Grade 6 Curriculum-Saint John School - Wellesley Hills Massachusetts



	Grade 6 Curriculum Download this curriculum in printable PDF format GRADE 6 ENGLISH The purpose of the Sixth-Grade English Program is to provide the student with a thorough knowledge of the English language and to lead him/her to appreciate language as a gift. Grammar/usage and composition are the foundation of this curriculum. It also covers word study, poetry, and literature. ENGLISH ENGLISH COMPOSITION The Student narrows a topic to one specific idea, writes a topic sentence that states the specific idea, and writes a creative beginning sentence for a paragraph uses word maps to organize details then writes supporting sentences learns about and writes an effective ending sentence learns about and writes a unified paragraph in which every sentence is related to the topic (paragraph unity) recognizes “misfit” sentences writes short, interesting titles that either tell or hint at the specific idea of the paragraph learns to expand and enliven sentences by adding adjectives, adverbs, and phrases learns how to use coordinate conjunctions to combine independent clauses that will lengthen and will add variety to a paragraph learns to avoid and to correct rambling and run-on sentences recognizes when a word can be replaced with a more colorful or precise synonym to enliven a paragraph writes more expressively by using similes and metaphors makes sentences flow more smoothly by using appropriate transition words writes a narrative paragraph with events in sequential order learns to distinguish between a narrator that is a character within the story or one that is an observer of the action uses words that appeal to the senses to improve writing writes a descriptive paragraph that evokes strong sensory impressions learns to distinguish between statements of facts and opinions learns that statements that support an opinion must be convincing, even if they are facts learns how to plan and write an effective persuasive paragraph learns to take notes and create an outline as preparation for a written report writes a factual report from an outline learns about the story elements from the perspective of a writer, then writes a story learns the correct form and rules for a social letter and a business letter, then writes effective and informative letters learns and practices the correct way to address an envelope ENGLISH GRAMMAR The Student learns to categorize nouns as proper, common, collective, abstract or concrete and to distinguish between words that can function either as a noun or as a verb, then use these types of nouns in writing learns to identify the number and gender of a noun, and to apply some basic rules for forming plurals identifies and uses nouns in the nominative case identifies and uses nouns in the possessive case and to form the singular and plural possessive of nouns identifies and uses nouns in the objective case learns to identify personal pronouns and to determine the person, number and gender of personal pronouns, as well as to identify and use compound personal pronouns correctly identifies and correctly uses personal pronouns in the nominative case and objective case identifies and uses possessive pronouns correctly learns how to use personal pronouns in the formation of contractions, and when to use a contraction and when to use the possessive pronoun identifies and uses the interrogative pronouns correctly, especially the correct use of who and whom identifies distributive and indefinite pronouns and recognizes their number identifies and uses proper and common descriptive adjectives uses descriptive adjectives in two different positions within a sentence and distinguishes between words that can function as nouns or adjectives uses the articles the, an, and a correctly identifies and uses numeral adjectives, demonstrative adjectives, possessive adjectives and interrogative adjectives correctly learns to form the comparative and superlative degrees of an adjective and how to use the degrees of comparison correctly in a sentence learns that the verb is an essential element in a sentence and that verb phrases are composed of an auxiliary verb and a principal verb learns the principal parts of a verb, distinguishes between regular and irregular verbs, and uses the correct form of irregular verbs learns that a linking verb links the subject to a noun, pronoun, or an adjective identifies verbs in the present, past, and future tenses and uses those tenses correctly identifies the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect tenses and uses those tenses correctly learns and applies that subject and verb must agree in person and number learns to choose the correct verb to agree with compound subjects connected by and learns that some words are always singular and that some nouns are the same in both the singular and the plural identifies and correctly uses adverbs according to time, place, manner, degree, affirmation, and negation identifies and uses comparative and superlative forms of adverbs correctly learns how to make a correct choice between an adjective and an adverb following a verb and to distinguish between a word that can be used either as an adjective or as an adverb identifies the commonly used prepositions and recognizes and uses prepositional phrases. uses troublesome prepositions correctly and distinguishes between words that can be used either as prepositions or adverbs learns that coordinate conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases and clauses identifies an interjection and the emotion it expresses and uses appropriate interjections when writing recognizes prepositional phrases and recognizes and uses adjectival phrases correctly. recognizes and uses adverbial phrases correctly learns the essential elements of a sentence and the difference between a complete thought and an incomplete thought identifies the complete subject and the complete predicate, compound elements, inverted and natural order in sentences classifies sentences according to use and form, identifies clauses within a compound sentence, and uses coordinate conjunctions in the writing of compound sentences POETRY The Student learns about cinquains and writes an original cinquain explores the use of metaphors in poetry and writes an original poem containing a metaphor learns about Langston Hughes and analyzes some of his poems learns about free verse and repetition and writes an original poem in free verse that includes a refrain learns about limericks and the form and writes an original limerick learns about rhyme and couplets and writes an original couplet learns about tone and meaning and writes an original poem where the literal words express regret but the descriptive words express joy learns about haiku poems and writes an original haiku learns about rhyme scheme (abcb) and writes an original poem using a rhyme scheme LITERATURE The Student learns to appreciate modern fantasy using “Lost in the Void” by Madeleine L’Engle, and to identify the mood and setting learns to appreciate nonfiction as a source of new information using “Brown Fat and the Magic Potion” by Margery Facklam learns to appreciate biography as a form of literature and to express and substatiate an opinion using “A Style of Her Own” by Elisabeth P. Myers learns to appreciate realistic fiction and to identify point of view and audience using “First Impressions” by Jamie Gilson learns to appreciate the myth as a literary form and to express and substantiate an opinion using “Bellerophone and Pegasus” by Nathaniel Hawthorne learns to appreciate realistic fiction, to