First Grade Curriculum Overview
Reading
First graders want to read, listen to, and talk about a wide range of
books, including picture books, poems, short chapter books, and short
informational materials. They are able to predict, sequence, and
summarize story events. They expect the text to make sense, and, if
necessary, they make a second attempt and reread. These students talk
about themselves as readers.
Writing
First graders are expected to be able to write narratives, opinion
pieces, and informational books. They use both words and pictures. They
use phonetic or “temporary” spelling as a strategy, but are growing in
their knowledge of standard spelling. They should use capitalization and
punctuation. Also they will learn all the 5 steps of the writing
process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
Mathematics
The mathematics curriculum is organized into four strands:
(1) numbers base ten; (2) measurement and data; (3) geometry; (4)
operations and algebraic thinking. Problem-solving strategies are
embedded into each of the 5 strands.
Social Studies
First graders build on kindergarten concepts related to other children,
families, home, and school. They compare their own home and school life
with children in environments and societies different from their own.
During this year, they become more individually responsible. We also
learn about different cultures and holidays around the world. Social
Studies strands: economic literacy, civics and government, history,
geography, and culture.
Science
The focus for first grade students is using their senses to make
observations and using their own rules to classify living and nonliving
objects.
Science Strands: forces and motions, earth in the universe, earth systems, molecular biology, and ecosystems.