welcome first grade parents bain school curriculum night 2013-2014
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome First Grade Parents
Bain School
Curriculum Night
2013-2014
Overview of Curriculum - CMS
Literacy – The Daily 5 and CAFÉ, Imagine It! Month by Month Phonics
Math – Investigations, Kathy Richardson Assessments
Science – MacMillanSocial Studies – NystromWriting- 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 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 – Nystrom - 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! – Overview
Writer’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.
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.
Homework
Math Calendar with activities and gamesWeekly writing words (for now)ProjectsReading activities with choicesSpelling words (later)Writing journal topics (later)
Find a quiet spot to work!
What else?
Scholastic News/ BooksiPadsHomework
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 PrincipalJackie Knapp, 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.