Curriculum Night
Monday, September 16, 2013, Room 243 Grade 1/2
Teacher: Mr. Tiho Tihomirovic
GOALS FOR THE YEAR
TRIBES agreements, Attentive Listening, Mutual Respect, No Put Downs and Try Your Best/Pass will soon be
introduced to the students. All our daily activities require that students follow and respect the agreements fully.
Throughout the year, we will do activities that help students understand the true meaning of all four agreements
and each activity will be followed by a brief discussion and reflection. We hold regular community meetings
when there is something important to discuss and decide.
LANGUAGE PROGRAM
The Language program consists of Readers’ Workshop and Writers’ Workshop where students practice and
learn the skills outlined in the Ontario curriculum document. Some components of the Readers’ Workshop are:
New Reading Strategies, Word Work, Shared Reading, Independent Reading, Guided Reading, Read Aloud and
reading comprehension with high order, open-ended question will be studied throughout the year.
Professional Resources:
Miller, Debbie: Reading is Meaning
First Steps Reading
Cunningham, Patricia: Month-by-Month Phonics for First Grade
Cunningham, Patricia: Month-by-Month Phonics for Second Grade
Diller, Debbie: Literacy Work Stations
Gear Adrienne: Reading Powers
Boushey, Gail and Moses, Joan: The Café Book
Other professional resources acquired over the year
Writer’s Workshop
This is a detailed and Ontario curriculum aligned program that teaches children the craft of writing. Each lesson
begins with a mini-lesson where students learn a new or review an already taught writing skill. Various
components of the language will be addressed; punctuation, grammar (verbs, nouns, adjectives, verb tenses)
and other writing skills appropriate for the students’ age.
The following forms will be explored and studied: Narrative Writing, Non-Fiction Writing, Poetry, Using
Authors as Mentors
Professional Resources:
Calkins, Lucy, Units of Study
First Steps Writing
Other professional resources that I acquire over the year
Fundamentals of Language Learning in Grades 1 and 2 (see the Ontario Curriculum document - Language):
 Letter and sound knowledge
 Spelling independently by stretching out words; Reading independently by recognizing parts you know
 Spelling sight words quickly and correctly (all those words that we use often, e.g., the, and, was, they)
 Conventions of writing: using periods and capitals, commas, spaces between words, neat printing
 Comprehension strategies: understanding and reflecting on what we read
 Reading fluently and with expression
 Reading and writing a variety of texts: narratives, non-fiction, and poetry
 Speaking clearly and confidently, understanding instructions, and communicating with adults and children for
many purposes
MATHEMATICS PROGRAM
Throughout the year, students will be using various manipulatives that enhance learning and retention of the
mathematical concepts. In small groups, pairs and individually, students will be asked to problem solve and
complete their math tasks on a daily basis. A strong emphasis will be placed on mental math and problem
solving.
The following math strands will be explored this year: Number Sense and Numeration, Patterning and Algebra,
Measurement, Geometry and Spatial Sense, Data Management and Probability
Professional Resources
Math Makes Sense series
Loewen, Craig, Mathematical Problem Solving
JUMP Math
Diller, Debbie: Math Work Stations
Small, Marian: Great Ways to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction
Small, Marian: Big Ideas from Dr. Small
Fosnot, Catherine: Number Sense, Addition and Subtraction
Other professional resources acquired over the year
SCIENCE PROGRAM
Grade 1 strands: Daily and Seasonal Changes, Energy in Our Lives, Materials, Objects and Everyday
Structures, Need and Characteristics of Living Things
Grade 2 strands: Growth and Changes in Animals, Movement, Properties of Liquids and Solids, Air and Water
in the Environment
Professional Resources
Hands-on Science for Grade 1 and 2
SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAM
Grade 1 strands: Rules, Responsibilities and Relationships, Local Community
Grade 2 strands: Traditions and Celebrations, Features of Communities Around the World
Professional Resources
Hands-on Social Studies for Grade 1 and 2
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Please ensure that your child eats a sufficient quantity of healthy and nutritious breakfast. Canada’s Food Guide
website offers tips should you require them.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php
As our days are long and filled with activities, it is important that your child arrive to school well-rested and on
time.
A healthy diet, full of fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, protein, healthy fats, and based on minimally
processed foods, is important to children’s health and success at school. Try to start each day with a nutritious
breakfast!
Get outside! A growing body of research shows the importance of time in nature to children’s and adults’
physical and emotional health. Check out Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv - http://richardlouv.com .
Limit screen time (TV shows and computer games). Check out http://www.screensmart.ca/ . Instead, get
outside, talk, play games, and read together. Engage your child in daily activities like cooking, setting the table,
folding laundry, shopping, putting away groceries…
HOMEWORK
“There is a strong connection between reading to or with elementary children every day in English or in one’s
first language and student achievement. As a result, homework assigned in the early grades shall more often
take the form of reading, playing a variety of games, having discussions and interactive activities such as
building, and cooking with the family.” – TDSB Homework Policy, 2008
Consider using the homework suggestions in the calendar accompanied by this handout.
Try to spend 15 minutes or more reading with your child every day. Read in whatever language you are most
comfortable. Our monthly newsletter will include book suggestions. The Riverdale Library is a great resource,
just up the road!
FOOD ALLERGIES
I would like to remind you that our school is a nut/peanut
free place due to severe
allergies that some of our students have. Please ensure that you send only nut/peanut free products to
school. If you choose to make a birthday treat for the class yourself, it is imperative that the utensils, all
ingredients and all the containers used be very clean and free from any traces of peanuts and/or tree nuts. Your
treats may be refused and sent home if their absolute safety could not be determined. This is only to protect
the three children in our class with such allergies.
ONTARIO CURRICULUM DOCUMENTS
Grade 1 http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/grade1.html
Grade 2 http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/grade2.html