recognize the injustice of prejudice, and to express opinions and support them with details using “Rude Awakening” by Ouida Sebestyen learns to appreciate the short story as a literary form and to gain an understanding of the hardships endured by migrant workers and their families using “The Circuit” by Francisco Jimenez . * learns to appreciate classic fiction and to recognize tone using “The Depths of Despair” by L. M. Montgomery STUDY SKILLS The Student learns a process for taking notes for fiction (story elements) and non-fiction (main idea and details) learns how to summarize fiction and non-fiction MECHANICS The Student learns the use of the period, comma, question mark, exclamation mark, colon, semicolon, quotation marks, apostrophes, hyphens and capitalization WORD STUDY The Student learns that a prefix changes the meaning of a word and uses prefixes to form new words learns that certain suffixes added to a root create an adjective and uses suffixes to create new words learns to create new words through a knowledge of roots distinguishes between words that sound alike but have different spellings and meanings (homophones) distinguishes between homographs recognizes commonly misused words and uses them correctly METHODS AND STRATEGIES OF THE ENGLISH CURRICULUM Textbook with resource materials Teacher–led instruction Practice exercises Diagramming sentences Cooperative learning groups Writing process (plan, draft, revise, proofread, publish) Peer editing Oral presentation by students Games Homework Grammar assessments and composition TEXTBOOK FOR THE ENGLISH CURRICULUM * Voyages in English Loyola Press Copyright 1995 * Exercises in English Level F Loyola Press Copyright 2003 SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS Merriam Webster Dictionary Thesaurus Composition Aqua Level by Sadlier-Oxford GRADE 6 MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM The purpose of the Sixth Grade Mathematics Program is to teach a combination of computation and problem solving skills with a special emphasis on decimals. These skills are taught through the use of manipulatives, drill, practice, cooperative learning, lectures, writing, and real world problem solving. Through these various methods the students learn the necessary content of the sixth grade math program. COMPUTATION UNDERSTANDING NUMBERS The Student: Identifies the value of a number to the billions place Identifies the value of a decimal to the hundred thousandths place Compares and orders whole numbers, decimals, and fractions Identifies proportions Identifies exponents Identifies repeating decimals Writes scientific notation ADDITION The Student: Adds whole numbers with five or more digits Adds decimals to the hundred thousandths place Adds fractions and mixed numbers Estimates sums of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions SUBTRACTION The Student: Subtracts whole numbers with five or more digits Subtracts decimals to the hundred thousandths place Subtract fractions and mixed numbers Subtracts fractions from a whole number Estimates differences of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions MULTIPLICATION The Student: Multiplies up to five digit numbers Multiplies fractions and mixed numbers Estimates products for whole numbers, decimals, and fractions DIVISION The Student: Divides whole numbers up to five digit dividends Divides decimal dividends up to five digit dividends Uses reciprocal Divides fractions by fractions Divides mixed numbers Estimates quotients for whole numbers and decimals PROBLEM SOLVING The Student: Uses number sense to solve word problems Chooses the correct operation to solve word problems Identifies extra information in word problems Uses estimation to solve word problems Finds needed information to solve a word problem Solves a multi-step word problem Uses the guess, check, and revise method to solve a word problem Identifies patterns to solve a word problem Works backwards to solve a word problem Creates a table to solve a word problem Draws a diagram to solve a word problem Makes an organized list to solve a word problem GEOMETRY The Student: Knows the geometric terms Identifies congruent angles and corresponding sides Measures area, circumference, and angles of the circle Measures and bisects triangles Recognizes polygons and space figures Measures surface area of pyramids and triangular prisms MEASUREMENT The Student: Measures length in standard and metric forms Estimates length in standard and metric forms Calculates area and perimeter of polygons Determines time and elapsed time PROBABILITY, STATISTICS, AND GRAPHING The Student: Reads and makes double bar and line graphs Reads and makes scattergrams METHODS AND STRATEGIES OF THE MATH CURRICULUM Manipulatives Practice exercises Writing mathematical ideas Teacher presentation Class discussion Games Drill exercises Written assignment Co-operative learning Problem-solving activities TEXTBOOK FOR THE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Mathematics Silver Burdett Ginn Copyright 2001 SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS Daily Review Silver Burdett Ginn Copyright 1999 Problem Solving Connection Charlesbridge Publishing Copyright 1992 GRADE 6 READING CURRICULUM The purpose of the Sixth Grade Reading Program is to deliver researched-based reading instruction using literature that motivates that motivates students and develops high levels of reading proficiency. A variety of reading strategies are taught and practiced to develop comprehension and fluency. READING READING STRATEGIES The Student: Learns how to predict and infer Learns how to decode using principles of phonics Learns and practices how to question Learns how to summarize and evaluate Learns and practices how to monitor and clarify COMPREHENSION The Student: Identifies sequence of events Learns to note details Learns to predict outcomes and make judgments Identifies fact and opinion Learns to make inferences Learns to recognize text organization Learns to make generalizations Learns to make inferences Recognizes story structure Practices problem solving Identifies authors view point Identifies cause and effect Identifies main idea and details Learns to compare and contrast Learns to identify propaganda Learns to draw conclusions Learns to categorize and classify DECODING The Student: Identifies base words Applies syllabication rules Decodes compound words Identifies prefixes and suffixes Identifies plurals Identifies consonant clusters Identifies possessives and contractions VOCABULARY The Student: Learns to define words by using context Learns and applies dictionary skills Learns to identify word families Identifies homophones, synonyms and antonyms Learns and applies thesaurus skills Identifies base words and inflected forms Learns the positive and negative connotation of words Learns and practices the use of multiple meaning words Learns the origins of words and word families Learns and use a strategy to solve an analogy LISTENING/SPEAKING/VIEWING The Student: Learns to compare forms of information Learns to take notes and summarize INFORMATION AND STUDY SKILLS The Student: Learns how to read maps, charts and graphs Learns to evaluate and compare reference material METHODS AND STRATEGIES Oral reading and discussion Small group discussions Vocabulary tests Practice exercises Assessments TEXTBOOK FOR THE READING CURRICULUM Reading A Legacy of Literacy Houghton Mifflin copyright 2001 Comprehension in Varied Subject Matter Educator Publishers copyright GRADE 6 RELIGION CURRICULUM The purpose of the Sixth Grade Religion Program is to help students deepen their