what we're learning...
stay tuned each month for updates on curriculum being currently taught
April Curriculum
4/14/2017
Math: First Graders will add within 100, including adding a two-digit number and a one-digit number, and adding a two-digit number and a multiple of 10. They will order three objects by length; comparing the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object. Students will also be required to understand that the length measurement of an object is the number of same-size length units that span it with no gaps or overlaps. We will partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares, and describe the shares using the words halves, fourths, and quarters, and use the phrases half of, fourth of, and quarter of. First Graders will need to understand that decomposing in equal shares creates smaller shares. Reading: First Graders will continue to retell and think about a central message or lesson. We will focus on understanding character’s feelings, and how they are important to a storyline. We will be reading increasingly complex texts, comparing and contrasting experiences of characters by looking for patterns across books. Students will reread with purpose, and practice citing text evidence when discussing stories with partners or small groups. Letterland: Students will learn that y can represent the long /e/ at the end of words in unit 26 (Mr. Yo-Yo man works for Mr. E.). They will also learn two of the three sounds for the suffix -ed. The suffix ed can say /ed/ or just /d/. Students learn to finger-sound just the base word and then add the suffix when reading the words. When spelling the words, students should pronounce the base word, segment it, write the base word, then add the suffix. In unit 28 students will learn the third sound of the suffix -ed, the /t/ sound. Science: First graders will recognize that plants and animals need air, water, light (plants only), space, food and shelter and that these may be found in their environment. Students will recognize the basic needs of a variety of different animals (including air, water, and food) for energy and growth. Writing: Students will brainstorm all that they know about writing, how to write effectively as well as different types of writing and each type’s purpose. They will then use what they know about writing to help them generate ideas for their own type of writing. Students will have choice in what they choose to write and the format they use to convey their written message. They will notice that characteristics of good writing span across different types of writing. Good writers always plan before writing, no matter what type of writing they are producing. Good writers also choose their words wisely, reread to make sure they have written what they intended to write, “show and not tell” details, and make sure their writing is focused and on topic. Students will work with their partners and mentor texts to lift the level of their writing. Finally, students will choose one piece to publish and reread their work making sure others will react to their writing.
0 Comments
March Curriculum
3/1/2017
Letterland: Students will continue “vowel men” out walking with the vowel pair that makes the long a sound, ai and ay. They learn why ay is used at the end of words instead of ai. The vowel pair oa makes the long o sound. A story about Walter Walrus explains why ow (low) also makes the long o sound. In unit 24, students learn that Mr I and Mr O say their names but do not follow the familiar patterns we have learned thus far. (Magic e, vowel men out walking, or vowel men on the end). Most of the words we learn with this unit are rhyming words (old, cold, fold) and (kind, find, mind). They will also learn the story behind -mb. In unit 25 children learn the sound of ue, ui, and ew. In some words we hear the long u sound as in cue and few. In the words blue, fruit, and flew, the sound is the sound of oo (zoo). Students will learn that y can represent the long /e/ at the end of words.
Reading: Students will gather information about a topic using texts from a variety of genres. They will compare two text on the same topic, discussing basic similarities and differences using illustrations, descriptions, and procedures. First Graders will also identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text. Writing: In this unit, students will learn how to write narrative stories from their own life centered on one moment in time. They will learn to describe events in a sequenced manner using temporal words and will learn to signify an end to stories with closure. We will also look at how authors wrote informational text to complete more informational How-To and All About writing. Students will learn to stretch and record all dominant sounds in words sequentially, print upper and lowercase letters correctly, sit letters on the line, put spaces between words, use pictures and labels to plan out stories, and record short vowels correctly in simple CVC words. Math: Students will continue to learn about 2-D and 3-D shapes and their defining attributes. We will continue to add and subtract within 20, while demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Students will use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13). Students will understand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or false. Science: We are learning about Pebbles, Sand and Silt this month. Students will become familiar with and identify certain attributes of rocks and earth materials. Students will understand the physical properties of Earth materials that make them useful in different ways. Social Studies: Students will use geographic tools to identify characteristics of various landforms and bodies of water. Students will understand the basic elements of geographic representations using maps (cardinal directions and map symbols). February Learning Goals
2/7/2017
Letterland: Students will continue learning about the Silent Magic e and how he causes a Vowel Man to appear in a word. Adding a Silent Magic e to a word can transform it into a completely new word. In Unit 17 students learn Magic e words with Mr. I and Mr. O and the digraph wr is introduced in the words write and writing. Students also learn the soft sounds of c /s/ and g /j/ when followed by e and they will use the Magic e with Mr. U. They will also learn about the many pairs of “vowel men out walking” this month where the first vowel is long and the second vowel is silent. The first set of vowel men begins with ee followed by the digraph ea (long e sounds). They also learn the vowel pairs that make the long a sound, ai and ay. They learn why ay is used at the end of words instead of ai.
