First Grade

Wayland Union Schools utilizes the Reader's and Writer's Workshop model for Language Arts Instruction. Our district utilizes the Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Reading and Writing as the basis of our Language Arts program but supplement based on the needs of students, which vary from year to year. Students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade also complete the Saxon Phonics program in order to establish a firm foundation in phonics skills. For the 2024-2025 school year, teachers of grades K-5 are piloting additional ELA programs including Superkids, HMH Into Reading, and Bookworms.

Essential Standards for 1st Language Arts:

• Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis and decoding skills
• Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension
• Retell stories and text including key details and identify the main topic of a text
• With support from an adult, focus on a topic and be able to respond to questions from peers and add details to strengthen writing.

In accordance with Michigan's new Third Grade Reading Law, all students must be within one grade level of reading proficiency at the end of their Third Grade year. To read about how you can help your child reach reading proficiency, please check out our Read At Home Plan.

Wayland Union Schools utilizes Everyday Mathematics as the core resource for addressing our math curriculum.

Essential Standards for 1st Grade Math:

• Identify and write numbers to 120
  
• Identify two-digit numbers and numbers that are greater than, less than, or equal to each other
• Add and subtract numbers within 10
• Identify place value for 1s and 10s.

Parents looking to help their child with math at home might find the following resources useful.

Everyday Math At Home - 1st Grade

First graders in Mystery Science focus on developing foundational science skills like observation, questioning, and predicting. They’ll explore light, sound, plants, and animals by answering questions such as "How do different animals use their senses?" and "Why do we see the moon at night?" The curriculum builds their understanding of the natural world by examining living things, the Earth’s changes, and the basics of energy, with engaging lessons that tie these concepts to everyday life.

Mystery Science

First graders expand on the foundations of community by exploring broader social structures and understanding how their local community works. They’ll learn about jobs, leaders, and the importance of rules in society, with an emphasis on citizenship and community helpers. The curriculum covers basic geography by introducing map skills and the globe, helping students to understand their place in the world. Students also study national holidays and symbols, connecting them to the broader concept of being part of a country and a world community.

Studies Weekly

Elementary students at Wayland Union Schools attend classes in Music, Physical Education, Media, and Art on a weekly basis.

Wayland Union Schools offers access to several different programs that can keep students learning at home. Please read below to learn about the various programs. Usage may vary from grade to grade so please be sure to look at the target audience and work with your child's teacher to maximize the benefit of each program.

Please contact your child's teacher or the Technology Helpdesk (helpdesk@waylandunion.org) for usernames and passwords for the various websites.

To learn about the different programs that students may utilize at home, click here.

The elementary curriculum at Wayland Union Schools is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for Math and Language Arts and Michigan Standards for Science and Social Studies. Though essential standards and general topics of study have been identified for each content area, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in all or most grade level standards in order to be promoted to the next grade level.