First Grade Curriculum Overview
First Grade Curriculum Overview:
Within the last few years, there have been many changes in the alignment of our state’s curriculum. These are called Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). The new standards are “…meant to raise the level of expectation for ALL students in Georgia.” You can access information regarding the standards at www.picasso.cobbk12.org and www.georgiastandards.org .
In Cobb, kindergartners through fifth graders are graded on the semester system, every 9 weeks. During each semester at the 4 ½ week mark, teachers are encouraged to send progress reports if there is a possible concern for the upcoming reporting period. This allows parents and teachers time to give extra support where it is needed for the remaining 4 ½ weeks.
Please refer to the “Grade 1 Year at a Glance 2007-2008” on the following pages for a brief curriculum overview. Health is integrated through most subject areas, counseling, and PE. Writing is taught through a “workshop setting” emphasizing the writing process as well as the product. Reading is taught through a variety of levels of teacher support daily, and it is my PASSION! J Please refer to the “Creating a Balanced Literacy Classroom” section of this handbook for more details.
In Mathematics, Cobb teachers pre-test the ENTIRE 9 week math curriculum at the beginning of each semester. Content is taught through EDC Calendar, tubbing, partner games, and group activities until the 7th week. A post-test is given on the same material. That leaves 2 weeks for remediation/acceleration, depending upon the child. I am unable to send these tests home, but I will be sharing the results with you at your child’s conference.
Science is taught through an integrated approach, as well as through our “Art and Science Camps.” Social Studies is integrated, as well as taught through specific lessons in Morning Meeting and large group activities.
I use “Essential Questions” (EQs) that guide my planning and teaching. These are posted and referred to daily. Students should be able to verbalize the answers to the “EQs”, as well as complete performance-based activities to show knowledge, application, and understanding of them.
