Welcome First Grade Parents

Bain SchoolCurriculum Night

2012-2013

Overview of Curriculum - CMS

Literacy – The Daily 5 and CAFÉ, Imagine It! Month by Month Phonics

Math – Investigations, Kathy Richardson Assessments

Science – MacMillanSocial Studies – HarcourtWriting- Being a Writer!

Independent Reading

Writing

Word Work

Supported Reading

Balanced Literacy

Literacy – Balanced Literacy Overview

CAFÉ focuses on Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding Vocabulary

Students read every day (listen to reading, read to someone, read to themselves)

Shared writing, guided writing, Independent Writing Short Focus Lesson on CAFÉ Strategies:

Preparing to read – focuses on sounds/spellings to decode words Reading and responding – focuses on vocabulary, comprehension, and

Inquiry Language arts – grammar, usage, and mechanics

Assessments are designed to monitor progress and allow for differentiation for each student.

Teacher Conferences – designed for small-group instruction. Focuses on and reinforces skills learned during whole class instruction.

Literacy - Changes

Last Year:Imagine It - PhonicsImagine It -

ComprehensionImagine It -WritingLucy Calkins - WritingTeacher Created -

Workshop

New This Year:Month by Month –

PhonicsCAFÉ – ComprehensionBeing a Writer – WritingCommon Core – WritingThe Daily Five –

Workshop Guide

Literacy Tips for Parentshttp://www.elmhurstpubliclibrary.org/Kids/ForParentsHelpingBeginning

Readers.php

Reading Before reading, look at the

pictures. Look for patterns in the words. Use beginning sounds, pictures

and sentence meaning to help with unknown words.

Students should “track” the words with their finger.

Reread a book for fluency. Discuss the book and make

connections.

Writing Let students sound spell most

words. Only correct spelling on commonly

used sight words. Ask your child to “read” their story

to you instead of saying “what does this say?”.

Encourage your child to include details and a beginning, middle and end.

Make lists, write letters, play school, etc.

Reading – Fluency is Important

One of the most important things about reading in first grade is the speed at which students read. Fluency directs impacts comprehension.

By the middle of first grade, students should be reading approximately 40 words per minute.

By the end of first grade, students should be reading a minimum of 60 words per minute.

One of the most important components of fluency is sight words. The better recognition students have of the kindergarten and first grade sight words, the easier reading is.

Another important aspect of fluency is practice, practice, practice! When working with nightly reading, have students read a text twice or even three and four times. The more familiar they are, they can read more fluently.

They also need to see fluency modeled. Show them what good reading sounds like.

By working together, we can have these first graders reading with speed and accuracy!

Math – Investigations - Overview

Lessons are based on research to reach all learners. (http://investigations.terc.edu/) Mathematical processes and thinking are the emphasis, over rote

memorization of facts. Skills follow a scope and sequence to build and expand knowledge. Skills correspond to the critical stages for mathematics. Skills taught meet the Common Core Standards. Incorporates the use of Math tools for hands-on learning. Children learn math skills while enjoying the games and activities. Provides opportunities for parents to play the games at home.

Critical Learning Phases- Number Senses

Counting Objects: one-to-one correspondence One More/ One Less: counting patterns Changing Numbers: describes relationships between numbers (counting on

and counting back) More/Less : compare numbers Number Arrangements: recognizes groups and know different combinations Combinations of Numbers: combine parts used related facts ( ex. 3 + 4= 7

doubles + 1 to help solve ) Missing Parts: knows missing parts by using related facts (ex. ____ + 7= 10

10 -7= 3) Ten Frames: decomposing numbers from 10 to 19, adding 2 single digit

numbers Grouping Tens: 10 less or 10 more of a given number

Math - Investigations – Skills

1st quarter: Introducing Math tools Comparing and combining quantities Addition

2nd quarter: Geometry (2D, 3D) Patterns Story problems

3rd quarter: Place Value (tens) Data collection/ Graphing Measurement Addition/Subtraction

4th quarter: Predictions/patterns Numbers to 100 + beyond

Science – MacMillan - Overview

Units of study involve learning about the natural world around us. All units integrate inquiry into each lesson through using the skills of:

Observation Infer Predict and communicate Measure Put Things in Order Compare Classify Investigate Make Models and Draw Conclusions Read and Use Pictures Write Find Information Use Tools

Science – MacMillan – Units of Study

1st quarter: Inquiry SkillsEarth and the Universe

2nd quarter:Force and MotionMagnets

3rd quarter:PlantsAnimals

4th quarter:Earth and the EnvironmentEarth Materials

Social Studies – Harcourt - Overview

All units are designed around a central theme. Each unit integrates learning across the curriculum through:

Art Science Language Arts Technology Reading Math

Units use the expanding approach by starting with topics that are close to the student and guides them through topics that are more abstract.

