First Grade Syllabus
Ms. Ballew 2020/2021
Below is an anticipated syllabus for the completion of our curriculum..
Although curriculum is paced as follows, given the present circumstance I will
prioritize quality of instruction rather than quantity. Meaning, if students
demonstrate that they need stronger instruction in any given concept, I will
rearrange my syllabus to make time for students to understand concepts. That
being said, this syllabus is to be considered tentative and as a guideline for the
following year. I will lead my instruction based on students’ needs rather than being
“on time”.
Language Arts: Wonders
This year we will be piloting our new ELA curriculum- Wonders! I am so excited to be
trying out this new curriculum and offering students a more extensive and
diversified learning experience. Wonders offers 6 units with stories, anthologies, and
reading/writing companions that emphasizes whole-student learning.
Quarter 1: Unit 1- Gettings to Know Us, thinking about what makes us special by
getting students to ask and answer questions about their lives and worlds. Unit 2-
Our Community, finding out what makes a community. This unit goes in tandem
with first grade social studies standards about community. Students will explore
jobs, workers and helpers, and extend outside the community.
Quarter 2: Unit 3- Changed Over Time, thinking about what can change over time?
This unit will emphasize time and growth. From plants, to people; students think
about change in their world.
Quarter 3: Unit 4- Animals Everywhere, thinking about what animals you know
about and what are they like? This unit will tie into our animal science unit and get
students to explore nonfiction texts. Unit 5- Figure it Out, making sense of the world
around us. Students will focus on observing the world around them and solving
problems.
Quarter 4: Unit 6- Together We Can, thinking about how teamwork helps us. In this
unit, students will be asked to consider those around them and what they mean to
you. Students will learn and discuss why it is important to help others and why we
appreciate those who help us.
Math: EnvisionMATH
We will be using EnvisionMath for our math curriculum. Envision is Common Core
based and focuses on students meeting state and country wide standards. The
curriculum is broken up into 16 Topics (chapters) and emphasizes Operations and
Algebraic Thinking, Number and Operations in Base Ten, Measurement and Data, and
Geometry.
Quarter 1: Topics 1-3- Developing understanding of addition, subtraction, and
strategies for addition and subtraction within 20.
Quarter 2: Topics 4-6- Developing understanding of addition, subtraction, and
strategies for addition and subtraction within 20.
Quarter 3: Topics 7-11- Developing understanding of whole number relationships and
place value, including grouping into tens and ones.
Quarter 4: Topics 12-16 Developing understanding of measurement, recording and
analyzing data, and geometry.
Social Studies: Scott Foresman- All Together
First grade social studies emphasizes community, routines, and American symbolism
in social studies. In this curriculum students get to learn about not only their lives,
but the lives of different kinds of people throughout time. Students make
connections to their lives, different cultures, and history throughout this curriculum.
Quarter 1: Units 1 & 2- Time for School and In My Community
Quarter 2: Unit 3- Work! Work! Work!
Quarter 3: Units 4 & 5- Our Earth, Our Resources and This is Our Country
Quarter 4: Unit 6- Our Country, Our World
Science: Inspire Science
Inspire Science curriculum aligns with NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards).
These standards encourage students to use their observational and analytical skills
to learn about science. Students will engage in science experiments that allow them
to be curious and find answers for themselves. The standards for first grade science
are plants and plant cycles, animals and their offspring, observing the sky, and light
and shadows.
Quarter 1: Unit 1- All About Plants
Quarter 2: Light and Shadows
Quarter 3: Animals and how they Communicate
Quarter 4: Sky Patterns
