Language Arts

The first grade language arts curriculum builds on knowledge gained in the kindergarten classroom and fosters a lifelong interest in literature. Writing skills and concepts are reviewed, expanded, and introduced allowing students to make connections and use these concepts and skills in meaningful ways throughout the day.  Decoding, recognizing phonetic patterns, and continuing to develop a mastery of sight words is a natural progression from kindergarten word work.  First graders will practice reading fluency, comprehension, and build vocabulary as they read aloud individually, with a partner, and in small groups. Additionally, students are read to, participate in book discussions, and explore works of various authors.  Story elements, story sequence, making predictions, and recalling details will be a focus in verbal and written formats.

Students review correct letter formation using D’Nealian handwriting and expand knowledge of sentence formation, word use, and punctuation through a variety of writing genres including narratives, poems, fiction, friendly letters, and informational reports. Spelling skills are developed by the introduction of rules and patterns in words. First graders are given many different opportunities to apply spelling patterns in personal writing pieces. The writing process is developed throughout the first grade year including brainstorming, creating a draft, editing, and publishing.

Math

In math, students build upon and broaden their practice and understanding of concepts introduced in kindergarten.  A connection to real-world problem solving is emphasized as students explore mathematic concepts using manipulatives bridging concrete and abstract understanding. While math focuses change each trimester, developing a strong number sense and computation skills in addition and subtraction remains an emphasis throughout the year, as this is the foundation for all mathematical understanding. In the first trimester, a geometry focus exposes students to the concept of two and three dimensional shapes, new vocabulary, symmetry, congruency, and angles.  Through patterning students begin to learn basic algebraic concepts. Second trimester math builds students’ knowledge as they actively explore addition and subtraction operations, place value concepts, rounding, greater than and less than, and counting by multiples.  Measurement is the math emphasis in third trimester enabling students to use a variety of tools to develop measuring skills in length, weight and capacity as well as time and money. Using a variety of games, manipulatives, activities, and visual models, students strengthen math fact memorization and problem solving skills.

Social Studies and Science

“Around the World” is the social studies and science theme for first grade.  When possible, subject matter is integrated within the curriculum to make learning meaningful.  Students begin the year exploring the concept of community on the local level expanding to the global level.  They learn about personal responsibility in caring for our environment.  Next, students will expand their knowledge of North America, including the life of Native Americans.  Landforms and weather, and the connection of the two, will also be studied.  Third trimester’s science and social studies focus will be studying the remaining continents of the world including characteristics of the Earth’s biomes and the life within each.  At least one country’s culture from each continent will be investigated.  Past cultural components of music, art, food, and daily living have included the countries of China, Egypt, Brazil and Ireland.

Technology

First grade students integrate technology into many areas of the curriculum.  Daily use of computers in the classroom allows students to independently practice a variety of computer and word processing skills.  Students practice keyboarding skills emphasizing finger placement and use of the home row keys. First graders create documents, use simple formatting, and print documents created.  Classroom computers are also used to access the Internet to carry out curriculum related activities as well as research on topics related to classroom learning.

Character Education

Character Education in first grade is integrated into daily classroom interactions throughout the school.  Our learning community is built on respect and kindness towards others.  Additionally, the monthly character education word provided by Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce will be observed each month.  Students also participate in school-wide and classroom-based community service projects during the school year.