Grade 1

List of 12 items.

• Literacy

  Grade 1 students continue to build upon a strong phonetic foundation in a program that helps them read fluently and develop their writing skills. The Grade 1 reading curriculum is anchored by the Wilson Fundations® curriculum (a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading), as well as a guided reading program that is differentiated and connected to the units of inquiry. Grade 1 students develop their foundational writing skills using The Writing Revolution approach, specifically sentence types, sentence expansion, basic conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, sentence combining, single paragraph outlines and revisions. When students begin reading simple texts confidently, we administer a standardized literacy assessment, which helps teachers and families support children’s reading comprehension, skill development and book selection.

• Mathematics

  Grade 1 students continue to learn mathematics through the Dimensions Math® curriculum. Math is learned daily and students work independently in small and large groups. The Grade 1 curriculum focuses on understanding of number bonds and fact families, skip counting, addition and subtraction fact fluency within 10, mental math strategies, place value, geometry, measurement, and patterns.

• Science

  The Grade 1 science curriculum focuses on using the Scientific Method as students observe, compare, contrast, predict and sort. As in the earlier grades, the program is inquiry-based with authentic learning opportunities within the transdisciplinary units of inquiry.  Engagements may include learning about gravity during their space unit, about food sources in the farm-to-table unit, and how imagination has impacted scientific developments over time in their transportation unit.

• Social Studies

  Grade 1 students explore the world around them from the local to the global through the transdisciplinary units of inquiry. Students are guided through investigations and inquiries into a variety of relevant topics that pose problems or raise questions. Grade 1 students explore the rights and responsibilities that come with being a citizen of a community, learn how people use the Earth’s resources to produce and provide for themselves and others, understand the interconnectedness between and among communities through transportation and how stories teach us  lessons and help us connect.

• Art

  Grade 1 artists approach artistic inquiry through exploratory and guided studio practices in drawing, collage, painting, and 3-D design. Evidence of learning can be found throughout this process which often (but not always) results in a finished artwork. As they work, children talk with their peers about their ideas and techniques in informal and prompted conversations. Artists have opportunities to make transdisciplinary connections to their units of inquiry throughout the year. They communicate messages to audiences through collaborative community mural making, and being an active member of our studio art community. They study 3-D construction techniques to build vehicles with axles out of cardboard and wood dowels, and created paper mache planets and space shuttles from their own drawn plans.  Throughout the units, Grade 1 artists focused on the artistic studio habits of mind, including Understand art worlds, Reflect, Express, Engage and Persist, Develop Craft, and Express.

• Technology

  Grade 1 students begin to use the computer as a learning resource and frequently use word processing and drawing applications. Technology lessons are integrated into the classroom curriculum. Students are expected to use proper terminology when communicating about technology and know the basic parts of the computer. In addition to learning multiple ways to open programs and to save, locate, open and close files on individual computers and the network, students learn basic functions within applications, such as copy and paste. Internet use is limited to specific sites and includes many programs to help strengthen academic skills.

• Spanish

  In their Spanish classes twice a week, Grade 1 students engage in both whole and small group activities that give them opportunities to make connections to their units of inquiry. In this, they are Spanish learning vocabulary and making cultural connections from the classroom practice simple questions and responses in Spanish.

• Learning Resources

  Teachers recognize students’ unique learning styles and assist them in reaching their full potential by helping them develop strategies for success. Learning resources are also available from Learning Specialists, who provide both extra challenges and extra support with specific skill work as necessary. Social/emotional resources are also available from the Lower School Counselor, who offers parent education; meets with teachers, individual students, small groups and entire classes; and provides the social/emotional support that helps children feel secure, successful and happy.

• Library

  Grade 1 goes to the library for read-aloud stories and books. During group story time, students enjoy listening to a wide range of books and discussing a range of topics, for example unfamiliar vocabulary and how a story relates to experiences in their own lives. During independent library time, students continue developing skills introduced in Kindergarten such as quiet library voices, caring gently for books and magazines, and using shelf markers to locate books on favorite subjects. As their reading skills develop, Grade 1 students also begin independently selecting "just right for me" books using a variety of strategies.

• Music

  Grade 1 musicians continue to learn written music notation through reading, playing and singing as well as listening and writing. Students expand their knowledge of pitch by learning more of the Kodaly/Kurwin hand signs and pitch names and practice solo and group performance skills.  Composition and improvisation as well as dancing and movement are integral parts of the music program. Orff instruments are used in the program from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.

• Physical Education

  The Grade 1 PE program strives to support student growth through engaging student’s physical, mental and cognitive development. We implement a safe environment for all students to participate in a variety of movement experiences, motor learning, practice and play. The desired outcomes are skill acquisition in fundamental movement skills, self-efficiency, improving fitness, gaining knowledge and confidence while enjoying rigorous play. The main class activities include: gymnastics, wall ball, team sports development, track and field, running games, and general fitness.

   

• Swimming

  The Grade 1 swim program is challenging and exciting. The program is designed to safely meet and push the needs of each individual by teaching students to learn new strokes and increase their stamina for floating, treading and swimming longer distances. Water and pool safety comprehension is a primary focus. After school swim clubs are offered for Kindergarten through Grade 5.

   

  Grade 1 swim will cover:

   

  • Treading water
  • Crawl stroke with side breathing
  • Elementary backstroke with flutter kick
  • Backstroke with arms, crawl stroke
  • Transition into backstroke, whip kick
  • Sitting dive
  • Kneeling dive
  • Jumping in the water safety