Welcome to Curriculum Night!

Bain Elementary School

First Grade

September 18, 2014

Overview of Curriculum - CMS

Literacy – Balanced Literacy with Making Meaning, Vocabulary and Words Their Way

Math – Investigations

Science – MacMillan

Social Studies - Nystrom

Writing- Being a Writer

Independent Reading

Writing

Word Work

Supported Reading

Balanced Literacy

Literacy – Balanced Literacy Our Literacy Block is divided into two parts: workshop & instruction Reading Workshop:

independent reading partner reading building stamina conferring with teacher choosing “Just Right” books

Reading Instruction: shared reading interactive read alouds phonics instruction vocabualry Making Meaning Words Their Way

Every child has the opportunity to read, write, work with words and is given support in reading every day!

Math – Investigations Overview

Lessons are based on research to reach all learners.Mathematical processes and thinking are the emphasis,

over rote memorization of facts.Skills follow a scope and sequence to build and expand

knowledge.Skills taught meet the Common Core Standards. Incorporates the use of manipulatives for hands-on

learning.Children learn math skills while enjoying the games and

activities.

Math - Investigations Skills

1st quarter: Introducing manipulatives Comparing and combining

quantities Addition story problems Counting 1-25

2nd quarter: Geometry (2D, 3D) Patterns Story problems Counting 25-50

3rd quarter: Place Value (tens) Data collection/ Graphing Measurement Addition/Subtraction Counting 50-75

4th quarter: Predictions/patterns Numbers 75-100 &

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—RAW (reading and writing in science!) Find Information Use Tools

Science – Units of Study

1st quarter: Inquiry SkillsForce and Motion

2nd quarter:Earth and the UniverseMagnets

3rd quarter:PlantsAnimals

4th quarter:Earth and the

EnvironmentEarth Materials

Social Studies –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 –Units of Study1st quarter:

Rules/CitizenshipJohnny AppleseedColumbus DayFallHalloween

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.

The year long writing curriculum is divided into month long units of study.

Daily writing time is divided into two parts: Daily mini lesson Daily writing time

Conventions of writing: capitals, spacing, punctuation, does it make sense?!, can I write at least 2 sentences

Free Write or sentence starter options

Behavior Chart

Your child has the ability to move up or down the behavior chart depending on their choices at school. Color codes are located in the binders each day.

*rocking great sticker

*green

*yellow

*orange

*red

Students with green all week will be rewarded with a Good Citzenship sticker on Fridays and a visit the Thank you box on Fridays. Rewards include: small pencils, stickers, coupons for special things. Donations accepted for prizes.

Assessments

Your child will be assessed in a variety of assessments this year to diagnose and determine strengths and weaknesses in specific academic areas. Information will come to you as it is available to us.

Assessments include:Reading 3D (DIBELS), MAPS testing, Kathy Richardson for math, sight words, spelling inventories and various informal assessments and observations.

More in-depth information and individual results will be discussed at first quarter conferences.

In Addition…

Scholastic News (nonfiction text and technology!)

iPads !Homework is going great!

September-nightly reading onlyOctober-add question stems to nightly reading

(questions will be provided based on child’s reading level)

Please use RazKids, Dreambox and Xtra Math as needed.

Ways to Help Your Child

READ, READ, READ….every night!

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

Talk and ask questions with math: “How did you know that? How did you figure that out?”

Praise your child!

Important Bain Elementary Staff

Tracey Hayes, Principal Joyce Fullington, Assistant PrincipalTwila Quattlebaum, SSSKelli Drye, Literacy FacilitatorPatricia Wasco, Speech Pathologist

Interested in Volunteering?

We can always use your help…in and out of the classroom.

If you are interested, please let me know and make sure you are a registered volunteer at: www.cmsvolunteers.com

If you are interested in attending the zoo field trip in April, you must be registered as a volunteer.

Thank you for coming to Curriculum Night!

If you have any questions or concerns, leave them on the

notecard with your contact information. Drop the cards in the

basket at the back table.