Curriculum

The first grade Biblical Studies program emphasizes the relationship that we as Christians have with both God and the others around us (including family, friends, neighbors, and fellow Christians).  We see how God’s plan for His relationship with us began at the time of Creation.  We explore the promises He has made in both the Old and New Testaments.  Memory work is a part of the curriculum; we work on memorizing the first four commandments and their meanings, The Lord’s Prayer, Luther’s Morning Prayer, and The Common Doxology.   We often learn and sing hymns and Bible songs during our daily morning devotional time as well as during our daily Biblical Study lessons from the One in Christ, CPH religion curriculum.  Daily devotions with the early childhood team are teacher led.  Students will memorize Bible verses weekly, chosen yearly for PreK-12th Grade students, with younger students memorizing shorter portions of scripture and older students longer portions.  Weekly chapel services led by the pastor will also be attended. 

In Social Studies, five units will be introduced throughout each school year.  Whole group lessons, enhanced by small group activities, enrichment videos, and independent center activities serve to reinforce the units of study. Social studies strands including, history, geography, civics, economics and world cultures, are incorporated into the units.  Home projects, such as a Family Tree and a Timeline, help to reinforce new material and bring concepts to life.  Holidays and customs are also introduced throughout the year, along with many important people who have helped shape our world.  The schoolwide “Person of the Week,” someone who has influenced our world in a positive way, is also introduced to PreK-Grade 12 students. 

The First Grade Language Arts curriculum is taught using the Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction, (EBLI), consisting of an explicit, systematic process of teaching literacy skills - reading, writing, and spelling - that assist students to reach their highest potential in these areas.  Students will learn that letters make sounds and sounds are put together to create language.  Children will learn the sounds and spell words by putting the sounds together. Spelling assessments are given weekly.  The McMillan/McGraw-Hill Wonders Reading program consists of  six student text books in the  reading series.  Students will orally discuss each reading story either in small groups or as a class.  By the end of the year, the children will adequately be able to read, retell, and comprehend a short story.  Quizzes are given on each main reading selection as well as weekly assessments and unit assessments. 

First graders have three science or social studies classes taught weekly.  Science is taught using a Christian perspective and all lessons are built on the foundation of God’s Word.  Students learn through participating in experiments, viewing demonstrations, and activities the amazing complexity and order of God’s world. Students practice being good caretakers/stewards of the world God has created.  They learn how God designed the relationships between humans, plants, animals, and nonliving things.  Throughout the year they are introduced to topics in life, earth, and physical sciences.  STEM lessons are often taught utilizing our makerspace room and the ideas of hands on and relevant learning experiences of investigation and exploration.  Students will also participate in a Zookeeper project where they will research an animal and present their findings to the class. 

First graders learn key mathematical ideas through National Geographic's Big Ideas Math: Modeling Real Life. Students will be focusing on three main topics: operations and algebraic thinking, numbers and operations, and measurement and data. Throughout these learning areas, students get the practice they need to become well-rounded, mathematically proficient learners. Big Ideas reinforces the process standards of the National Council of Teaching Mathematics, including foundational problem solving skills, strategic competence, reasoning and communication, as well as representation of ideas and procedural fluency. Additionally, Big Ideas incorporates literacy strategies, encouraging students to read, write, and talk about math. 

Technology integration is an important part of our curriculum as well.  The first grade classroom has 11 iPads where students use a variety of educational websites and apps to reinforce, remediate, and enrich topics presented in the classroom.  EBLI apps that correspond to skills learned in the curriculum are used to reinforce and Study Ladder is used to assign students to specific skill work in all subjects, tracks their progress and may be used at school as well as at home.  Often with the use of the  smart board, websites can be demonstrated to the entire class before they are utilized independently.  United Streaming educational videos are often displayed to the entire class, using the computer and projector.  The mimio interactive board is used to enhance lessons and engage students in active learning.