What my child is learning

In Grade 1, your child learns about listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing.

Your child learns to understand and communicate about what he or she hears and sees, for example in books, videos, songs and nursery rhymes. Your child learns to:

• talk and think about his or her own experiences
• react to ideas and others’ feelings
• figure out the meaning of words and think about ideas
• talk about or show personal connections
• talk and ask questions about a topic and find answers in different ways (such as from his or her own experiences, books, and videos)

Your child learns to communicate and share ideas with others in different ways, such as:

• drawing, telling stories, writing down ideas, using photographs, singing and role-playing
• comparing, categorizing, selecting, and explaining information and ideas
• matching letters and sounds and writing some familiar words

In Grade 1, your child also learns to take turns, co-operate, help others, and ask others for help.

To find out more about what your child is learning, talk to the teacher. You may also refer to the Language Arts Practices: Orientation guide for information regarding the program's guiding principles and recommended practices.

How your child is assessed

Your child’s progress in English Language Arts will be reported in three areas:

Comprehension (Reading, Listening and Viewing)

• What does your child do to think about and understand stories, information, and pictures? 
  
• How does your child use actions, drawings and words to communicate about ideas, art, stories, or information?
  
• How well does your child follow or recall steps to do something?
  
• How does your child listen to and share ideas and feelings?

Communication (Writing, Speaking and Representing)

• How does your child communicate ideas, information, and feelings?
  
• How does your child participate in activities to share questions, ideas, information, and words about a particular theme or topic?
  
• How does your child express and organize ideas in writing and pictures?

Critical Thinking

• How does your child compare stories, events and information to his or her own experiences or knowledge?
• How does your child make predictions and use information and experiences to check the predictions?
• Does your child choose information and ideas that help explore or answer his or her questions?  

The teacher will report on your child’s progress in these areas three times a year.

The information from each report helps you to support your child’s learning. You can use it to talk with your child and your child’s teacher about results, strengths, challenges and what your child will be doing next.

Resources

• Winnipeg Public Library: Features information and programming devoted to Early Literacy as well as access to several databases of digital storybooks for a variety of grade levels.
• Lalilo: Learners following this program develop their phonological awareness skills while gradually learning the fundamentals of reading. Families may opt to have their children study in French or in English upon opening a free parent account.
• Reading Bear: A free online program that teaches beginning readers vocabulary and concepts while systematically introducing all the main phonetic patterns of written English.
• CBC has developed a number of educational apps for building children’s vocabulary and introducing them to the joys of reading. The PBSKids website includes a number of Reading Games, while Storyline Online features videos of award-winning actors reading picture books suitable for young children.
• Online Resources for Manitoba Educators: Notified homeschooling families may access this online collection of eBooks, Audio books, eJournals and other resources.
• Please visit the My Learning at Home – English website for links to more English language resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do children learn to read and write? "Learning to read does not happen all at once. Nor does it happen at the same time for all children. It involves a series of stages that lead, over time, to independent reading and to fluency. Learning to read begins in the home as children are exposed to texts in a variety of formats, including books, signage and digital messages. Caregivers who read to their children are showing them how printed texts “work”: which way is up, and where the text begins and ends. Through this process, children begin to understand that symbols and words represent concepts and that a message, once written, does not change. Once children begin school, they learn that letters represent sounds and that different combinations of letters are used to represent all the words they hear. These words are then combined into sentences that are structured differently depending on the language. As students become more confident at decoding the words and sentences they read, they start focusing on understanding the messages authors are transmitting to their readers. Children discuss these messages and make connections to personal experiences, to other stories they have heard or read, and to videos or television programs they may have viewed. Ideally, students discover that reading can affect them and even change their view of the world. They then come to realize that the messages they write can influence others as well."

How can I help my child? What tips can I use to help my child learn to read? As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. When you help your child learn to read, you are opening the door to a world of books and learning. Reading aloud to children everyday is the best way to get them interested in reading. Before long they will grow to love the stories and books. Reading and writing can be family activities. Spending time with your child playing word games, writing grocery lists, birthday or everyday messages, reading stories, and watching appropriate television programs will provide him or her with many opportunities to practice reading and writing skills. As you discuss, ask lots of question, make predictions and encourage your child to tell you what he or she thinks and feels about what is going on in the story. Your child will gain insights, gather information, and learn about the world.

Where can I get support in helping my child to read and write? Don’t feel that you are alone. Family members and friends may be willing to support you in helping your child in his or her efforts to learn to read and write. Your child’s teacher and local librarians are knowledgeable and can offer help. You can also seek advice from community organizations such as child care centers and from your family doctor. Your child’s teacher can provide advice about helping your child. Here are some topics you could discuss with the teacher: your child’s reading strengths and what strategies could you encourage your child to practice the reading goal for your child and how you can support your child in working towards those goals books that your child could read easily and books that he or she would find more difficult books and authors your child might enjoy talk about your child’s interest and how to find ways to use these interests.

Why is critical thinking important at this age? Critical thinking helps students focus on developing their ability to reason, analyze, evaluate, and create in a way that expresses their thought, feelings and actions in a reasoned and clear manner. Therefore, it is necessary for students to understand that how we interact with new ideas, what we read, what we view, and experience is as important as what these texts and ideas are. We should hear children asking questions, discussing ideas, and opinions, and what the message of the author or artist is and why he or she is communicating it.