Read a little about our curriculum.  Click on the embedded links to learn even more.  

The first grade curriculum is a natural progression from kindergarten. We cover topics in reading, language arts, math, science, social science and writing.  All of our curriculum is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  Below are the programs we use to help us teach the Core.  In addition, daily use of our 1:1 devices (iPads) help us support the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) Standards.

Daily math maintenance and practice of calendar skills, place value concepts and structuring numbers take place each morning during Number Corner. Daily math lessons come from the Bridges in Mathematics series, and focuses on developing students’ deep conceptual understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration.  We supplement with both teacher created and commercial games for student practice. 

At Oak Grove, teachers will be piloting Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) is a language arts program for grades PreK–5 that combines a multi-sensory approach to phonics with rich texts carefully sequenced to build content knowledge—so that students learn to read and read to learn at the same time. Every day in grades PreK–2, students complete one full lesson that builds foundational reading skills, as well as one full lesson that builds background knowledge. The Skills strand of the Core Knowledge Language Arts program teaches students the decoding skills needed for (future) independent reading. Each Skills lesson begins with a warm-up, reviewing previously taught content in reading, writing, and/or grammar. All reading times—denoted below as demonstration stories or whole group, small group, or partner reading—consist of a story preview, presentation, and discussion. The Knowledge strand of the Core Knowledge Language Arts program is designed to help students build the background knowledge and vocabulary critical to listening and reading comprehension. Through introducing, presenting, and discussing read-alouds in each domain, teachers build students’ listening and reading comprehension and oral language skills.  

Our science units align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  Covering one discipline a trimester, our standards are Waves, Light and Sound, Space Systems-Patterns and Systems, and Animal Diversity and Ecosystems.  The Social Science Standards first grade cover include Civics Standards of roles and rules in a community, Economic Standards of goods and services, Geography Standards of constructing and interpreting maps, and History Standards of chronologically sequencing multiple events and learning about individuals and groups who have shaped a significant historical change.

The Second Steps program addresses the need for social-emotional learning and teaches skills for social and academic success with lessons on Skills for Learning, Empathy, Emotion Management and Problem Solving.  This year it will also encompass mindfulness and will be embedded within weekly lessons.  

First graders attend rotations every morning and PE every afternoon.   Opportunities for differentiated instruction are provided throughout the day, and student need will dictate their inclusion in RtI and/or Talent Development services.  In addition, once per week, the enrichment specialist visits all K-3 classrooms to provide a 30 minute talent development lesson using the Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS) resource.