First Grade

Our First Grade Curriculum is as follows:

Religion
The first grade religion curriculum provides a simple overview of the mysteries of the Catholic faith and our participation in that faith as baptized Christians.

The six essential concepts covered are:

God the Father-Creation; God the Son-Jesus Christ; God the Holy Spirit; Sacraments of Initiation
Liturgical Education
Moral Education
Teaching to Pray
Education for Community Life
Missionary Initiation

Text: Loyola University Press, Christ Our Life School Edition, 2016, Bible

Language Arts
Language Arts encompasses reading, writing, speaking, vocabulary development, and grammar. Students will be taught using a variety of methods including small and whole group instruction, shared reading, and writing workshop whole group.

Below are the focus standards for Grade 1:

Reading Foundational Skills: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the organization and basic features of print, of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes), know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words and read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

Reading: Non Fiction: Students will ask and answer questions about key details in a text, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text and describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text. Students will also know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text and integrate knowledge and ideas using illustrations and details in text to describe key ideas.

Reading: Fiction: Students will ask and answer questions about key details in a text, recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral. In addition students will describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key detail as well as compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories.

Writing: Students will write three types of pieces throughout the school year: opinion, explanatory and narratives. Each student will have an opportunity throughout the year to publish and share their pieces with classmates.

Speaking: Students will participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

Vocabulary Development: Students will determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrase using sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

Grammar: Students will demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Text: Superkids Rowland Reading Foundation, 2009

Math
Students will study various math topics throughout the school year using Sadlier Math. Students will explore various concepts in both whole group and small group instruction Fun, interactive, mathematical instruction engages all learners using print and hands on methods that build number sense, math fluency and problem solving skills.

The curriculum includes, but is not limited to:

Addition and Subtraction Concepts
Additional and Subtraction Strategies to 20
Place Value
Two-Digit Addition and Subtraction
Organizing and Using Graphs
Measurement and Time
Two-Dimensional Shapes and Equal Shares
Three-Dimensional Shapes

Text: Sadlier Math Grade 1

Science
Using hands-on activities, students will build on their knowledge of the importance of a push or pull to changing the motion of an object; recognize the features and patterns of the earth/moon/sun system as observed from Earth; understand the physical properties of Earth materials; understand characteristics of various environments and behaviors of humans that enable plants and animals to survive; summarize the needs of living organisms for energy and growth.
Text: Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt 2016

Social Studies
Through group work and discussions, students will build on their knowledge and understanding of the importance of rules, that history tells a story of how people and events changed society over time, of how humans and the environment interact within the local community, of basic economic concepts, and identify characteristics of various landforms and bodies of water. Social Studies is supplemented through the integration of Scholastic News.
Text: MacMillan/McGraw Hill Social Studies North Carolina: Grade 1 People and Places