Welcome to first grade! It is a time of learning experiences, discovery, and growth.

 

Throughout the year the students spend a great deal of time reading a wide variety of literature. There are phonics and leveled readers, in which phonics, the use of picture clues and context clues are taught. While the students are in reading groups, an assistant manages reading practice and learning games. There is also a time for each student to read on his own level, determined by the teacher, in one-on-one conferences. Anecdotes are recorded and used for individual instruction. Learning poetry is an important part of the curriculum. Students can self-select books from an extensive classroom library.

 

Poetry is recited, complied in a booklet, and used for repeated practice. The students learn public speaking techniques, intonation, and build fluency. Writing is integrated in theme work and creations of his/her own books or papers. Journals are written in daily, shared with peers, and used to teach the use of topic sentences, details, and conclusions. Students take turns writing a letter to the class, which is also used for instruction of word usage, punctuation, spelling, etc. Word study includes spelling, phonics instruction, and handwriting instruction. Reading is basically integrated into every part of the day!

 

The Everyday Mathematics program for Grade 1 is a spiraling series, which teaches concepts and skills developed over time in the school year. Collaborative learning is done in partner and small group activities with hands on activities. Students are shown multiple ways for problem solving to become successful mathematical thinkers. The strands are operations and computation, numeration, patterns, functions, algebra, data and chance, measurement and reference frames, and geometry. Each morning the class completes a review page to practice previous skills and concepts. Immediate help is given if needed. To supplement the program extensive calendar activities are taught at the beginning of the school year. By January pairs of students complete the calendar activities and teach the class. Teacher generated storyboards, other manipulatives, and center games are also used to challenge the first graders. Math is challenging and interactive!

 

Science and Social Studies are theme based and are integrated within the curriculum. Scholastic News is used to supplement the Social Studies units of community, holidays, map skills, goods and services, and bartering. Many field trips around the city are helpful in making the studies become “real”.   A lower school science lab is available for activities and experiments in studying insects, air and weather, plant growth, pets, dental health, the five senses, and simple machines. Trips to the Ruth Patrick Center and area businesses help introduce or supplement these units of study. Parents are encouraged to share their knowledge on topics and join in on activities. Special topic bags are sent home periodically for students to share with their parents. Science and Social Studies are hands on and exploratory!

1^st grade students use educational software to reinforce classroom topics such as reading and math. They are introduced to writing by exploring Microsoft Word and begin keyboarding with the program Read, Write, and Type. Educational websites are also utilized. Care of their workspace and respect of fellow students is stressed.

1st grade students enjoy a variety of musical experiences with an emphasis on singing, rhythm, movement, performance and musical drama. Students play percussion instruments, xylophones, color-coded hand bells and boomwackers. Music theory includes rhythm notation and the musical alphabet. Music appreciation is introduced by listening to works by selected composers and a brief biography. There are performances for Grandparents’ Day, Christmas and Lower School graduation. 1st grade students have the main speaking parts and solos in the end of year musical.

In First grade, more in depth Spanish vocabulary is practiced orally through
songs, finger play, books, videos and games. Children learn greetings, numbers,
the alphabet, colors, parts of the body, clothing, animals, transportation,
classroom terms, family, food, household terms, directional and question words.
We use a workbook to read and write simple Spanish words. Computer programs
provide a more interactive experience. A visit to a Mexican restaurant is one
of the highlights of our unique Spanish program!

Listening and viewing skills; story discussion; library etiquette; discrimination between fiction and non-fiction; build awareness of library as information source; care and organization of books and periodicals; weekly book check out.