First Grade Curriculum
Language Arts/ Reading
Texts: Reading, Houghton Mifflin
Step Up to Writing curriculum
Goals:
1. In reading students will be able to identify letters, words, sentences, titles and authors.
2. Be able to manipulate sounds within a word, create rhymes, blend/segment sounds, read common sight words, use digraphs, vowel sounds, endings, compound words, word families and contractions to read fluently.
3. Use sequence, predictions, context, key words and prior knowledge to understand what is read and be able to retell grade level expository and narrative text.
4. Identify characters, setting and plot of a story.
5. Use legible penmanship to write brief narrative and expository pieces with description and focus.
6. Use complete interrogative, declarative, and exclamatory sentences with appropriate punctuation.
7. Capitalize beginnings of sentences, I, days of the week and month. Will correctly spell sight words and spelling words while phonetically spelling other words.
8. Speak and listen effectively one on one and in small groups.
Language Arts lessons include shared reading, guided reading, writer’s workshop, step up to writing, printing, spelling and grammar concepts. Students will learn to write manuscript letters and numbers (please see attached handwriting sample). Literacy centers are used to improve on reading, decoding, spelling, handwriting and writing skills.
Mandarin
Texts: Kang Shuan (康軒) textbooks (3 in total)
Kang Shuan (康軒) workbooks
Chinese characters practice dictionary
10 Minute Daily Practice workbook
Themes:
1. All About Me
2. My Family
3. My House/ Home
4. My Community
5. America Celebrates!
Goals:
1. The curriculum is theme based and uses CUSD social studies standards and materials. All subject areas are integrated and use CUSD’s curriculum standards.
2. Oral and written Mandarin language are integrated.
3. The first two months of first grade will focus on oral communication (including self introduction), Chinese strokes and order, and reviewing the Bo-Po-Mo-Fo phonetic sound system.
4. Chinese songs, rhymes, and poems are integrated in the curriculum.
5. Chinese culture and cultural diversity will be introduced to students throughout the school year.
Mandarin instruction will emphasize all aspects of language acquisition: speaking, writing, listening and reading. Mandarin instruction will also include shared reading, guided reading, journal writing, correct character stroke order, and learning of Chinese characters. The curriculum is presented in an engaging and hands on manner to encourage engagement with the materials.
Mathematics
Text: Houghton Mifflin for Grade 1
Supplemented by Marcy Cook and Marilyn Burns units
Goals:
1. Knowledge of basic skills, conceptual understanding of problem solving in numbers, number relationships, computation and estimation.
2. Knowledge of geometry and measurement.
3. Knowledge of basic skills, conceptual understanding and problem solving in patterns and relationships.
4. Knowledge of Data Analysis and Statistics
5. Knowledge of probability
6. Knowledge of problem solving and mathematical reasoning
Math lessons teach concepts that are practiced on handouts and through hands on manipulatives. All students will keep a math journal to show their understanding through words. Unit tests on specific concepts will be given. Math warm ups, graph tiles, and the calendar are done daily. Children will be learning in various math centers, which will help them extend their math concepts and provide challenging opportunities. Please have your child master the basic facts to 20 in addition and subtraction at home. Mastery of the facts makes learning difficult concepts easier and less frustrating, and will greatly increase your child’s success in later school years.
Science
Texts: CUSD Science Kits
Units of Study:
1. Solids, Liquids and Gases
2. Insects
3. Weather
4. Here’s Looking at You! (Drug Awareness)
5. Healthy Choices, Healthy Me! (Nutrition)
Goals:
1. Understanding that materials come in different forms (states), including solids, liquids and gases.
2. Understanding that plants and animals have predictable life cycles.
3. Understanding that weather can be observed, measured and described.
Science lessons will teach students keywords, allow them to engage in hands on centers, challenge them to think critically and problem solve in a scientific manner. The science kits focus on areas of study through hands on science activities. Activities focus on the scientific process and integration across the curriculum areas.
Social Studies
Text: Time and Place, Scott Foresman
Talk it Out Program (Conflict Resolution)
Units of Study:
1. Where we live
2. We belong
3. People at Work
4. Our World
5. It happened in America
6. Americans celebrate
Goals:
1. Know and understand rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
2. Develop awareness of changes in families and society.
3. Compare beliefs/customs of U.S. ad neighboring countries.
4. Study traditions of the United States.
Social studies lessons will teach vocabulary from each unit. Hands on projects will allow students to experience and help them to process and more fully understand what they are reading. Role plays will be done regularly as appropriate. Social development is also emphasized as we stress the importance of making good choices and treating others with respect. We work on creating a sense of community within the classroom and also focus on taking responsibility for possessions, words and actions.
Physical Education
Goals:
1. Develop motor skills and an understanding of the fundamentals of movement through practice. Includes locomotor and non-locomotor skills, object manipulation and balance.
2. Students develop appropriate social behaviors by working independently and with others during planned physical activity and at play.
3. Activities are designed to develop and maintain positive body image as well as understanding that the body undergoes growth changes which influence movement.
We will have P.E. class every week. The P.E. teacher will be practicing and teaching the locomotor skills, building endurance through exercise and utilizing the skills learned through team activities and games.
Computer/ Technology
Once a week, students will go to the computer lab and do various projects related to our current theme, writing lessons or math concepts. They will use programs such as Kidpix, Kidspiration and Type to Learn.
Fine Arts
Students will have regular primary art class every other week and CLIP art class once a month. Students will meet with our music teacher every other week, and music is also integrated throughout the curriculum. The programs are designed to teach age-appropriate skills and art appreciation.
Chinese Culture Appreciation
Goals:
1. Student exposure to traditional Chinese activities, games, and cultural awareness.
2. Additional opportunities to listen to and practice spoken Mandarin.
We will have Chinese culture appreciation weekly on Friday afternoons for 45 minutes each to help fulfill our 70% Mandarin quota. Some of our activities will include: crafts revolving around Chinese holidays, learning to play the Chinese yoyo and Chinese top, learning how to write Chinese calligraphy, learning how shadow puppets and paper is made.
