First Grade Curriculum Overview

Religion:

One in Christ is a new series that is put out by the Concordia Publishing House. It teaches Bible stories from creation through the life and death of Jesus. We will be learning these stories, acting some of them out, and even finding them in our Bibles. After each section, a workbook will be sent home that you can go through with your child to review what has been learned. Each week the students will have a Bible verse to memorize and recite in class, and every Wednesday we will attend a school-wide chapel service. Prayer and God’s word will be integrated throughout the day as well. 

Reading:

First Grade is a very exciting time for reading! Our goal is to build a love and joy for reading through many different means. Each month our class will learn about a different author and spend time studying his/her books and doing activities to accompany them. We will also learn about the different book awards and be reading many award-winning children’s books. A portion of each day will be spent where small groups will take turns reading with me while the rest of the students participate in a variety of reading-focused centers. We will be using A-Z Readers leveled books during this small group time. Sequencing, making predictions, main ideas, critical thinking, drawing conclusions, cause and effect, and compare/contrast are common topics we will be discussing no matter what books we are reading. Also, this year we will be introducing the 6-Minute Strategies for Fluency program that will help your child become a fluent reader. Reading at home is also strongly encouraged. 

Phonics:

The Saxon Phonics program is a systematic program that teaches the value of letters, letter combinations, and syllables. We will have a daily lesson that will include new learning as well as review of prior concepts. Homework is an important part of this process, and will be assigned almost every night. Spelling is included in this program, and will be tested on the final day of each week. Also, Handwriting and English are integrated throughout the program. 

Math:

Saxon Math is the program we use to teach basic math addition and subtraction concepts. Students will also learn problem solving strategies and basic skills in geometry, fractions, graphing, money, time, and measurement. Skills are practiced every day with the use of manipulatives, group activities, and demonstrations. Homework is a vital part of practicing and reviewing skills, and will be assigned almost every night.       

Social Studies:

People and Places, a curriculum by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, is used to cover units on families, communities, being good citizens, and jobs/economics. Throughout the year we will be using literature and Scholastic News articles to learn about the world and our country as well. Each month we will learn a new ‘patriotic song’, and throughout the year we will be studying the states and capitals.

 Science:

Using a curriculum set developed by Harcourt School Publishers we will explore units about plants and animals; living together; the Earth; weather, seasons, and the sky; matter; and energy in our world. We will participate in hands-on activities and use lab journals to track our learning about different topics. 

Writing:

Handwriting skills will be practiced throughout the entire day; however, each afternoon we will spend some time working on writing as a form of sharing stories from our lives as well. During writer’s workshop times, students will have the chance to write, edit, illustrate, and publish their own original works. We will also create many class books throughout the year.

Art:

Students will have art instruction every week. Using Art Attacks curriculum we will focus not only on teaching the students the elements of art: line, shape, form, color, texture, composition, and perspective, but to also foster creativity while improving motor skills using scissors, crayons, paint, and other tools. Students will also learn an appreciation of art through the study of various artists. 

Music:

Music is integrated into many areas of First Grade; however, twice a week we will have scheduled meeting times focused on Music. Once a week we will meet with the Kindergarten and 2nd grade classes for choir practice and every 4-6 weeks this K-2 choir will perform at one of the church services offered at Zion Lutheran Church. We will learn many Christian songs and hymns throughout the year, and we will also participate with all the students in Kindergarten through 5th grade in the Spring Musical. The other day we meet for music will focus on singing, listening, and playing simple instruments. From this we will learn tempo, beat, dynamics, rhythm, form, and style. For this we will be using Share the Music, a music curriculum developed by McGraw-Hill.

Physical Education:

All students have PE class twice a week. Students will participate in activities to develop strength, endurance, and flexibility. Basic skills in individual and team activities are emphasized, and cooperation and good sportsmanship are strongly encouraged. Our school also participates in the Mileage Club program and we track how many miles our students are walking during recess, PE, and morning room. 

Computer:

All students participate in computer class twice a week. Emphasis is placed on basic computer skills using Microsoft Word and its capabilities. Educational games and activities to reinforce reading and mathematics are also utilized. Beyond that our class will occasionally be using the computer lab for special projects and activities. Our classroom also contains a few computers for student use and a SMARTBoard which will be used on a daily basis. 

Spanish:

Northern Arizona University Spanish will be taught twice a week and be integrated in daily activities. The program covers five subjects: Where do you live?, My Body, The Calendar, Are you hungry?, and When and Where. Students will participate in various activities to commit the words to memory. 

Field Trips:

Trips that are related to our learning units are scheduled throughout the school year. These trips might include a visit to the Apple Farm, the Pumpkin Patch, Hatheway Hall/ Alton Children’s Theatre production, the Grocery Store and the Butterfly House. For each field trip we will need a few parents to come with us and for our trip to the Butterfly House each student is allowed to bring one adult chaperone. As the year progresses I will keep you updated on these matters.