Reading -

*Students learn strategies to read fluently  with comprehension.

*Strategies = use meaning from the story/pictures

                   = use language structures

                    What will sound like a good sentence?

                    =use visual information=phonics=letter sounds

*Children are taught to recognize the difference between fiction     and  non-fiction literature.

*Students are asked to demonstrate comprehension through story

  telling and retelling, analyzing story characters, settings, plots,     problem/solution, authors intent, sequencing.

Writing-

Children are taught to compose stories in a logical sequence.

Children will be taught to use key words: First, Next, Then, Finally

in writing stories.

Children are instructed in correct letter formations via a program called Handwriting Without Tears.

They are also taught to use spaces between words, proper use of capital letters and punctuation.

Daily lessons in spelling using a multisensory approach are included in the day. The lessons include high frequency words ( example-come, the, they....) vowel chunks ( at,ea, ay...) and word patterns (c-v-c-e )

Math-

The development of number sense is a focus in grade one.

Units of study and exploration are *addition and subtraction (sums to 10), *count, *write and recognize numerals to 100, *understand place value of ones and tens, *create, extend and explain patterns, *identify a variety of shapes, *tell time to hour and half hour, *recognize name and value of coins, *count mixed coins (pennies, dimes, nickels, and quarters).

Social Studies-

Units of study and exploration are *School community-rules and staff, *Celebrations in various cultures, *Map skills/Direction & Compass, *Historical Figures (Martin Luther King) (currently being revised 05-06)

Science-  

Units of study and exploration are *Living Things (Plants and frogs), Sun and Shadows,  The essential understanding in these units are that there are parts that work together to create a system in order to function. There are cyclical pattern in each of these.   (currently being revised 05-06)

Music-

In first grade, students focus on and explore *steady beat, *loud and soft sound, *fast and slow, *high and low, *long and short sounds  *rhythm patterns  *creative movement, *sounds of instruments and *sound stories.

Physical Education-

The Kindergarten/First Grade program features individualism, self-direction, exploration and creativity. It is here that the foundation is laid for developing important body management type skills, characteristics of confidence and a positive self-image. A number of grade appropriate physical experiences make up the curriculum at this level and fall into one of the following categories:

*Perceptual Motor Skills *Non-Locomotor/Locomotor skills and patterns *Object Manipulation Skills/Exploration *Stunts, Tumbling, Hanging, Climbing, Vaulting and Balancing Skills *Rhythmic Activities *Simple Games and Relays

Library Information Center-

*Demonstrates a working knowledge of rules and procedures in the LIC.

*Demonstrates responsibility and care of library materials

*Identifies title, author, and illustrator of books

*Explains the role of authors and illustrators

*Identifies oral selections that contain factual information

*Compares oral fiction vs nonfiction selections

*Selects books from the Everybody fiction and non-fiction collection to suit interests

Art-

*E-Day

*Eric Carle and Color

*Cultural Diversity-projects are completed representing the                   Christmas celebration in other countries

*Recycling-sculpture *Patterns *Shape *Visual Awareness *Guided

  drawing *Drawing from one's own experience *Drawing to show the

 emotion of an experience *Form *Wood sculpture *Ceramic sculpture

*Ceramic Bas relief

(updated  Aug. 06)