Assessment Throughout the year, classroom teachers will assess each student's growth and progress toward achievement of the learning goals specified in the state curriculum (GPS or QCC if GPS have not been implemented). These classroom assessments will be used to guide instruction in order to provide every child with the opportunity to learn and to succeed. Students will be made aware of the performance expectations for 1st grade and will acquire self-monitoring and self-assessing skills to help them maximize their achievement. In the spring, Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests in Reading, Language Arts, and Mathematics will be administered to 1st graders in order to provide a standardized measure of student learning. Beginning in the year the Georgia Performance Standards are implemented for a content area, the CRCT will directly align with those GPS. Dear Parents, Thank you for all you do as parents to guide your children's learning! I am confident that the future of all our children will be bright because of your continued support of public education in Georgia. We are beginning the most extensive improvement in Georgia education undertaken in the last 18 years-- the implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). The new state curriculum sets high standards, maintains clear expectations, and will place our schools and our students not just at the top of the Southeast, but at the top of the nation. As a parent, I personally understand that this kind of change may generate questions and concerns: Why do we need a change? How will this impact my child? What will be different in my child's classroom? For this reason, I have made communication and keeping you informed an absolute priority. Georgia's teachers and administrators have been preparing for this change, and they will be able to answer many of your questions at your local schools. I also encourage you to visit the Georgia Department of Education website to find out more about the new curriculum: www.georgiastandards.org. It is a great day for education in Georgia. Like never before, our state is unified behind a mission to raise the achievement level of all students in our public schools. Toward this aim, we have rallied together and successfully tackled many challenges, ushering in a new level of accountability and quality in education. Thank you for your support as we continue to raise the bar for our state's most precious resource, our children. Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Implementation Schedule for the Georgia Performance Standards in 1st Grade 2005-2006 English Language Arts 2006-2007 Mathematics 2007-2008 Science 2008-2009 Social Studies Curriculum & Instructional Services 1754 Twin Towers East Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Tel (404) 656-2608 FAX (404) 656-5744 www.georgiastandards.org In accordance with State and Federal law, the Georgia Department of Education prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its educational and employment activities. Inquiries regarding the application of these practices may be addressed to the General Counsel of the Georgia Department of Education, 2052 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334, (404) 656-2800. 1st Grade THE NEW GEORGIA PERFORMANCE STANDARDS We will lead the nation in improving student achievement. Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools www.gadoe.org 1st Grade Language Arts First grade students will be engaged in reading, writing, and listening, speaking, & viewing. By the end of 1st grade, students will demonstrate mastery of many concepts and skills, including the following: Apply more advanced phonics skills when reading and writing words, sentences, and stories Read high frequency words and first grade text with appropriate accuracy, speed, and expression Use strategies to gain meaning from grade level text Write a story that shows focus and organization Expand sentences and recognize paragraphs Apply basic rules of language and spelling Recognize and use grade level vocabulary 1st Grade Mathematics First grade students will be actively engaged in developing mathematical understandings in real and relevant contexts. By the end of 1st grade, students will be able to: Understand and use place value notation for numbers less than 100 Represent quantity with numbers, models, diagrams, and number sentences Add and subtract numbers less than 100 Measure length, weight, capacity, and time (hour, half hour, days in week, months in year, duration or sequence of events) Build, draw, name, and describe basic geometric figures Pose questions and collect data, and organize and interpret data represented by tally marks, pictures, and bar graphs Problem solve, develop arguments, use language of mathematics, make connections, communicate 1st Grade Science First grade students will use inquiry to focus on questions about the world around them. By the end of 1st grade, students will be able to: Observe, measure, and communicate weather data Identify what things can do when put together and what cannot be done when things are not put together Create drawings that correctly depict a specific thing being described Make observations, ask questions about, and investigate patterns Recognize sources of light and explain how shadows form Note repeating patterns in shadows, weather, and daily needs of plants and animals Demonstrate awareness of the characteristics and basic needs of living things Differentiate between various sounds in terms of pitch and volume 1st Grade Social Studies First grade students will explore history, geography, and government through the study of selected heroes from American history. In addition, they will continue to acquire basic economic concepts. By the end of 1st grade, students will be able to: Identify and describe the lives of significant historical American figures Explain how American folktales characterize our national heritage Describe the cultural and geographic systems associated with selected historical figures Locate their own city, county, state, nation and continent on a simple map or globe Describe the positive character traits of the selected historical figures Explain the meaning of patriotic language in selected American songs Identify, describe, and explain basic ideas related to goods, services, scarcity, producers and consumers, and spending and saving