First Grade Curriculum
This is a broad overview of the district curriculum for first grade.
As I work with every child, my goal is to challenge and support them individually to reach and surpass their maximum potential every day. In first grade we do this with a mix of small and whole group instruction.
Reading
The teaching of reading in first grade is a multifaceted approach. Through the use of quality literature, poetry, guided and independent reading, foundational skills and writing, the students are actively involved in a complete literacy program, Ready Gen. Ready Gen challenges students to read, write, and think deeply using end of the year text complexity. Students will be guided through this instruction in both small and large group.
This program is supplemented with an additional literacy block, Team Read. Team read will be four times a week and allows for differentiated small group instruction in reading, comprehension word identification, and writing.
Students will be participating in Daily 5, a structural approach to literacy centers developed by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser. The Daily 5 fosters students’ independence in the areas of guided reading, independent reading, partner reading, listening comprehension, writing, and word work. Each of the five centers will be introduced slowly and perfected as the year progresses.
Phonics and Spelling
Phonics is used in the development of reading strategies and is also emphasized to facilitate the transition from developmental to conventional spelling in the students’ writing. The Blast program focuses on word families and patterns in words. Blast has 25 units which are comprised of 5 lessons per week. Each lesson keeps students actively engaged in the learning process with multisensory teaching. In one week, students are immersed in explicit instruction in foundational reading concepts.
Mathematics
Bridges in Mathematics is a K-5 Curriculum that fully implements the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. The program is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners. This math curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understanding of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges meets the learning needs for ALL students by being linguistically, visually and kinesthetically rich. The program blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration for students 60 minutes a day. Bridges provides students access to instruction focused on the Standards of Mathematical Practice - these are “habits of mind” that are essential for students to develop and use when they employ math strategies, talk about the math they are learning, and solve problems.
In addition to Bridges, District 96 has also adopted Number Corner, Bridges “sister curriculum.” Number Corner is a skill-building program that revolves around the classroom calendar, providing daily practice as well as continual encounters with broader mathematical concepts. Number Corner features short daily workouts that introduce, reinforce, and extend skills and concepts related to the critical areas of study at each grade level. New pieces are added to the number corner display each day, providing starting points for discussions, problem solving, and short written exercises. Number Corner is taught for 20 minutes, four days a week, in addition to the 60 minutes of Bridges.
Please reach out to Kildeer’s Math Coach with any questions you may have.
Social Studies
In social studies, we will be using an inquiry based approach during which students will not only learn social studies content, but they will also have a chance to use that content to ask and investigate questions, research topics, and develop arguments. The inquiry approach was designed to create well-informed and engaged critical thinkers. These social studies standards and the inquiry method are directly connected to their future social studies education.
Science
Children learn by hands-on involvement and doing things themselves. This year we are happy to adopt the Science Alive curriculum published by TCI which incorporate all the Next Generation Science Standards and allows hands on exploration, reading and technology to engage learners in the study of science.
Writing
Writing is connected to the reading curriculum and will help students learn to write within a particular genre. Narrative, opinion, and informative writing are taught throughout the course of first grade. During first trimester, students will develop an understanding of the writing process in each genre and will gain more independence as the year progresses. Also included in this program, is the editing and revision process.
Handwriting
First grade students are instructed in the vertical manuscript alphabet using the Zaner Bloser Handwriting program. Emphasis is on correct positioning, spacing, formation, and clarity.