First Grade Curriculum Overview
First Grade Curriculum Overview (2015-2016) Crossroads Academy Teacher: Hope Krause First Grade is a year children typically spend getting to know themselves and the community in which they learn. The First Grade curriculum and the Core Knowledge sequence emphasize the development of academic and social skills in an environment that is joyful, collaborative, and challenging. Crossroads uses the Core Knowledge Sequence to provide a curriculum that is coherent, cumulative, and content-specific in order to help children establish strong foundations of knowledge, grade by grade. The idea behind the Core Knowledge Sequence is simple and powerful: knowledge builds on knowledge. First Grade Students... ● learn to read effectively and write skillfully through a balanced approach that combines literature and phonics instruction. ● learn math concepts using hands-on materials before being introduced to the corresponding abstract algorithms. Students use geometry, surveys, graphing, games and everyday problem-solving to make mathematics relevant to them. ● study cultural traditions, ancient civilizations, religion, celebrations and stories to better understand past and present ways of life. ● explore a variety of scientific fields, learning to observe and investigate the world around them.
Language Arts The goal of first grade is for children to emerge as readers. Reading is about making sense of words to comprehend text. To support student growth a balanced literacy program is used. Balanced literacy strikes a balance between both whole language and phonics. The language arts curriculum is integrated into all subject areas so children have numerous opportunities to practice reading every day. In addition, students experience the joy of good literature through daily read aloud. Picture books, poetry, chapter books, nonfiction, and informational articles are learning vehicles. Independent reading in Reader's Workshop happens every day so students can use their new skills to build proficiency. Children meet with the teacher to conference each week. During these meetings we will discuss strategies and set new goals for reading time. Through whole class, small group and individualized instruction, students receive direct instruction in phonemic awareness, comprehension strategies, handwriting, and spelling. Reading groups are dynamic as children progress and master new skills. First Graders participate in a writer’s workshop that helps nurture independent, engaged writers. Children write using invented spelling and begin to master sight words through the use of word journals, phonics and reading. As the year progresses and children learn
spelling skills, they will begin to move toward conventional spelling. Through minilessons, children learn about all stages of the writing process from brainstorming to drafting, editing, revising and publishing. Mathematics The math program at Crossroads Academy, Math in Focus, allows students to investigate and explore mathematics in a hands-on, multisensory manner. Through real-world experiences, children build their understanding of mathematical ideas. First grade math provides a student-centered environment in which they explore and discuss the meaning of mathematics. Children learn mathematical skills and strategies as well as habits of mind. First Graders will ponder questions such as: ● Who am I a mathematician? ● How do I show my reasoning and my thinking when solving problems? ● How do I communicate my math? Through investigative experiences, collaboration and questioning, students build content knowledge. In the first grade classroom, special importance is placed on the following areas: ● Providing a safe and engaging environment for inquiry and exploration. ● Valuing multiple problem-solving approaches, solution methods, and thinking strategies. ● Experiencing multiple math tools. ● Engaging in hands-on building to solve problems. ● Discovering math connections in the world. ● Communicating ideas and results using numbers, pictures, and words. ● Assessing student progress during performance tasks, teacher observation, direct questioning, and some problem situations. History First Grade students have so many questions about the world! We want to nurture their wonderment. Children will explore maps to understand ways in which geography influences who people are and how they act. The content focus is the basic elements of civilization, and we will begin with an investigation of the development of early civilizations and move on the founding of our country. Students will demonstrate their understanding through experiential learning activities such as an Ancient Eygpt Museum. Science The science program encourages students to think like scientists—ask questions, participate in investigations, and formulate conceptions of the way the world works. It is both hands-on and minds-in. Through science, students learn important critical and analytical skills. They learn to find, pose, and explore problems, which bolsters criticalthinking skills. Social Emotional Learning & Core Virtues:
In the words of Noah Webster, “Youth is a time to form both head and heart”. At Crossroads, the Core Virtues sequence teaches basic moral, civic, and intellectual virtues. In First Grade, the sequence emphasizes on such “core virtues” as: respect, responsibility, diligence, honesty, generosity, perseverance, courage, faithfulness, compassion, openness to inquiry, and humility.
Language Arts The goal of first grade is for children to emerge as readers. Reading is about making sense of words to comprehend text. To support student growth a balanced literacy program is used. Balanced literacy strikes a balance between both whole language and phonics. The language arts curriculum is integrated into all subject areas so children have numerous opportunities to practice reading every day. In addition, students experience the joy of good literature through daily read aloud. Picture books, poetry, chapter books, nonfiction, and informational articles are learning vehicles. Independent reading in Reader's Workshop happens every day so students can use their new skills to build proficiency. Children meet with the teacher to conference each week. During these meetings we will discuss strategies and set new goals for reading time. Through whole class, small group and individualized instruction, students receive direct instruction in phonemic awareness, comprehension strategies, handwriting, and spelling. Reading groups are dynamic as children progress and master new skills. First Graders participate in a writer’s workshop that helps nurture independent, engaged writers. Children write using invented spelling and begin to master sight words through the use of word journals, phonics and reading. As the year progresses and children learn
spelling skills, they will begin to move toward conventional spelling. Through minilessons, children learn about all stages of the writing process from brainstorming to drafting, editing, revising and publishing. Mathematics The math program at Crossroads Academy, Math in Focus, allows students to investigate and explore mathematics in a hands-on, multisensory manner. Through real-world experiences, children build their understanding of mathematical ideas. First grade math provides a student-centered environment in which they explore and discuss the meaning of mathematics. Children learn mathematical skills and strategies as well as habits of mind. First Graders will ponder questions such as: ● Who am I a mathematician? ● How do I show my reasoning and my thinking when solving problems? ● How do I communicate my math? Through investigative experiences, collaboration and questioning, students build content knowledge. In the first grade classroom, special importance is placed on the following areas: ● Providing a safe and engaging environment for inquiry and exploration. ● Valuing multiple problem-solving approaches, solution methods, and thinking strategies. ● Experiencing multiple math tools. ● Engaging in hands-on building to solve problems. ● Discovering math connections in the world. ● Communicating ideas and results using numbers, pictures, and words. ● Assessing student progress during performance tasks, teacher observation, direct questioning, and some problem situations. History First Grade students have so many questions about the world! We want to nurture their wonderment. Children will explore maps to understand ways in which geography influences who people are and how they act. The content focus is the basic elements of civilization, and we will begin with an investigation of the development of early civilizations and move on the founding of our country. Students will demonstrate their understanding through experiential learning activities such as an Ancient Eygpt Museum. Science The science program encourages students to think like scientists—ask questions, participate in investigations, and formulate conceptions of the way the world works. It is both hands-on and minds-in. Through science, students learn important critical and analytical skills. They learn to find, pose, and explore problems, which bolsters criticalthinking skills. Social Emotional Learning & Core Virtues:
In the words of Noah Webster, “Youth is a time to form both head and heart”. At Crossroads, the Core Virtues sequence teaches basic moral, civic, and intellectual virtues. In First Grade, the sequence emphasizes on such “core virtues” as: respect, responsibility, diligence, honesty, generosity, perseverance, courage, faithfulness, compassion, openness to inquiry, and humility.
