Grade 1 Textbooks
Mathematics
Title: Envision Math, Grade 1
Publication: Scott Foresman, 2007
ISBN #: 978-0328272808
Assessment Rating: 2-Needs Improvement
Assessment:
While the NCSCOS Core Curriculum for first grade mathematics does not require the teaching of money concepts, this textbook does cover the topic. The instruction in this book includes essential understanding of the value of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half-dollars, and dollars as well as a very short section on counting sets of coins. There is also a section on graphing, which will be applicable in building skills needed in later stages of economic education. I have used this textbook to teach in a classroom. While we did not cover this specific section, I can attest to the instructional tools and the effectiveness of the textbook. I felt that in general this system, in correlation with the additional resources was very confusing for the children and myself to use. Often, we would complete the available pages and they would still not understand the concepts of the lesson. I would not recommend this as a resource.
Social Studies
Title: Social Studies: Grade 1: North Carolina: Neighborhoods
Publication: Houghton Mifflin, 2007
ISBN #: Teacher's Edition: 9780618937486
Applicable NC SCOS Goal for Economics:
NCSCOS Social Studies Competency Goal 6: The learner will apply basic economic
concepts to home, school and the community.
Assessment Rating: 4-Good
Assessment:
Unit 3 of this textbook is entitled "World of Work" and it covers the topics of:
- Needs, Wants, and Choices
- Jobs Everywhere
- Produce and Consume
- Spend and Save
The coverage in this book discusses each of these concepts in very brief and simple terms as seems appropriate for the first grade classroom. Using this textbook would certainly require that the instructor create additional activities to supplement the use of this text. The pictures and layout are engaging and pleasing to the eye. However, there is one specific activity that I question, On page 8 of this unit, there is an activity entitled "Needs Around the World." The book depicts shelter, food, and clothing from North America, Africa, and Asia and the child is intended to circle the clothing people wear in China. I feel that this activity uses stereotypes to convey their point. While it is important to convey that people are different, I do not feel that this activity is appropriate in its approach of this goal.
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