Our first grade classes provide students with their first real introduction to what we would call “school”. First grade is a year where independence is nurtured through learning. Students participate in center activities, classroom jobs, and being “in charge” of keeping their desk clean and organized. Students also continue to learn to read and really understand what they are reading by being introduced to, and honing in on, their comprehension skills across the subject areas. Most importantly, first grade promotes fun while learning, helping students to realize school can be both challenging and enjoyable!
+ MATHEMATICS
Into Math by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is the text used to support the first grade math curriculum. This text correlates with the Common Core.
The primary skills taught in first grade include: addition and subtraction, employing multiple strategies such as using pictures, taking models apart, adding doubles, adding doubles plus and minus one, counting backwards, and using related facts; counting by ones, twos, fives, and tens up to 120; comparing numbers using greater than, less than, or equal to symbols; measurement, both nonstandard and standards units of length; time, to the hour and half hour; creating and reading picture graphs, and bar graphs, as well as tally marks; exploring three-dimensional and two-dimensional shapes, including taking apart and putting shapes together and understanding equal and unequal parts, halves and quarters.
+ RELIGION
The Archdiocese of Boston provides Faith Formation Standards to guide the teaching and practice of the Roman Catholic faith for elementary school students. In 1st grade we focus on God and the Holy Trinity, the Sacraments, the parts of the church, understanding and practicing the moral teachings of the church, learning more about God through scripture and more about Jesus’ life on earth. We also recognize and honor Mary, our Blessed Mother, as we pray the Rosary.
Students attend Catholic Mass in Saint Patrick’s Parish. They learn parts of the Catholic Mass and prayers. The children are also introduced to our Patron, Saint Patrick, as well as many other saints throughout the liturgical year, as we recognize feast days. All are welcome to attend mass with us during the school year.
Students perform the nativity at our Annual Christmas Pageant which the third grade narrates. The first graders are paired with the 7th graders as “Mass Buddies.” We attend mass with our buddies. The first grade class is also in charge of organizing and participating in a prayer service or mass at the end of the school year.
+ LANGUAGE ARTS
Wonders by McGraw Hill is a comprehensive, research-based English Language Arts program designed to build strong literacy skills in Grade 1. It supports your child in becoming a confident reader, writer, speaker, and listener through engaging, grade-appropriate content. In first grade, Wonders focuses on: Foundational Reading Skills: Phonics, phonemic awareness, high-frequency words, and decoding strategies help children become fluent, independent readers.
Reading Comprehension: Students explore a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts to build vocabulary, make predictions, ask and answer questions, and understand story structure.
Writing: Children learn to write complete sentences and short paragraphs, practicing opinion, narrative, and informational writing.
Speaking & Listening: Students engage in discussions, build oral language skills, and learn to share ideas clearly and respectfully.
Grammar & Spelling: Weekly lessons reinforce parts of speech, punctuation, and commonly used spelling patterns.
The Wonders program is aligned with national standards and offers rich opportunities for both whole-group instruction and small-group differentiation, meeting each child where they are in their reading journey.
+ SOCIAL STUDIES
First graders will acquire map skills and apply them through group based projects, and as a class, learn specifically what a compass rose is, how to follow directions, what a map key is and how to use it. Students will learn about many famous Americans including Johnny Appleseed, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Martin Luther King, Jr. (to name a few) through Scholastic News articles, smart board presentations, books, and videos. First graders will also learn the history of various holidays, including how people around the world celebrate Christmas. They will also learn about civics, citizenship, elections, and United States symbols. Some basic economics are introduced as we discuss wants and needs, supply and demand, and the connection between geography and economics.
+ SCIENCE
The first grade science curriculum is based on the Mass Frameworks and the New Common Core State Standards. Students gain an understanding of all of the sciences (earth, physical and life sciences) by actively participating in activities that encourage inquiry. Emphasis is placed on the development of science process skills. All units are designed to heighten students’ awareness of the world around them.
They discover and learn about the world around them by using their five senses. They also learn by observing, predicting, investigating, questioning, and analyzing. Students have many opportunities to engage in discussions, experiments, and activities that enhance a better understanding of scientific skills and concepts. Some of the science unit topics covered are living things, life cycles, the earth and space, habitats, Arctic animals, weather and seasons.
+ SPECIALS
Students participate in specials that compliment the rigorous classroom curricula throughout the school year. Art, Physical Education, Music, STEAM, and Spanish are offered to all students from grades Pre-K through Grade 8.
A Glimpse Inside First Grade
