First Grade Curriculum
Under Construction - To be updated for the 2008/2009 curriculum standards
Language Arts
Reading
Demonstrate "reading" in a left to right, top to bottom, return sweep progression, during guided and independent reading.
Identify and recognize letter names and sounds, at the beginning middle and end of words.
decode unknown using the cueing system of meaning structure and visual.
Read a teacher-selected story and tell setting, characters, and sequence of events to demonstrate comprehension.
Individually and collaboratively read teacher-selected books to identify the title, author, illustrator and determine whether texts are nonfiction or fiction.
Access prior knowledge in order to construct meaning, and make predictions.
Demonstrate increased fluency, expression, and appropriate volume through oral presentations and/or oral reading.
Increase sight vocabulary.
Participate in independent reading for five or more minutes daily.
Writing
Increase use of standard spelling.
Construct a complete sentence including a naming word, an action word, capitalization, punctuation, and legible manuscript.
Write at least three related sentences using temporary spelling when composing to entertain, inform, describe, or persuade.
Speaking
Verbally participate in classroom activities with appropriate volume and in complete sentences.
Listening
Demonstrate appropriate listening behaviors.
Follow a three step directions
Science
Research/Study Skills
Locate and use selected parts of a book including title page, table of contents, glossary, and front and back cover information.
Alphabetize words according to first letter.
Explore test-taking procedures and formats.
Organisms
Compare and contrast woodland and aquatic organisms.
Describe observable characteristics of plants and animals and explain their function.
Investigate how different environments support support different forms in life.
Weather
Use weather instruments to measure temperature and precipitation.
Describe the various features of weather.
Observe and report weather patterns.
States of Matter
Describe and explain the three common states in matter.
Classify common objects according to its state.
Investigate the causes of changes in matter.
Health
Helping relationships
Safely playing walking and riding in a vehicle
Fire safety
Learning to say "No" to drugs
Preventing illness and the spread of germs.
Exercise, sleep, and rest
Food, energy, and growth
Helping one another stay safe and healthy
Social Studies
The purpose of the first grade social studies curriculum is to expand the students' knowledge of their neighborhood and the world which they live through the study of history, geography, physics, and economics. This knowledge will provide students with the necessary skills and concepts for being a responsible citizen in their neighborhood and the world beyond.
Mathematics
Mathematical Thinking
Students explore counting, comparing, and combining in number data and space. This initial unit is designed to assess student understanding of a wide range of mathematical concepts to create an understanding of a wide range of mathematical concepts to create a base for effective instruction. Opportunities for students to engage in the use of models, numbers, and words to share their mathematical thinking allows for the introduction of a multitude of materials while also establishing classroom routines.
Building Number Sense
Students experience counting in order to develop an intuitive sense about numbers. Students recognize that numbers are used in different ways such as counting, estimating, and ordering. They understand multiple representations of a number , while using the operations of addition, subtraction, and to solve problems.
Survey Questions and Secret Rules
Students collect, organize, represent and interpret data. Students will sort and categorize geometric shapes by attributes in order to form categorical groupings for data representations.
Number Games and Story Problems
Students learn about important relationships among counting words, the written number and the quantities they represent. In addition, students learn about number systems and relationships between numbers. They solve a variety of problems involving addition and subtraction using strategies communicated through models, words, and symbols.
Quilt Squares and Block Town
Students develop spatial sense by using the concept of shape as an analytical and descriptive tool. Students identify characteristics and definitions of specific shapes while creating patterns based on spatial relationships.
Physical Education
The elementary physical education department delivers curriculum addressing: physical fitness, cognitive understanding, motor skills, leisure skills and personal/social skill components. Physical education classes meet twice weekly for 30 minute periods.
Art
Art class meets once weekly for a forty-five minute period. Students explore ideas about themselves, their world and other cultures through work in various art processes such as painting, collage, drawing, sculpture and ceramics. Art history is a major component of the elementary art curriculum. References to art of the past and present teach how ideas have been explored by others.
Music
Elementary students receive thirty minutes of musical instruction twice each week. The seven strands of the TCAPS musical instruction are: singing, playing instruments, musical literacy, listening, movement, creativity, and music in relation to history, culture and other disciplines. The students begin to develop skills and understanding in all seven areas throughout American music, and the music of other cultures.
Library
The elementary library media centers are at the heart of education at TCAPS. With a minimum of 30 minutes each week at the library , our students are surrounded by wonderful resources for school research and individual reading enjoyment. Special reading promotions throughout the year encourage our students to develop a love of reading and a desire to "find out more" at the library.
Classroom Tools
Minimum of Three Desktop Computers
Access to Wide Area Network
Access to Internet and World Wide Web
Access to Software
Television
Video Cassette Recorder
Electronic and Voice Messaging System