English Language Arts, Grade 1

Unit 1: Understanding the Conventions of Written Language

Grammar, usage, mechanics and spelling in the child's own reading and writing.

• Notice: Writes sentences in an order that supports a main idea or…

• Notice: In simple sentences by using subject, verb, modifier

• Notice: Uses vocabulary and/or terminology related to the type of…

• Notice: Applies capitalization rules: the first word in a sentence,…
• Use: Uses conventions of writing: spacing between words and…

Unit 2: Producing and Interpreting Media Texts

Reading and making media texts — images, sound, and media conventions (a genuine QEP strand).

• Notice: Uses and interprets the visual element of color

Unit 3: Response Process

How a reader connects with, understands and responds to texts.

• Notice: Understands the purpose for reading, listening to and/or…

• Notice: Makes explicit connections between own personal experiences…

• Notice: Description of ideas and concepts

• Notice: Constructs a personal response to the text

• Notice: Determines the specific or target audience by selecting…

Unit 4: Writing Process

The stages of writing — planning, drafting, revising, editing, publishing.

• Notice: Understands the purpose for the writing

• Notice: Writes to a specific familiar audience of family, friends…

• Notice: Selects personally significant pieces of writing to publish

Unit 5: Production Process (Media)

The stages of making a media text, from planning to sharing (a genuine QEP strand).

• Notice: Understands the purpose for the production

Unit 6: Self-Expressive: Texts That Reinforce or Maintain Relationships

Texts that build and keep relationships — cards, letters, messages.

• Notice: Formal and informal thank-yous, expressions of appreciation…

• Notice: Thank-you notes

• Notice: Salutation, body and closing in a friendly letter

Unit 7: Self-Expressive: Reflective Texts

Texts that reflect on the child's own thoughts, feelings and experiences.

• Notice: Texts that focus on reflecting and evaluating own learning,…

• Notice: Journals

• Notice: Self-expressive language to relate ideas, feelings,…

Unit 8: Narrative and Literary Texts

Stories and literary texts — their features, genres and required reading.

• Notice: Role-play involving character from own stories, from…

• Notice: Nursery rhymes

• Notice: Comic strips

• Notice: Stories based on ideas, experiences and events

• Notice: Predictable story patterns

• Notice: Main character in a story

• Notice: Literary conventions

• Notice: Use of images (photos or drawings) to extend the story and…

Unit 9: Information-Based: Planning Texts

Texts that organise and plan information.

• Notice: Understands the use of talk to compose a first draft of…

• Notice: Learning/thinking logs and lists that record thoughts,…

Unit 10: Information-Based: Explanatory Texts

Texts that explain how or why.

• Notice: Directions and instructions

• Notice: Texts that explain a process/procedure

• Notice: A title and a series of logical steps, in images and/or…

Unit 11: Information-Based: Descriptive Reports

Texts that describe and report on a topic.

• Notice: spoken reports based on family, community or school…

• Notice: Nonfiction that describes and reports details about a topic

• Notice: Title to indicate contents

Unit 12: Information-Based: Persuasive Texts

Texts that try to persuade a reader.

• Notice: Popular signs and symbols, such as logos of popular food…

• Notice: Promotional posters or flyers