First Grade

Ms. Ross & Ms. T

Mrs. Ali & Ms. Lopez

Ms. Thompson & Mr. A

JANUARY 2026

Unit of Inquiry:

Where We are in Place and Time

Central Idea:

Parts of our world follow a cycle of growth and change.

Transdisciplinary Theme Focus:

Personal Histories

Concepts:

Perspective: The understanding that knowledge is moderated by perspectives; different perspectives lead to different interpretations, understandings and findings; perspectives may be individual, group, cultural or disciplinary.

Function: The understanding that everything has a purpose, a role or a way of behaving that can be investigated.

Change: The understanding that change is the process of movement from one state to another. It is universal and inevitable.

Learner Profile Attributes:

Principled

Open-minded

Reflective

Pillar of the Month: Truth

Learner Profile Attribute: Principled

Our Language Policy

In first grade, language is at the heart of everything we do. This month, students explored different holidays and cultures through an IB lens, learning how people celebrate, making connections, and identifying similarities and differences while appreciating traditions from around the world.

Students also learned about life long ago and compared it to life today. In addition, students learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflected on the pillar of Truth, discussing what it means to be honest, true to ourselves, and to stand up for what we believe in, even when it is difficult.

Through these experiences, students are growing as thoughtful, principled, and reflective learners.

Students learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his powerful message of truth, fairness, and standing up for what is right. After listening to and discussing Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, students reflected on the pillar of Truth and what it means to be honest, true to ourselves, principled, and brave enough to speak up for what we believe in.

Students then created their own “I Have a Dream” writing, sharing their hopes and dreams for a kinder and more fair world. This task helped students practice expressing their ideas through writing while making meaningful connections to our IB unit by developing empathy, reflection, principled action, and global awareness.

Through this work, students grew as communicators, principled thinkers, and caring learners, using their voices to share ideas that matter.

During our Community Circle, First Grade shared an activity where students passed a ball while music played, and when the music stopped, the student holding the ball said something kind and truthful to the person next to them. This activity modeled ways other grades can incorporate community-building and a sense of belonging in their classrooms. First Grade also shared a greeting in a different language with the other classes, celebrating diversity and connection across grades.

Kindergarten, First, Second, Third and Fourth Grade students will continue to share their greetings, chants, and activities, helping everyone learn from each other and grow as a caring school community

This time is designed to highlight what is going well, reinforce our pillars and learner profiles, and strengthen a sense of belonging across grade levels.

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