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Curriculum

Curriculum Overview


Curriculum areas are often integrated into topics or themes. Some topics covered are Color, Family, Space, Farms, Friends and Zoo.

Language Arts
Reading
Word Skills
Writing
Handing-writing
Math
Social Studies
Science
Health
Technology
Child Expectations
Teacher Requests
Classroom Volunteers

Language Arts

Reading is the main skill learned in first grade. Students are expected to practice reading daily at home using leveled books from the classroom.

In school, reading is taught in whole group instruction, small group instruction, and sometimes one to one.

Reading

  • Use of information from pictures
  • Use of introduced language of pattern books
  • Meaning linked with own experience
  • Fluency and accuracy
  • Use of "Reading Detective" hints
  • Moving into multiple sources of information
  • Longer, more complex text as the year progresses
  • Retelling a story with characters, setting, and events in sequence.
  • Development of vocabulary
  • Resources: children's literature, A-J leveled books, Houghton-Miflin Readers

Word Skills

  • Sight word recognition (see Dolch Word Lists at bottom of page)
  • Spelling & decoding strategies
  • Use of:
    1) Beginning consonants
    2) Blends and digraphs
    3) Short vowels and word families
    4) Long vowel patterns and word families, R-influenced vowels, Special vowel combinations.

Writing

  • Journal entries
  • Various story responses
  • Newsplan and recount
  • Use of:
    1) Complete sentences
    2) Capitalization
    3) Punctuation
    4) Beginning editing and revising

Handwriting

  • Letter formation of capital and lower case letters using the "Writing Man" as a guide to the lines (See attached handwriting guide)
  • Spacing
  • Pencil grip and posture
  • Resources: Handwriting Program for Print

Math

  • Calendar
  • Patterns
  • Graphing
  • Addition and subtraction facts to 12
  • Numbers to 100
  • Counting patterns (10's, 5's, 2's)
  • Place value (tens, ones)
  • Money (nickels, dimes, pennies)
  • Telling time (hour, half hour)
  • Measurement (inch, foot)
  • Two digit addition and subtraction
  • Word problems
  • Fractions
  • Resources: Scott-Foresman Addison Wesley Math, Math Their Way, literature, computer software

Social Studies

  • Identity
  • Citizenship
  • Families
  • Community
  • Maps and globes
  • Patriotism
  • Holidays
  • Resources: Scholastic News, literature, charts, maps, posters, computer software

Science

  • Colors
  • Weather and seasons
  • Plants
  • Animals
  • Earth, sun, moon
  • Ecology
  • Resources: Scholastic News, literature, charts, maps, posters, computer software

Health

  • Nutrition
  • Healthy Habits

Technology

  • Basics of computer use:
    1) Parts
    2) Software
    3) Log on, off network
  • Special keys
  • Creative responses using text and graphics on Kid Pix Studio Deluxe
  • Exposure to Internet
  • Skill games
  • Language arts:
    1) Math
    2) Science

Child Expectations

  • Adjusting to a full day at school may be difficult for some students. For several weeks they may even be reluctant to come to school. Be patient. Your positive attitude and support of the school is crucial at this time.

  • Please consider the importance of a good breakfast, as well as a consistent, reasonable bedtime to help insure your child's optimum performance each day.

  • The following are reasonable expectations at this level in a child's development:
    1) Be able to accept the limits that are necessary for large group instruction.
    2) Show growth in the ability to do independent academic tasks.
    3) Show growth toward academic-oriented activities as well as play-oriented activities.
    4) Show growth in the ability to complete appropriate assignments within an allotted time span.
    5) Show self-control, good manners, and respect for oneself and others in the classroom.

  • Throughout the year, children will learn about "Smarty" and the Six Pillars of Character - respect, fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness, caring and citizenship. Please work in partnership with us on the "Character Counts" program.

Teacher Requests

  • Supplies: Students need basic supplies to fulfill classroom expectations. Many of these will need to be replaced on a regular basis.

    1) Pencil box
    2) Pencils and erasers
    3) Crayons
    4) Glue sticks
    5) Scissors
    6) Vinyl pocket folders
    8) Composition book (Roaring Springs Grade 1 & 2)
    9) Spiral notebook

  • Toys: As a general rule, toys are not permitted in the classroom unless otherwise specified by the classroom teacher.

  • Snack: Your child's teacher will inform you of a snack as needed.

  • Lunch: All first graders have a choice of bringing their lunch or buying from the school cafeteria. Money should be sent in an envelope or change purse. A menu will be sent home monthly. If your child forgets lunch money, he/she may charge it.

  • Room Mother: If your child's teacher requests a room mother her responsibilities may include contacting parents to send treats for holiday parties. Additional responsibilities are at the discretion of the classroom teacher.

  • Classroom Parties: There are classroom parties for most holidays. You will be asked to contribute sometime during the year.

  • Bus Changes: In addition to filling out a Transportation Request Form which is given to the bus driver, parents are asked to drop a note to the classroom teacher.

  • Birthday Celebrations: Parents should contact teachers to determine the number of children in the class and to avoid scheduling conflicts. Any food allergies will also be noted so that all children can eat the birthday treat. Please send treats that are quick and easy to hand out. Summer birthdays will be celebrated sometime during the school year. Birthday party invitations should not be sent in to the classroom. The teachers will be happy to give you addresses of the children you wish to invite if you send in a list of names, or consult the Lima Primary Student Directory.

  • Field Trips: Field trips will be planned to enhance the curriculum. They will include walking or bus trips throughout the year. Parents are asked to volunteer to accompany the class in a supervisory manner. Siblings and other children will not be able to accompany the class.

  • Outdoor Recess: Please consider the weather when sending your child to school so that he/she may be comfortable during outdoor play- time.

Classroom Volunteers

Volunteers are welcome and needed in first grade. In general, we ask that volunteers not bring younger siblings along. Some volunteer jobs may include:

  • Work with students on sight words
  • Read with students
  • Assist with Word Study groups
  • Clerical work i.e. typing, laminating, assembling books, cutting, copying
  • Assist with centers
  • Help students on computers
  • Prepare teacher materials at home
  • Chaperone a field trip
  • Share a special talent or vocational skill
  • Manage Book Club orders
  • Serve as a Room Mother

 

Dolch Sight Words

List 1

List 2

List 3

List 4

List 5

List 6

List 7

List 8

List 9

List 10

List 11

 

 

Kindergarten Home-School Communication 2002-2003