Curriculum Night 2011 Presented by 1 st Grade Christa McAuliffe Elementary

What is Core Knowledge? “An Idea... that for the sake of academic excellence, greater fairness, and higher literacy, elementary and middle schools need a solid, specific, shared core curriculum in order to help children establish strong foundations of knowledge, grade by grade. -The Core Knowledge Foundation

Social Studies Geography- Continents, Oceans, & Maps Early Civilizations- Mesopotamia & Ancient Egypt World Religions- Christianity, Judaism, Islam Early People- Hunters & Nomads/ Maya, Inca, Aztec Early Exploration- Christopher Columbus, Discovery of the Americas, Conquistadors, Quest for gold Early Settlement- Jamestown, Pocahontas, Thanksgiving, The Lost Colony From Colonies to Independence- 13 Colonies, The Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere, Declaration of Independence, American Symbols Exploring the West- Daniel Boone, The Wilderness Road, Louisiana Purchase, Lewis & Clark Culture: Mexico- Geography, Language, & Traditions

Science Oceans Habitats The Environment & Conservation Animal Classification/The Food Chain The Human Body Intro to Electricity Properties of Matter Astronomy The Earth Rocks & Minerals

Treasures Reading Series McGraw-Hill: Treasures Series Basal Text Leveled readers allow for students who are beyond grade level Workbook practice books are used at the beyond level Weekly Assessments – FCAT Weekly, Basal Story Quiz, Spelling, Phonograms, Writing Access to online textbooks Great online interactive website: Guided Reading, small groups

Guided Reading Students will participate in a combination of literacy centers and independent activities for one hour each day while I work with small reading groups. Each reading group will meet with me for about 15 minutes to practice reading specific leveled text and to complete extension activities related to the focus skills of the week. Students will bring home Guided Reading homes in their book baggies. After practicing the books at home with your child, please make sure they are returned to school every day.

AR Program/ STAR tests Students have the opportunity to take AR tests on certain books in order to earn points. Most books are 0.5 pts. Each child will be given a specific “point goal” that they should try to meet each quarter based on needs & abilities. Every quarter, your child will take the STAR test, which is a computer-based reading assessment. It will indicate your child’s current reading level.

Writing This year our school will place an even greater emphasis on writing. First grade will be using the 6 Traits Writing Program. Ideas Organization Word Choice Sentence Fluency Voice

Math Series Voyages Math Program Advanced/very challenging problems Promotes higher level thinking Topic, Subtopic Assessments Tests require some written responses. – Teacher will assist with writing when necessary Addition Facts need to be practiced at home. It’s never to early to start practicing! Orchard Now is an online program that can be used at home to support math skills.

Literature, Sayings, & Phrases Stories: – Anansi – The Boy at the Dike, – Brer Rabbit – The Frog Prince, – Hansel and Gretel, – The House at Pooh Corner, – Issun Boshi: One Inch Boy – Tom Thumb – It Could Always be Worse – Jack and the Beanstalk – The Knee-High Man – Medio Pollito – The Pied Piper of Hamelin – Pinocchio – The Princess and the Pea – Puss in Boots – Rapunzel – Rumpelstiltskin – Sleeping Beauty – The Tale of Peter Rabbit Sayings & Phrases: – An apple a day keeps the doctor away – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – Hit the nail on the head – If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again – Land of Nod – Don’t let the cat out of the bag – The more the merrier – Never leave till tomorrow what you can do today – Practice makes perfect – There’s no place like home

SNACK All first graders should bring a healthy snack to school every day. Each class has a designated “snack time” and all children participate. Thank you so much for helping your child remember to bring a snack every day!

Specials Our class is on a six day rotation for all specials: Art, Spanish, Media, Music, PE, and PE Aide. Please make sure appropriate footwear is worn on PE days. Art, media, and music incorporate the principles of the Core Knowledge program.

Field Trips The Kleist Education Center at FGCU – Date: November, 3, 2011 – Topic: The Human Body/Health/Nutrition Broadway Palm Dinner Theater – Date: April 17, 2012 – Show: Schoolhouse Rock

Halloween Festivities Monday, October 31, 2011 at 8:45am Come to school in your costume ready to participate in our Halloween Parade. Please wear school appropriate costumes - nothing too scary. Students who do not celebrate this holiday will have alternative activities in the media center. Parents will be able to watch the parade from the breezeway area. Each class will need 2-3 volunteers to help kids with costume changes after.

Thanksgiving Feast Tuesday, November 22nd beginning at 10:45. Each class will have a feast in the classroom to celebrate the holiday. Each student will be assigned an item to bring in that morning. Kids will wear Pilgrim Hats/ Native American headdresses during the feast. We will need 2-3 volunteers per class to help serve food, etc.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta ! Friday, May 4 th, 2012 This a BIG first grade event for students in which they get to experience the culture, food, and celebrations of Mexico. We need to form a committee of interested and motivated parents who will help us organize and plan this event. Let’s start NOW ! Please sign up to help with this event!

Our Classroom Website Register to be a member! You will receive special updates, notifications, and blasts from me! Parent Resources Kids Resources Much more to come!

GREAT We are going to have a GREAT year! Thanks for coming! FAIR (Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading) Class Directory Orchard Math (log in) A sign-up sheet will be in the hallway for event sign-ups. Last minute odds and ends…..