knowledge of Catholic religious beliefs and traditions. They study the roots of faith found in the Old Testament. RELIGION THE BIBLE The Student: Learns that the old Testament contains the roots of Catholic faith Learns that the Bible records the experience of God’s people Learns about how the Bible is set up Learns about Abraham as God’s chosen one Learns God is revealed to us in the Bible TRINITY The Student: Learns about God the creator Learns God cares for people and interacts with them Learns Jesus is the strongest sign of God’s presence Learns Jesus is the center of God’s plan for the world Learns that the Holy Sprit inspired the writers of the Bible Learns that the Holy Spirit gives us special gifts CHURCH The Student: Learns that the church is rooted in the Old Testament Learns that the early church was a community of the followers of Jesus SACRAMENTS The Student Learns that sacramental actions originated in Jewish rituals Learns that through the sacraments Christ becomes present to us MORALITY The Student: Learns how to lead a good life through the teaching of Scripture PRAYERS The Student: Prays morning prayer Prays grace before meals Prays the Act of Contrition Learns the Memorare Learns Hail Holy Queen METHODS AND STRATEGIES OF THE RELIGION CURRICULUM Instruction is given in various ways: Reading the text and discussing Projects Video Bible Stories Class Liturgies Written assessments (Tests and Quizzes) TEXTBOOK FOR THE RELIGION CURRICULUM This is Our Faith Silver Burdett and Ginn Copyright 1998 GRADE 6 SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM The purpose of the Sixth Grade Social Studies Program is to build on major understandings and skills acquired and to build on these skills. Students can integrate major understandings, skills and their own experiences. Through various strategies students learn to organize their thinking and develop competencies they will need as citizens in a diverse and changing world. SOCIAL STUDIES GEOGRAPHY The Student: Identifies North and South Poles Identifies equator and prime meridian Identifies hemispheres Understands the purpose and use of maps Identifies location by using lines of latitude and longitude Understands relief and elevation Understands cardinal and intermediate directions Understands map symbols and land forms HISTORY The Student: Understands time patterns and relationships among events Understands the importance of individuals and groups in time and place Understands the importance of events in time and place Understands the spread of origins and their influence Understands the connection between past and present GOVERNMENT The Student Understands patriotic identity Understands democratic principles and values Understands the rights freedoms and responsibilities of citizens Understands the purposes of government Understands the different types of government Understands democratic institutions Understands the democratic process ECONOMICS The Student: Understands economic choices Understands dependence and interdependence Understands productivity and economic growth CULTURE The Student: Understands cultural identity and diversity Understands social organizations and institutions Understands the influence of art and literature MAP AND GLOBE SKILLS The Student” Identifies equator and prime meridian Identifies hemispheres Understands the purpose and use of maps Understands map symbols Understands cardinal and intermediate directions Understands latitude and longitude grids METHODS AND STRATEGIES OF THE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM Teacher presentations Uses maps to locate Uses globe to locate Class discussion Written assignments Games Co-operative learning Problem solving activities TEXTBOOK FOR GRADE SIX SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM The World Harcourt Brace Copyright 2000 GRADE 6 SCIENCE CURRICULUM The purpose of the Sixth Grade Science Program is to promote skills to learn about our universe, our world, and our lives. The program fosters an attitude of curiosity and a desire for understanding. It stimulates children to channel their curiosity to find answers to the why, the how and what of their world. The students link prior knowledge to build an increasing sense of how scientific information fits together and how it relates to their experiences. LIFE SCIENCE LIVING THINGS The Student: Learns about the activities of cells Defines the life processes Explains cell reproduction/mitosis Identifies the two main differences between a plant and animal cell Learns about the growth and development of plants Compares photosynthesis and respiration Identifies six parts of a flower Learns about life in the ocean Compares life in the different ocean zones Learns about how living things change over time Recognizes extinction and the causes for it PHYSICAL SCIENCE MATTER The Student: Learns about elements and compounds Explain acids and bases Demonstrates knowledge of the Periodic Table of Elements Identifies twenty elements by symbol LIGHT, SOUND AND ELECTRICITY The Student: Learns about the behavior of light Explains the different types of lenses Learns about mirrors Identifies the different types of light learns about the behavior of sound learns about electrical energy and circuits EARTH SCIENCE MOVEMENTS OF THE EARTH The Student Learns about the origin of the earth Learns about plate tectonics Explains mountain building Understands causes of earthquakes and volcanoes METHODS AND STRATEGIES OF THE SCIENCE CURRICULUM Uses lab materials to understand concepts Teacher presentations Class discussion Written assignments Co-operative learning Problem-solving activities TEXTBOOK FOR THE SIXTH GRADE SCIENCE CURRICULUM Science Horizons Silver Burdett and Ginn Copyright 1993 GRADE 6 SPELLING CURRICULUM The purpose of the Sixth Grade Spelling Program is to focus on the structural conventions of spelling. This is done through examining prefixes, suffixes and words that are related by spelling pattern and meaning. As a result the focus is on comparing words and on discovering structural patterns and relationships among words. SPELLING SPELLING AND PHONICS The Student: Learns beginning and ending sounds Learns short vowel sounds Learns long vowel sounds Learns vowel digraphs and diphthongs SPELLING AND THINKING The Student: Learns consonant clusters Learns homophones Learns unstressed endings Learns special spellings Learns structural patterns(contractions compounds possessives prefixes roots) SPELLING AND VOCABULARY The Student: Learns word meanings Learns word structure Learns word clues Learns related meanings and words with similar meanings Learns synonyms and antonyms SPELLING AND READING The Student: Learns to find context clue Learns to solve analogies Writes spelling words to complete a series of related words Identifies spelling words that can replace phrases METHODS AND STRATEGIES OF THE SPELLING CURRICULUM Teacher-led instruction Practice exercises Games Homework Weekly Assessments Textbook with resource materials for practice exercises, dictionary, and thesaurus TEXTBOOK FOR THE SPELLING CURRICULUM Spelling Connections Zaner-Bloser Copyright 2000
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The purpose of the First Grade Language Arts Program is to teach reading, writing and spelling. Phonics skills, high frequency word recognition, comprehension, oral language and vocabulary are all emphasized. These skills are taught using a variety of methods including basal reader, guided reading books, Big Books, trade books, phonics instruction, journal writing, spelling activities , technology support and worksheets.

