In reading, students will work to practice their decoding, fluency, prosody, and comprehension skills in both independent reading and small groups. Common Core Standards guide the first grade reading curriculum, and students will enhance their comprehension through retelling, identifying character traits, identifying problem/solution, recognizing cause and effect, and noting character point of view. Diverse texts guide our class conversations, and students will continue to activate critical thinking skills to discuss aspects of the text. Phonics skills of decoding and blending will be transferred into the reading block so that students are using proper decoding skills when reading.
First-grade writers will be working on following the writing process of drafting, writing, revising, and publishing. The first grade curriculum in writing aligns with the Common Core Standards, and students will be exploring different writing types including informational, narrative, how-to, letter writing, poetry, and responsive writing. Writing is incorporated daily into our literacy block and our science and social studies block. Students will work to transfer skills from phonics to their writing to improve their spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Our phonics program is a robust combination of evidence- based and research-backed practices that allow first-graders to gain the skills needed to be strong readers, writers, and listeners. The Heggerty program provides daily phonemic awareness practice, allowing students to reinforce work with syllables, rhyming, segmenting, and more. The Fundations program introduces letter-sound correspondances, sound patterns, irregularly spelled words, as well as correct handwriting formation. Students will be learning the skills of decoding, blending, and segmenting sounds and work to identify and understand the sounds that make up the English language. Phonics skills will be transferred into each subject.
First grade science is an inquiry-based approach, allowing students to explore, discover, observe, and come to conclusions about the world around them. Supplementary materials from PBS, BrainPop, and Mystery Science allow students to learn from real scientists and also develop rich content knowledge and vocabulary that builds their language comprehension. Topics covered include:
Heredity
Moon, Stars, Planets
Apples and Pumpkins
Plant Life Cycles
Animal Adaptations and Life Cycles
Properties of Matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas)
Weather
Magnetism
Sound
In social studies, first graders will enhance critical thinking skills and question-asking, make connections, and gain rich content and vocabulary knowledge. Students will learn about important events in our history, their community, country, and world, holidays and cultures, important change makers, and develop research skills. BrainPop, PBS, McGraw Hill IMPACT, and Core Knowledge resources enhance the curriculum scope and sequence. Topics covered include:
Communities: Rural, Suburban, Urban
Natural Resources
Native American Culture and History
Black History Month
Story of MLK, Jr.
Story of Rosa Parks
Story of Ruby Bridges
Women's History Month
Change-Maker Research Project
Holidays and Cultures Around the World
American Symbols
Mathematics in first grade is focused upon fact fluency, problem solving, thinking deeply, showing work, and applying math to real situations. The McGraw Hill MyMath curriculum guides our scope and sequence of topics. During a daily math block, students engage in direct instruction of mathematics concepts and skills in small groups, and apply their knowledge in centers including math games, skill practice, and work with manipulatives. Students learn to show their work visually, verbally, and numerically, and refine their skills in general mathematical practices including efficiency, pattern recognition, precision, and reasoning. Topics covered include:
Addition and Subtraction Strategies
Add/Subtract Within 20
Two-Digit Addition and Subtraction
Place Value
Graphing
Measurement
Time
2D Shapes
The Sadlier We Believe curriculum guides the first grade religion lessons. Students will explore a variety of age appropriate topics that allow them to grow in their relationship with God and understanding of the Catholic faith. In addition to our religion curriculum, students will attend a whole-school Mass 1-2 times a month with their eighth-grade Mass buddies. First grade will plan and lead a Mass once during the year. School days begin with morning prayer, giving students time to reflect and pray. Topics in our curriculum include:
God's Creation
Blessed Trinity
Jesus's Life and Teachings
The Church and Church Year
Advent and Lent
Sacraments
Mary
Our class follows a responsive classroom approach to learning and classroom management. Once a week, our class will have a social-emotional learning block. During this time, we will explore a variety of topics such as friendships, problem-solving, self-soothing, conflict resolution, and managing feelings. Through activities, read-alouds, and conversations, students will become more confident in problem-solving skills, coping skills, and strengthen friendships and relationships. Topics include:
Being a Good Friend
Kindness and Empathy
Managing Big Emotions
Coping Skills
Growth Mindset
Making Good Choices
Self-Awareness
Conflict Resolution
Apology of Action
Fairness
Forgiveness