First Grade

List of 6 items.

• ELA

  The first grade ELA curriculum includes reading, writing, spelling, speaking and listening. Phonological skills are introduced. These include identifying beginning, medial, and ending consonant sounds, short and long vowel sounds, digraphs, blends, and verb endings. 

  Students work in a whole class setting as well as in small, differentiated groups. Reading groups continue to utilize the Orton-Gillingham approach to literacy. Teachers review the letter sounds and blend with a “three part drill” which involves using letter cards, a blending board to separate each letter sound independent, then blend the sounds together to form real words and nonsense words. 

  In addition to our Orton-Gillingham approach, we also incorporate literature and stories from the Wonder series. We use our chromebooks as a way to reinforce, develop, and review our comprehension, writing, and phonics skills using technology. 

  Handwriting and printing are a crucial step of first grade, learning how to form each letter and number. We use Orton-Gillingham wording for letter formation and placement, based on where the letter parts fall on the line.
  
  

  Through daily writing, students explore different types of writing genres such as lists, note-taking, poems, stories, letters, how-to procedure writing, informational writing, and journal entries. The Grade 1 writing goal for students is to be able to write three or more sentences about a given topic, in preparation for writing a full paragraph in 2nd grade.

• Math

  The Lower School math program  follows the tenets of the Singapore Math method where there is a focus on mastery achieved through intentional sequencing of concepts.  Students learn to think mathematically as problem solvers via their depth of knowledge gained from previous lessons.  Key features of the approach include the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract). 

   

  Skills focused on include addition and subtraction through 20, numbers and place value, identifying and counting coins up to $1.00, graphing and data, telling time to the half-hour, measurement, geometry, fractions to the whole, half, and thirds, and word problems using all of these skills to spiral review throughout the year. 

   

  First graders use a variety of math manipulatives such as unifix cubes, base ten blocks, math games, clocks, whiteboards, and cards to provide a hands-on experience to develop understanding and mastery of mathematical concepts. Students work independently, with partners, and in groups to practice these skills. Math books, chromebooks, games and center activities are incorporated to explore and gain further understanding. Math is used across the curriculum in science, social studies, and language arts.

• Social Studies

  In social studies we explore geography, citizenship, cultures, and holidays. The students identify attributes of our community, explore rules and responsibilities, examine different cultures, and learn about special holidays celebrated during the year. 

  
  

  We welcome families to come in and share about their favorite family holidays, traditions, and their jobs in our community! Out of school exposure helps students to become global citizens, who are aware of life beyond their classroom walls! Students become aware of the world through the use of Scholastic News Magazine. Students are exposed to skills and ideas they will use across the curriculum, including using a calendar, reading a map, reading and making bar graphs, making monthly class time lines posters, using nonfiction text, and hands-on activities. 

• Science

  Using hands on activities, the First Graders discover information about fruits and vegetables, nutrition, animals in winter, dental health, and caring for our environment. They use the scientific method to make and test predictions, record observations, and draw conclusions. Our learning is also extended outside into the Nardin garden.

• World Language

  In first grade, the students take either French or Spanish as their language of study. The classes are taught with a semi-immersion technique that includes a majority of the target language spoken. Students have fun putting the language to use through different activities that engage all students in a communal and ludic classroom. We work with a program that is only taught in the language so students can understand that what they already know can transfer directly into whichever language we are engaged in.

• Religion

  Our first grade religion lessons follow the Diocesean curriculum, and teaches children about God and how he created the world and people around us! We learn different prayers and practice the sign of the cross. Students learn that God created everyone, and we can help each other by using kind and friendly words with everyone we meet. Religion is often integrated with our Fly Five social emotional learning curriculum - that everyone we come in contact with is to be treated with kindness.