First Grade is where the magic begins. Building upon the
fundamental skills the children learned in Kindergarten, the
students read, write, add and subtract. It is very exciting to have
your own desk and your own pencil box for the first time! The
students are eager to learn and learning in First Grade is fun.
In Language Arts, we begin stringing together all of the sounds
we have learned to writes stories and read more complex text. The
students write in a journal everyday, exploring a variety of
themes. The Language Arts units in First Grade are very interesting
and each one culminates with a project, such as a diorama or an
oral or written presentation.
In math, first graders learn about place value, number sense,
measurement and collecting and organizing data in various ways.
Using various technologies and websites, math is interactive and
engaging .
Science is all about investigating and exploring. The themes
explored in First Grade include Plants and Animals, Air and
Weather, Outer Space, and Solids and Liquids. Art is incorporated
into all subject areas on a regular basis.
Throughout the year, the first grade curriculum emphasizes the
social environment. The theme of community is taught on different
scales - the classroom community, the school community and the
larger local. Children and adults are expected to share in the
practice of values as a means to nurture an environment in
which children can explore, stretch, succeed, and learn from their
mistakes.