Grade 1

“Scientists and Inventions”

Our thematic work integrates most of the elements of the first grade curriculum – social studies, language arts, science, math, art, and music, and provides a meaningful context in which students develop their skills. Interwoven throughout is the exploration of Learning for Justice’s four social justice standards of identity, diversity, justice and action.

In first grade, students explore the theme “Scientists and Inventions,” incorporating both social studies and science. Students explore the following essential questions:

• What is a scientist and what do scientists need?
• What are inventions and why do people invent?
• How do inventions impact the world?

Units covered: 

1. Introduction to Scientific Thinking
2. Simple Machines and Inventions 
3. Water and the Water Cycle
4. Biomimicry

Our goal is for all students to love reading. We build skills allowing students to recognize the patterns that exist within language for decoding and spelling. Students read individually, as well as to peers and teachers, and meet in small language arts groups. Through lively discussions, students make connections between characters and the plot and learn to recognize patterns of language. Students dictate and write stories, with a focus on developing content and practicing spelling. As students write, they learn that recording their experiences can make lasting impressions. Students are exposed to the steps of the writing process: writing rough drafts, conferencing with peers and teachers, and revising their work.

Developmental Skills

• Students learn to write in full sentences, using appropriate capitalization, punctuation, and standard spelling conventions
• Through daily writing activities, students record and express their thoughts, and develop their skill for writing creative stories and poetry.
• Faculty draw from the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum, building on prior exposure.

In first grade, students continue building foundational math skills by transitioning from counting to addition and subtraction within 100, exploring two-digit place value, and discovering early measurement concepts.

• Unit 1: Adding, Subtracting, and Working with Data | Gathering and organizing data while building addition and subtraction skills within 10.
• Unit 2: Addition and Subtraction Story Problems | Solving real-world story problems with unknown numbers in different positions.
• Unit 3: Adding and Subtracting within 20 | Developing mental math strategies, like making 10, to add and subtract up to 20.
• Unit 4: Numbers to 99 | Exploring two-digit place value by organizing numbers into tens and ones.
• Unit 5: Adding within 100 | Adding two-digit numbers by combining tens with tens and ones with ones.
• Unit 6: Length Measurements within 120 Units | Measuring and comparing object lengths using non-standard units.
• Unit 7: Geometry and Time | Partitioning shapes into halves and fourths, and telling time to the hour and half-hour.

In the first grade programs, the focus is on making abstract digital concepts and tools as concrete as possible. For example, students are introduced to coding with physical robots, animating using real world items in stop-motion, and working with electronic circuits by creating light-up paper cards with copper tape. We create a developmentally appropriate foundation for digital skills with real-world tools.

Examples of technology units include:

• Programming story animations in Scratch
• Digital art and comic strips
• Stop-motion animation
• Photography
• Digital music (Garageband)
• Obstacle course for Bee-Bots

First graders focus deeply on studio art with projects complimenting their thematic learning.

Examples of topics of study in Art include:

• Shapes, Marks, and Lines – animal drawing, sequential drawings, facial expressions
• Color – Review of color mixing with primary and secondary colors plus black and white, symbolic use of color in facial expression drawings
• Texture and Pattern – paper relief faces, surface textures in clay constructions
• 3-D Forms – imaginary construction with wood, clay animal sculptures, plaster puppets

The first grade Spanish curriculum builds upon the language skills students have developed in previous years through purposeful, engaging experiences. Students practice being language detectives, utilizing comprehensible input and Total Physical Response (TPR) strategies to broaden their vocabulary, as well as strengthen their listening and speaking abilities. Stories, role-playing, movement, and songs provide meaningful opportunities to understand and use Spanish. The goal is to develop foundational language skills in a joyful environment, while cultivating respect for and a growing understanding of other cultures.

The Physical Education program is developmental and skill-based. Through movement the students learn how to activate and control the many ways in which their bodies move. Students practice skills through frequent repetition.

Examples of skills include:

• Manipulative skills – throw, catch, kick, dribble, strike
• Balance, coordination – tumbling, animal walks, partner activities
• Locomotor skills – run, hop, skip, jump, gallop
• Social skills and positive self-concept – cooperative games
• Spatial skills and body awareness – creative exploration
• Sense of rhythm – dance, parachute, lumni stick play, rope jumping

First grade students are encouraged to use the library for its quiet space, to treat library materials responsibly, and to enjoy books. The main goals of the library program are to have students gain an appreciation for a “good story” (literature appreciation), and to recognize that information can satisfy one’s curiosity (information literacy). Children begin to find resources independently in the library and do more involved tasks such as online book searches. Students are encouraged to enjoy themselves while observing library etiquette so others can concentrate and use their time well.

Examples of Library skills include:

• Select books of interest at appropriate reading level
• Use illustrations to acquire a greater understanding of the story
• Recognize when information is needed and describe what type of information can be used to solve a problem or answer a question
• Sort information in meaningful ways

First graders strengthen their emotional vocabulary, self-confidence, and ability to recognize and manage feelings. Students develop friendship skills, empathy, communication, and problem-solving strategies while learning how to seek help from trusted adults when needed. Lessons also promote responsibility, perseverance, organization, and a growth mindset that supports learning and personal growth.