ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM OVERVIEW FIRST GRADE

ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM OVERVIEW FIRST GRADE

ELEMENTARY SCHEDULING KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 2 Subject Minutes Description ELAR 110 A comprehensive ELAR curriculum includes reading instruction, written expression, spelling, vocabulary, and handwriting. A 110 minute daily ELAR block with 45 minutes of Writing Workshop minimum 3 days per week. Mathematics 90 The focus of math instruction is based upon conceptual understanding prior to the implementation of mathematical procedures (teaching of algorithms). A skills time within the 90 minute mathematics block will allow time for differentiated instruction to meet student needs. Science 40 40 minutes is the minimum per day for science instruction. Students should be exposed to non-fiction literature as well as having multiple hands-on lab opportunities. Social Studies 40 40 minutes is the minimum per day for social studies instruction. A strong foundational understanding of the social studies TEKS must be included.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND READING

1ST GRADE ELAR LITERACY INSTRUCTION Strategic and developmentally appropriate focus on: PHONEMIC AWARENESS PHONICS FLUENCY VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT READING COMPREHENSION CRITICAL WRITING

CLASSROOMS 1ST GRADE ELAR Our classrooms are designed to be collaborative, creative, and literacy rich. In our classrooms, you will find: Large/small group meeting areas. A classroom library filled with a variety of leveled texts. Individual book boxes or bags. Ample writing supplies and mentor texts. Areas to practice both independent and collaborative reading and writing. Teacher and student-created anchor charts. Resources to support a gradual release of responsibility (sound linking charts, word walls, writing folders, etc.). A display of student products that reflect recent work in the classroom.

1ST GRADE ELAR READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP During the English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) block, students will: Receive explicit instruction through mini lessons. Engage in purposeful student talk. Explore a variety of genres and participate in shared and modeled demonstrations of effective reading and writing strategies. Read and write independently for sustained periods of time. Explore how words work and apply what they learn in the context of reading and writing through smallgroup, peer, and individual conferences. Receive timely feedback and set future reading and writing goals. Share their work with others.

GRADE LEVEL FOCUS 1ST GRADE ELAR During the English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) block, first grade students will focus on: Using a range of strategies to read grade-level text with understanding and fluency. Retelling stories read aloud or independently with attention to sequence of key events. Using phonics and word analysis skills to figure out unfamiliar words when reading and writing. Writing to express ideas and communicate information. Taking part in conversations about topics and texts being studied, explaining thinking and showing how thinking connects back to text.

1ST GRADE ELAR WHAT SHOULD YOUR CHILD BE BRINGING HOME? Bag of familiar reading material Reader Response Notebook and/or Reading Log

MATHEMATICS EMSISD

EMSISD 1 ST GRADE MATHEMATICS THE LAST 4 PROCESS STANDARDS- IT S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION! (D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate; (E)use mathematical relationships to generate solution and make connections and predictions. (F) analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas. (G) display, explain, or justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communications.

1 ST GRADE MATHEMATICS FOCAL POINTS FOR FIRST GRADE Develop an understanding of place value Solving problems involving addition and subtraction Analyzing attributes of two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional solids Developing the understanding of length

1ST GRADE MATHEMATICS STRATEGIES IN PARENT LETTERS

1 ST GRADE MATHEMATICS GUIDING PRINCIPLES Support students to make sense of mathematics and learn that they can be mathematical thinkers. Focus on computational fluency with whole numbers. Emphasize reasoning about mathematical ideas. Engage all learners in understanding mathematics.

We the People of the United States of America... SOCIAL STUDIES EMSISD

EMSISD 1 ST GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES Throughout social studies in Kindergarten-Grade 12, students build a foundation in history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills. The content, as appropriate for the grade level, enables students to understand the importance of patriotism, function in a free enterprise society, and appreciate the basic democratic values of our state and nation.

1 ST GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES In Grade 1, students study their relationship to the classroom, school, and community to establish the foundation for responsible citizenship in society.

First graders receive instruction through units that start to build a foundation in history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills: Unit 1: Understanding Rules and Routines Unit 2: Understanding Good Citizenship Unit 3: Making Decisions/Problem Solving Unit 4: Citizen Heroes/Hispanic Heritage Enrichment Unit Unit 5: Understanding Government Unit 6: Presidential Election Enrichment Unit Unit 7: Understanding Celebrations Unit 8: Remembering Important People & Events Unit 9: Understanding History Unit 10: Local History Enrichment Unit Unit 11: Citizen Heroes/Black History Enrichment Unit Unit 12: The Earth & Us Unit 13: Understanding Geography Unit 14: Texas History Enrichment Unit Unit 15: Women's History Enrichment Unit Unit 16: Understanding Economics Unit 17: Working in My Community Unit 18: Technology Unit 19: Recording the Changes in Our Lives Unit 20: Into the Future 1 ST GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

ELEMENTARY SCIENCE: LEARNING THROUGH INQUIRY

1 st GRADE SCIENCE WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY? Scientific inquiry allows students to take an active role in understanding science content and processes. Scientific inquiry transforms learning from teacher centered to student centered learning. Scientific inquiry engages students in problem solving and critical thinking. Scientific inquiry is the active construction of ideas and forming connections.

1 st GRADE SCIENCE WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF A STUDENT-CENTERED SCIENCE CLASSROOM? Learners are engaged in scientifically oriented questions. Learners give priority to evidence, which allows them to develop and evaluate explanations that address scientifically oriented questions. Learners formulate and evaluate explanations from evidence to address scientifically oriented questions. Learners communicate and justify their proposed explanations.

1 ST GRADE SCIENCE WHAT IS THE STUDENT S ROLE? Ask a question about objects, organisms and events in the world around them. Plan and conduct a simple investigation. Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses. Use data to construct a reasonable explanation. Communicate investigations and explanations.

1 ST GRADE SCIENCE SCIENCE NOTEBOOKS IN EVERY CLASSROOM Integrates science and language arts skills Helps students develop cognitive knowledge of science content and processes Enhances writing skills Serves as an assessment tool to gather information on students thinking

PACE K-5 GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM What is PACE? Educational program which serves identified gifted/talented students in grades K-5 2 hour pull-out program for 2 nd 5 th graders Kindergarten and 1 st grade students served in classroom with differentiated instructional strategies Learning Opportunities for GT Students Students work on a differentiated curriculum with extended activities Instructional goals focus on helping students to develop critical thinking skills, communicate effectively, reason and solve problems, and value diversity. Lessons span across all curriculum areas and incorporate a research component in the spring semester The depth of projects builds as the students progress to the upper grades