching and learning handwriting. The four keys to legibility that are explored include shape, size, spacing, and slant. This systematic program builds automaticity in reproduction of the alphabet, so students are free to focus on meaning and expression as they write.
Your child will be writing daily for many different purposes. We will begin the year by focusing on the basic components of creating a coherent sentence (using focus, clarity, and conventions). Students will incorporate spelling words, sight words, and invented spelling into their writing. Each month we will focus on a specific unit of study to cover the Common Core writing standards. These units will focus on opinion pieces, informative/explanatory writing, and narratives. We will use modeled instruction, small group instruction/support, shared research, and collaboration with peers to complete these units.
Students will also keep a journal at school to practice and experiment expressing their ideas, creativity, and feelings through their writing. These journals allow your child to incorporate newly learned sight and spelling words. This journal will be used to compose authentic pieces of writing, finish prompted sentences, form structured pieces, and free write.
Handwriting is taught using the "Handwriting Without Tears" resource. "Handwriting Without Tears" uses a step-by-step approach for teaching and learning handwriting. The four keys to legibility that are explored include shape, size, spacing, and slant. This systematic program builds automaticity in reproduction of the alphabet, so students are free to focus on meaning and expression as they write.
Math
First grade will be using the Eureka Math series this year. We use this series to focus on the Illinois Common Core State Standards: Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Number and Operations in Base Ten, Measurement and Data, and Geometry. Throughout the year, your child will be exposed to strategies for basic addition & subtraction, geometry, fractions, time, place value, measurement, and problem solving. The students will be using a comprehensive workbook, along with various hands-on activities and manipulatives corresponding with each unit.
First grade will be using the Eureka Math series this year. We use this series to focus on the Illinois Common Core State Standards: Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Number and Operations in Base Ten, Measurement and Data, and Geometry. Throughout the year, your child will be exposed to strategies for basic addition & subtraction, geometry, fractions, time, place value, measurement, and problem solving. The students will be using a comprehensive workbook, along with various hands-on activities and manipulatives corresponding with each unit.
Social Studies
Our social studies curriculum uses the Scott Foresman series. The students will explore the following six units: Time for School, In My Community, Work Work Work, Our Earth/Our Resources, This is Our Country, and Our Country/Our World. With rich content that captures students' imaginations and built-in reading and vocabulary instruction, this series teaches students about respect, caring, responsibility, fairness, courage, and honesty.
Our social studies curriculum uses the Scott Foresman series. The students will explore the following six units: Time for School, In My Community, Work Work Work, Our Earth/Our Resources, This is Our Country, and Our Country/Our World. With rich content that captures students' imaginations and built-in reading and vocabulary instruction, this series teaches students about respect, caring, responsibility, fairness, courage, and honesty.
Science
First grade will be using the Mystery Science program to teach the Next Generation Science Standards. There are three main units of study: "Spinning Sky," "Animal Superpowers," and "Lights & Sound." The program provides inquiry-rich activities, lab experiments/activities, and cross-curricular connections that link reading, math, and science skills throughout.
First grade will be using the Mystery Science program to teach the Next Generation Science Standards. There are three main units of study: "Spinning Sky," "Animal Superpowers," and "Lights & Sound." The program provides inquiry-rich activities, lab experiments/activities, and cross-curricular connections that link reading, math, and science skills throughout.