One of the joys of First Grade is watching students develop into independent readers and writers. Teachers lead them toward this goal through a variety of activities that develop a full range of phonics, comprehension, vocabulary and fluency skills. Art, Music, Poetry and Literature continue to play an important part of each child’s school day. Music is taught twice weekly for a half an hour and art is woven into the curriculum in reading, social studies and science. Students visit a local farm’s pumpkin patch in the fall and go to the Edmond’s Beach in the spring. They also walk to a local theatre to experience a musical production.
Reading
Children are helped to refine their reading skills with our phonics-based approach using either the “Read Well” program or Scott Foresman Reading Program. Each programs emphasis is on short vowels and consonant sounds, sequencing, auditory and visual discrimination, classifying and rhyming. Teachers use powerful read-aloud books that teach rich vocabulary. http://store.cambiumlearning.com/resource.aspx?page=ProgramOverview&site=sw&parentId=019005451
Math
Our classes use the state approved standards in math instruction that include counting by rote to 100 forward and backwards from 10 – 1. First Graders also study patterning, shapes, problem solving and ordering numbers. Students begin to understand the meaning of addition and subtraction and start memorizing their addition and subtraction math facts. Units taught in first grade are explained further at the following website. http://www.lwsd.org/Parents/Teaching-Curriculum/Math-Resources/First-Grade-Math/Pages/default.aspx
Printing and Writing
Students continue to develop fine motor control as they learn to print letters, words and simple sentences using the D’Nealian style letter formation. http://www.dnealian.com/lessons.html They begin to write personal stories about “Small Moments” using the Lucy Calkins Unit of Study Writing Program. http://www.unitsofstudy.com/toc_home.asp
Science
In science first graders study three units. The first is “Solids and Liquids”, the second, “Air and Weather”, and third “New Plants”. http://www.fossweb.com/modulesK-2/index.html
Technology
Our first graders begin their skills in technology by learning computer navigation, logging on, graphic skills, and through using the computer to learn reading skills through a program called “Headsprouts”. They also use the computer program FASTT MATH to help memorize their math facts.
Social Studies
New Social Studies Curriculum will be adopted for the 2009-2010 school year.