READING

PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS

The Student:
-Identifies consonants and vowels
-Replicates the sounds of vowels, consonants, blends and digraphs
-Identifies and produces rhyming words
-Blends onsets and rimes
-Recognizes beginning and ending sounds
-Segments onsets and rimes
-Associates specific sounds with “ r” clusters and “l” clusters
-Matches beginning sounds with digraphs sh, th, wh, ch, and tch
-Replicates the ending sounds of nd, ng, nk, ft, lk, and nt in words
-Associates sounds with clusters sc, sk , sm, sn, sp, st, sw
-Segments and counts phonemes
-Associates sounds with scr, spl, spr,and str
-Associates soft g sound and soft c sound to letters and letter patterns

PHONEMIC AWARENESS

The Student:
-Creates and reads words with the endings: -an, -at, -it, -in, -ock, -op, -ox,
-en, -et, -ut, -ug, -ip, -in, -ock, -op, -ell, -est, -um, -ump, -ash, -atch, -ate, -
ake, -ite -ide, -oke and –eat
-Reads and creates nouns with the plural ending –s
-Reads and understands verbs with endings –s, -ed and –ing
-Recognizes double final consonants and the sounds they make
-Reads words with triple clusters spl, spr, scr and str
-Decodes, reads and creates words with vowel pairs ai, ay, oa, oo, ou, ue,
oy, ee, and ea
-Identifies and writes rhymes with words containing the letter
combinations igh, ight, and ie
-Decodes and builds base words with suffixes –es and –ies and prefixes
re- and un-
-Identifies and reads words with –ar, -ir and er
-Builds base words with –or and –ore
-Identifies silent letters in kn, wr, and gn.
LISTENING, SPEAKING AND VIEWING

The Student:
-Listens for the main idea in an oral presentation
-Compares and contrasts story elements
-Understands the difference between a fact and an opinion
-Differentiates between reality and fantasy stories
-Categorizes and classifies information
-Draws conclusions based on facts
-Listens for details in a story and can verbalize them
-Creates synonyms, antonyms and homophones
-Identifies aspects of conversation in a story
-Participates in a conversation
-Uses words and pictures to learn about maps
-Learns how to read and follow directions
-Identifies the beginning, middle and ending of a story
-Recalls details of a story
-Is able to put story details in chronological order
-Retells a familiar story
-Listens for information
-Discusses different ways to solve a problem
-Identifies problems and solutions in a story
-Recites a choral reading
-Listens for a purpose
-Recognizes expressive writing
-Compares and contrasts details in photographs
-Finds at least three pieces of information from a visual source
-Identifies rhyme and rhythm in poetry

COMPREHENSION SKILLS AND STRATEGIES

The Student:
-Is able to put events in sequential order
-Notes story details
-Understands cause and effect
-Can compare and contrast story elements using a Venn Diagram
-Summarizes a story
-Is able to predict and infer
-Uses facts to draw conclusions
-Identifies topic, main idea and supporting details of a story
-Locates questions and answers in a text
-Writes answers to questions
-Categorizes and classifies information in a story
-Knows how to read a poem
-Is able to read and sing a song
-Develops skills for reading different kind of texts
-Knows how to read social studies, science and math text
-Examines poetry, folktales and plays
-Explains the characteristics of each genre and creates his own
-Reads and knows how to create contractions
-Identifies story structure
-Makes a story map
-Makes predictions on what will happen next in the story based on what
he has already read
-Retells a story using the words first, next and last
-Identifies characters in a story
-Identifies story similarities and differences
-Knows how to read directions
-Uses story details to retell a story
-Classifies story events as fantasy or reality
-Identifies topic, main idea and details of a story
-Uses facts from the story and previous knowledge to draw conclusions
-Identifies the mood of a story
-Compares and contrasts story characters
-Retells a story in order of events read in the story

