Grade 1 Information Night

February 12, 2014

Milton Public Schools

www.miltonps.org

Agenda

1. Welcome & Introductions

2. Program Features

•Common Curriculum

•Program Differences

Timeline – Next Steps

Elementary Program Offerings

English Innovation Pathway French Immersion

Reading/ Language Arts Reading/ Language Arts

Instruction in French

Mathematics Mathematics

Instruction in French

Science Science

Instruction in French

Social Studies Social Studies Instruction in French

Spanish Language & Cultures French Language & Francophone Cultures

STEM Challenge (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)

Music Technology Library Visual Arts CHORR Physical Education/Health Instruction in English

All Grade One Programs

All programs provide content instruction based on the standards set forth by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in the following areas:

• Language Arts

•Mathematics

•Science, Technology/Engineering

•Social Studies

•The Arts

•Physical Education

Common Curriculum:

English and French

Instructional Program Consisting of:

• reading

•writing

• listening

• speaking

• language

Common Curriculum:

Language Arts

A Balanced Literacy Approach:

Reading Instruction

• Reading Materials

❖Open Court anthology (English)

❖Gafi text (French Immersion)

❖Leveled readers, big books, decodable books

❖Classroom libraries

Reader’s Workshop

Phonics & Word Study

Whole group instruction

Independent reading

Small group instruction

Read alouds

Literacy Centers

A Balanced Literacy Approach:

Writing Instruction

•Follows a Process Approach to Writing

• Varied writing experiences

In journals

Across the curriculum

In response to reading

In different genres

• Conventions and Mechanics

❖Punctuation

❖Grammar/sentence structure

❖Spelling

Common Curriculum:

Math

Everyday Mathematics

Emphasizes conceptual understanding

Builds mastery of basic skills

Incorporates daily routines, activities,

and games

Engages students in exploration

Provides relevance to the world with

authentic problem solving skills

Common Curriculum:

Science

Inquiry Based Science Units

•Data collection

•Observation and discussion

•Life, earth, physical science and

engineering

•Reading/writing in Science

•Science, Technology/Engineering

and Mathematics investigations

Common Curriculum:

Social Studies

• Folktales from Around the World

• Historical Events, Figures, Symbols

• National Holidays

• Geography

• Families & Communities

Elementary Program Offerings

English Innovation Pathway French Immersion

Reading/ Language Arts Reading/ Language Arts

Instruction in French

Mathematics Mathematics

Instruction in French

Science Science

Instruction in French

Social Studies Social Studies Instruction in French

Spanish Language & Cultures French Language & Francophone Cultures

STEM Challenge (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)

Music Technology Library Visual Arts CHORR Physical Education/Health Instruction in English

English Innovation Pathway

STEM Challenge

•Weekly challenges using Science, Technology,

Engineering & Mathematics in grades 1-5

•Engineering design process

•WeDo robotics in Grades 1 & 2 students

•Tufts University - Center for Engineering

Education and Outreach (CEEO) partnership

English Innovation Pathway

The Milton Public Schools has a long standing commitment to

early foreign language acquisition.

The Spanish program begins in grade one

and continues through grade twelve.

Grades 1 & 2: Students receive one 30-minute period of Spanish instruction each week.

Grades 3-5: Students receive three 30-minute periods of Spanish instruction per week.

Students who begin Spanish in Elementary and complete three years of Spanish in Middle School will have completed the equivalent of two years of High School Spanish and will generally enter Spanish 3.

French Immersion

The French Immersion program is a method of

foreign language instruction in which the regular

school curriculum is taught through the medium of

the French language.

Grades 1 & 2: All subjects (except Art, Music, Library, Physical Education) are taught in French. Grades 3 & 4: 50% of the curriculum is taught in French and 50% is taught in English. Grade 5: 30% of the curriculum is taught in French and 70% is taught in English. The program continues as an advanced foreign language program through middle school and high school.

The Milton Public Schools has a long standing commitment to

early foreign language acquisition.

Next Steps/ Timeline –

1. Grade One Information Night – February 12, 2014

2. Grade One Program Selection Forms distributed to

families – February 13, 2014

3. Grade One Program Selection forms due to school

offices – March 1, 2014

4. School Based Lotteries for French Immersion (If

necessary) – Week of March 4-8, 2014 **

5. Program Assignments Communicated to Families

– By March 15, 2015 ***

6. Teacher Assignments Communicated to Families –

August 2013