Grade One Curriculum
Language Arts / Math /Science / Social Science / Music / Art / Physical Education
OVERVIEW
Children enter first grade with a variety of learning styles, experiences and developmental stages. All of these factors are considered when the classroom teacher and the first grade team plans, provides, or facilitates the experiences that comprise the first grade program. Our integrated curriculum is flexible, open-ended, and well planned. The most effective learning takes place as a result of combining new learning with that which is already known. When teachers provide experiences that help children make connections between new learning and what they already know, children's knowledge skills and concepts are developed and extended in all aspects of the curriculum. The life of the classroom is reflected by the positive manner in which the teacher facilitates, guides, and challenges the learning of each child.
As teachers we expect children to master the basic skill of reading; however, we do not anticipate that this skill will be acquired by all children at the same age or in the same way. Further, we expect children to have basic skills in mathematical computation, spelling, composition and expression, but they are not to be expected to do so at uniform times. These skills are acquired in a natural sequence that the first grade teacher assesses and guides for each child. The program is designed so that children will be self-directed and gain independence in their learning.
The school staff and children work together to create a cooperative and caring first grade community which encourages and supports each child's social development, self-esteem, and academic learning. The entire first grade works together through the year to build and maintain this sense of community. First grade children come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Traditionally, we acknowledge special days as they occur in the school calendar, i.e. Halloween costume parade, Thanksgiving feast, hundredth day of school, and Valentine's Day. First graders also have the opportunity to interact with the larger school community through cross-grade activities. First graders participate in many cross-class activities with other first graders including Science, First Grade Get Together, Math Switcharound, and Multicultural Games.
LANGUAGE ARTS
This curriculum provides children with a solid foundation to support their continued success and development in reading and writing. The program is a blending of a rich collection of materials, methods, and strategies for effective instruction.
Reading instruction is conducted in whole and small groups. Children are exposed to a variety of texts (literature, poetry, letters, etc.) through choral reading, individualized reading instruction, and stories read aloud.
Writers’ Workshop is employed across the grades. In First Grade, children are exposed to writing in different genre and different formats. These include journal entries, letter writing, poetry and personal story writing. Through child-teacher conferences, whole and small group mini-lessons, and through the publication of their writing, children gain techniques and skills which leads to confidence as writers.
The following is an outline of our educational goals and objectives for reading and writing in first grade.
READING
Development of Word-Solving Strategies
Literate Reading
Skill Integration
Core Literature
The following books will be read to 1st Graders as part of their reading instructional program:
Author Studies - All 1st Graders will be exposed to the works of:
WRITING
Writing Skills
MATERIALS
Teachers draw upon a variety of published texts (texts with rhyme, rhythm, repetition, natural language, and consistent sentence patterns) that aid predictions. Collections of literature, poetry, and texts from several publishers (Wright Group, Rigby, Scholastic, and Houghton- Mifflin, Scott Foresman) provide many opportunities for interaction with, and discussion of, materials.
MATHEMATICS
Throughout Everyday Mathematics, children repeatedly experience concepts and skills in each of the mathematical strands. Each exposure builds on and extends children's understanding. They study important concepts over consecutive years through a variety of formats. The curriculum also includes materials from Box It and Bag It, and Read it, Draw it, Solve It.
A major focus of the program is problem solving. Hands-on activities with concrete materials are combined with paper and pencil work so that the children are constantly thinking about and engaged in the work they are doing. The children are encouraged to make hypotheses and conclusions about their discoveries and discuss them with others by using words (oral and written) with pictures, graphs and charts, and with materials. The children have opportunities to work independently as well as cooperatively with their peers in whole class and small groups. The children are encouraged to make connections between and within topics in mathematics, to relate the concrete to the more abstract, and to develop their ideas as far as their understanding can take them. Emphasis is placed on the learning process, flexible thinking and the use of multiple strategies to solve problems. By focusing on problem solving throughout the year, first graders will have had many experiences that help them to develop essential thinking skills necessary for success in mathematics.
First Grade Everyday Mathematics content emphasizes the following content strands, skills and concepts:
CONTENT
Numeration - Counting; reading and writing numbers; investigating place-value of whole numbers; money
Operations and Computation - Learning addition and subtraction facts and fact families; beginning informal work with properties of numbers and problem solving
Data and Chance - Collecting, organizing, and displaying data using tables, charts, and graphs
Geometry - Identifying basic shapes
Measurement and Reference Frames - Using tools to measure length and weight; using clocks, calendars and ordinal numbers
Patterns, Functions, and Algebra - Exploring attributes, patterns, sequences, relations, and functions; finding missing numbers and rules in Frames-and-Arrows problems; studying powers of operations
Within the content of Everyday Mathematics, emphasis is placed on:
MATERIALS Materials used in the first grade program include unifix cubes, pattern blocks, geoboards, base ten blocks, the Hundreds Chart, inch cubes, rulers, scales, coins, tangrams, teacher-made activities, etc.
SCIENCE
Scientific literacy for children involves the acquisition of basic knowledge, the development of scientific skills, and the cultivation of a positive attitude toward science and the natural world. These attitudes include the joy of discovery, curiosity, creativity, openness to new ideas, and appropriate skepticism.
Within the curriculum, children develop the skills of observing, questioning, measuring, recording data, recording observations, and making predictions. Individual and small group investigations are encouraged and supported.
CONTENT
Physical Science - measurement, sink and float, states of matter
Earth Science - sun, moon and stars Life Science - growth of plants, whales, five senses
MATERIALS
Assorted books and videos
SOCIAL STUDIES
The first grade curriculum focuses on self-awareness and a positive self image, working and living with others within a community, the classroom and school, and helping children develop a sense of respect for human differences.
Throughout the year, social studies in first grade involves the study of history and culture through literature, sharing of family customs and traditions, and current events.
CONTENT
MUSIC
Singing, playing instruments, moving, creating, listening, and playing music games are means for involving children in music, enabling them to acquire musical skills and knowledge that can be developed in no other way. Involvement of mind and feelings are basic to the experience of music for people of all ages and cultures. Therefore, in music class, the children in Carlisle participate in a wide variety of age-appropriate musical activities which involve both mind and feelings.
Content
ART
Exposure to art gives the student a greater sensitivity towards his/her environment and towards different cultures. It builds self-confidence and self-esteem through exploration and problem solving. It teaches values and concepts through skills of communication, cooperation, and critical thinking.
Properly taught, art will encourage initiative and provide opportunities to expand the student’s imagination, and to explore new concepts. The study of art enhances academic and personal development at every level.
Concepts
Subjects to be introduced will include:
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical education involves the development of the whole person physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. Physical education can provide every child with awareness of body function, movement, and the joy of effort which results from participating in a program designed to meet the individual needs of children. The skills and techniques taught in our program help each child to experience success and enjoyment.
CONTENT
TRADITIONAL SPECIAL EVENT: Field Day