First grade is the year where the foundation of literacy skills is created and expanded upon. Students begin their journey and gain confidence as readers by demonstrating proficiency in decoding unknown words, identifying sight words, reading with fluency, and having both literal and inferential comprehension.  This is all done through a Balanced Literacy approach. Literacy learning in first grade consists of a variety of instructional strategies, research-based programs as well as hands-on activities and technology centers. Lessons using a phonics-based spelling program are implemented in order for students to master the relationships between letters and sounds and sound patterns so they can build words. Shared reading experiences using quality literature and big books, small guided reading groups that address individual needs and independent reading with appropriately leveled texts in different genres are all part of our Balanced Literacy Program.  

Our First Grade Authors will blossom as they are exposed to mentor texts and various writing techniques and crafts. They will learn to write detailed, meaningful sentences using proper handwriting and grammar. Then these skills will be built upon during writing units such as Personal Narratives, Informational/Non-fiction Writing and Opinion Writing.

Our mathematicians in first grade will use hands-on manipulatives, work mats and a variety of tools to help them become knowledgeable in math concepts involving number sense, computation, and problem solving. The key to understanding more complex concepts is to have solid fact fluency. Students practice basic addition and subtraction facts through a variety of learning centers, games and online support. Other topics learned this year include; numbers to ten, place value, two-digit numbers with addition and subtraction, measurement, time, money, and shapes/geometry.  

Students have the opportunity to explore science  during their visits to the lab and follow-up lessons in the classroom. Our “little scientists” will investigate and make discoveries with topics in the following units: Structure, Function and Information Processing (learning about traits of plants and animals), Waves (sound and light), and Space Systems. 

In social studies, our first graders engage in a variety of activities related to units such as ; Citizenship, Family, Economics and Geography.