1st Grade

First Grade

The focus on a balanced program which promotes each child’s develop mentally, physically and socially continues in first grade. The four primary academic areas throughout the Lower School years are language arts, mathematics, the social sciences comprised of science and social studies.

First grade continues to employ the balanced literacy approach to learning language arts. Students participate in whole-group lessons and also work in small groups for guided reading instruction. A basal series, leveled readers and supplemental reading books are used for learning. Whole group lessons may include word study, spelling or a writing mini-lesson. Small group activities may include a focus on phonological awareness skills or an oral reading session. Components of language arts incorporated throughout the year are phonemic awareness, spelling and word study, vocabulary, oral reading, independent reading, reading comprehension skills, and the development of writing skills through Six Traits writing lessons.

The Lower School uses the Everyday Mathematics program, incorporating a rich curriculum which enhances the ability to develop an understanding of numbers and acquire knowledge and skills from students’ own experiences. Students are guided as they move from concrete operations to abstract concepts and mathematical experiences are expanded through integration with other curriculum areas. The Everyday Mathematics series focuses on numeration, counting, operations and relations, patterns, geometry, measurement, fractions and decimals, and rules and functions. Manipulatives, slate routines, math games and drill are a part of the program.

Social science topics covered in first grades include an investigation of the sun and the earth’s rotation and revolution, an investigation of matter, observations of physical properties using senses, classification of attributes and properties, an investigation of simple machines, an investigation of goods and services and how people make choices, the uniqueness of individuals and appreciation of differences, holidays and customs, characteristics of good citizens, introduction to maps - their importance and how to construct one, and responsible personal and social behavior in a community.

All first graders have instruction in library and computer skills, foreign language, music, art and movement and physical education.