First Grade Overview
In English Language Arts your child will…
- This year, our first grade students will build literacy and language skills by participating in ten cross-disciplinary units of study in our Benchmark Advance Program. Each three-week unit features a topic, ranging from economics to earth science, history and culture to themes in literature, and more. As students read poems, stories, plays, and informational articles, they will strengthen their reading and writing skills and strategies, participate in meaningful collaborative conversations, and make connections to their other content area studies
- Students will develop their writing skills in writing workshop with our resource School-Wide Writing Fundamentals. This will be a time when students take part in a writing lesson and, most importantly, write independently. Your child’s teacher will provide explicit instruction on the various stages of the writing process. At each stage, they will be looking at great models of writing by authors who will serve as mentors. Students will be encouraged to take risks as they develop their own individual writing styles and become part of a writing community that shares ideas and learns from one another.
How can I support my child at home?
Set aside twenty minutes each day in a comfortable reading space for reading together. During this 20 minutes, read aloud to your child and encourage them to read to you. By reading aloud with your child every day, you can model fluency and expression and support the work your child is doing at school. Encourage your child to read independently by read the word, retelling the story, or creating their own stories from the pictures.
Is there an online platform or app available?
- Yes! In the Clever app on your child’s iPad there is a Benchmark Advance app. In the app, you can explore the texts students will be encountering in the unit.
- The Epic! digital library app is also available on your child’s iPad. Students are able to read and listen to books and audiobooks.
Additional Information about our core resource:
- Benchmark Advance: Parent Welcome Letter
In math, your child will:
- Solve addition and subtraction story problems
- Count by ones and tens to 120 read and write numbers to 120, and represent a number of objects up to 120 with a written numeral
- Understand place value by describing what the digits mean in two-digit numbers; use this knowledge to add and subtract
- Add two-digit numbers using at least two different strategies and explain how the strategies work
- Subtract two-digit numbers that are multiples of 10 using at least two different strategies and explain how the strategies work
- Compare two numbers using the symbols >, =, and <
- Add and subtract numbers within 10 efficiently and accurately
- Read or construct a graph and answer questions about the data
- Measure length using non-standard units such as Popsicle sticks, linking cubes, and so on
- Tell and write time to the hour and half-hour on analog and digital clock
How can I support my child at home?
- Check out a parent guide for each unit of instruction: First Grade Family Support Page
- Math at Home is an additional resource by The Math Learning Center that includes thought-provoking, Bridges-aligned math activities and games that can be used at home or at school throughout the year for students from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Is there an online platform or app available?
- Yes! Dreambox is a personalized math program that builds students' confidence and competence. Learn more about how to support the program at home.
Additional Information about our core resource:
- Video: Introduction to Bridges in Mathematics
- Video: Grade K-2 Bridges in Mathematics: Mathematical Models & Strategies
- Video: Grade 3-5 Bridges in Mathematics: Mathematical Models & Strategies
District 58 incorporates an inquiry-based approach. Students engage in inquiry through rich discussion, questioning, research using various resources, and summarizing their understanding with a project for an audience. DG58 started inquiry with social studies and embeds it throughout other content areas. Ultimately, District 58 staff light the way for students to engage in a path of exploration and discovery.
The gradual release process of inquiry.
In Social Studies your child will…
- Explore disciplinary concepts throughout the year within the Living, Learning, and Working Together theme.
- Engage individually and collaboratively in inquiry within four disciplinary concepts; civics, economics, history, and geography.
- Throughout each chapter, explore essential and supporting questions through the SAVVAS Quest Connections
- Gather and evaluate sources
- Develop claims and use evidence
- Communicate conclusions
- Take informed action to demonstrate understanding
Additional Information about our core resource:
Savvas immerses students in history through a perspective-rich environment that grows as the student moves through elementary school. Learn more about the Savvas social studies program by clicking this link.
What is inquiry?
Simply put, inquiry-based learning is founded on a "big question". In our K-5 social studies resource, the big question is researched through what we call, Quest. Each lesson begins with a big question. Then, reading and activities guide students through investigation to answer the big question. In the end, students complete a quest project to demonstrate learning and understanding.
