Transcript Welcome to 4th Grade Parent Night

Welcome to
First Grade!
Curriculum Night
Presented by
Cheryl Bitzer, Mary Ann Fichera,
and Lisa Jackson
Welcome!
Welcome to the magical world of First
Grade! You will see a tremendous
amount of growth in your child this year,
both academically and socially. We are
looking forward to working with you to
make this a terrific year for your child!
Curriculum
In First Grade, we work together as a team to
deliver the curriculum to your children
consistently across the grade level while working
to meet each child’s needs as individual
learners. In addition to our grade level team,
we work closely with all members of our school
community to support your children throughout
the day. Fairfield Public Schools’ curriculum is
aligned with the Common Core State
Standards.
A Typical Day in First Grade
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Morning Work
Morning Meeting
Shared Reading
Reading Workshop
Writing Workshop
Recess/Lunch
Interactive Read Aloud
Math
Word Work, Handwriting
Science/Social Studies/Health
Dismissal
Morning Work
•
•
•
•
Partner Reading
Weekend News
Journals
Curriculum reinforcement
Morning Meeting
Builds community and teaches skills
using the Responsive Classroom model
• Greeting
• Activity
• Share
• News and Announcements
• Classroom Expectations
• Logical Consequences
• Calendar Activities
Shared Reading
• Teachers and students read aloud from an
enlarged text (charts, big books) to provide
a framework for literature and language.
• This helps children with fluency, expression,
concepts about print, listening skills, and
strategy work
• Provides a language model and lays the
foundation for guided and independent
reading
Interactive Read Aloud
• We read a text aloud to the students discussing
significant events, use of language, and other
important aspects of reading.
• Helps to improve listening skills, builds
vocabulary, aids reading comprehension,
models fluent reading, and encourages a love
of reading.
Reading Workshop
• The goal is to develop skills the child needs to
select, read independently, and think deeply
about books.
• Most importantly, the goal is to develop a
lifelong love of reading.
This is where the magic happens!
What does Reading
Workshop look like?
• Begins with a mini lesson where we introduce the key
point, model what it looks like, and guide students’
practice before giving the children an opportunity to
apply the skill independently.
• Children read independently and with a partner while we
confer with students and/or see reading groups, with the
goal of supporting each reader’s development of
effective reading strategies to process texts at increasing
levels of difficulty.
• Workshop ends with children sharing the work they did as
readers with the group.
Writer’s Workshop
Children work on the process of
writing. They write drafts, revise, edit,
and present published pieces.
What Does Writer’s
Workshop Look Like?
• Begins with a mini lesson where we introduce the key
point, model what it looks like, and guide students’
practice before giving the children an opportunity to
apply the skill independently.
• Children write independently while I confer with students
and/or see writing groups, with the goal of supporting
each writer's development.
• Workshop ends with children sharing the work they did as
writers with a partner or with the group.
Math
• The Balanced Math Instructional Model is rooted
in the Common Core State Standards.
• This model fosters the development of
conceptual understanding while not ignoring
skill development.
• It allows for natural differentiation based on
where each student is mathematically.
What Does the Balanced Math
Instructional Model Look Like?
There are four components in the workshop:
• Fluency – daily practice of mental math strategies
• Minilesson – sets up the problem the students will work on
during Active Problem Solving
• Active Problem Solving – students are given a focus
question, then they work to solve a problem while the
teacher confers with students, supporting each child to
enter the mathematics at their own level and move them
forward
• Reconvene/Share – students share their findings and
reflect on their thinking.
Science
• Science is an inquiry–based form of learning.
• Students ask questions, make hypotheses, learn
by doing, and record observations.
• First Grade Science is fun, exciting, and handson.
• Units of Study include Sunshine and Shadows,
Living Things, Life Cycles, and Recycling.
Social Studies
The theme for first grade is respect.
• Respecting your neighborhood
Students learn to identify different aspects of their
neighborhood and to understand the difference
between needs vs. wants
• Respecting the people in your neighborhood
Students will recognize similarities and differences
between the cultural elements of their neighbors and
their own families. They will develop important social skills
aimed at being helpful and resolving conflict
• Respecting the environment
Students will learn strategies to promote a healthy
environment. Basic map skills are also covered.
Health
Our Health curriculum covers Wellness,
Safety and Accident Prevention,
Violence Prevention, Family Life, and
Alcohol and Other Drugs.
We use programs such as Scrubby Bear,
Talking About Touching, Second Step,
and Being Me and Drug Free.
Word Work
• The Word Work program is the units of study
developed by the district.
• It is multi level and developmentally
appropriate. Along with finding patterns in
words, frequently used words will be memorized.
• As words are taught and reviewed the children
will be expected to carry the word knowledge
over into their reading and writing.
• Spelling words will be provided each month
once words are introduced.
Handwriting
Handwriting is done throughout the week.
Children work on the correct pencil grip,
formation of the letters and numbers, as well as
how to sit when writing. We use a program
called Zaner-Bloser.
Field Trips
• Field trips enrich the Science,
Social Studies, and Health
curriculum.
• First Grade will have both inschool and out-of-school field
trips.
LLC/Technology
• During Tech Time, students will
participate in research, publishing,
and other computer activities
• Throughout the year we will be using
the LLC for checking out books
Homework
It’s important to start good homework habits
now! Set up a spot at home so your child has
a quiet, comfortable place to do their
homework.
Reading Homework- A book will be sent
home to read Monday through Thursday.
Long Term Assignments- given when
relevant
The district policy for homework is 10 minutes
per night in first grade.
How Can You Help?
Please read to your child every day!!!
• listening skills
• builds vocabulary
• aids in comprehension and fluency
• positive attitude
• love of reading
Independence
The less you do for your child; the
more he/she will be able to do on
their own.
–
–
–
–
Backpacks
Tying Shoes
Self-care skills
Problem-solving
Thank you for coming!
And thank you for sharing
your children with us!
We are going to have a
wonderful year!