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Welcome to the 1st Grade at GICS!
Be sure to read our Monthly
Highlights following the Program and Curriculum Overviews.
Program Overview
First-graders are eager and ready to explore new
challenges. They enjoy a variety of academic subjects and specialty
teachers. The students continue to develop intellectual curiosity and
learning through experience. In First Grade, we use a wide variety of
teaching methods to explore each subject fully. Students learn to work
independently, with a partner, and in small cooperative groups.
Teacher-directed discussions are augmented by project-based activities, role
playing, the use of games, and other activities that elicit students’ creativity
and personal investment in their learning. Field trips relevant to our
curriculum have included the Meyerhoff, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.,
and various museums in the Baltimore area.
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Curriculum Overview
Language Arts: Reading and Literature
Reading is taught
primarily through a literature-based program, which integrates phonics,
listening, writing, spelling and thinking skills. A wide variety of additional
literature is incorporated into the program. Independent reading is encouraged.
We integrate literature in the study of topics. Units studied have included
Amelia Bedelia, Dr. Seuss, Clifford The Big Red Dog, China,
Mexico and Kenya. (Texts: Treasury of Literature, Harcourt Brace; Time For Kids
,Time, Inc.; plus a variety of resources and other literature selected by the
instructor).
Reading and language
skills taught include word attack, comprehension, expressive oral reading,
phonics, study skills, grammar and spelling. Reading and language skills are
reinforced through the use of textbooks, games, hands-on materials and
teacher-made materials.
Language Arts: Writing
Creative writing is
encouraged, and children write in journals at least four times a week. The
children write stories in groups individually and as a class. The children
write and publish their own stories and/or books about once a month.
Language Arts: Spelling
Writing and spelling work
together. Writing encourages correct spelling. The program supports
developmental spelling by building on invented spelling, reinforcing phonics,
and incorporating sight and high frequency words. (Text: Everyday
Spelling, Scott Foresman)
Language Arts: Handwriting
The D'Nealian method of
handwriting is taught. Children learn lower case and upper case letters
with the proper strokes, spacing, pencil grips and posture.
Mathematics
Stressed are: number
facts to 20, place value to 100, symbols (+,-, =, < and >), addition and
subtraction of two digit numbers, 3 or more addends, simple fractions, calendar
graphing, time, money, measurement and geometry. Emphasis is on problem
solving and logical thinking. Manipulatives are used to explore math
concepts and to create a greater sense of numbers, and a comfort level for math.
(Text: Math Central, Houghton Mifflin)
Social Studies
The interaction
between human culture and geographical factors shapes the first graders’ social
studies program. There is emphasis placed on our family and the community
at large. Students develop geography, map and globe skills as they study
continents, oceans and countries. Concentration is on China, Mexico and
Kenya. Study of these countries is integrated into our Reading and
language arts program. (Text: I Know a Place, Houghton Mifflin;
plus a variety of resources and other literature selected by the instructor)
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Art
In First Grade, students
begin to explore more complex art instruction and projects. They study
the beginnings of how to shade, use watercolors, draw the face, and to do simple
weaving. The elements of art emphasized are line,
color mixing, and the use of foreground, middle ground, and background.
Famous artists are incorporated into lessons on technique or media.
Multicultural art is often created to reinforce social studies work.
Emphasis is on project completion, individual expression and following
directions.
Computer
Students become more
familiar with navigation tools in the first grade, sending their work to the
printer, opening new pages, and exiting programs. They begin to type
simple sentences in different programs, using the Shift key to capitalize
letters and the space bar to properly space between words. The first
graders work with a variety of programs that reinforce their language arts and
math skills, and page design is emphasized as students work to make their
computer-created designs match their intended results.
Library
In First Grade, students
begin to understand that fiction books are shelved by author while non-fiction
materials are shelved by subject. While encouraging a life-long love of
reading, students learn to select books appropriate for their personal reading
levels and to select books that meet personal interests. As a class, we
examine a variety of illustration styles and continue to learn about a variety
of authors and illustrators. First graders also participate in the Chessie
Reading Program, a program designed to encourage them to read beginning chapter
books.
Music
Students continue to
explore basic music elements such as pitch, tempo and basic rhythmic patterns,
and are introduced to basic music notation. Students learn to sing by
repetition and hand cues, and they are exposed to basic two-part and round
singing. They learn to play a variety of percussion instruments.
They study the four major instrument groups and are exposed to different music
genres through a composer of the month and multicultural music.
Cross-curricular approaches are integrated into music lessons in cooperation
with the homeroom teachers. Exposure to performance opportunities occurs in
class and during the December Holiday Program and Assembly Programs.
Physical Education
The First Grade
physical education program expands on the skills introduced to the
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten student. Locomotor and non-locomotor
skills are reviewed and practiced through the use of varied activities.
The fundamental skills of throwing, catching, dribbling, and bouncing balls are
introduced. Students participate in movement exploration, group
organization patterns, and rhythm activities. Sportsmanship, cooperation,
and safety are emphasized. Students start to learn how their muscles work.
