Curriculum Letter – November 2011

Grade 1 – Mrs. MacDonald, Ms. Watkins, Mrs. Tipper, Mrs. Stuart and Mrs. Caravan

The following is a brief outline of the curriculum covered from September to November.  Subject areas are integrated in many instances. 

Our Essential Question “What is important and why?” has been the focus of all classroom learning.

Language Arts

The focus of this term in reading has been the development of literacy skills (word recognition, alphabet and phonetic knowledge and Guided Reading).  Much work was done on learning routines for independence in Literacy stations.  Students developed criteria and set goals for their literacy development.  Students applied these skills through their participation in the Home Reading program.

Considerable emphasis has been placed on refining the mechanics of writing sentences (punctuation, capitalization).  Phonics and structural analysis of words helped us in creating rhyming words (“word families”). 

We studied the work of some famous authors (Kevin Henkes, Eric Carle, Graham Base, Rosemary Wells) and discussed characteristics of their writing styles.  Students were encouraged and developed skill in risk-taking in their own writing (eg.  using “Kid-Writing” in journals).

Mathematics

Skills explored this reporting period include:

-Number Sense (1-10)

-Whole numbers and place value (1’s, 10’s)

-Introduction of Operations      (+ &-) to 10

-Patterning (extend, replicate, create)

-Problem Solving and Graphing

-Numeral formation.

-Subitizing (recognizing at a glance) arrangements of objects up to 10.

Social Studies

The study of My World:  Home, School, and Community was our focus for this term.  The focus of this unit is to develop an appreciation of how identity and self-esteem are enhanced by our sense of belonging in our world.  Traditions and Celebrations were discussed and shared. We talked about, read and explored the question “What is a community?”  We have learned how active members in a community contribute to the growth and vitality of communities.  We will continue to work on this topic into the next term. 

Science

Continuous development of scientific thought and process skills were enhanced through studies of:

-Creating Colour

-Seasonal Changes

-Needs of Plants and Animals.

Seasonal Changes/Needs of Plants and Animals are re-visited throughout the year.

Health

Our focus has been on multiple intelligences, and understanding ourselves as learners. 

-Circle of Courage

-Students’ rights and responsibilities

Art

Primary and Secondary colours, use of watercolours, fine motor skill development and appreciation of Art was the focus.

Physical Education

Focus for this term’s Physical Education classes has been on the following units: Building a Foundation, Parachute, and Manipulatives.

Technology 

Technology is integrated into subject areas and in some instances direct teaching of specific programs is used.  Support of letter/sound relationships has been the focus of the programs used this term.

Music

Over term 1 grade one students have begun to explore differences between Beat and Rhythm.  We have found the beat in a variety of songs, moved to it, and tapped it.  We have successfully begun to read rhythms with quarter notes (ta), eighth notes (ti ti) and quarter rests in 4/4 time.  Lessons have increased our ability to echo, honed our listening skills and developed our ear recognizing pitches in a high/low or low/high sequence.  We spent a great portion of October preparing our songs for our November 12th Peace Assembly.  Grade one is presently working  on five songs for our Winter Musical “The Big Chill”.