Curriculum Night 2014 Presented by 1 st Grade Christa McAuliffe Elementary

Journeys Reading Series Journeys Reading Basal Series Leveled readers allow for students who are approaching, on, and above grade level Workbook practice books are used at the on level for reinforcement of skills we are learning Weekly Assessments – Basal Story Comprehension, Vocabulary, Phonics, Phonograms, Spelling, Writing Access to online textbooks Guided Reading, small groups

Phonograms Spalding Phonics 70 Phonograms Tested Weekly – study flashcards Use hand motions with sounds Used with reading, writing, and spelling Video Website: main.htm main.htm

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 books in their green guided reading folders. After practicing the books at home with your child, please make sure they are returned to school every day. Inside you will also find different study material. Please make sure that these items are kept inside this folder and sent back to school daily.

AR Program/ STAR tests Students have the opportunity to take AR (Accelerated Reader) 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. First grade’s goal is 15 points by the end of the 3 rd quarter. You have online access to keep track of your child’s progress. 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. During the 1 st quarter, we focus on sentence writing (capital letters and punctuation). During the 2 nd quarter, we focus on writing complete sentences to answer questions. We begin story writing during the 2 nd semester.

Math Series Go Math! math program Mid-chapter quizzes and end of chapter tests Save papers that come home for review for tests and quizzes. Addition facts need to be practiced at home. During the second semester we will introduce Rocket Math! We take 1 minute timed math facts practices. If the student misses 1 or less, they move on to the next fact quiz. If the student misses 2 or more, they stay on the same fact quiz.

Science

Social Studies Geography- Continents, Oceans, & Maps Early Civilizations- Mesopotamia & Ancient Egypt World Religions- Christianity, Judaism, Islam 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

Specials Our class is on a six day rotation for all specials: Art, Science Lab, Media, Music, PE, and PE Aide. The schedule appears weekly on the classroom newsletter. Please make sure appropriate footwear is worn on PE days. A bottle of water may be brought to class. Art, media, and music incorporate the principles of the Core Knowledge program.

SNACK Each class has a designated “snack time.” All first graders should bring a healthy snack to school every day. Please do not pack chocolate, candy, or other snacks high in sugar. Thank you so much for helping your child remember to bring a snack every day! (Even on the days they choose to have hot lunch!)

Field Trips We will be planning to visit the following attractions: 1.The Kleist Center at FGCU – November (4 chaperones) 2.Broadway Palm – May 15, 2015 Show: Tom Sawyer (6 chaperones) 3. Rotary Park AR Celebration – May, 2015

Question and Answers We will dismiss to your child’s classroom to discuss items specific to each teacher. See you in the classrooms!