First Grade School Program

A comprehensive, literature-based reading series is used in the first grade. Phonics and skills necessary for oral reading and comprehension are taught. Students are encouraged to read and listen to literature for enjoymen

The language program stresses creative writing, poetry, letter writing, handwriting skills, spelling, and grammar; all of which includes forming complete sentences with proper use of verbs, nouns, proper nouns, and punctuation.

First graders review their counting skills as they learn basic addition and subtraction through 99, memorize plus-and-minus facts through 20, and place value through 100. Students learn the concepts of time, money value, logic, reasoning, graphing, problem solving, measurement, and three-dimensional shapes.

Social studies units include the study of the United States and the world around us, holidays and their cultural variations, and the acquisition of map skills. Students also learn about themselves, their families, and fire safety. Many of the units in both science and social studies are coordinated with field trips.

Science units include engineering and technology, sound, light, plant and animal structures, living things and their young, as well as objects and patterns in the sky.

The art curriculum integrates the four disciplines of art education: art history and culture, aesthetic perception, creative expression, and art criticism. Students learn about the elements of art and principles of design, developing the necessary vocabulary to describe various artwork. They will examine work by artists from a range of cultures and historical art movements. Developmental skills in drawing, painting, sculpting, and crafts are introduced. These skills are built upon annually with a greater degree of difficulty as students advance through the upper grades.

Emphasis is on rhythm, melody, and coordination through rhythmic activities, playing small percussion instruments, xylophones, dance and creative movement. Vocal intonation is developed throughout the year.

Large and small muscle motor coordination skills are taught along with creative, rhythmic, and perceptual movements. Students participate in locomotor movements, team and individual sports, cooperative games, and relay activities, in addition to learning various exercises and ball skills. Health units are taught throughout the year. Cooperation, skills development, teamwork, participation, and sportsmanship are also emphasized.

Students will become familiar with basic knowledge of how computers work, hardware, software, and terminology for use of computer and related technology efficiency. Emphasis will be on developing keyboarding skills and creating Microsoft Office Suite projects. Age-appropriate discussions of online safety and proper computer etiquette will be covered. Students create digital stories, games, tools, and scientific models while learning the basics of programming.

Elementary Spanish focuses on a variety of themes which will be reintroduced and expanded upon in successive years. These themes build vocabulary, communicative competence, and comprehension, and include: Greetings, Family, Members of a Community, Clothing, Parts of the House, Time, Animals, Numbers (1- 30), School Life, Food, Body Parts, Seasons, Weather, Calendar, Colors, and Cultural Awareness lessons taught through stories, songs, and videos.

The library curriculum is based on information access and problem-solving skills. Students learn how to use the library by locating books using the online catalog and finding the books on the shelves. Literature appreciation is also emphasized through class discussions. Students can choose from over 28,000 titles on our library shelves and in our e-book collection from the digital Overdrive/Sora library.