FIRST GRADE
CURRICULUM
RELIGION
This year we will be learning about the three Persons of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). We will also learn how special we are in God’s eyes and see how we are made a part of His family through the sacrament of Baptism. The children will be introduced to liturgical prayers, the stations of the cross, mysteries of the rosary, saints and other Catholic traditional devotions.
FAMILY LIFE
In Family Life we will learn that we were created and loved by God. We will also study about relationships, the difference between boys and girls, promises and choices. This course will be given at the end of the year.
CHILD SAFETY
As required by the Diocese of Oakland, your child will have a course on child safety at the beginning of he year. The topics will include each child’s rights as well as:
session 1 God cares about children
session 2 God created me
session 3 Why bad things happen to people
session 4 God wants me to be safe
session 5. God’s gift of feelings
session 6. Good touch/bad touch/confusing touch
session 7 God gives me courage
session 8 No more secrets
session 9 Justice and forgiveness: responding to harm
session 10 Wrapping up with a positive self-image
LANGUAGE ARTS
The language arts program consists of reading comprehension, phonics and writing skills (Students should be able to write a complete sentence by the middle of the year and a simple paragraph by the end of the year). We will also study grammar, spelling and study skills.
VOWAC (PHONICS)
Your child will review consonants as well as be introduced to short and long vowels, blends, digraphs, syllables, ‘silent e’ and irregular vowels. They will be introduced to the CLOVER method.
DOLCH WORDS
Parents, please help your child learn the list of Dolch words. They will be tested on the first half of the list before Christmas and the second half before the end of the year.
HANDWRITING
Students will be using the D’Nealian method of printing. Please do not try to teach cursive as the second grade will be more difficult if your child needs to relearn the school’s method of writing in cursive.
SPELLING
The first 10 lessons will consist of 10-12 words taken from our reading program. Starting with lesson 11 there will be 21-23 words plus 2 sentences. The last set of words are taken from the VoWac phonics program.
MATHEMATICS
This year we will continue using a new California based Math book by Scott Foresman.
We will be mostly working on addition and subtraction (single and double digit numbers, borrowing and regrouping). We also will work on time to the hour/half hour, geometry, money, place value and fractions.
SCIENCE
This year we will be studying the following areas:
Life Science Physical Science
living/nonliving things matter
plants heat/light
animals
habitats
Extension Chapters
Earth Science push and pulls
weather magnets
seasons
SOCIAL STUDIES
The first grade will be further introduced to geography (environmental and cultural), history (now and in the past), topography (map skills). Each month we will celebrate a different culture or special event:
September: Starting School / Manners
October: Safety I / Halloween
November: American Indian Cultures / Thanksgiving
December: Family / Christmas
January: Asian Cultures
February: African American Culture
March: European Cultures
April: Our World
May: Latin Cultures
June: Safety II
COMPUTER SCIENCE
First grade will be working with the ISTE Standards.
PROCEDURES
Homework:
Homework will be given out in a weekly packet and should be returned on Friday or the last day of the school week. Parents are responsible to correct all homework. Papers will be given credit if they are complete. Late papers will not be given credit without a note from the parent. Special, long term assignments (fun type to be done with the family) will be assigned as needed. Please review the enclosed homework form.
The daily homework requirements are as follows:
1. Read 10 minutes daily
2. Math facts (addition and subtraction) 5 minutes daily
3. Write spelling words one time each day-(due Friday)
4. Study Dolch Words
5. Poem (read, memorize, color and return on Friday )
6. Do daily assigned paper
Monday - Book Report
Tuesday - Math
Wednesday - two sentences of your choice
Thursday - parent’s give a spelling pretest
-use pencil only (no pens) coloring should be done when required or necessary.
-please use primary lined paper for homework, especially spelling
-Note: Extra homework may be given as needed. Your child will tell you if an extra assignment has been given. The teacher will not send a special note for all extra assignments.
Friday Special Folders
On Friday, your child may be given a special folder if they have papers that need to be reviewed by you. Parents, please have your child correct their papers and parents sign and return them to me on the next school day.
Grading System
One-fourth of the grade will be based on daily work/ participation and the remainder of the grade will be based on tests. (Parents, please review the parent/ student handbook for further information.)
Tests
Tests are usually given on Friday. Please try to have your child in school on that day. If your child is absent on the day of a test he/ she will be given their make up test(s) as soon as possible.
Disciple Plan
Please see the two attached Disciple Plan forms. One is to be kept by you and the other is to be signed and returned to the teacher as soon as possible.
School Lunch and Snack
The children are to eat their own lunches and snacks. Sharing is not allowed due to allergies and requests from parents. Please be sure that your child has a healthy snack (even children that purchase hot lunch) every day as we have had very sad children in the past .
Art Boxes
Please check your child’s box and replenish as needed. All boxes are to be returned to school on the next school day.
Notes
Please be sure to send a note if you child is: Sick/tardy
out of uniform
needs to be excused from P.E./recess
has not completed assigned work
Communication
Please send a note to the teacher if you have any concerns. I will either send back a note or phone you depending upon the specific need. If you prefer, you can send an Email to czane@csdo.org