The inquiry process, according to C3, includes 4 stages:
- Developing Questions and planning inquiries
- Applying the disciplines (civics, economics, geography, history)
- Evaluating resources
- Communicating conclusions and taking informed action
To learn more, watch this quick and helpful video.
How can I support my child at home?
As parents, it can be hard to see our children struggle. However, by not giving the answer, through "failure" (F-first, A-attempt, I-in, L-learning), children learn and build self-efficacy.
Below are helpful ideas to easily incorporate inquiry into your home.
- Learn along with children through books, TV programs, and learning hobbies, such rock collecting.
- Visit museums, zoos, aquariums, and historical sites with children. The Downers Grove Public Library has museum passes available. Downers Grove also has a rich history. To learn more, visit the Downers Grove Historical Museum.
- Explore quality television programs like PBS, the Discovery Channel, and the History Channel.
- Subscribe children to magazines.
1. Bring Inquiry into Your Home
Meet a question with a question. Our first instinct when a child asks a question is to provide an answer. This can prevent a golden opportunity to learn about how to learn. So, next time your child asks you a question (“How do you spell ….?” “What are the types of energy?”), instead of supplying the answer, try responding like this:
Great question! How could you find that out? What resource could you use to discover that?
Be prepared to inquire together. Sometimes, when you meet a question with a question, you get an “I don’t know”. That is an invitation to a great teachable moment! If your child doesn’t know how to find out on their own or what resource to use, you can respond with:
Let’s figure it out together. Maybe we can try this….Let’s see if this resource has the answer…
Ask the magic question – “What do you notice?”. No matter what subject – the secret ingredient to inquiry is asking learners to think about what they notice. That one question works every time, and can be followed up with “what else do you notice?”.
You don’t have to be an expert, just be a learner. It is okay to not know. That presents an opportunity to model your own approaches to learning. Confidently to say, “I don’t know”. Follow it up with, “But now I want to know, so here is how I am going to find out!” or, “Let’s figure this out together!”
2. Encourage Reflection
Get them thinking about their thinking. There are two magic questions you can ask your child to help them think deeper – any subject:
How do you know?
What makes you say that?
3. Support your child’s agency
Invite their voice. Give space for children to articulate what they like and don’t like about learning. Listen to what they care about and what matters to them and try to understand and find ways to support it.
Respect and support their choices. Be aware of choices you make for your child that they could make themselves. Choices may include when, where, and how they learn. Teach the decision-making process (What choice are you making for yourself?). Then follow up with a reflection (How did that choice work out for you? How do you know? What will you choose differently next time?).
Emphasize ownership. Sometimes learning can get misrepresented as something done to learners. These phrases build that sense of ownership over their learning:
It’s your learning.
You’re in the driver’s seat.
Your learning, your choice.
*Credit: makinggoodhumans.wordpress.com
In Science your child will study...
- Plants and Animal Parts: Students are introduced to the unit’s anchoring phenomenon of animals taking care of their young. In this unit, students examine and compare the similarities and differences between animals and plants. Students discover different animal families on a fictional safari. Students investigate how plants and animals are like others of the same kind, how plants and animals sense things, and how plants and animals meet their needs. By the time they do their Performance Assessments, students will be able to explain how offspring are like, but not exactly like, their parents. Students will also understand how plants and animals stay safe and read about how parents take care of their offspring. Then students lead a safari in their own neighborhood. Using what they know, how can students design a device to carry and protect their items while on a safari?
- Light and Sound: Students are introduced to the unit’s anchoring phenomenon of how you can’t see in the dark, but you can hear in the dark. In this unit, students explore light and sound by discovering how light helps us see, how light travels, how sound is made, and how sound travels. Students then combine both light and sound to find out about the ways people use light and sound to send messages. Using what they know, can students show how to communicate long distances by sending messages with sound?
