The primary focus in first grade is to build a solid foundation of basic skills. These skills are essential for future success in school and in life. We strive to help children realize their full potential in all areas of development.
Reading is taught in small groups and reinforced through a home/school reading program. Writing is incorporated into all subject areas with an emphasis on handwriting, spelling of core words, sentence structure, and mechanics. In math, strategies are developed for addition and subtraction and these operations are applied in problem-solving activities. Graphing, estimating, patterning and problem solving are emphasized throughout the year. Other units include place value, time, money, geometry, fractions and measurement.
Students will be exposed to historical perspectives in their study of "Coming to America". They will discover that a variety of people contributed to the development of America. Topics will include explorers, Native American tribes, Plymouth Colony, and Thanksgiving. Students will compare and contrast the current cultures of Canada and Mexico with our own. In addition, they will locate places on maps and globes. Students will learn to recognize some of the earth's physical geographic features. The first grade science curriculum presents opportunities for the students to learn more about the world around them as we study various animal groups.
Reading
Our language arts program combines reading skills and strategies in a literature-based approach which exposes all students to significant literary works. Direct instruction is provided in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It uses collaborative learning and higher-level thinking skills and builds on students’ interests and experiences.
The following skills will be taught in first grade:
- recognition of consonant letters and their sounds
- learning the vowel sounds
- matching of printed to spoken word
- seeing and hearing rhyming words
- recognition of a basic first grade vocabulary
- reading aloud with expression and understanding
- developing independent reading
Math
The concepts we will be working with this year will include the following:
number formation to 100 - time
sums and differences - money
skip counting by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s - geometry and graphing
problem solving activities - measurement
place value - fractions
ordinal numbers - estimating
Science
The areas to be studied are:
- classifying living and non-living things
- animals – size, covering, locomotion, homes and hibernation
- how objects move
- earth composition – rock, soil, air and water
- health needs – nutrition, personal hygiene, rest and exercise
Homework
- Read 20 minutes daily for 20 days a month and record on a Reading Calendar.
- Topic sharing – Students will prepare three sentences in written form on a specific topic twice a month.
- Math – Daily
Special Events
Birthdays are celebrated on or near the child’s birthday. Summer birthdays are celebrated at the end of the year. We usually celebrate birthdays at the end of the day. Children may bring in easy-to-serve treats and napkins.
Student of the Week
This is an opportunity to recognize one special child each week. The student will share about themselves and special events and people in their lives. They may bring in photographs of family, pets, vacations, and hobbies. Your child may wish to include favorite books, foods, awards, etc.
A packet will be sent home on Fridays with directions for the Student of the Week. Please return the completed packet on Monday.
Planned Field Trips
-Performing Arts
-Butterfly Pavilion- Insect Unit
- Roxborough State Park – Animal Habitats