Science
Science includes a
hands-on approach to life science, physical science, earth science and the human
body, stressing the five senses, body parts and functions. The sun, the
moon and earth in relationship to each other will be explored, as well as
weather and weathering. Class experiments and exploration will include use
of the nature trail, pier, and the schoolyard habitat.
Spanish
In First Grade, areas
of vocabulary and basic conversational phrases previously presented are reviewed
and expanded. We also introduce vocabulary for clothes, transportation,
sports, and health. Students do activities, songs, games, and pictures
with vocabulary of family, weather, days, body, animals, colors, food, house –
rooms and parts, school items, table setting, and lots more!
We learn about some
customs and holidays of some Spanish-speaking countries and compare them to our
own. They learn an appreciation of language, people, and the cultural
similarities and differences of Mexico, Spain and other countries, including
their own, through books, discussions, and visitors. We make alphabet
“libros pequeńos” (little books) and learn a word for each letter. We
begin our first Spanish notebook, which we use for many activities during the
year and bring home at the end of the year.
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1st Grade Highlights
April 2008
It is wonderful to see everyone return from spring break rested and
ready to learn! As we go into this new season you will notice not
only signs of spring, but also signs of growth in your children.
Language Arts: We are growing in leaps and bounds.
Their confidence in reading and writing is remarkable. Our book box
continues to challenge the children to read additional materials.
Soon we will “grow” a bookworm in our class! The thought behind this
project is to not only encourage the students to read on their own,
but to inspire others to read the stories they have enjoyed. I ask
that each child read a book by themselves, a book of their own
choice. The child then reports to the class about his or her
favorite part. I want them to tell us about a favorite part of the
book so that others will be inspired to read the selection. Last the
child writes the title and author on the worm’s body, which gets
displayed around the room. I can generally tell from the child’s
description of the book, whether he or she actually read it, so a
written report is not necessary. It is great fun to see the worm
stretch around our walls! You know it is spring when a giant
bookworm graces our classroom!
And speaking of interesting creatures, ask your child about the
progress of the two Maryland Terrapins we are raising in the science
room. They have been diligent stewards of these interesting animals.
We will be writing and reading more on this topic as Bay Week
approaches.
Math: Our math unit will deal with working with 100,
counting by 5 and 10, as well as with money. We will incorporate
some of our math lessons into our discussion of the terrapins and
Bay Week.
Social Studies: Our social studies have continued with
the study of Kenya. We are learning about this east African country
and its customs. We are also going to read some folktales and
compare those to the Chinese ones heard earlier this year. We were
especially fortunate to see a slide presentation by Mr. and Mrs.
Hall on their trip to Kenya. We were especially taken with the
wonderful close up shots of an especially bold elephant!
Extra Activity: Last but certainly not least; our first
graders are helping to design an April bulletin board for the
front office. Come by and see our Earth friendly message.
Specials Highlights
May & June 2008
Art
Due date for submissions to the Art Show is May
1st! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to show us your talent!
First Grade Art students are creating a real snake out of paper
mache! They’ve fashioned a skeleton (coat hanger and newspaper),
created the skin (paper mache) and will apply paint after careful
research about their snake. Look out for these creepy crawlers at
the Art Show the week of May 5th-9th! First Graders will then try
some new paint techniques with watercolors. They’ll build on what
they already know about this medium, using additional tools
(toothbrushes, sponges, crayons and pencils) to add texture and
realism to their work. Students will compose a watercolor using
these new techniques.
Computer
In May, students will create pictures that reflect their studies of Mexico.
They will have time to design cards for Mother’s Day as well. Toward the end of
the month and into June, we will find some interesting ways to illustrate
fractions and hopefully combine those sheets into a book that can be kept on
display in the classroom.
Library
We will be looking at non-fiction books in the early part of May, reviewing how
they are classified and exploring the many different topics available. Toward
the end of the month and into June, we will share some books that are based on
songs and hear songs that have evolved from stories and rhymes. We will see how
some famous stories and rhymes show up in movies also.
Music
First grade will be learning songs about America. We will sing and move to
patriotic and American folk songs, and learn some traditional folk dances.
P. E.
 We
will continue our activities outside this month and work on refining our large
and small locomotor skills as well as eye-hand coordination and upper body
strength. The 1st graders are finishing their lacrosse unit and we’ll add the
“playground activities” that we didn’t finish in April—SPUD, capture the flag,
hopscotch, kickball, tee-ball and a jungle gym obstacle course.
Field Day will be held on Wed, June 4. Parent volunteers are needed!
PE Uniform reminder: navy dress shorts are not PE uniform shorts. Please wear
the navy gym shorts with the GICS logo.
Science
 We
have started a unit on rocks and minerals. The students will discover the
different types of rocks and how they are formed. Later this month we will look
at the geology of the Chesapeake Bay area. 
Spanish
 In May
we will finish our unit on “primavera”, “spring”, and begin a unit on “verano”,
“summer”. We will do alot of fun activities to reinforce the new vocabulary. We
will also begin a unit on the months of the year. They will be learning a song
“Dientes Como la Serpiente”, “teeth Like a Snake”. We continue to review past
vocabulary, practice the alphabet and our pronunciation and counting 1-30 and by
10’s. The students will be participating in a Cinco de Mayo celebration to
become aware of an important event in Mexican history.
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