- Sky Patterns: Students are introduced to the unit’s anchoring phenomenon of how the moon can be seen in the sky at different times. Acting as space detectives, students make careful observations from media and find patterns in the natural world to solve the mystery of the daytime moon as well as explain other phenomena in the sky such as the sun and stars. In this unit, students conclude the sky is light during the day and dark during the night. Students analyze patterns in images and discover that different objects, such as the sun, moon, and stars, are always, sometimes, or never seen in the day and night skies. Using what they know, can students explain the movement of the moon and why it is always, sometimes, or never seen in the day and night skies?
District 58 utilizes the Second Step program to support students’ social emotional learning through a holistic approach to building our school communities. Children benefit from social-emotional learning (SEL) at any time, but today it’s especially important to help them develop the skills they need to connect and thrive. Second Step® Elementary is a leading research-based SEL curriculum
In Second Step your child will…
- Practice skills for learning
- Practice skill for empathy and our feelings
- Learn and practice strategies for emotional management
- Learn and pracice problem-solving strategies with friends
How can I support my child at home?
If you are interested in learning more about the Second Step curriculum and approach, please visit their website at SecondStep.org.
Art
In Art your child will…
- Learn about famous artists and our own inner-artist
- Learn about symmetry in art
- Learn about digital art
- Learn about art surrealism
How can I support my child at home?
To inspire your child, visit museums, art shows, and the Downers Grove Public LIbrary where there is exposure to a variety of artwork. The library offers museums free passes that you can check out. Build inspiration for art, by learning about local and historical artists. As you drive around town, see if you can identify various forms of art, whether sculptural or other modes. Finally, have a variety of art materials available at home, such as clay, playdough, paint, colored pencils, fun paper, and more. Many stores have small and large art kits available to encourage children tap into their creativity.
Is there an online platform or app available?
Seesaw is a resource our art teachers rely on the most. Through Seesaw, we connect with parents and share a window into your child’s creative side. At the beginning of each year, your child’s teacher will send you an invitation to their Seesaw class, which will automatically connect you to their art class. Once there, families can see updates, helpful videos, assignments and more.
Music
(content coming soon)
Physical Education (PE)
In physical education my child will engage in the following activities throughout the school year:
- Introduction to rules, expectations, and routines
- Learn and practice locomotor movements, such as walking, running, hopping, and jumping
- Engage in chasing games
- Develop throwing and catching abilities through various exercises
- Participate in team building activities to promote cooperation and social skills
How can I support my child at home?
- Encourage active play: Encourage your child to be physically active every day. Activities such as running, jumping, climbing and playing outdoor games are great for students this age.
- Make physical activity a family event. Engage in physical activities as a family. Plan trips to the park, nature trails, or the park distinct where everyone can participate in activities like hiking, booking, swimming, or playing sports together.
- Limit screen time: Set limits on screen time. Excessive screen time can negatively affect a child’s physical activity levels. Encourage your child to engage in more hands-on activities instead.
- Create a supportive environment: Create an environment that supports physical activity in your child’s daily routine. Provide your child with access to sport equipment, bikes, and other active equipment.
Is there an online platform or app available?
Shape America. Their website offers resources and ideas for parents to support physical education at home and in the community. Website: https://www.shapeamerica.org/MemberPortal/events/parents.aspx
Library
In Library your child will…
Build an appreciation of literature through a variety of genres that represent neurodiversity and cultures. In Library, students explore the Illinois State Award books, engage in research, and learn how to navigate the library to access books and information online. The library curriculum follows the Association of Illinois School Library Educators standards to engage students in an exploration of genres and modes of media.
How can I support my child at home?
Reading and discussing books with children of any age has the most impact on a child’s motivation and ability to read. You can even read the same book that your child is reading. Visit the Downers Grove Public Library to expose your child to a variety of genres and reading materials and even establish a relationship with the local librarian. The library also has free museum passes. The night before your child’s school checkout, brainstorm books or topics they might explore.
Is there an online platform or app available?
Common Sense Media offers helpful resources, articles, videos and digital citizenship parent tips: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles
Visit Destiny to explore books available at your child’s school.