First Grade Curriculum

This page includes descriptions of major themes, skills, and concepts that Greendale students will be working on throughout the school year. This is an overview of the curriculum in the Greendale Schools and provides a brief description of each academic area. Although presented separately, an integrated approach is often used in the classrooms of Greendale. Specific skills and expectations listed within each area represent those to be secure by the end of first grade. The skills and concepts will be introduced and practiced throughout the school year and close attention will be paid to individual growth and development.  These curriculum are aligned with the Wisconsin Academic Standards (http://dpi.wi.gov/standards) and approved by the Board of Education on a six year cycle.

Each student will learn at their own pace and in their own way. Instructional practices in the Greendale Schools are intended to address the varying student needs within the classroom by providing varied activities, instruction, and materials. Throughout the school day and the school year, students will be grouped based on common needs within the classroom. Groupings are flexible. The diversity among students is respected and celebrated within the classroom by applying various strategies to meet the needs of all learners.

Literacy
(Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Language Arts)
Developing literacy is a complex, lifelong process. The Greendale Schools has adopted a workshop approach to instruction, using the Units of Study published by the Teachers' College Reading and Writing Project. This model for instruction includes large group instruction, small group instruction, and individualized instruction when necessary. Children will be engaged in literacy activities at least 2 hours every day. However, reading and writing are not taught in isolation. These skills are part of all areas of instruction.

Large Group Instruction
Students will participate in large group lesson during which time the teacher will share a selected text and model a variety of reading strategies and comprehension strategies. These strategies will include, but are not limited to, phonics, predicting, summarizing, sequencing, noting details, and drawing conclusions.

Small Group Instruction
Each week, students will receive approximately 2 – 4 small group instruction sessions lasting 20 – 30 minutes in length. During this time, students with similar reading needs will receive direct instruction in phonics and/ or reading strategies such as predicting, summarizing, sequencing, noting details, and drawing conclusions. This small group work may be referred to as “Guided Reading” or "Strategy Groups."  While small groups are working with a teacher, other students will be engaged in independent literacy activities. Some students may receive one-on-one instruction to support additional needs that cannot be met within the small group. All students will have opportunities to independently rehearse new skills through Reader’s Workshop. Students will be taught to select books that are “Just Right” for them and will have an individual library in the classroom at their just right level.

In addition to classroom instruction, the Greendale Schools has a wonderful group of senior citizen volunteers called the “Reading Buddies.” Once per week, students will spend time reading with a Reading Buddy volunteer.

The writing program is heavily focused on opportunities to write stories and be an author through a Writer’s Workshop approach. Children will use a combination of pictures, letters, and words to communicate. Students will receive direct instruction in such topics as: staying on topic in writing, organizing writing, making their words match their pictures, using real authors as mentors, writing in different genres, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Children will write stories independently, edit with an adult, rewrite, and illustrate stories. These stories will be shared with peers and parents.

First grade students also participate in formal spelling instruction focused on recognizing patterns in words. Students will use the “Words Their Way” sorts to explore the nature of words. Student lists are assigned based on their developmental readiness. Students will be expected to spell common words correctly and will receive word lists regularly for practice, instruction, and assessment. Teachers will introduce words and patterns in small groups.

The primary goal of the literacy program is to help children develop a variety of strategies and the confidence needed to become independent readers and writers. Goals and instruction follows similar content throughout development at the elementary level focusing on increasing the challenge and complexity of texts as students grow.

To grow as a reader, first grade students will:

• Recognize and identify letters and sounds (upper and lower case).
• Recognize at least 90 of the 100 words that appear most frequently in text.
• Read and understand text on grade level.       Parents will receive specific feedback regarding children’s reading level through conferences and other communication.
• Retell a story (sequence events and identify characters, setting, problem, and solution of a story).
• Use word solving strategies to figure out unfamiliar words. These may be phonetic clues, picture clues, and context clues.      
• Answer comprehension questions (who, what, when, where, why, how, and what do you think?)
• Make predictions about a story.
• Make connections between a story and personal experience, other stories, and the world.

