In First Grade, students learn to become fluent and skillful readers and expressive writers. They develop arithmetic skills that help them solve problems and understand relationships between numbers and patterns. They begin to master addition and subtraction facts to 20 and begin place value, telling time, and geometry. First graders are encouraged to act as Jesus taught them through Service Projects. We also practice mindfulness and calming strategies and encorporate singing and movement throughout our day! 

Our Daily Pledge
In 1st Grade, we promise every day to honor God, be respectful, listen with our whole bodies, be kind, and always do our best! 


A Day in First Grade

Morning Meetings
Calendar
Religion
Phonemic awareness
Writing
Guided Reading / Daily 5 Centers
Math
Science / STEM
Social Studies
Goodbye Song & Pack Up

We also enjoy…

Library
Mystery Guests!
Technology (iPad apps)
Field Trips
Buddies
Service Learning Projects
Music 
P.E.
Art
Fine Motor

Curriculum Highlights 

• Religion - In first grade religion, our students use We Believe curriculum as an introduction to Church Seasons, Saints, and simple doctrines like God's love. We also learn key Biblical stories and discover what they tell us about Jesus!

• Science - In science, students explore plant and animal superpowers, light and sound waves, and the solar system! In first grade, we believe science should be active and messy!

• Writing - Students practice writing every day to become more fluent and expressive writers. We practice formal sentence structures, descriptive pieces, and creative story writing. We use The Superkids ELA curriculum to guide our writing practice.

• Word Work - Our daily routine consists of in-depth phonics instruction, conventional spelling, adjectives, verbs, nouns, and so much more!

• Reading - During our Daily 5 hour, students receive significant small-group tutoring for reading. This greatly improves rate, fluency, and expressiveness in reading.

• Math - First grade math uses a combination of Engage NY and self-paced math centers from Lucky Little Learners. Students become fluent in addition and subtraction facts up to 20, word problems, inequalities, money, measurement, geometry, telling time to the hour and half-hour, counting to 120, balancing equations, graphing, and so much more!

• Social Studies - Students concentrate on becoming responsible citizens of the world by recognizing community features, geography, cultural appreciation, and significant figures in history. In first grade, we use Social Studies Weekly, and lots of read-alouds!

First Grade Traditions

• G&M Farms 
• Christmas Around the World
• May Crowning of Mary