Math: We will work on decoding word problems along with continuing their understanding of: regrouping and borrowing, adding money, place value and memorizing their addition and subtraction facts. Everyone will practice shapes names and descriptions. Everyone should be practicing at home. Please continue to work on adding, subtracting and writing 2 digit numbers in number forms, base ten blocks, pictures and words every night.
Math tests are given at the beginning of each month through I-Station and during various times during the year using I-Respond. SMI is given at the beginning of the year and the end of the year to see how they have progressed.
Spelling tests are every unit and should be practiced to be able to achieve their best result on the test. We have 32 Spelling tests and 12 Cycle Phonics tests this year.
Reading: We will spend a lot of time on comprehension of a text(answering questions about a story or word problems). This is a huge part of our reading concepts. We also work on Sequencing, using transitions words and what they mean. Another topic that is continued through the years is identifying the Topic, Main Idea of a story, retelling stories in sequence and answering who – what – when – where – why & how. This helps with understanding cause and effect, which connects through numerous subjects.
The calendar in the agenda is being used to receive brag tags from the library and Pizza Hut Book-it Programs (when available). Please be sure to read, color or write how long they read and sign off at the end of the month so they can receive them. They can read menus, magazines, closed Caption dialog on the TV, books, recipes, signs, billboards…
They have Reading tests at the beginning of every month through I-Station and also during various times during the year on I-Respond. They are also tested to find their reading levels three times a year (beginning, middle and end) using the DRA assessment. SRI is given at the beginning of the year and the end of the year to see how they have progressed.
First Grade.ELA Framework 2020-21
Writing: We will work on strengthening our writing through stretching their writing by adding details (using the 5 w’s: who-what-when-where-why and how), using sight words, remembering finger spaces & punctuation, writing neatly, using capital letters in the correct places and making our writing make sense. This 9weeks we will review Narrative (“about me”), Informational (giving information, sequencing & reports) and Opinion writing (telling what we think and why) and using our transition words in our writing. They will also be reviewing beginning their writing with an interesting/exciting sentence. This encourages readers to continue reading their work, just like a real author would do.
Quarter 1 we work on Narrative writing. Quarter 2 is Informational and Explanatory Writing. Quarter 3 the students focus on Opinion Writing. Quarter 4 reviews all the types of writing that we have done that year.
Writing assessments are given once every nine weeks to see how they are progressing.
Science: Our New Science adoption is with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. They have an online site at www.hmhco.com if you would like to check it out. I like to do S.T.E.A.M. activities to go along with the topics that we are learning. Please send in clean used bottles and empty boxes for our projects. Look at our S.T.E.M. donation list to see what we could use.
Science 1st Framework 2020 – 21
Social Studies: Our new Social Studies adoptions works with Studies Weekly. They have an online site to check out some of their great information activities. If you would like to look at their site it is: Studies Weekly. Later, your student will have their own online login to this site. I like to do hands on, visual activities to help the students understand and get excited about our topics.
We have 30 consumable weekly papers that will come home from our Studies weekly Curriculum. 1st grade Social Studies Framework
Health: We have a different unit for each Quarter (9 weeks). Quarter 1 is Health Promotion and disease prevention to enhance health (food choices = energy, teeth, weight, mood). Quarter 2 is influence of others on health behaviors (alcohol & tobacco) and services to advance health. Quarter 3 we discuss proper hygiene / dental and prevention of problems. Quarter 4 we work on accident prevention and summer safety habits.
– – – – – – – –
We will continue taking different types of tests: (DRA, SRI, SMI, touchstones tests (reading & math), iRespond, monthly Istation assessments, spelling tests, Phonics cycles tests, word problems, etc…) throughout the year to see how each person is reading, remembering, recognizing, decoding and solving different styles of questions.
– – – – – – – –
We also do at least 2 S.T.E.M. projects every 9 weeks. These projects use materials that the students bring in (recyclables, empty containers, boxes, rinsed out plastic containers & bottles…) and materials that the school and I provide. These projects combine many topics and numerous subjects.