First Grade Curriculum
Literacy
- Riggs Sequence: Riggs continues with the careful study of the language through mastery of the 72 phonograms, the marking system, and the 47 spelling rules.
- The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW): Students will take part in both whole group and independent writing throughout the year. They will practice sentence formation and paragraph writing throughout the year, and then begin to write on their own as they learn the necessary skills.
- Reading: and analyzing of poems, rhymes, fables, stories, and informational texts through read aloud, choral reading, guided reading groups, and independent reading.
Math
- Saxon Math 2: Spiraling, explicit, and comprehensive math instruction.
History
- Early People, Early Civilization (Maya, Inca, and Aztec), History of World Religions, Early World Exploration and Exploration of the America West, Colonies to Independence, and Modern Mexico.
Geography
- Introduction to maps and globes, Locations of major continents, countries, cities, geographical features, and landmarks pertaining to the topic of study.
Science
- The Earth, The Human Body, Introduction to the Solar System, Plant-Cycle Nutrients, Introduction to Electricity, Living Things: Food Chains, Animal Habitats including Oceans an Undersea Life.
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
Solid
Many people say that knowledge is changing so fast that what students learn today will soon be outdated. While current events and technology are constantly changing, there is nevertheless a body of lasting knowledge that should form the core of a Preschool-Grade 8 curriculum. Such solid knowledge includes, for example, the basic principles of constitutional government, important events of world history, essential elements of mathematics and of oral and written expression, widely acknowledged masterpieces of art and music, and stories and poems passed down from generation to generation.
Sequenced
Knowledge builds on knowledge. Children learn new knowledge by building on what they already know. Only a school system that clearly defines the knowledge and skills required to participate in each successive grade can be excellent and fair for all students. For this reason, the Core Knowledge Sequence provides a clear outline of content to be learned grade by grade. This sequential building of knowledge not only helps ensure that children enter each new grade ready to learn, but also helps prevent the many repetitions and gaps that characterize much current schooling (repeated units, for example, on pioneer days or the rain forest, but little or no attention to the Bill of Rights, or to adding fractions with unlike denominators).
Specific
A typical state or district curriculum says, "Students will demonstrate knowledge of people, events, ideas, and movements that contributed to the development of the United States." But which people and events? What ideas and movements? In contrast, the Core Knowledge Sequence is distinguished by its specificity. By clearly specifying important knowledge in language arts, history and geography, math, science, and the fine arts, the Core Knowledge Sequence presents a practical answer to the question, "What do our children need to know?" and more importantly, "How will we know when they have learned it?"
Shared
Literacy depends on shared knowledge. To be literate means, in part, to be familiar with a broad range of knowledge taken for granted by speakers and writers. For example, when sportscasters refer to an upset victory as "David knocking off Goliath," or when reporters refer to a "threatened presidential veto," they are assuming that their audience shares certain knowledge. One goal of the Core Knowledge Foundation is to provide all children, regardless of background, with the shared knowledge they need to be included in our national literate culture.
Teaching the Whole Child
World Language: Spanish or Mandarin Chinese (Kindergarten and 1st grade receive both)- Second grade and above must take one or the other for the rest of their Cascade Heights career.
Music: K-4 Receive Music instruction in theory, history, composition and appreciation twice weekly. 5th Graders are required to choose a string instrument or band instrument . 6th - 8th grade are required to choose Orchestra, Band or Music Appreciation. Private music lessons are available after school and on Fridays.
Art: History, Appreciation and Application required once a week for all students
P.E.: Daily PE for 1st through 8th grade required for all students- SPARKS curriculum. Liscensed Teacher.
Field Trips: All students participate in monthly Friday Field trips. These days are considered instructional hours as the field trips are tied directly to the unit of study.
