Curriculum Night Presented by Cheryl Bitzer, Mary Ann Fichera, Cheryl Bitzer, Mary Ann Fichera, and Lisa Jackson Welcome to First Grade!

Welcome! Welcome to the magical world of First Grade! You will see a tremendous amount of growth in your child this year, both academically and socially. We are looking forward to working with you to make this a terrific year for your child!

Curriculum In First Grade, we work together as a team to deliver the curriculum to your children consistently across the grade level while working to meet each child’s needs as individual learners. In addition to our grade level team, we work closely with all members of our school community to support your children throughout the day. Fairfield Public Schools’ curriculum is aligned with the Common Core State Standards.

A Typical Day in First Grade Morning Work Morning Meeting Shared Reading Reading Workshop Writing Workshop Recess/Lunch Interactive Read Aloud Math Word Work, Handwriting Science/Social Studies/Health Dismissal

Morning Work Partner Reading Weekend News Journals Curriculum reinforcement

Morning Meeting Builds community and teaches skills using the Responsive Classroom model Greeting Activity Share News and Announcements Classroom Expectations Logical Consequences Calendar Activities

Shared Reading Teachers and students read aloud from an enlarged text (charts, big books) to provide a framework for literature and language. This helps children with fluency, expression, concepts about print, listening skills, and strategy work Provides a language model and lays the foundation for guided and independent reading

Interactive Read Aloud We read a text aloud to the students discussing significant events, use of language, and other important aspects of reading. Helps to improve listening skills, builds vocabulary, aids reading comprehension, models fluent reading, and encourages a love of reading.

Reading Workshop The goal is to develop skills the child needs to select, read independently, and think deeply about books. Most importantly, the goal is to develop a lifelong love of reading. This is where the magic happens!

What does Reading Workshop look like? Begins with a mini lesson where we introduce the key point, model what it looks like, and guide students’ practice before giving the children an opportunity to apply the skill independently. Children read independently and with a partner while we confer with students and/or see reading groups, with the goal of supporting each reader’s development of effective reading strategies to process texts at increasing levels of difficulty. Workshop ends with children sharing the work they did as readers with the group.

Writer’s Workshop Children work on the process of writing. They write drafts, revise, edit, and present published pieces.

What Does Writer’s Workshop Look Like? Begins with a mini lesson where we introduce the key point, model what it looks like, and guide students’ practice before giving the children an opportunity to apply the skill independently. Children write independently while I confer with students and/or see writing groups, with the goal of supporting each writer's development. Workshop ends with children sharing the work they did as writers with a partner or with the group.

Math The Balanced Math Instructional Model is rooted in the Common Core State Standards. This model fosters the development of conceptual understanding while not ignoring skill development. It allows for natural differentiation based on where each student is mathematically.

What Does the Balanced Math Instructional Model Look Like? There are four components in the workshop: Fluency – daily practice of mental math strategies Minilesson – sets up the problem the students will work on during Active Problem Solving Active Problem Solving – students are given a focus question, then they work to solve a problem while the teacher confers with students, supporting each child to enter the mathematics at their own level and move them forward Reconvene/Share – students share their findings and reflect on their thinking.

Science Science is an inquiry–based form of learning. Students ask questions, make hypotheses, learn by doing, and record observations. First Grade Science is fun, exciting, and hands- on. Units of Study include Sunshine and Shadows, Living Things, Life Cycles, and Recycling.

Social Studies The theme for first grade is respect. Respecting your neighborhood Students learn to identify different aspects of their neighborhood and to understand the difference between needs vs. wants Respecting the people in your neighborhood Students will recognize similarities and differences between the cultural elements of their neighbors and their own families. They will develop important social skills aimed at being helpful and resolving conflict Respecting the environment Students will learn strategies to promote a healthy environment. Basic map skills are also covered.

Health Our Health curriculum covers Wellness, Safety and Accident Prevention, Violence Prevention, Family Life, and Alcohol and Other Drugs. We use programs such as Scrubby Bear, Talking About Touching, Second Step, and Being Me and Drug Free.

Word Work The Word Work program is the units of study developed by the district. It is multi level and developmentally appropriate. Along with finding patterns in words, frequently used words will be memorized. As words are taught and reviewed the children will be expected to carry the word knowledge over into their reading and writing. Spelling words will be provided each month once words are introduced.

Handwriting Handwriting is done throughout the week. Children work on the correct pencil grip, formation of the letters and numbers, as well as how to sit when writing. We use a program called Zaner-Bloser.

Field Trips Field trips enrich the Science, Social Studies, and Health curriculum. First Grade will have both in- school and out-of-school field trips.

LLC/Technology During Tech Time, students will participate in research, publishing, and other computer activities Throughout the year we will be using the LLC for checking out books

Homework It’s important to start good homework habits now! Set up a spot at home so your child has a quiet, comfortable place to do their homework. Reading Homework- A book will be sent home to read Monday through Thursday. Long Term Assignments- given when relevant The district policy for homework is 10 minutes per night in first grade.

How Can You Help? Please read to your child every day!!! listening skills builds vocabulary aids in comprehension and fluency positive attitude love of reading

Independence The less you do for your child; the more he/she will be able to do on their own. –Backpacks –Tying Shoes –Self-care skills –Problem-solving

Thank you for coming! And thank you for sharing your children with us! We are going to have a wonderful year!