Welcome to Curriculum Night! Bain Elementary School First Grade September 15, 2016

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, Writer’s Workshop

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!

Personalized Learning Personalized Learning Vision is to utilize a Personalized Learning Philosophy to enhance our educational framework allowing us to encompass the whole child, increasing student ownership and striving for mastery learning.

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 1-30 Geometry (2D, 3D) 2nd quarter: Patterns Story problems Counting 30-60 Collecting data/graphing 3rd quarter: Place Value (tens) Data collection/ Graphing Measurement Addition/Subtraction Counting 60-90 4th quarter: Predictions/patterns Numbers 90-120 & 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 Skills Force and Motion 2nd quarter: Earth and the Universe Magnets 3rd quarter: Plants Animals 4th quarter: Earth and the Environment Earth 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 Study 1st quarter: Rules/Citizenship Johnny Appleseed Columbus Day Fall Halloween 2nd quarter: Kid’s Voting Native Americans World Cultures Martin Luther King, Jr. Looking Back 3rd quarter: President’s Day Black History Dental Health Maps 4th quarter: Good Citizens Economics Interacting with our Environment

Writing 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. *purple *blue *green *yellow *orange *red Rewards include: small pencils, stickers, coupons for special things like lunch with a friend, wear crazy socks, classroom privileges, etc.

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 on a weekly basis! (nonfiction text and technology!) iPads daily! Homework is going great! September-nightly reading only 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 Juli Peschel, Assistant Principal Beau Cannon, Dean of Students Belinda Swain, SSS Kelli Drye, Literacy Facilitator Christina Jackson, 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 chaperoning any field trips, 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.