The Difference Between Early Childhood and Lower Elementary

• Culture (Social Studies)• Math• Science• Language Arts

*No sensorial/practical

Content Areas

Common Core Math Curriculum

• Operations

• Place Value

• Measurement

• Geometry

• Algebra

State Social Studies Curriculum

• Family

• Government

• Natural Resources

• Economy

State Science Curriculum

• Plants

• Sun and Moon

• Earth Materials

• Light and Shadows

Common Core Reading and Writing

• Reading – Variety of Genres

(Transitions from learning to read to reading to learn)

*Beginning-D/E; Ending

J/K

• Writing- Narrative, Informational, Opinion

Your child’s personality may change

• Very noisy• Enjoys tattle-telling• Bossy• Teasing• Craves attention• Try out authority (fits and tantrums)

More Changes

• Highly competitive (I am first!)

• Anxious to please• School replaces home

as most significant environmental influence

• More social awareness; more working together with peers

Teacher Expectations

Independence

ResponsibilityTrying

Self managementAttempt

OrganizationProblem solving

Independence

• What can I do without help?

• Attempting a presented lesson before asking for assistance

• Don’t do for the child what the child can do for himself!

Responsibility

• Managing Time (Completing works for a well-balanced work day)

• Content area journals and work cycle folder or clip board

• Keep up with work and materials (including work plans).

Work Plans

Purpose of work plan:• No more “Teacher what do

I do?”• Gives students a document

to use as a daily tracker• Provides choice and sense

of responsibility• Great tool for

communication between teachers and parents

Work Plans How It Works:

• Students are assigned lessons according to their academic ability.

• A variety of lessons are expected to be completed each day.

• Lessons are checked each day unless there are special circumstances (teachers are out, meetings, testing, special school events, etc.).