VOCABULARY

The Student:
-Identifies animal names, school words, shapes words, words for feelings,
color words, words that show position, family words, sensory words,
noise words, pattern words, nature words, and fruit and vegetable words
-Asks and answers questions that begin with who, what, where or why
-Arranges words in alphabetical order
-Recognizes symbols on signs
-Identifies and creates compound words
-Knows days of the week and months of the year
-Lists words that are synonyms, antonyms and homonyms

GRAMMAR, USAGE AND MECHANICS

The Student:
-Knows that a sentence begins with a capital letter
-Knows that all sentences end with a punctuation mark
-Knows that a period, question mark, and an exclamation mark are the
punctuation marks that end a sentence
-Identifies a telling sentence, asking sentence, and an exclaiming sentence
-Identifies, reads and writes possessive nouns ending with ’s
-Decodes and builds words ending with –er, and -est
-Supplies the correct punctuation for a sentence
-Identifies a naming word (noun) and an action word (verb) in a sentence
-Able to write a complete sentence which includes a naming part and an
action part
-Knows that an asking sentence requires an answer
-Writes questions and listens to answers
-Identifies when I and me are used in sentences and uses them correctly in
sentences
-Identifies proper and common nouns, verbs and pronouns
-Distinguishes between the use of is and are
-Uses the words was and were correctly in sentences
-Knows that proper nouns begin with a capital letter
-Identifies and creates different kinds of sentences
-Substitutes pronouns for nouns in sentences

WRITING

HANDWRITING

The Student:
-Understands correct writing posture
-Understands the correct pencil grip
-Is able to write each letter correctly and legibly
-Writes spelling words from dictation
-Understands the symbols for long vowel, silent letters and phonograms

CREATIVE WRITING

The Student:
-Writes independently in his journal
-Writes on a specific theme in his journal
-Creates his own topic for a journal story
-Plans and writes a class story, class message, class summary, class poem,
and class letter
-Writes independently a news report, invitation, thank-you note,
informational paragraph, friendly letter, sequel to a story, tongue twister,
persuasive letter and research report
-Adds interesting, describing words to a story
-Writes and illustrates a personal narrative
-Identifies characteristics of a paragraph
-Writes sentences about a topic
-Writes in complete sentences
-Writes an opinion about a story character
-Writes and gives a book report

SPELLING

Spelling

The Student:
-Recites the alphabet
-Recognizes and writes the alphabet correctly
-Matches capital and lowercase letters Aa – Zz
-Spells correctly plural nouns using “s” and “es”
-Writes possessive nouns
-Adds –ful, -ly and –y to words to make new words
-Reads verb endings -s, -ed, and –ing
-Spells correctly, with proper markings, the ten weekly words

METHODS AND STRATEGIES OF THE LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULUM

-Teacher instruction
-Basal reading
-Guided reading
-Shared reading
-Independent reading
-Read aloud
-Big Books
-Poetry
-Word Walls
-Literacy Centers
-Journal Writing
-Creative writing
-Games and activities

TEXTBOOK FOR THE LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULUM

A Legacy of Literacy Houghton Mifflin 2001

GRADE 1 MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM

The First Grade Mathematics Curriculum allows students to explore concepts using manipulatives, then practice and apply the skills that reinforce those concepts through hands-on problem-solving activities. Each chapter opens with a high interest illustrated story that introduces the chapter theme. The student book provides clear models to help students make connections, lists vocabulary in a word bank as it is introduced, and provides a math mascot from each story to offer hints and strategies throughout each chapter. Journal ideas and critical thinking questions encourage children to discuss and communicate their mathematical thinking. Problem solving is embedded into the program.

COMPUTATION

UNDERSTANDING NUMBERS

The Student:
-Understands same, more and fewer
-Understands zero
-Identifies ordinal numbers to tenth
-Identifies and shows numbers using words, pictures and numbers
-Identifies and writes numbers to one-hundred
-Recognizes numbers on a one hundred chart
-Uses number patterns to skip count by twos, fives and tens
-Identifies numbers greater than and less than a given number
-Identifies numbers before, after and between given numbers
-Builds and writes two-digit numbers using base ten blocks

ADDITION

The Student:
-Explores the concept of addition
-Uses counters, pictures and symbols to add
-Writes addition sentences using horizontal and vertical forms
-Explores the order property of addition
-Uses patterns to write addition sentences
-Adds three numbers
-Explores counting on to add
-Uses number lines to count on 1, 2 or 3
-Identifies and uses doubles to find sums to 18
-Uses doubles to find sums of facts that are near doubles
-Makes ten when 7,8 or 9is an addend
-Adds tens
-Counts on 1, 2, or 3 to add ones to two-digit numbers
-Counts on by 10, 20 or 30 to add tens to a two-digit number
-Adds tens and ones without regrouping
-Chooses strategies to add two-digit numbers
-Memorizes addition facts to twelve

SUBTRACTION

The Student:
-Explores the concept of subtraction
-Uses counters, pictures and symbols to subtract
-Writes subtraction sentences using horizontal and vertical forms
-Uses patterns to write subtraction sentences
-Explores counting back to subtract
-Uses a number line to count back 1, 2 or 3 to subtract
-Identifies and uses doubles to subtract
-Uses the strategy make ten to subtract
-Uses counters to subtract
-Uses addition to subtract
-Subtracts tens
-Counts back to subtract tens or ones from two-digit numbers
-Subtracts two-digit numbers without regrouping
-Chooses strategies to subtract two-digit numbers
-Memorizes subtraction facts from twelve

