1

1^st Grade Humanities blends Social Studies and Language Arts.  Literature is used as a base to model good writing, to demonstrate proper grammar and mechanics, and to explore content and concepts.

Students receive extensive reading instruction based on ongoing assessment. They build  decoding skills and develop literacy skills such as recognizing character traits, plot, and settings. Additional quality literature supplements the common reader.

Written language is encouraged through journal writing, data collection, and various content related assignments. Teachers model good writing through the morning message and group stories. Students develop writing skills and grow familiar with proper mechanics through observation, demonstration, and practice on individual assignments. Students pre-write, edit, and publish many of their compositions. Manuscript handwriting is refined as motor skills develop.

Spoken language is fostered through the encouragement of using complete sentences when speaking, applying new spoken vocabulary, retelling stories in proper sequence, sharing personal anecdotes, and initiating conversations with teachers and peers.

2

2^nd Grade Humanities students consider the relationships of communities: the community of our family, the immediate community of Greenhill, the cities in which we live and work, the state of Texas, and the relationships of the states to one another throughout our country.

Students become acquainted with outstanding literary selections; develop skills in reading fluently both orally and silently; reinforce decoding skills while building new reading and speaking vocabulary; build literacy skills by recognizing character traits, plot, and settings; and develop comprehension skills on many levels. A balanced approach to the teaching of reading uses phonics as a springboard to decoding and integrates content areas to provide the interest level necessary for authentic reading opportunities.

Students model good writing through the study of and response to good literature; learn grammar and punctuation through authentic process writing; and apply spelling in their writing. Cursive handwriting is introduced.

3

3^rd Grade Humanities explores three thematic questions:  How do we learn about our world and ourselves through new experiences? How do we make and use plans to help us solve problems? As a team/community, how can we use each member’s strengths to get the job done?  These questions are the focal point for readings in the anthology and supplemental literature.

The multicultural literature connects to our themes, includes a variety of genres, and meets a range of reading levels. Students learn to think critically, to evaluate characters’ decisions and actions, and to relate reading to their own experiences.  This occurs through discussions, a reading response journal, and book projects.

Lessons incorporate: phonics; vocabulary; writing; grammar, usage, mechanics, spelling; social studies skills and current events; and literacy skills.

4

4^th Grade Humanities explores the meaning of leadership through substantive topics: the formation of our nation, the democratic process, current events, the Civil Rights Movement, and the history of Greenhill. 

Students read from a variety of genres; and they participate in literary discussions, oral and written response exercises, reading comprehension skill work, critical thinking assignments, creative book sharing projects, and independent reading. Reading comprehension skills are reinforced through classroom discussion, center activities, and written assignments.

Students explore writing through the Writer’s Workshop program. Students write often, with journaling as a springboard for all projects.  Assignments include research writing, biographies, a study of newspaper writing, narratives, and expository writing. Weekly lessons incorporate: vocabulary; grammar, usage, and mechanics; and spelling rules and patterns.