Math: In the month of February, we are finishing our unit learning about shapes. Students will learn to distinguish between defining attributes (number of sides, angles, etc.) versus non-defining attributes (color, orientation, overall size). Students will compose 2-d and 3-d shapes. For the remainder of the month students will add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. We will continue to use strategies such as making 10 (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13) Reading: February finds us using our Letterland knowledge to aid in reading tricky words. We will also select a story, poem, or nonfiction text to rehearse and read aloud to our classmates using a storytelling or reporter’s voice. Toward the end of the month, readers will work with partners to read about a topic across narrative and informational texts. Writing: In writing, students will begin to create their own "All About" books. They will be using writing to name a topic, research the topic, write facts about the topic from prior knowledge or from information learned from research, and add closing to their writing. Final books will include a cover, a table of contents, chapters, and even a glossary and index. Students will also use conventions in their writing to make their books easy to read. Social Studies: Students will identify examples of goods and services, ways to earn and use money, and how supply and demand affects the choices of our families and communities. They will use geographic representations, terms, and technology to identify and process information of various landforms. They will learn about maps and use them to locate places in the school and community. They will understand that history tells a story of how people and events changed society over time. January Learning Goals
1/4/2017
Letterland: This month students will learn the sound of the digraph ng, and the same sound represented by n in words ending in nk. We will review the suffix ing. Students will study the word endings -ang, -ank, -ink, and -ong. They will learn, in Unit 16, that Silent Magic e causes a Vowel Man to appear in a word. Adding a Silent Magic e to a word can transform it into a completely new word. In Unit 17 students learn Magic e words with Mr. I and Mr. O and the digraph wr is introduced in the words write and writing. Students also learn the soft sounds of c /s/ and g /j/ when followed by e, and they will use the Magic e with Mr. U.
Reading: Students are working collaboratively to compare and contrast information across text types. They are asking “how” and “why” questions about new topics, and compiling “I Wonder” statements to further research. As poetry is introduced,, students will reall previously taught strategies to decode tricky words. They will work with partners on coaching techniques, attempting mutliple strategies to figure out unknown words. Science: This month students will learn about Balance and Motion. They will discover how many different objects and shapes can be made to balance or remain in a stable position. Students will also learn about the different ways objects can move. They will create tops that spin, wheel and axle systems that roll in different directions and build a rollercoaster using tubes. Writing - This month, students will continue to learn to write informational/explanatory writing in which they name a topic, provide some facts about the topic, and provide a sense of closure. Students will plan for writing by drawing and labeling material and drawing step pictures across the booklet before writing step sentences. Students will work to write in complete sentences using precise action words to describe each step. Students will also work to have proper subject verb agreement when writing sentences. Starting in third quarter, students will be using writing to name a topic, research the topic, write facts about the topic from prior knowledge or from information learned from research, and add closing to their writing. Students will also use conventions in their writing to make it easy to read. Math: Students will learn to tell and write time in hours and half-hours using analog and digital clocks. Towards the end of the month students will begin to distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color, orientation, overall size) as well as build and draw shapes with defining attributes. They will compose two dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape. December & January
12/8/2016
Math
This month in math, students will continue to explain what each digit of a two-digit number represents, identify a bundle of 10 ones as a “ten,” represent numbers 11 to 19 as a 10 and ones and represent numbers 20 to 90 as tens and zero ones. In addition, students will be able to identify a number that is greater or less using tens and ones, compare two 2-digit numbers using the symbols >, <, and = . We'll also solve word problems with unknowns in all positions. Reading In reading, we are working on identifying various text features to locate key facts or information in a text. We will be distinguishing between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words read. Also, major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information will be explored. Writing We are finishing up writing opinion pieces and letters to convince. Next, first graders will be writing informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure. Social Studies The focus of social studies this quarter is learning about how our community celebrates. Students will compare the languages, traditions, and holidays of various cultures. We will use literature to help us understand diverse cultures. We are excited about traveling to each first grade teacher's classroom to learn about a different county and the traditions that are celebrated for a specific holiday. Letterland Children are working on the sound of a in -all, reviewing short vowels a, e, and i as well. We will learn about double consonants ff, ll, and ss at the end of words right after a single vowel letter. Two of the same letters together only make one sound. S and l will be blended with other consonants at the beginning of words. R-blends will also be introduced. At the end of the quarter, first graders will learn the final blends nd, nt, st, and sk. What we're learning in November...
