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 1 st quarter:  Introducing manipulatives  Comparing and combining quantities  Addition story problems  Counting nd quarter:  Geometry (2D, 3D)  Patterns  Story problems  Counting rd quarter:  Place Value (tens)  Data collection/ Graphing  Measurement  Addition/Subtraction  Counting th quarter:  Predictions/patterns  Numbers & 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 1 st quarter:  Inquiry Skills  Force and Motion 2 nd quarter:  Earth and the Universe  Magnets 3 rd quarter:  Plants  Animals 4 th 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 1 st quarter:  Rules/Citizenship  Johnny Appleseed  Columbus Day  Fall  Halloween 2 nd quarter:  Kid’s Voting  Native Americans  World Cultures  Martin Luther King, Jr.  Looking Back 3 rd quarter:  President’s Day  Black History  Dental Health  Maps 4 th quarter:  Good Citizens  Economics  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 only  October-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 Principal Twila Quattlebaum, SSS Kelli Drye, Literacy Facilitator Patricia 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: 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.