PROBLEM SOLVING

The Student:
-Makes and interprets a bar graph to solve a problem
-Uses pictures and counters to solve story problems
-Uses addition and subtraction to solve story problems
-Uses information from a picture to solve problems
-Chooses to use addition or subtraction to solve word problems
-Makes and uses drawings to solve problems
-Uses logical reasoning to solve problems
-Uses counters for a guess and check strategy to solve problems
-Chooses reasonable answers to solve problems
-Makes and uses a table to solve problems
-Writes a number sentence to solve a problem
-Determines what information is not needed and then solves a problem
-Solves two-digit problems involving money

GEOMETRY AND FRACTIONS

The Student:
-Identifies and compares space shapes and their characteristics
-Identifies plane shapes that make up space shapes and their
characteristics
-Identifies open and closed figures
-Identifies and completes a pattern
-Explores the meaning of symmetry and creates symmetrical figures
-Identifies equal and unequal parts of a region
-Identifies halves, thirds and fourths of a region
-Identifies a fractional part of a group
-Solves problems involving fair shares

MONEY

The Student:
-Identifies pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters
-Determines the value of sets of pennies, nickels and dimes
-Counts on with quarters to determine the value of a set
-Chooses coins to equal a specified value
-Makes and uses a table to solve problems
-Compares the value of two sets of coins
-Counts sets of coins to make purchases
-Adds and subtracts money

TIME AND PROBABILITY

The Student:
-Arranges a sequence of events in order
-Understands the length of a minute and an hour
-Determines whether an event takes an hour or a minute
-Tells and writes time to the hour
-Tells and writes time to the half hour
-Uses a clock to act out time and solve problems
-Reads and uses a calendar
-Reads and uses a schedule
-Explores probability
-Uses tallies to keep track of data

MEASUREMENT

The Student:
-Compares the lengths and heights of objects
-Estimates and measures length and height using nonstandard units
-Estimates length and height using inches and centimeters
-Compares the weight of objects
-Measures weight in pounds and kilograms
-Explores capacity
-Estimates and measures capacity by using cups, pints, quarts and liters
-Chooses appropriate tools to measure length, weight and capacity

METHODS AND STATEGIES OF THE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM

-Manipulatives to understand concepts
-Practice exercises
-Drill exercises
-Teacher presentations
-Class discussions
-Games
-Cooperative Learning
-Problem solving activities

TEXTBOOK FOR THE MATHEMATIC CURRICULUM

Mathematics The Path to Math Success Silver Burdett Ginn
Copyright 1999

GRADE 1 RELIGION CURRICULUM

The purpose of the First Grade Religion Curriculum is to teach the children a deeper understanding of the Catholic religious beliefs and traditions. It includes the instruction of the doctrine, Scripture and morality, the experience of prayer and Liturgy, as well as the building of a value system. Daily prayers, memorization of the Christmas Gospel for a Christmas Program, a prayer service and, assisting in a First Friday Liturgy are also included in the First Grade Religion Curriculum.

GOD GIVES US MANY GIFTS

GOD MAKES US SPECIAL

The Student:
-Realizes God made them special and unique
-Understands the importance of the Bible
-Understands their families are special
-Realizes they can help others feel special by their own actions
-Uses a reverent bow to honor the Bible

GOD GIVES US SPECIAL GIFTS

The Student:
-Knows that God created the whole world
-Enjoys, shares and makes things from God’s gifts
-Cares for the world
-Expresses thanks for God’s gifts of creation

GOD GIVES US SPECIAL PEOPLE

The Student:
-Recognizes God’s love through the love of people
-Understands that God created people
-Chooses to act unselfishly
-Expresses thanks for special people

GOD GIVES US JESUS

The Student:
-Recognizes Jesus as God’s son and as God’s greatest gift to us
-Understands Jesus is their friend who loves them
-Discovers that the Bible contains stories about what Jesus said and did
-Realizes Jesus is their Savior who helps them remember God’s love for
them
-Learns to pray the Sign of the Cross

JESUS LEARNED ABOUT LIFE

JESUS GREW UP IN A FAMILY

The Student:
-Recognizes that Jesus lived a human life with his family
-Understands the value in being part of a family
-Appreciates the members of his/her family and how they help one
another
-Expresses thanks for his/her family and for the Holy Family

MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS

The Student:
-Learns the story of the annunciation
-Recognizes Mary as his/her mother who loves all people
-Discovers ways Catholics honor Mary
-Learns the Hail Mary

JESUS LEARNED MANY THINGS

The Student:
-Recognizes that Jesus learned as a child as they learn
-Discovers that Jesus liked to learn about God
-Discovers the ways Jesus learned about the world
-Discovers that some signs tell them about God’s love
-Asks God to help them learn

JESUS PRAYED

The Student:
-Realizes the value of prayer
-Learns how Jesus prayed
-Recognizes that like Jesus they can pray the psalms
-Discovers ways to get ready to pray

JESUS TEACHES US TO LOVE

JESUS TEACHES US THAT GOD CARES

The Student:
-Recognizes that people and all living things need care
-Understands that God provides care for all living things
-Discovers ways God cares for all creation and them
-Plans ways they can help God care for the world
-Expresses praise for God
JESUS CARES FOR US

The Student:
-Recognizes ways Jesus cared for people
-Trusts that they can count on Jesus to care for them
-Learns that Jesus wants to care for others and bring love to the world
-Discovers ways in which other people care for them

JESUS TEACHES US TO CARE

The Student:
-Identifies caring actions of others
-Understands what Jesus means by being a good neighbor
-Practices being a good neighbor
-Recognizes that many people are Good Samaritans

