Kyrene School District



LANGUAGE ARTSReadingFirst graders learn many skills while developing proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Together, these skills will help students become literate individuals. The Arizona College and Career Ready Standards (ACCR-originally known as Common Core) for English Language Arts and Literacy are fully implemented for first grade. While many individual skills are taught, first graders have the following targets for reading:Foundational SkillsPrint ConceptsPhonological Awareness (understanding and producing individual sounds or “phonemes”)Phonics and Word RecognitionVocabularyFluencyReading Standards for Literature and Informational Text (Comprehension)Key Ideas and DetailsCraft and StructureIntegration of Knowledge and IdeasRange of Reading (prose, poetry, information at first grade appropriate level of complexity)We have at our disposal a number of materials to teach reading. These include the Harcourt Trophies Reading Program, leveled books, big books, and trade books. In addition, K-3 teachers will be using the new-to-Kyrene Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) materials from Engage NY. (see pages 4 and 5)Children are made readers on the laps of their parents - Emilie BuchwaldChildren are made readers on the laps of their parents - Emilie BuchwaldReading strategies are taught via whole group and small group instruction. Small group reading instruction is delivered at each student’s instructional reading level and specific skill needs. Groups change throughout the year as students move through different levels and acquire necessary skills. Levels are determined by assessing students using the Benchmark Reading Inventory, phonics screener, CKLA end of domain tests, and teacher observation. Please keep in mind beginning readers develop skills along a learning continuum. Individuals will develop at their own pace. Learning to read cannot be forced!All students will be formally assessed by a trained team with the state-mandated D.I.B.E.L.S. This assessment is given three times throughout the school year to monitor reading success for district/state reporting.Reading practice is crucial to success. Students are provided many opportunities throughout the school day to practice their skills, including weekly visits to the Estrella Library with lessons taught by Miss Hellinghausen. In addition to school time, we strongly urge you to read with, or to, your child every day. Research indicates “the most important activity for building the knowledge and skills eventually required for reading…reading aloud to children” (Adams, 1990).WritingReading and writing go hand-in-hand. Knowledge of phonics enables students to use inventive spelling, which ultimately strengthens their ability to read. Students also learn about language and conventions in writing by reading books.In first grade, children learn to write complete sentences, then short paragraphs in the following forms: opinion piece, informative/explanatory text, research report, and functional text. These are ACCR Standards. In addition, students will learn about and begin to use the writing process and elements of good writing. They will begin using appropriate capitalization and punctuation in their writing, use commas, and spell high frequency words correctly. Finally, the standards require first graders to publish pieces of writing using digital tools (i.e. computers).What we learn to do, we learn by doing - AristotleWhat we learn to do, we learn by doing - AristotleStudents are taught to write by teacher modeling, reading what others write, and by writing themselves. They will be given many opportunities throughout the day to practice writing. The key is to make the writing authentic and purposeful. Research has shown that contrived writing (i.e. endless copying and handwriting drills only) has little benefit for young writers. The district has adopted materials written by Lucy Caulkins, a well-known and well-respected authority on writer’s workshop and authentic writing. In addition, students will be writing about stories they hear in the CKLA readings.As with learning to read, writing is a developmental process. Children will learn and use their skills along a continuum. It is not uncommon for first graders to use inventive spelling when they write; i.e. praktis for practice. This is perfectly normal. As children are continually exposed to words, they begin to incorporate conventional spelling in their own work. In fact, inventive spelling using knowledge of phonics and phonemic awareness is a Common Core Standard. Please note that conventional spelling of all words in students’ work is not a first grade mastery objective.Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort - Franklin D. RooseveltHappiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort - Franklin D. RooseveltSpelling First graders are not expected to be master spellers. As mentioned above, inventive spelling (based on their knowledge of how our language is structured) is a precursor to “conventional” spelling. Performance objectives include the following:Use common spelling patterns (i.e. word families, CVC words)Use basic phonetic spelling of unfamiliar words (i.e. praktis)Spell high frequency words correctlySpelling is taught in conjunction with phonics. The spelling words will include words with patterns (ham, jam, etc.), and high frequency sight words Vocabulary Acquisition and UseThe standards in this area are determining the meaning of unknown words in context, understanding word relationships, and using words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading, and responding to texts.Listening and SpeakingThese two skills are an important part of language development. Listening is critical to learning and following directions. The Common Core standards include participation and collaboration in conversations, asking and answering questions, expressing ideas clearly, and producing complete sentences.These two areas, among others, will be taught daily using the Core Knowledge Language Arts materials:Core Knowledge is aligned to Common Core Reading Standards Comprehension of Literary and Informational Text Writing narrative, informational and opinion piecesListening & Speaking SkillsLanguage/Vocabulary. The guiding principle of this curriculum is to provide educational excellence and equity for all childrenResearch shows that in order to achieve this guiding principle, students must have equal access to common knowledge. To achieve this learning outcome (common knowledge), your child will daily engage in 60 minutes of instruction that will focus on:Listening to, discussing and interacting with coherent, cumulative and content-specific topicsEngaging lessons that will create interactive opportunities to question, discuss and share ideas centered on the text, including extensive, connected vocabularyFocus on a domain topic or theme for 10-15 days of instruction in which time the read-alouds grow increasingly complexPreparing to produce a written performance task that demonstrates student knowledge and vocabulary of the focused topicEach new domain or topic of study within your child’s grade level will build on knowledge gained from their previous learning.Over time and grade levels, students will experience a cohesive and broad knowledge of social studies, science, health and cultural literacyA parent letter will be sent home at the beginning of each Domain explaining the focused topic of study.MATHThe math curriculum, aligned directly with the ACCR Standards, includes learning a variety of skills in the areas of numbers/operations in base 10, operations and algebraic thinking, measurement and data, geometry, and mathematical practices. There are fewer objectives; however, each math strand will be taught more in depth.All schools throughout the district are using the Scott Foresman Investigations and Engage NY math series. Investigations and Engage NY are activity and manipulative based programs.Students are assessed through teacher observation, end-of-unit “quizzes,” STAR computerized tests, and various teacher-made activities. At the end of the school year (April or May), the district MSS test will be given. This assessment is different each year and randomly tests a portion of the math curriculum. It is not meant to be the sole assessment of first grade mastery objectives.On the Estrella website, we now have a Math Resources for Parents section You can reach the webpage from the parent link on the Estrella home page. Once you click on the parent link, the page is listed on the left hand side (Math Resources for Parents). The webpage contains 2 main resources: Grade level roadmaps. These roadmaps include examples of grade-level focus in math using parent-friendly language, sample progressions of learning across three grade levels, and tips to parents on communicating with teachers about their child’s work and how to support student learning at home.Videos- Each grade level has videos modeling specific math strategies. ?Children must be taught how to think, not what to think - Margaret MeadChildren must be taught how to think, not what to think - Margaret MeadTHE SCIENCESScience, health, social studies, and technology are grouped together under this heading. In first grade, these subjects are taught in whole group situations, and integrated throughout the curriculum as much as possible. There are no formal assessments as the introductory skills will be reinforced throughout each grade level. All students will receive a “grade” of Developing on the Report Card throughout the year. Below is a list of some of the skills first graders will be taught:Science*Scientific Process*Matter & Energy (balance and motion)*Earth & Space (rocks/recycling/weather/sky objects)*Living Things (life cycles/habitats)Social Studies*Family/Community/Neighborhood/Country*Citizenship*Map reading*Providers of goods and services*World CulturesHealth*Respect/Responsibility/Cooperation*Community Workers*Healthy Habits*Fire Safety*Dental HealthTechnology*Basic Computer Operations*Create a simple document*Create a slideshow*Draw/choose picturesStudents will have opportunities throughout the school day to use technology; i.e. computer lab, library, classroom.For more detailed information about specific first grade objectives, please check the Kyrene School District website under Departments/Curriculum & Learning/Curriculum. Website InformationThe Kyrene School District website URL is .The Estrella website can be accessed directly using the following URL:est Room 7’s website can be accessed directly using the following URL:chartu If you have additional questions, please contact me at chartu@.Everyone and everything around you is your teacher - Ken Keyes, Jr.Everyone and everything around you is your teacher - Ken Keyes, Jr. ................
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