11/9/2016
This month in reading students will be gathering information from illustrations to learn about characters, setting and major events in a story. They will practice sequentially retelling a story using transitional words. We will study how characters act and feel throughout a story. Toward the end of the month we will evaluate how a character’s feelings change and message or lesson learned.
This month in math, students will be able to explain what each digit of a two-digit number represents, identify a bundle of 10 ones as a “ten,” represent numbers 11 to 19 as a 10 and ones and represent numbers 20 to 90 as tens and zero ones. In addition, students will be able to identify a number that is greater or less using tens and ones, compare two 2-digit numbers using the symbols >, <, and = . In writing, students will learn to form opinions and share reasons for their opinions with others by writing letters and giving informational speeches. Students will see writing as a vehicle for change as they work to persuade others. In Social Studies students will learn about the Presidential Election and the voting process. They will explain why national holidays are celebrated (Veteran's Day), and explain the importance of celebrations and their impact on local communities. What we're learning in October...
10/3/2016
This month in Letterland students will be learning words with the rhyme patterns, -en, -et, and –ell. They also learn the phonic fable of /wh/ and use the consonant y for the first time. The /ll/ at the end of short words is taught with Lucy Lamp Light and Linda Lamp Light, “best friends at the end.” Unit 6 focuses on the rhyme patterns, -ug, -un, and -ut and the suffix -s with its two sounds: /s/ and /z/. In unit 7 they will learn a new way of sorting, by vowel sound, using all 5 short vowels. The digraph ch is introduced and the spelling pair qu. In unit 8, students learn the Letterland story of why y is a single vowel on the end of short words and says /i/ as in my and why. The “vowel men at the end” are also introduced. Students learn that when a 2- or 3-letter word has one vowel at the end, the vowel almost always says its name. In unit 9, the students focus on the sound of a in -all and will review short vowels a, e, and i.
This month in reading we are learning many strategies to decode unfamiliar words. We are cross-checking ourselves when reading, asking “Does it sound right? Does it look right?” Students are also learning to retell, and coach one another when partner reading. These skills will aid in accuracy and fluency. This month in math we will show understanding of how counting up is like adding and counting down is like subtracting. We are learning to use different strategies for addition and subtraction to solve word problems (within 20). We will also practice solving word problems where there are three whole numbers to add. We will use fact families and memorized addition/subtraction facts to help answer these word problems. Towards the end of the month we will begin understanding place value by telling how many tens and ones are in a number. In science students will learn about comparing and measuring. They will compare the properties of measurement including types of measurement and the tools used in measuring objects. They will compare the length and height of objects using unifix cubes, measuring strips and measuring tape. They will also practice measuring the distance an object has moved. Students are expected to collect data in their science notebooks and are exposed to non-fiction texts. In this writing unit, students will learn how to write narrative stories from their own life centered on one moment in time. They will learn to describe events in a sequenced manner using temporal words and will learn to signify an end to stories with closure. Students will learn to stretch and record all dominant sounds in words sequentially, print upper and lowercase letters correctly, sit letters on the line, put spaces between words, use pictures and labels to plan out stories, and record short vowels correctly in simple CVC words. |
Mrs. Rhyne1st grade teacher at @WeatherstoneES, an aWESome Model NC STEM School of Distinction | @leesvilleroadhs and @MeredithCollege graduate | @Seesaw Ambassador | Archives
April 2018
Categories |