PALOS COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 118

GRADE ONE CURRICULUM

The Palos District 118 Teaching for Understanding Framework has established learning benchmarks, which are those essential concepts, processes, and content that students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. 

District 118 teachers and administrators have developed these benchmarks based on the Illinois State Standards, national standards, and updated research.

Our community's standards and grade level expectations are often higher than those suggested by our Illinois State Board of Education.  Such expectations are incorporated within and continue to produce excellence in our students and staff as indicated on state testing. We are, of course, always looking to continually improve.

While District 118 emphasizes "the basics," our Board-adopted curriculum uses the basics to establish a foundation for students' understanding of the major concepts in each of the content areas.

Reading/Language Arts

The reading/language arts program is designed to balance instruction in reading skills and strategies with instruction in interpretation and oral and written response to literature.  The use of a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature, as well as electronic media, helps develop in-depth understanding of topics and also helps teachers meet the diverse needs of students.  Students will use the 2006 Harcourt Trophies language arts core program. 

Reading

First grade literature is composed of:

  • Poetry
  • Rhyme
  • Songs
  • Fiction
  • Nonfiction
  • Author Studies
  • Nursery Rhymes

Strategies and skills incorporated in the first grade reading program include:

  • developing phonemic awareness
  • using word structure to decode words
  • recognizing and pronouncing long and short vowels
  • building sight vocabulary
  • exploring main idea
  • retelling a story with the correct sequence of events
  • distinguishing fiction from nonfiction
  • making predictions
  • identifying story characters, setting and problem
  • recognizing high frequency words
  • recognizing authors and illustrators
  • reading for a variety of purposes

Writing

First grade students use writing to express themselves.  Students will:

  • use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and sentence structure
  • write a story about an experience
  • write for a range of purposes

Handwriting

In first grade, penmanship will be developed through the use of various handwriting materials.

Listening

First grade students listen for understanding.  Students will:

  • follow directions
  • listen to, ask and respond to questions
  • focus attention on and interact with the speaker

Speaking

First grade students will use language to communicate in whole and small group settings.  Students will:

  • extend their vocabulary
  • present material orally
  • ask questions relevant to a topic
  • participate in discussions
  • speak clearly with expression

Spelling

Spelling skills are integrated into the language arts program.  First grade students are taught a variety of spelling and phonetic patterns and high frequency words in weekly lessons.

Information Fluency Skills/Technology

Technology skills, taught to students in the classroom and media center, are integrated throughout the curriculum to support and enhance learning.

Mathematics

Mathematics skills, strategies and concepts are taught through a variety of resources including textbooks and manipulatives for "hands on" experiences.  Thinking skills are developed as students learn different problem solving strategies.

First grade students will be taught the following:

  • meaning of numbers
  • reading and writing numbers
  • counting to 100 by twos, fives, and tens
  • patterns
  • place value of numbers to 100
  • comparing and ordering numbers
  • addition and subtraction without regrouping
  • money - (counting coins to $1.00), time - (to the half hour and hour), and measurement - (length, temperature, and capacity)
  • geometry (patterns, shapes, and solid figures)
  • solving problems through "Draw a Picture" strategy
  • introduction to calculators
  • graphing
  • addition and subtraction facts to 12 (strategies include doubles, adding "0", count-on, turn-around numbers and ten facts)

Science

Science is a content area consisting of a variety of topics.  Inquiry into topics is pursued using nonfiction literature, "hands on" experimentation and the scientific inquiry method.  The teaching and learning emphasis goes beyond coverage of facts to understanding concepts related to topics being studied.

First grade students will develop an understanding of concepts through the following topics:

Animal Classification

  • Living things grow and change.
  • Systems provide order

Seasons/Weather

  • Change occurs over time.

Social Studies

District 118 uses concepts to focus the study of topics and promote in-depth understanding.  The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for themselves and the public good.

First grade students will develop an understanding of concepts through the following topics:

Citizenship

Fine Arts

The Fine Arts teachers in District 118 have constructed a comprehensive, integrated, sequential curriculum to develop the whole child.  Through "hands on" interaction, students will develop criticism skills, an aesthetic appreciation of the Arts, and study the historical perspectives that help shape our society.

Art

Students will have the opportunity to explore various art forms.  They will:

  • communicate through art.
  • take pride in their work.
  • interpret artistic products.

Music

Students will learn about and explore music of various cultures.  They will:

  • learn by singing, playing, moving, listening and creating.
  • focus on pitch matching.
  • recognize musical notes and rhythmic patterns.
  • distinguish elements of music.

Physical Education

The physical education program is planned around the growth and development of the child.  It provides a wide range of activities consistent with the requirements of our state goals.  Students will:

  • refine movement skills.
  • continue to develop gross motor skills.
  • explore creative movement activities.
  • participate in chasing and fleeing games.
  • use a variety of manipulatives.

Suggestions for Supporting Your Child's Learning at Home

  • Read to and with your child for 20 minutes every day.
  • Look over and talk to your child about his/her work.
  • Encourage your child to be independent and responsible for his/her own belongings.
  • Provide an environment where your child is exposed to a variety of print such as both fiction and nonfiction books, magazines, newspapers, posters/signs, etc.
  • Provide your child with real life experiences in writing such as thank you cards, letters, lists, invitations.
  • Provide your child with real life experiences in mathematics such as identifying coins and their values and telling time.
  • Manipulate objects in the environment to aid your child in counting, patterning, and basic addition and subtraction.

 

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Graphics on this page are from DiscoverySchool.com Teacher Clip Art 

Last updated September 2007
Copyright © 2006 Palos Community Consolidated School District 118. All rights reserved.