 
To grow as a writer, first grade students will:

• Retell experiences in a journal and in written stories (using pictures and words).
• Recognize that writing is important for communicating and sharing ideas.
• Write on a single topic.
• Write pieces with a beginning, middle, and end.
• Write for different purposes.
• Spell words that appear most frequently in text correctly.
• Use sound blending to write words, ideas and sentences.
• Use finger spaces between words.
• Use capital letters appropriately for names and at the beginning of a sentence.
• Use ending punctuation when writing telling and asking sentences.
• Copy words accurately from the word wall.
• Read own writing.
• Participate in shared writing experiences.

First graders will also be able to:

• Speak clearly and in complete sentences.
• Follow the rules of normal conversation.
• Use appropriate volume and tone of voice.
• Present and share information and experiences in front of a group.
• Use increasingly complex vocabulary and language structure to express needs and feelings, share ideas and experiences, and make comparisons of objects, pictures, and events.
• Understand the difference between a question and a comment.
• Use listening behaviors and manners.
• Follow multi-step directions.

 
 To support instruction and the development of these skills, the Greendale Schools have a large library of leveled books. These books are part of the Scholastic Guided Reading Program. Teachers use resources from the Teachers College Units of Study for both Reading and Writing.

Parents can access a library of literature options for reading and sharing at home at:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bookwizard/ and https://www.lapl.org/kids

 Students will check out books from the school library weekly, and you may also search books in the school library by following the link from:
http://www.greendale.k12.wi.us/GHS/schools/ghs/Library/library.html

At home, students may also enjoy phonics and early literacy activities at www.starfall.com

Math
The Greendale Schools has adopted Bridges from the Math Learning Center (2nd Edition) as a resource for math instruction. The math program involves children in a variety of activities that create a foundation for mathematical understanding and problem solving. Children manipulate concrete materials such as unit blocks, pattern blocks, unifix cubes, and plastic counters to form mathematical concepts. Children discover the world of math through game activities and exploration that involve counting, number recognition and sequencing, sorting, classifying, patterning, measuring, graphing, and solving story-like problems. Students are introduced to addition, subtraction, fractions, telling time, and identification of coins. Students will be involved in math activities at least 60 minutes every day.

Math instruction will occur in both a large group setting and a small group setting.

By the end of the year, first grade students will:

• Count forward into the hundreds by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s.
• Count backwards from 100 – 0
• Count objects and estimate the number when shown a group of objects
• Write numbers to 100 and use symbols to represent whole numbers up to 100.
• Compare numbers and put numbers in order up to 1000.
• Add and subtract accurately single digit numbers automatically.
• Add and subtract two-digit numbers using tools for assistance.
• Collect and organize data.
• Use graphs to answer simple questions and draw conclusions.
• Measure length, weight, and angles.
• Know & compare the value of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills.
• Make exchanges between coins.
• Read 3 digit numbers.
• Understand the meaning of ½ and ¼
• Tell time to the half hour.
• Read, create, and extend 3-part patterns.
• Read and write problems using +, -, and = and use < and > to solve equations.
• Recognize and name solid figure shapes (including trapezoid, rhombus, and hexagon).
• Identify shapes having lines of symmetry.

Lessons in both science and social studies integrate math and literacy skills and require students to be actively involved. Students will be involved in science OR social studies lessons at least 45 minutes for a minimum three days per week.

Science
Science is an active experience, made active by our ability to think. Scientific knowledge advances when scientists observe objects and events, think about how they relate to what is known, test their ideas in logical ways, and generate explanations that integrate the new information into the established order. Thus the scientific experience is both what we know (content) and how we come to know it (process). The best way for students to appreciate the science, learn important scientific concepts, and develop the ability to think critically is to actively construct ideas through their own inquiries, investigations, and analyses. Students will use scientific strategies to make sense of the world around them. Teachers will use materials from Active Science from Activate Learning as approved by the Greendale Schools.

