FIRST GRADE
It is amazing to walk into the first-grade classroom and observe learners in action. Throughout the day you will see first graders in differentiated learning groups enabling students to learn with different approaches. They extend their knowledge of language arts in significant and exciting ways, learning skills that enable them to read and write more independently. Each day during reading block, students participate in a program called Daily Five. Daily Five includes Language Arts, Listening, Work on Writing, Word Work, Read to Self, and Read to Someone. Daily, students work on concrete math models and manipulatives that mimic real-life situations. These activities are purposely designed to help students learn problem solving skills. First grade is an exciting year at St. Helena School!!
Religion
In first grade, the children learn about Jesus’ life and teachings and how He taught us to show love for God. They explore different ways to pray, personally and with others. They learn the Lord’s Prayer. The Good News of Jesus Christ is spread through acts of kindness and caring demonstrated in the classroom and throughout the school. The Religion program is incorporated in every aspect of school life.
Language Arts
The first grade Language Arts program develops skills and motivates readers and writers. Students build on their knowledge of phonetics, strengthen comprehension strategies, enhance vocabulary, and continue to develop spelling and grammar skills. Writing is integrated into everyday lessons. Students begin to understand the concepts of compare and contrast, main idea and facts, author’s purpose, and identify the difference of non-fiction versus the genres of fictional literature.
Mathematics
In first grade, Math instruction is focused on four areas: developing and understanding addition and subtraction, place value, linear measurement, and reasoning on the attributes of geometric shapes. Students use a variety of activities to add and subtract up to twenty. They extend their counting sequences as well as use place value to add and subtract. Students measure length and capacity, as well as tell and write time. In geometry, students combine shapes and determine how they are alike and different.
Science
The study of science in first grade covers three main topics: Life Sciences, Earth Science and Physical Science. In Earth Science, students learn about different kinds of soil and rocks, the different types of weather and about recycling and how important it is to the Earth. Life Sciences are about life on the planet, both plant and animal life. They distinguish between living and non-living things in addition to the stages of development of all living things and their habitats. In Physical Science topics that will be covered are matter, motion, and energy.
Social Studies
In first grade, students learn about citizenship, geography, economics and history. The focus is on school and community, how to be a good citizen, individual rights and responsibilities, goods, and services, family traditions, and holidays.
Penmanship
Handwriting is taught through direct instruction and independent practice of letter formation and spacing.