Curriculum

LANGUAGE ARTS -

READERS WORKSHOP UNITS OF STUDY

Students will participate in readers workshop in which they are introduced to a reading/thinking strategy in a mini-lesson and then have the opportunity to independently practice the new strategy. In addition, they will learn strategies to THINK about books to increase their understanding and comprehension of the topics they are reading about. Children will also be learning strategies to help them decode words. During individual and partner reading, teacher-student conferring will take place based on students' learning needs.

Building Good Reading Habits
Word Detectives Use all they Know to Solve Words
Learning About the World: Reading Nonfiction
Readers Get to Know Characters by Performing Their Books
Readers Have Big Jobs to Do: Fluency, Phonics, and Comprehension
Meeting Characters and Learning Lessons: A Study of Story Elements
Reading Nonfiction Cover to Cover: Nonfiction Book Clubs

WRITERS WORKSHOP UNITS OF STUDY

Students will be writing every day in class during writers workshop. Students will self-select their topics being inspired by their own individual experiences. In addition, children will participate in shared and interactive writing to allow for immersion in writing. Children will engage in storytelling to enhance their writing details. They will have their own writing folders that will hold their writing pieces.

First-grade writers will learn the craft of revision by learning to re-read their writing and grow their piece by adding detail to enhance their story. They will learn to edit their pieces by re-reading their writing and checking that their story makes sense. With the use of self-assessment checklists, they will edit their work looking for things like proper spacing, capitalization, punctuation, neatness, and high-frequency and sight word correct spelling. As children are writing we will conference individually with students and in small strategy groups to support and teach based on students' writing needs. They will have the opportunity to share their writing with their peers through partner work and whole class shares. At the end of each writing cycle children will choose one story to publish, celebrate, and add to our library.

Personal Narrative Small Moment Stories: Writing with Focus, Detail, and Dialogue
Writing How-To Books
Nonfiction Chapter Books
Writing Reviews
From Scenes to Series: Writing Fiction

FUNDATIONS - Fundations provides research-based materials and strategies essential to a comprehensive reading, spelling, and handwriting program.

Thoroughly teaches the foundational skills, and significantly supports the reading, writing, and language standards.
Presents the following concepts and skills in a cumulative manner from Unit to Unit and year to year:
Letter formation
Phonological and phonemic awareness
Sound mastery
Phonics, word study, and advanced word study
Irregular (trick) word instruction
Vocabulary
Fluency
Comprehension strategies
Written composition (spelling and handwriting)
Integrates skill instruction so that a daily lesson teaches and then reinforces corresponding skills.
Scaffolds learning while teaching all skills explicitly, sequentially, and systematically.
Actively engages students in learning through the use of multisensory techniques, such as when teaching students sounds, their representative letters, and words with spelling options.
Provides multiple opportunities for skills practice and application to build mastery.

SNAP LISTS

The Snap List is a group of sight words broken into small lists of 5 words that your child should be able to recognize in a "snap". When we begin, a list will be sent home so your child can practice recognizing the words without hesitation.

Students are asked (individually) during the week on designated days (TBD) if they would like to read back the words. Students that are able to "snap" out (or recognize by sight) each word on the list are given two stickers and the next list. If students miss a word, the list is reviewed and they can try again next time the Snap List is done. Once a Snap List is passed, students are expected to retain recognition of the words. A review list is given after 20 words and students need to read all 20 words to proceed to the next level of words.

The Snap Lists are individualized so that students go at their own pace and participation is optional. Some students are ready to learn these words in the fall and others may want to wait until January or later to participate or may choose to study one list per week. This is for individual achievement and we do not want any competition between students. Every child is at a different level and that is just fine!

Math

The focus of our math program is on problem solving and cooperative learning through which the following specific skills are learned:

addition and subtraction through 20
counting on/writing to 120 from a given number
place value
word problems
graphing
measurement of length
time: telling time to the hour and half hour (analog and digital)
fractions: 1/2 and 1/4
geometry: open and closed shapes, 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional shapes, symmetry
problem solving

Science

The purpose of science education is to inspire in each student openness to science and provide a base of scientific knowledge. Through active involvement with the scientific method in an integrated course of study, students will understand the relevance of science and apply it in everyday life. The primary focuses in first grade are comparing and describing.

Science Scope and Sequence

Physical Sciences: Materials come in different forms (states), including solids, liquids and gases.
Earth Sciences: Weather can be observed, measured, and described.
Life Sciences: Plants and animals meet their needs in different ways.

Physical Education

Movement Exploration activities sure centered around the use of balls, ropes, hoops, bean bags, and rhythm sticks. A problem solving approach is used to challenge the children to discover and learn new skills.

Games are presented which emphasize the physical skills that are most important for this age level to acquire. Games stressing ball skills are focused on throughout the year. Also included are those games designed to improve loco motor coordination, physical fitness, cooperation and other social skills.

Please encourage your child to wear appropriate clothing on P. E. days (sturdy shoes, no long dresses,etc.).

Social Studies

The purpose of our social studies program is to prepare students to be humane, rational, understanding, and participating citizens in a diverse society and in an increasingly interdependent world. These topics shall be accomplished through activities focusing on self, family and community. It will also encompass the use of art, music, class visitors, student of the week programs and the Flat Stanley Project.

Health

The Moraga School District believes that health literacy is of lifelong importance. The health program includes comprehensive, integrated and age-appropriate curriculum at each grade level. The program provides students with knowledge and skills to empower them to make informed decisions that will promote the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.

First Grade Information