First Grade Curriculum English Language Arts (ELA)
The first grade language arts curriculum is designed to develop fluency and comprehension, as well as facilitate an interest in and a love for reading. Students are introduced to various reading genres: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, folktales and reader's theater. The core of our Language Arts curriculum is the Harcourt, Storytown reading series, with a focus on phonics, fluency, comprehension, grammar, reading, writing and robust vocabulary. Instruction is delivered through both whole class and small group learning.
Math
First Grade Math utilizes both direct instruction and student-led investigative instructional practices in order to learn and review mathematical skills. Our math series, Envision 2.0, which is aligned with the new and rigorous PA Core Standards. Content is developed with focus, coherence and rigor, and reflects a balance of conceptual understanding and procedural skill/fluency. At the core of the first grade math curriculum is building number sense through addition, subtraction and place value concepts. We will also explore and learn about geometry, measurement, telling time and data analysis. Through our daily math work, students will: engage in hands on learning with manipulatives, practice learned skills and mathematical problem solving in a math workbook, and participate in mathematical games and learning center activities. Digital resources are included in daily instruction and are also available for reinforcing learning at home.
Mathematical Practices will help the students to become good math thinkers and problem solvers. These math practices are the habits of mind, processes and dispositions that enable a learner to understand the mathematics and to use or do mathematics with understanding. Math practices are encouraged to be used at school and should be used for homework practice as well. The Math practices are:
MP.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. MP.2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively. MP.3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. MP.4 Model with mathematics. MP.5 Use appropriate tools strategically. MP.6 Attend to precision. MP.7 Look for and make use of structure. MP.8 Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Life Studies (Science and Social Studies)
First Grade Science allows for a very "hands on" approach to learning using ASSET STEM Education modules (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Inquiry based learning helps students develop valuable skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork. Science notebooks are used through this process to help students develop, practice, and refine their science understanding, while also enhancing reading, writing, mathematics and communications. First Grade science modules include Weather, Engineering and Organisms.
The Social Studies curriculum "Social Studies Alive! My School and Family" introduces the structures of schools and families. Students learn how to get along with classmates, follow school rules, and identify people who work at a school.
Spelling
Students will receive a spelling list at the beginning of each new reading lesson (each reading lesson typically spans 6 school days). On the last day of the lesson, students will take a spelling test on the words. The list includes decodable words that use phonics patterns we are learning, as well as review and sight words from the previous lesson. Before receiving each spelling list all students will take a pretest of the new words. Students who score 100% correct on the pretest will instead receive an alternate list of more challenging words to study (and will be tested on) for that reading lesson.