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The primary goal of first grade is to develop strong readers and a life-long love of learning! First graders learn responsibility and organization as part of the daily curriculum. Communication to parents is kept open through a take home folder and a weekly newsletter. Student progress is reported each nine weeks and Parent/Teacher/Student conferences are held twice a year.Language Arts
A primary goal of first grade is to develop successful readers. Reading, writing, spelling, listening, and speaking activities give children frequent and varied opportunities to build their literacy skills. The reading curriculum is implemented through a wide variety of materials which facilitate a combination literature-based and phonics-based approach. Independent reading occurs daily through sustained silent reading.In writing, the goal is to develop an easy flow of language, using correct spacing, capitalization, and punctuation, with high frequency words spelled correctly. The focus is to teach the first grader how to write a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end.
Math
The development of number sense is a critical goal of the first grade math curriculum. The Math in My World textbook is used to teach sets, patterns, graphs, numbers, and numeration. In geometry, students learn to recognize plane and solid shapes and their attributes. Students use various units of measure, learn the values of money, and learn to tell time. Recognition and development of varied math strategies are encouraged for use in problem-solving, estimation, operations, and computation. All mathematical concepts are introduced using concrete manipulatives. Automatic recall of addition and subtraction facts to twelve is expected by the end of the first grade year.Science
The first grade science program fosters student curiosity and an understanding of God’s purposeful design of our universe. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics in the following areas: Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Health is also studied by focusing on personal health, hygiene, safety, and using skills that affect the well-being of people collectively.
Social Studies
The social studies curriculum includes lessons in Citizenship, Economics, History, Government, Geography, and Current Events. In first grade, concepts are taught primarily in relation to self, family, and neighbor while developing a Christian sense of cooperation.Religion
First graders have daily religion lessons focused on prayer and fundamental Catholic beliefs. They open each school day in prayer and attend a weekly all-school Mass. Seventh grade students serve as their Mass partners. Throughout first grade, students develop an awareness of God, who gives life and grace to us, the wonders of creation, and the promise of eternal life.Spanish
Children in first grade are taught Spanish on a weekly basis. The main goal is to introduce the children to vocabulary, focusing on basic words and numbers.Fine Arts
Students attend music class weekly to learn the joy of music as well as music fundamentals. They perform for special events such as Grandparents Day, the Christmas Program, and the Spring Program.Students receive art instruction weekly. The children use a variety of media and techniques including paper, paint, clay, ceramics, textiles, and more. Students are able to express themselves in creative and original formats.
*Note: The class schedule is in PDF format. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, get a free copy by clicking on the icon
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