This is an outline of the basic academic content each child will be taught during the first grade. It is not a set of long-term goals, but rather is a brief summary of what is happening in the classrooms of the Fort Zumwalt School District.

In addition to Communication Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and Health presented here, there are curricula for other subjects (Art, Music, Physical Education, and Gifted Education). Each child also has experience in library skills, assemblies, seasonal school-wide functions, cafeteria, and on the playground. Some students may also participate in special education programs, counseling programs, and/or remedial programs to help them develop appropriate skills.

Each teacher approaches the curriculum in a unique way. This capitalizes on the individual strengths and interests of the professional staff. In the final analysis, even though all classes use the same materials and the same curricula, the professional staff is what elementary education is all about - learning with enthusiasm and purpose from a skillful, trained, and conscientious teacher.

COMMUNICATION ARTS

1. Concepts about Print: Left to right; differentiate between a letter,word and sentence; explain capitalization usage; locate elements of printed materials; identify and name letters of the alphabet in random order.
2. Apply Phonetic Strategies: Pronounce consonant sounds and beginning blends; identify and pronounce single vowel sounds, digraphs and common phonograms; identify and give examples of rhyming words.
3. Apply Structural Analysis Strategies: Identify base words and endings; identify compound words and contractions and the words from which they are made.
4. Word Recognition and Meaning: Use various strategies for reading new words in context; understand vocabulary from stories; read high frequency words; name opposites; demonstrate spatial relationships.
5. Comprehension of Text: Apply prior knowledge; recall experiences; explain real and make-believe; sequence; identify and show character traits; identify cause and effect; make inferences; compare and contrast.
6. Write for a Variety of Purposes: Write in response to oral and printed text; use various strategies to develop writing vocabulary; demonstrate competence in the general skills and strategies of the writing process; write across the curriculum using various styles.
7. Develop and Apply Mechanics of Writing, Grammar, and Usage: Write using pictures, letters, phonetic spelling and grade level appropriate standard spelling; write sentences from left ot right and top to bottom; identify and apply nouns, verbs, adjectives and pronouns; use conventions of written language for capitals and punctuation.
8. Apply Techniques of Handwriting in Written Communication: Print capital and lower case letters using correct letter formation and spacing; apply basic handwriting techniques in formal and informal writing examples.
9. Demonstrate Ability and Use Words Correctly Across the Curriculum: Spell correctly in all writings; spell given list of core high frequency words; identify and use phonetic and structural analysis strategies.
10. Develop and Apply Listening, Speaking, and Viewing Skills: Identify and demonstrate traits of a good listener; follow three step directions; respond orally in complete sentences; adjust loudness of speaking voice to different audiences; read grade level materials with appropriate rate of speech and inflection; read expression cues in print; retell a story or personal experience including sequence of events, major characters, and important details; recognize and orally identify patterns in predictable stories and poetry; use technology to improve communication arts skills.
11. Apply Locating, Organizing, Test-Taking, and Study Skills: Follow written directions, organize words alphabetically to the first letter; use a pictionary and/or picture dictionary for developing communication arts skills.

MATHEMATICS

• Count, read, write, and use numbers 0 to 100.
• Skip counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's to 100.
• Place value to 99.
• Addition and subtraction facts to eighteen.
• One and two digit column addition without regrouping.
• Two digit subtraction without regrouping.
• Demonstrate use and meaning of +,-,=,>,<.
• Identify coins and their value.
• Count pennies, nickels, dimes to 50 cents.

• Identify 2 and 3-dimensional shapes.
• Sort objects by attributes.
• Develop spatial sense by position (above, below, etc.).

• Collect and organize data.
• Make and interpret tally charts and bar graphs.

• Recognize and continue patterns of color, size, shape, and numbers.
• Create patterns.
• Identify patterns in skip counting 2, 5, 10.

• Understand order property 3+2=5 2+3=5.
• Understand grouping property (4+2)+1=7 4+(2+1)=7.
• Demonstrate understanding of missing addends to 10.
• Demonstrate meaning of +, -, =.

• Develop estimation skills in the areas of measurement, capacity, weight, and temperature.
• Compare weight (more/less).
• Read a calendar
• Measure length.
• Tell time to one-half hour intervals.
• Days of week.

• Understand technology is used to understand and compute math operations.
• Recognize that many careers require and use math.

SOCIAL STUDIES

1. Economics - Identify and explain satisfying basic needs/wants, food,shelter, and clothing needs.
2. Geography Skills - Demonstrate an understanding of the maps and the globe, including map keys and symbols; identify Missouri and the United States on a map.
3. History - Compare and contrast present day families with early American families; name and describe current events; identify national symbols (Flag, American Eagle, Statue of Liberty, White House); identify holidays.
4. Political Science - Identify and discuss rules for home, school and community; perform classroom jobs; identify job titles and duties of school personnel and community; participate in classroom voting.
5. Sociology-Anthropology-Psychology - Define family and identify family responsibilities; compare and contrast family life in other cultures; identify safe practices; identify proper actions in emergency situations.

SCIENCE-HEALTH

The focus of the first grade science curriculum is on incorporating first hand experiences so children can discover and better understand their world. Through scientific inquiry in the areas of life, earth, and physical science, the scientific process will be utilized during the studies of plants and animals, rocks, sand, and soil, weather, matter and energy. An interactive environment will be provided so students can work together, share ideas, and explore the scientific relevance of the content areas. Learners will be prompted to generate questions, to investigate, and hypothesize. Activities may include the construction of models and/or the use of manipulative, interactive, and physical materials. In addition, experimentation will be an integral part of science instruction and process skills will be stressed using this method.