First Grade Curriculum

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 words 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 minutes or more 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.

Listening

• Demonstrate appropriate listening behaviors.
• Follow a three-step direction.

Speaking

• Verbally participate in classroom activities with appropriate volume and in complete sentences.

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.

Science

Organisms

• Compare and contrast woodland and aquatic organisms.
• Describe observable characteristics of plants and animals and explain their function.
• Investigate how different environments support fifferent forms of 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 of matter.
• Classify common objects according to its state.
• Investigate the causes of changes in matter.

Health

The first grade health education curriculum focuses on:

• Helping relationships.
• Safely playing, walking and riding in a vehicle.
• Fire safety.
• Getting help in an emergency.
• 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 in which they live through the study of history, geography, civics 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 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 Numbers

• 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 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.

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 numbers and the quantities they represent. In addition, students learn about the number system 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 Towns

• Students develop spatial sense by using the concept of shape as an analytic and descriptive tool. Students identify characteristics and definitions of specific shapes while creating patterns based on spatial relationships.

Physical Education

Art

Music

Library