First grade students will:

• Investigate the world around them and objects using their senses
• Observe and understand the growth of living things studying Animals
• Explore physical science with Light, Shadow, and Color
• Investigate how the earth works with Water & Weather
• Understand The Needs of Living Things
• Identify healthy habits by exploring Dental Health

For greater detail on science instruction, visit the Active Science website at www.activatelearning.com/activescience.

Social Studies
In Social Studies, children learn about themselves, others, and the world around them. Units of study are introduced using picture books, poetry, and big books. The Greendale Schools has adopted the Houghton-Mifflin text and leveled readers as a resource to support student learning of the content listed below. Related activities such as class books, art projects, and games are completed in small groups and learning centers. Children learn to be aware and respectful of the world and people around them.

First grade students will:

• Explore School Days and the roles in the school community
• Understand that Everything Changes by exploring life long ago
• Understand the World of Work and how we get what we want and need
• Get to know our Country
• Learn how to read a map by exploring Where We Live

Websites to use to support learning at home will be shared in monthly newsletters from the teacher.

First grade students will:

• Know basic computer terminology and identify functions of a computer or a tablet
• Use the keyboard and mouse or touch screen to log in and navigate on the computer
• Navigate to educational internet sites that are age appropriate
• Open and run a software program or apps
• Create a file using text and graphics
• Save & retrieve an electronic file

Teachers will use lessons and instructional resources from the CyberSmart curriculum at www.cybersmart.org as an integrated component of other content areas.
 
Spanish

First grade students will begin their study of Spanish language and culture of countries that speak Spanish. Research indicates improved cognitive skills and increased connections in the brain are acquired through second language learning at the elementary level. Research also indicates a positive correlation between standardized test scores and second language learning. First grade students will study the Spanish language in a thematic format from a certified Spanish teacher. This will involve participation in Spanish class three times per week for 25 minutes.

 First grade students will learn Spanish language to:

• Identify and describe weather terms.
• Discuss what we wear as the weather changes.
• Identify the four seasons and weather changes that take place as the seasons change.
• Describe what they see in different habitats.
• Talk about what they see in nature.
• Express their likes and dislikes with relation to weather and nature.
• Incorporate vocabulary and grammar structures learned in kindergarten.

Physical Education
Three days per week, students will participate in a physical education class for 25 minutes. Physical activity is a key component to having a healthy mind and body. First grade students are developing both large motor and fine motor skills. Through physical education classes, students will:

• Develop hand/ eye coordination.
• Understand how movement helps our bodies.
• Develop skills for jumping and running.
• Take turns and be respectful of others during games and activities.

Art
While first grade students spend time in art activities regularly, students will participate in an art class once per week for 50 minutes. Through this class, students will explore different media such as ceramics, drawing, painting, and crafts and develop an understanding of design including shape, line, texture, pattern, and color.

Music
First grade students will participate in a general music class two times per week for 25 minutes. During this time, students will explore:

• Playing instruments
• Singing
• Listening to and describing music
• The relationship between music, history, culture, and other disciplines
• First graders will perform in a winter concert during the month of December.

C.A.R.E.
In the Greendale Schools, we expect children to C.A.R.E. This means students will:

Be part of the school Community
Choose a positive Attitude
Respect themselves, others, and property
Demonstrate Empathy for their peers and others.
 
Social skills and interactions are modeled and practiced everyday in first grade. Students quickly become part of a community and focus on working and playing nicely with peers. The classroom should be a positive and safe environment, and teachers work hard to make sure that each individual is celebrated, listened to, and appreciated. As a class, students will meet regularly to engage in community building activities.

Helping at Home
Parents are their child’s best first teacher. Parents can continue to support learning at home by:

• Reading with and to your child daily.
• Practicing math facts to increase speed.       Use flash cards or websites.
• Working on shoe tying, coat zipping, and/ or buttoning. This helps during the winter months.
• Pointing out words and text in the world.       Sometimes, thinking aloud helps our children understand how we use what they are learning at school.
• Building your child’s vocabulary and background knowledge by providing a variety of rich experiences. These experiences don’t have to cost money; they just have to involve exploring the world. This will have a significant impact on literacy skills.
• Check teacher websites for updates and review the newsletter.