The Common Core Standards guide instruction.  Emphasis will be put on the following topics and skills:

Language Arts: 

Reading –

• Improve comprehension- find main idea, recall sequence, organize ideas, relate story to personal experiences 
• Improve word attack skills- phonics: consonant sounds, short and long vowel sounds, vowel variations 
• Improve fluency and expression 
• Use reference tools- alphabetize and classify words 
• Develop an appreciation for different genres of literature 
• Encourage personal reading for enjoyment 

 Writing –

• Use capitals and punctuation correctly in written work 
• Use correct grammar 
• Write complete sentences on topic and develops a paragraph as the year progresses 
• Write stories which are well developed, with emphasis on expository writing; exposure to narrative and persuasive style of writing

 Spelling –

• Weekly spelling tests- 14 required words – 8 optional bonus words
• As the school year progresses, students are expected to become more responsible with correct spelling in their daily work  (less inventive spelling, more correct spelling of words)

Handwriting –

• Review and master D’Nealian manuscript letter formation
• Introduce cursive writing- 2^nd semester

Speaking and Listening –

• Clearly express ideas orally
• Listen attentively

Mathematics:

Number, Operation, and Computation Sense—

• Skip count by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s to 100 (1^st semester) to 1000 (2^nd semester)
• Recognize and write numbers correctly up to 1000
• Addition and Subtraction of 2 and 3 digit numbers with and without regrouping (borrowing and carrying)
• Place value (ones, tens, and hundreds place)
• Fractions
• Introduction of multiplication
• Addition sums 0-18 and subtraction differences 0-18 (math facts) mastered by the end of the school year (80%)

Please practice these facts at home!

Measurement –

• Tell time to 5 minute intervals
• Count money amounts to $1
• Measuring using standard and metric system 

Algebra Readiness –

• Recognize, create, analyze and extend counting and geometric patterns

Geometry –

• Identify, describe, and draw polygons
• Identify and describe 3-dimensional shapes

Data Sense and Probability

• Graphing
• Experimental probabilities

*Solve story problems both in writing and using mental math in all of the areas above*