Social Studies – Harcourt – Units of Study1st quarter:

Rules at home, school and the community

Authority figures at home, school and community

Comparing schoolsFolklore

2nd quarter:Kid’s VotingNative AmericansWorld CulturesMartin Luther King, Jr.Looking Back

3rd quarter:President’s DayBlack HistoryDental HealthMaps

4th quarter:Good CitizensEconomics Interacting with our

Environment

Writing- Being a Writer! – OverviewWriter’s Workshop is based on providing students the

opportunity to write each day.Writing structures are established and carried out each

day.Trade books are used as examples of good writing.Teachers and students write together daily.Students build stamina, fluency and competence in

writing.Students choose from various genres:

Narrative Explanatory Opinion Poetry Response to Reading: Fiction and Non-Fiction

Writing Stages – First Quarter Early Developing

Relates drawings and writing to create a more meaningful text.

Drawings show a sequence of events.

Writes a few short, patterned, repetitive sentences focused on a topic.

Writes about familiar topics and experiences.

Shows evidence of using language from books.

Writes left to right across several lines.

Uses spacing between words consistently.

Spells simple words and some high frequency words correctly.

Uses temporary spelling with some phonetic elements.

Uses capital letters for names and the beginning of sentences.

Uses periods correctly. Uses question marks and

exclamation points inconsistently. Reads own writing with fluency.

Writing Stages – First Grade End of Year - Developing

Uses drawings to enhance meaning of writing.

Writes several sentences about a topic.

Writes in complete sentences. Writes in a logical sequence. Uses list-like details and

descriptive language. Uses vocabulary appropriate

for the topic.

Spells many high frequency words correctly.

Uses temporary spelling that can generally be read by others and is moving toward conventional spelling.

Uses capital letters and end punctuation correctly and consistently.

Begins to write with a sense of audience.

Writing Tips

Interviews: Encourage children to ask family members about life experiences, take notes and write short articles or stories based on what they learn. This can be especially fun if they ask a grandparent about a historical anniversary or an activity that is no longer common, like listening to radio shows.

Journals: Buy your child a special notebook to write in. Encourage him to write about daily activities, important life events, feelings and other personal topics.

Television: Turn watching television into an educational activity by asking children to write about a program they've seen. They can retell the show's story, or better yet, explore the values and meanings it expressed.

Reading: Read aloud to your children. This will improve their writing by exposing them to well-written sentences and well-expressed ideas.

Proud displays: Have a place in your home where you display your children's writing. This will build their confidence and encourage them to write more often.

Dictation: Encouraging very young children to generate ideas and think in complete sentences. This will help prepare them to write alone when they get older. Encourage children to dictate stories and ideas to you, and keep them so they can read them later.

Raz-Kids

InteractiveBooks for 1st Graders

Log-Inwww.Raz-Kids.com

earmstrongf

Accelerated Reader

www.arbookfind.comStudents in First Grade start AR as they

are ready.Students need to be independent readers

before they are ready for AR.All students will be on AR before the end

of First Grade.

Tips for how to help your child:

Talking and asking questions during math games: “How did you know that? How did you figure that out?”

Asking questions during and after reading books: “Do you know why the character…? How would you like this story to end?”

Praise! www.elmhurstpubliclibrary.org/Kids/ForParentsHelpingBeginningReaders.php

Important Bain Elementary Staff

John LeGrand, Principal Joyce Fullington, Assistant PrincipalShawn Shaver, PTA PresidentTwila Quattlebaum, SSSKelli Drye, Literacy FacilitatorPatricia Wasco, Speech Pathologist

Thank you for coming to Curriculum Night

Please remember to email me with any questions you have.