Commack School District

Excellence in Education

Curriculum

Reading Workshop
The students will be working in Reading Workshop this year. The children will be introduced to the fundamentals of reading. The students will be learning about building good reading habits. Each Reading Workshop begins with a mini-lesson where a reading strategy is introduced and modeled. Students will have the opportunity to practice the strategy. The students will be exposed to a variety of reading materials including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and songs. The main goal for Reading Workshop in First Grade is to expose children to the “tools” they need to read as well as foster a love of books!

Writing Workshop
Every day, we will set aside time for writing. We refer to this time for writing instruction as the Writing Workshop. The students will learn to write like published authors. Like authors, they will choose their own topics and write rough drafts, which they revise and edit before publication.
Your child’s writing will change in dramatic ways across the year. The sentences will become easier to read as your child leaves spaces between words, learns and uses a repertoire of familiar words, and becomes more skilled with using phonemic awareness and phonics.

Math
The first graders are learning mathematics through a manipulative-based, thematic program. Through guided practice, students are learning to apply problem-solving strategies to study:

-Number Sense and Operations
-Addition and Subtraction Facts to 12
-Graphs, Probability, and Numbers to 100
-Geometry, Patterns, Spatial Sense, and Fractions
-Money and Time
-Measurement and 2-Digit Operations

Websites to explore for more math fun are shown below;

http://www.kidport.com/

http://www.iknowthat.com/com

http://www.fun4thebrain.com

*Many websites allow advertising that changes periodically and, consequently, there is no way to monitor or control the materials on the sites. As some of the material may be inappropriate for young students, it is strongly suggested that parents are present with their children when the children use the internet, even if they access websites that are referenced on this site or from library books.

Science

The units of study in first grade are: Waves; Stucture, Function, and Information Processing; and Space Systems.

Following are several websites that you and your child may find interesting! Have fun!

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/

http://www.kidport.com/

http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L2?GradeLevel=1:1&Subject=Science

Social Studies

Our students will be using the McGraw-Hill series this year to study social studies in First Grade. The children will learn about Family, Citizenship, Geography, and Economics. Students participate in whole class read-alouds and discussions during lessons about each of the topics.

Character Education

First Graders are immersed in a variety of lessons and activities that promote social-emotional growth and physical wellness. The children participate in the Second Step program which focuses on Empathy, Impulse Control and Problem Solving, and Anger Management. In addition, the students take part in the Health Smart program that highlights age-appropriate health and safety lessons. Lastly, all students learn about and discuss the character traits that are emphasized in the district's Character Education program. Our goal is for students to become independent problem solvers who can make mindful decisions about their own health and safety.

Here is the list of Character Traits that we focus on monthly:

September: Courtesy
October: Honesty
November: Responsibility
December: Respect
January: Tolerance
February: Compassion
March: Endurance
April: Accountability
May: Attaining Pride
June: Review of all the Character Traits