Welcome to First Grade!Welcome to First Grade!

On one of the index cards on your desk, write an encouraging note to your first grader. You can find a

pencil and crayons in the pencil box in their desk. Pictures are always

appreciated since we are beginning readers. When you are finished,

place the note in your child’s pencil box and place it back in their desk

for a Friday surprise!

Welcome to our Welcome to our Classroom!Classroom!

Curriculum NightMrs. Gladden

Bain Elementary School2011 - 2012

So glad you’re here …So glad you’re here …Can’t wait for you to get Can’t wait for you to get a glimpse of our day!a glimpse of our day!

Before we get started, Before we get started, there is one message I there is one message I promised the first promised the first graders I would give graders I would give you …you …

Enough goofing off - Enough goofing off - Let’s get started!Let’s get started!

•Literacy - Imagine It!•Math - Investigations•Science - MacMillan•Social Studies - Nystrom•Writing - Lucy Calkins

LiteracyLiteracy

Imagine It! - OverviewImagine It! - Overview All units are organized around a central theme. Inquiry is integrated into each unit. All lessons are divided into three parts:

◦ Preparing to Read Blending and Decoding

◦ Reading and Responding Vocabulary and Comprehension Strategies

◦ Language Arts Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics

Assessments are designed to monitor progress and allow for differentiation for each student.

Workshop: 30 minutes “centers” designed for small-group instruction, focusing on and reinforcing skills learned during whole class instruction.

Imagine It! - Units of Imagine It! - Units of StudyStudy1st Quarter◦ Back to School ◦Where Animals

Live2nd Quarter◦ I am Responsible◦Our Neighborhood

at Work◦What’s the

Weather

3rd Quarter◦North, South,

East, West◦ I Think I can

4th Quarter◦ Away We Grow◦Home, Sweet

Home◦ I am Brave

Raz-KidsRaz-KidsInteractiveBooks for 1st Graders

Log-In◦dgladden◦First name◦Last name

WritinWritingg

Lucy CalkinsLucy CalkinsLucy Calkins is based on providing

students the opportunity to write each day.

Writing structures are established and carried out each day.

The year long writing curriculum is divided into month long units of study.

Daily writing time is divided into two parts.◦Daily mini lesson◦Daily writing time

Lucy Calkins - Units of Lucy Calkins - Units of StudyStudy1st Quarter◦ Launching Writing◦ Small Moments

2nd Quarter◦Writing for

Readers◦Craft and Revision

3rd Quarter◦ Authors as

Mentors◦Non-Fiction

Writing4th Quarter◦ Poetry

MathMathLessons are based on research to reach all

learners.Mathematical processes and thinking are the

emphasis, over rote memorization of facts.Skills follow a scope and sequence to build and

expand knowledge.Skills taught meet the NC Standard Course of

Study. Incorporates the use of manipulatives for hands-on

learning.Children learn math skills while enjoying the games

and activities.Provides opportunities for parents to play the

games at home.

Investigations - SkillsInvestigations - Skills1st Quarter

◦ Introducing manipulatives

◦ Calendar◦ Comparing and

combining quantities◦ Addition

2nd Quarter◦ Geometry (2D)◦ Patterns◦ Story problems

3rd Quarter◦ Place Value (tens)◦ Data collection/

Graphing◦ Measurement◦ Addition/Subtraction

4th Quarter◦ Predictions/patterns◦ Numbers to 100 +

beyond◦ Geometry (3D)

ScienceScience Units of study involve learning about the natural world around

us. All units integrate inquiry into each lesson through using the

skills of:◦ Observation

◦ Infer

◦ Predict and communicate

◦ Measure

◦ Put Things in Order

◦ Compare

◦ Classify

◦ Investigate

◦ Make Models and Draw Conclusions

◦ Read and Use Pictures

◦ Write

◦ Find Information

◦ Use Tools

Units of StudyUnits of Study1st Quarter◦ Inquiry Skills◦Matter◦ Animals

2nd Quarter◦ Force and Motion◦ Taking Care of the

Earth◦ Sky

3rd Quarter◦Weather◦Magnets◦ Sound

4th Quarter◦Rocks◦ Plants

Social StudiesSocial Studies All units are designed around a central theme. Each unit integrates learning across the curriculum

through:◦ Art◦ Science◦ Language Arts◦ Technology◦ Reading◦ Math

Units use the expanding approach by starting with topics that are close to the student and guides them through topics that are more abstract.

Units of StudyUnits of Study 1st Quarter

◦ Going to School◦ Good Citizens◦ Fall Activities◦ Various Holidays

Johnny Appleseed Columbus Day Halloween

2nd Quarter◦ Jobs People Do◦ All About People◦ Various Holidays

Thanksgiving Winter Celebrations New Years Martin Luther King, Jr.

3rd Quarter◦ Land Around Us◦ Black History◦Dental Health◦Nutrition◦ Various Holidays

4th Quarter◦Change Over Time◦ Looking Back◦ Various Holidays

Important Bain StaffImportant Bain StaffJohn LeGrand, Principal Kelli Drye, Literacy FacilitatorTwila Quattlebaum, CounselorLynn Hohrmann, PsychologistLynn Kuhn, Speech PathologistYvonne Shoulders, Cafeteria

ManagerWandalaine Burch, BSEP/ASEPShawn Shaver, PTA President

VolunteeringVolunteeringPlease make sure you have signed up on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools website if you plan to volunteer or chaperone field trips or special events. The process is very simple! Just visit …

www.cmsvolunteers.com

Bobcat Boogie for BucksBobcat Boogie for Bucks2010◦Projectors for every classroom◦Document cameras for each grade

level◦Speakers and accessories as needed

2011 Goals◦Document cameras for every

classroom◦ Accelerated Reader◦Wireless keyboards

Extra! Extra!Extra! Extra!

Mrs. Gladden’s Wiki◦Reading Reminders (AR)◦Helpful Websites◦Calendar◦Newsletters

Thank you so much for coming! Please place your question

cards in the basket and I will contact you as soon as possible!

Make sure your note to your favorite 1st grader is placed in their pencil box so they have a surprise tomorrow morning!