• Below you will find information about the content that will be taught this year!

     
     
     
     Math Common Core

     

    In first grade, we use the Common Core for math instruction daily. Students will participate in a math lesson each morning based on one of the six math modules covered throughout the year.  You can find the Math Modules on engageny.org.

     

     

     

    NYS First Grade Domains

     

    New York state has created units that they call “domains” to be taught in the ELA (English Language Arts) block. These domains are created to “help students build the background knowledge and vocabulary critical to listening and reading comprehension.” There are 11 “domains” or units that students will work on throughout the year. The domains are listed below: 

     

    · Fables and Stories

    · The Human Body 

    · Different Lands, Similar Stories 

    · Early World Civilizations 

    · Early American Civilizations 

    · Astronomy - coming soon!

    · The History of the Earth 

    · Animals and Habitats 

    · Fairy Tales 

    · A New Nation 

    · Frontier Explorers

     
     

    Guided Reading & Centers

     

    In first grade, guided reading and literacy centers will be completed each day. Students meet with a classroom teacher in small groups based on their reading levels and needs. Some groups will be met with every day, while others will be met with a few times each week, again depending on needs. During a guided reading lesson, the teacher instructs each group at their reading level. Various reading strategies that are focused on during guided reading groups include: use your pointing finger when reading, look at the picture, ask yourself, “Does it make sense?”, look at the ending sound, and look for chunks you know. During this time, classroom teachers also focusing on reading comprehension and word work extensions. 

     

    While the classroom teacher is meeting with a guided reading group, the remainder of the class is moving through independent literacy centers. Examples of centers in First Grade include spelling center, journal center, silent reading center, and technology center. 

     

     

    New York State Education Department Skills Strand

     

    The Skills Strand will be focused on each day in first grade. There is a specific curriculum to follow that was developed through the New York State Education Department. Instruction is taught through experience with various materials including phonics readers and workbooks. 

     

    The Skills Strand teaches the mechanics of reading–students are taught systematic and explicit phonics instruction as their primary tool for decoding written English. By the end of grade 2, students have learned all of the sound‐spelling correspondences in the English language and are able to decode written material they encounter. In addition to phonics, students also are taught spelling, grammar, and writing during the Skills Strand.