JESUS TEACHES US TO PRAY

The Student:
-Recognizes the importance of prayer in Jesus’ life and in their own life
-Understands the meaning of The Lord’s Prayer
-Understands they can each pray in their own way

WE BELONG TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

WE ARE CHRISTIANS

The Student:
-Recognizes that Christians are friends and followers of Jesus
-Values friendship, especially the friendship of Jesus
-Discovers ways in which Christians follow Jesus’ example
-Understands that their friendship with Jesus leads them to act in special
ways
-Prays for others as Jesus did

WE WELCOME NEW CHRISTIANS AT BAPTISM

The Student:
-Recognizes that they became a member of the family of Jesus at Baptism
-Becomes acquainted with the rite of Baptism
-Recognizes the special elements of a Christian Baptism
-Reflects on Baptism
-Learns to pray a Litany and ask the Saints to watch over him/her

WE ARE CATHOLICS

The Student:
-Recognizes the Church as the family of Jesus’ friends and followers
-Appreciates the Church as a special family to which he/she belongs
-Learns the meaning of church and becomes familiar with the objects in it
-Deepens his/her understanding of how Catholic Christians act like Jesus

WE COME TOGETHER FOR MASS

The Student:
-Appreciates the Mass as the special meal they share with Jesus
-Understands what Jesus did and said at the Last Supper
-Understands that they hear God’s word at Mass
-Learns some of the special words associated with Mass
-Prays with Jesus, “Amen” to God’s love

THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US

JESUS GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Student:
-Appreciates the Holy Spirit as a gift from Jesus
-Learns the story of Jesus giving the gift of the Holy Spirit to his
followers
-Appreciates the help we receive from the Holy Spirit
-Understands that the Holy Spirit helps them act like Jesus

THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US STRENGTH

The Student:
-Learns that the Holy Spirit offers them courage when they are afraid
-Learns that the Holy Spirit helps them when they are afraid
-Understands that he/she may be afraid but that Jesus is always with them
-Understands that when he/she helps others, the Holy Spirit is with them

THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US PEACE

The Student:
-Understands that God always forgives them and wants them to forgive others
-Learns a Bible story about Jesus’ love, forgiveness, and compassion
-Learns to use words of forgiveness and sorrow
-Discovers that they can be peacemakers and pray to become peacemakers

THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US JOY

The Student:
-Understands that the Holy Spirit helps them to be joyful and happy
-Discovers that because Jesus is with them, the Spirit of joy is too
-Understands that the Holy Spirit can turn their sadness into joy
-Recognizes that they can share the Spirit of joy with others
-Learns the Glory Be to the Father

METHODS AND STATEGIES OF THE RELIGION CURRICULUM

-Class discussion
-Reading
-Writing
-Stories
-Art
-Songs
-Prayer
-Role-playing
-Teacher instruction

TEXTBOOK FOR THE RELIGION CURRICULUM

GRADE 1 SCIENCE CURRICULUM

The purpose of the First Grade Science Program is to introduce the student to a variety of scientific principles through the discussion and exploration of topics in life science and physical science. These principles are presented using a variety of techniques including discussion, oral presentation, experiments, artwork and trade books.

LIFE SCIENCE

LIVING THINGS

The Student:
-Identifies living and non-living things
-Understands that animals can move from place to place while plants can
move only certain parts while remaining in one place
-Knows that animals must find their food and plants make their own food
-Learns that animals and plants need particular things to live
-Understands why an apple is considered a fruit
-Learns that the fruit is the part of a flowering plant that contains seeds
-Realizes that apple trees revisit the same seasonal cycle year after year

ANIMAL CLOSE-UPS

The Student:
-Knows that different animals have different body parts
-Explains how the body parts of animals enable them to live in their
environments
-Names the three ways that animals move
-Describes the body parts that help animals move
-Knows that animals eat plants and or animals
-Understands that different animal parts enable them to eat different
things
-Understands that owls are birds of prey
-Knows that owls are nocturnal
-Explains how the owl’s hearing, feathers and talons help him hunt

FINDING OUT ABOUT PLANTS

The Student:
-Knows what plants need to live and grow
-Describes the different parts of a plant and their functions
-Knows that different plants can live in different places
-Explains pollination
-Understands how a plant can grow from a seed
-Describes what happens to a tree in different seasons

ANIMALS IN WINTER

The Student:
-Names and describes the four seasons
-Understands the terms “migration” and “hibernation”
-Knows the reasons why some animals migrate and some animals
hibernate in the winter
-Explains the term “camouflage”
-Understands the needs of certain animals in the winter

HABITATS

The Student:
-Explains the characteristics of two habitats: the rainforest and the ocean
-Identifies some of the animals that live in these two habitats
-Explains how these animals have adapted to their environment
-Describes a Food Chain

POLAR BEARS AND PENGUINS

The Student:
-Knows where the Arctic and Antarctica are located
-Knows that the Arctic is a body of land and Antarctica is a body of
frozen water
-Knows that penguins are found in Antarctica and polar bears are found in
the Arctic
-Describes what the Arctic and Antarctica look like
-Understands how a penguin’s feathers keep him warm
-Knows that a penguin is a bird even though it doesn’t fly
-Knows that the polar bear’s white coat is camouflage and it along with
the bear’s strong sense of smell helps him hunt
-Explains how the Emperor penguins take care of their young
-Understands that there are different types of penguins

EARTH SCIENCE

LOOKING AT THE SKY

The Student:
-Explains why the sun and stars look so small from the earth
-Describes why the sun appears to move across the sky during the day
-Explains what the surface of the moon looks like
-Describes and explains the different phases of the moon
-Defines a constellation
-Describes the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper
-Understands the difference between a planet and a star
-Explains why there is day and night

