Welcome First Grade Parents Bain School Curriculum Night

Overview of Curriculum - CMS Literacy – The Daily 5 and CAFÉ, Imagine It! Phonics Math – Investigations Science – MacMillan Social Studies - Harcourt Writing- Being a Writer!

Independent Reading Writing Word Work Supported Reading Balanced Literacy

Literacy – Balanced Literacy Overview CAFÉ focuses on Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding Vocabulary Students read every day (listen to reading, read to someone, read to themselves) Shared writing, guided writing, Independent Writing Short Focus Lesson on CAFÉ Strategies:  Preparing to read – focuses on sounds/spellings to decode words  Reading and responding – focuses on vocabulary, comprehension, and Inquiry  Language arts – grammar, usage, and mechanics Assessments are designed to monitor progress and allow for differentiation for each student. Teacher Conferences – designed for small-group instruction. Focuses on and reinforces skills learned during whole class instruction.

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 NC Standard Course of Study. Incorporates the use of manipulatives for hands-on learning. Children learn math skills while enjoying the games and activities. Provides opportunities for parents to play the games at home.

Math - Investigations – Skills 1 st quarter:  Introducing manipulatives  Comparing and combining quantities  Addition 2 nd quarter:  Geometry (2D, 3D)  Patterns  Story problems 3 rd quarter:  Place Value (tens)  Data collection/ Graphing  Measurement  Addition/Subtraction 4 th quarter:  Predictions/patterns  Numbers to 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  Find Information  Use Tools

Science – MacMillan – Units of Study 1 st quarter:  Inquiry Skills  Earth and the Universe 2 nd quarter:  Force and Motion  Magnets 3 rd quarter:  Plants  Animals 4 th quarter:  Earth and the Environment  Earth Materials

Social Studies – Harcourt - 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 – Harcourt – Units of Study 1 st quarter:  Going to School  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

Important Bain Elementary Staff John LeGrand, Principal Joyce Fullington, Assistant Principal Shawn Shaver, PTA President Twila Quattlebaum, SSS Kelli Drye, Literacy Facilitator Patricia Wasco, Speech Pathologist

What else? Raz-Kids Reading Accelerated Reader Homework Tips for how to help your child

Raz-Kids Interactive Books for 1 st Graders Log-In  mrsbrann

Accelerated Reader Children can take tests to boost comprehension. Sign up to get scores. I’ll send an with instructions. Children move up at their own pace.

Homework: Math calendar with activities and games Weekly writing words (for now) Projects (animal poster, holiday costumes, etc.) Reading journal with choices Spelling words (Later) Writing journal (Later) Find a quiet spot.

Tips for how to help your child: Talking and asking questions during math games: “How did you know that? How did you figure that out?” Asking questions during and after reading books: “Do you know why the character…? How would you like this story to end?” Praise!

Thank you for coming to Curriculum Night Please remember to me with any questions you have.