"Oh, the thinks you can think!" - Dr. Seuss
STEAM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics):
An interdisciplinary approach to learning that utilizes "hands on, minds on" problem based activities and skills. In first grade, students have the opportunity for integrated curricular "real life learning experiences" that help to build 21st century skills. When relevant, curricular subjects are tied together for an authentic learning experience involving science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. Visit our 21st Century Learning page to view some of these learning experiences!
Language Arts
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 learning and small group guided reading centers. Guided reading groups allow differentiation among reading levels and help students to develop literacy skills at their own level, while building confidence in reading. We encourage and provide time for daily independent reading. Students are also asked to practice oral reading fluency (ORF) each night. Writing skills are fostered through daily journal writing and weekly writer's workshop. Throughout the course of the first grade year, students in Room 110 will "publish" many works using the steps of the writing process. We proudly display our writing on bulletin board and hallway displays, as well as through our Student Showcase page on this class site!
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 learning and small group guided reading centers. Guided reading groups allow differentiation among reading levels and help students to develop literacy skills at their own level, while building confidence in reading. We encourage and provide time for daily independent reading. Students are also asked to practice oral reading fluency (ORF) each night. Writing skills are fostered through daily journal writing and weekly writer's workshop. Throughout the course of the first grade year, students in Room 110 will "publish" many works using the steps of the writing process. We proudly display our writing on bulletin board and hallway displays, as well as through our Student Showcase page on this class site!
Math
First Grade Math utilizes both direct instruction and student-led investigative instructional practices in order to learn and review mathematical skills. The focus of our math curriculum, Envision 2.0, is a comprehensive program aligned with the 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.
First Grade Math utilizes both direct instruction and student-led investigative instructional practices in order to learn and review mathematical skills. The focus of our math curriculum, Envision 2.0, is a comprehensive program aligned with the 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)
The first grade science program is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards and focuses on active, student centered learning. The blended print and digital curriculum of Elevate Science engages students in phenomena-based inquiry, three-dimensional learning, and hands-on investigations. This program builds students’ critical thinking, questioning, and collaboration skills. It fuels interest in STEM and creative problem solving while supporting literacy development for elementary-age learners. Specific topics of first grade study include: Sound, Light, Sky and Earth, Weather and Seasons, Living Things and Parents and Offspring. This year, students in room 110 will engage in Project Based Learning experiences through our STEAM initiative. These projects will be based from our science curriculum and integrated with math, engineering, technology and the arts. They will provide students with real-world problem solving opportunities and help them to acquire the 21st century skills that students need to develop in order to succeed in the information age.
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.
The first grade science program is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards and focuses on active, student centered learning. The blended print and digital curriculum of Elevate Science engages students in phenomena-based inquiry, three-dimensional learning, and hands-on investigations. This program builds students’ critical thinking, questioning, and collaboration skills. It fuels interest in STEM and creative problem solving while supporting literacy development for elementary-age learners. Specific topics of first grade study include: Sound, Light, Sky and Earth, Weather and Seasons, Living Things and Parents and Offspring. This year, students in room 110 will engage in Project Based Learning experiences through our STEAM initiative. These projects will be based from our science curriculum and integrated with math, engineering, technology and the arts. They will provide students with real-world problem solving opportunities and help them to acquire the 21st century skills that students need to develop in order to succeed in the information age.
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 spans 5-6 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.
Students will receive a spelling list at the beginning of each new reading lesson (each reading lesson spans 5-6 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.