Elementary Curriculum Overview

EMSISD

Elementary Scheduling Kindergarten through Grade 2

Subject Minutes DescriptionELAR 110 A comprehensive ELAR curriculum includes written

expression, spelling, vocabulary, and handwriting.

A 110 minute daily ELAR block with 45 minutes of Writing Workshop minimum 3 days per week.

Mathematics 90 The focus of math instruction is based upon conceptual understanding prior to the implementation of mathematical procedures (teaching of algorithms).

A skills time within the 90 minute mathematics block will allow time for differentiated instruction to meet student needs.

Science 45 45 minutes is the minimum per day for science instruction. Students should be exposed to non-fiction literature as well as having multiple hands-on lab opportunities.

Social Studies 35 35 minutes is the minimum per day for social studies instruction. A strong foundational understanding of the social studies TEKS must be included.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND READING

K-5 Curriculum Overview

LITERACY INSTRUCTION

Strategic and developmentally appropriate focus on:

◦ PHONICS

◦ FLUENCY

◦ VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT

◦ READING COMPREHENSION

◦ CRITICAL WRITING

ELAR CLASSROOMSOur classrooms are designed to be collaborative, creative, and literacy rich. In our classrooms, you will find:

◦ A large/small group meeting areas

◦ A classroom library filled with a variety of leveled texts

◦ Individual book boxes or bags

◦ Ample writing supplies and mentor texts

◦ Areas to practice both independent and collaborative reading and writing

◦ Teacher and student-created anchor charts

◦ Resources to support a gradual release of responsibility (sound linking charts, word walls, writing folders, etc.)

◦ A display of student products that reflect recent workin the classroom

READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP

During the English Language Arts (ELA) block, students will:

• Receive explicit instruction through mini lessons• Engage in purposeful student talk

• Explore a variety of genres and participate in shared and modeled demonstrations of effective reading and writing strategies

• Read and write independently for sustained periods of time

• Explore how words work and apply what they learn in the context of reading and writing through small-group, peer, and individual conferences

• Receive timely feedback and set future reading and writing goals

• Share their work with others

GRADE LEVEL FOCUSDuring the English Language Arts (ELA) block, second grade students will focus on:

• Reading increasingly challenging texts with fluency and comprehension

• Deepening understanding of text structure within a variety of genres

• Using multiple sources of information to solve unknown words

• Following characters, their interactions, and changes across elaborate plots and supporting thinking with evidence from text.

• Reading flexibly between many genres and responding deeply to text both orally and in writing

• Producing simple narratives and other genres though composing and writing.

• Writing more complex sentences with increasing command of conventions and spelling.

What Should Your Child Be Bringing Home?

Self-selected library books

EMSISD

EMSISD

MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTIONThe “Why” Behind What We Do

Process StandardsThe student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:

(A) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace;

(B) use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution;

(C) select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology as appropriate, and techniques, including mental math, estimation, and number sense as appropriate, to solve problems;

(D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate;

(E) create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas;

(F) analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas; and

(G) display, explain, and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.

2ND GRADE MATHEMATICS

EMSISD

The Last 4 Statements…(D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate;

(E)use mathematical relationships to generate solution and make connections and predictions.

(F) analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas.

(G) display, explain, or justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communications.

2ND GRADE MATHEMATICS

EMSISD

Focal Points for Second Grade• Developing proficiency in the use of place value within the

base 10 numeration system

• Using place value and properties of operations to solve problems involving addition and subtraction of whole numbers within 1,000

• Measuring length

• Applying knowledge of two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional solids, including exploration of early fraction concepts

2ND GRADE MATHEMATICS

EMSISD

Making Connections

2ND GRADE MATHEMATICS

EMSISD

Guiding Principles

Support students to make sense of mathematics and learn that they can be mathematical thinkers.

Focus on computational fluency with whole numbers.

Emphasize reasoning about mathematical ideas.

Engage all learners in understanding mathematics.

2ND GRADE MATHEMATICS

EMSISD

SOCIAL STUDIES

EMSISD

Throughout social studies in Kindergarten-Grade 12, students build a foundation in history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills. The content, as appropriate for the grade level, enables students to understand the importance of patriotism, function in a free enterprise society, and appreciate the basic democratic values of our state and nation.

2ND GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

EMSISD

In Grade 2, students focus on a study of their local community by examining the impact of significant individuals and events on the history of the community as well as on the state and nation.

2ND GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

EMSISD

Second graders receive instruction through units that continue to build a foundation in history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills:

Unit 1: Practicing Rules and Procedures

Unit 2: My Community, My Country

Unit 3: Columbus Day

Unit 4: Our Nation Past & Present

Unit 5: Veterans Day/Military heroes

Unit 6: The First Americans & Thanksgiving

Unit 7: Celebrating Cultures

Unit 8: The World Around Us: Maps, Weather, & Climate

Unit 9: MLK Day

Unit 10: The World Around Us: landforms & Natural Resources

Unit 11: American Heroes & Good Citizens

Unit 12: Working to Meet our Needs: Economics

Unit 13: Cinco de Mayo

Unit 14: Texas Arts, Symbols, Monuments, and Maps

Unit 15: Memorial Day

2ND GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

EMSISD

ELEMENTARY SCIENCE:

INQUIRY AND NOTEBOOKS

EMSISD

What is scientific inquiry?

Science inquiry is the active construction of

ideas and the forming of connections.

Science inquiry engages students in the

investigative nature of science.

Science inquiry involves activities and skills in

an active search for understanding.

Science inquiry transforms learning from watching

and listening to doing.

Science inquiry allows students to take an active role

in understanding their science learning.

2ND GRADE SCIENCE

EMSISD

What are the essential features of a science classroom?

Learners are engaged by scientifically oriented questions.

Learners give priority to evidence, which allows them to develop and evaluate explanations that address scientifically oriented questions.

Learners formulate and evaluate explanations from evidence to address scientifically oriented questions.

Learners communicate and justify their proposed explanations.

2ND GRADE SCIENCE

EMSISD

What is the student’s role?

Ask a question about objects, organisms and events in the world around them.

Plan and conduct a simple investigation.

Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses.

Use data to construct a reasonable explanation.

Communicate investigations and explanations.

2ND GRADE SCIENCE

EMSISD

Science Notebooks in every classroom

Integrates science and language arts skills

Helps students develop cognitive knowledge of science content and processes

Enhances writing skills

Serves as an assessment tool to gather information on students’ thinking

2ND GRADE SCIENCE

EMSISD

PACEEMS-ISD K-5 Gifted and Talented Program

What is PACE?

• Educational program which serves identified gifted/talented students in grades K-5

• 2 hour pull-out program for 2nd – 5th graders• Kindergarten and 1st grade students served in classroom with differentiated instructional strategies

Learning Opportunities for GT Students

• Students work on a differentiated curriculum with extended activities

• Instructional goals focus on helping students to develop critical thinking skills, communicate effectively, reason and solve problems, and value diversity.

• Lessons span across all curriculum areas and incorporate a research component in the spring semester

• The depth of projects builds as the students progress to the upper grades

EMSISD

Parent Resources

• Istation K-5

• K-2 Computer Activities

• Math Resources

EMSISD