First grade studens will be learning about maps during May.
May Curriculum News
Special Events:
Tuesday, May 2: Spring Book Fair in the Great Hall from 3:00-8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 16: Articulation Day; no school for students
Thursday, May 24: Spring Sing
Monday, May 28: Memorial Day; no school
Social Studies
During May, first grade students will use hands-on materials, fiction and nonfiction texts, and historic photographs to learn about maps and American history. First, students will create a model town that grows and changes over time, from the 1800s to the present. After learning about map symbols and map views, they will draw maps that represent the model town at different points in time.
Students will also read and discuss fiction or nonfiction texts that depict life during different periods of history. To enrich their understanding, they will view photographs of Whitefish Bay from earlier time periods. Seeing how Silver Spring Drive or the High School changed over time—as well as the differences in automobiles and clothing—will help make history come alive!
Finally, students will compare and contrast life in these different periods. This step is a critical aid to understanding and recall. As a culminating activity, each student will choose his or her favorite time period, and use writing to persuade others to visit that time period.
Reading Comprehension
After completing their study of animal classification, students will explore the concept of community. This unit will help students extend their Social Studies learning. They will read both fiction and nonfiction texts to learn answers to this question: How can I be a good community member?
Students will use a variety of strategies before, during, and after reading to help insure their understanding of the texts. In particular, they will focus on identifying the theme or main ideas. Then, they will consider how they can use these ideas to guide their own actions, now and in the future.
Vocabulary
Each week, students learn about one or two “wondrous words” that relate to our reading comprehension unit. These are not words that first graders are expected to be able to read or spell independently. Instead, these words are chosen to help enrich students’ listening and speaking vocabularies. Incorporating these words into your conversations at home will help reinforce student learning.
May Wondrous Words: concern, elderly, calamity, mutual, aims
Math
First grade mathematicians will use their understanding of place value to solve increasingly challenging addition and subtraction problems. These problems will include multi-step problems as well as more than/less than problems. Initially, they will use Base-10 blocks to represent these amounts as they solve problems. Students may also use the Hundreds Grid as another problem-solving tool.
First grade mathematicians will also continue their study of fractions. Again, they will use concrete representations as they work; pattern blocks, pictures, and counters can be used to show equal parts of a whole and of a set. They will also begin comparing fractions using concrete representations.
Students will continue to use games to reinforce concepts and practice facts. A favorite game for practicing facts is played with three dice. The first player rolls all three dice and tries to use the most efficient methods to find the total. These methods include using known facts, doubles or near-doubles facts, and sums of ten. For instance, if a player rolls a 6, 2, and 4, s/he may combine the 6 and 4 to make 10 and add on 2 more to equal 12. Alternately, s/he may know that 2 and 4 equal 6, and that 6 and 6 equal 12.
Science
Insects will continue to be our science focus in May. First grade scientists will learn about insect body structures as well as insect life cycles. Close observation is a key part of this unit, as students watch different types of insects grow and change over time. Students will carefully record their observations using a variety of nonfiction text features. Their science journals may include detailed drawings, diagrams, and insets. They will also write about their observations and make predictions based on them.
Writing
During May, first grade writers will continue to research and write about animals. Students will first research their chosen animals, using books, videos, and online resources to do so. When they have gathered enough information, students will write, revise, and edit their reports. Students will also illustrate their writing using a variety of nonfiction text features. Finally, writers will share their reports with others as classrooms hold author celebrations.