WEATHER

The Student:
-Describes the different types of weather
-Explains how the sun warms the air
-Explains how clouds form rain
-Distinguishes a fair weather cloud from a rain cloud
-Explains the water cycle
-Describes how weather changes with the seasons
-Explains how seasonal changes affect animals and plants
-Explains how changes in weather affect what people do and wear

HUMAN BODY

STAYING HEALTHY

The Student:
-Names foods that are good for you
-Explains the Food Pyramid
-Describes activities that help people stay healthy
-Explains how germs can harm the body
-Relates how staying clean can keep the body healthy
-Understands proper dental care

METHODS AND STRATEGIES OF THE SCIENCE CURRICULUM

-Discussions
-Experiments
-Trade Books
-Art Work
-Teacher presentations
-Worksheets

TEXTBOOK FOR THE SCIENCE CURRICULUM

GRADE 1 SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM

The First Grade Social Studies Curriculum is a series that mixes together past and present to bring history alive. Students discover that social studies is about real people, events and places interacting and making history each day. It follows a progression from self to family to world communities. The curriculum is divided into monthly themes. Each theme is presented in “Big Book” format. These books have attractive artwork and photographs that encourage interest and discussion. Trade Books, Biographies, audiotapes and maps are all used to help students learn about their world.
A unit on Mexico is also included in the first grade social studies curriculum. Through stories, tapes, artwork, teacher instruction and music the children learn about our neighbor to the south.

WE ARE FAMILY AT SCHOOL

The Student:
-Compares and contrasts three schools
-Shares first day experiences
-Recognizes school workers
-Discusses the necessity for rules and creates classroom rules
-Explores schools long ago and compares them to schools of today
-Learns to read a picture map and follow routes on a map

WE WORK TOGETHER AS TEAMS

The Student:
-Investigates the benefits of teamwork
-Describes different kinds of teams and how they work together
-Identifies seasonal changes in the fall
-Compares fall activities from long ago to those we do today
-Learns about Columbus’s voyage and the teamwork that made it possible
-Sees neighborhood teamwork involved in creating a community garden
-Learns to read a map key and see how a map is developed

WE WORK TOGETHER AS NEIGHBORS

The Student:
-Identifies responsibilities that go with being a good neighbor
-Identifies workers in a neighborhood
-Learns about decision-making and three methods of voting
-Compares what we know about the first Thanksgiving with Thanksgiving
today
-Learns facts about early harvest foods
-Explores contributions from different cultures at a modern day
Thanksgiving celebration
-Explores distances on a map
WE CELEBRATE WHO WE ARE

The Student:
-Recognizes the significance of light in seasonal celebrations and events
-Identifies the inventions of Thomas Edison and Garrett Morgan
-Learns the history and ways of celebrating five different holidays
-Learns to describe movement around a globe using cardinal directions
-Discusses many ways to give to one another

WE CELEBRATE WHAT WE DO

The Student:
-Discovers many ways to celebrate the New Year
-Learns about temperatures across the country by reading a table
-Compares and contrasts weather in different geographic locations
-Learns how people long ago dressed for the weather and compares that to
today’s clothing
-Recognizes the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday by
reading about his life and his achievements
-Discovers how to plan, organize and take responsibility to meet a
cooperative goal

WE EXPLORE AMERICAN HEROES

The Student:
-Identifies qualities of a leader and a hero by learning about Mae Jamison
-Learns about astronauts
-Recognizes the importance of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln
to this country
-Identifies changes over time as seen in our nations capital
-Discusses how good sportsmanship can help someone be an achiever
-Thinks about many ways to be a local hero

WE EXPLORE SPRINGTIME

The Student:
-Investigates changes that happen in spring
-Identifies the importance of rainfall to plants and animals
-Learns how to read abstract symbols on a map by comparing rainfall
amounts in different locations
-Describes the kind of work performed by children on a farm
-Learns how to plant a garden

WE CARE FOR THE EARTH

The Student:
-Considers all the ways we depend on the Earth to satisfy our needs
-Learns the importance of Earth Day
-Compares and contrasts homes around the world and the wide variety of
materials used to build them
-Matches products to the natural resources from which they are made
-Learns facts about consumption
-Learns how to use recycled materials in craft projects
-Discovers how a ship is an exciting place to learn about the environment

WE CARE FOR ALL PEOPLE

The Student:
-Reads a world map
-Discusses Mothers and their contributions to our lives
-Identifies national figures who worked for freedom and the ways people
can be honored for their deeds
-Describes the purpose of Memorial Day

WE DISCOVER HOW TO BE GOOD CITIZENS

The Student:
-Describes aspects of good citizenship and national pride
-Investigates the history and symbolism of our national and state flags
-Learns how to raise and lower the flag properly
-Explores Theodore Roosevelt’s interests in preserving national lands
-Compares and contrasts several national parks
-Learns about a national symbol, the bald eagle and its habitat

MEXICO

The Student:
-Identifies the geographic location of Mexico on a map
-Identifies mountains, plateaus, rainforest, desert, and volcanoes
-Understands early history of Mexico
-Learns some Mexican words
-Learns about Mexican clothing, family, and lifestyles
-Learns about Mexican foods
-Learns about Mexican customs and holidays

METHODS AND STRATEGIES OF THE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM

-Big Books
-Whole class discussions
-Songs
-Poetry
-Trade Books
-Biographies
-Audiotapes
-Art projects

TEXTBOOK FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM