Reading
Our first grade classrooms use a balanced literacy approach in teaching reading, writing and language arts. We believe that all of our students can learn to read and write effectively.

What is Balanced Literacy?
It is a model that is widely used for teaching students in a child-centered classroom, in which we provide opportunities for real life reading and writing experiences. It is based on the research of Marie Clay, Irene Fountas, and Gay Su Pennell. Children read and write every day on their own and in different group settings.

Our classrooms focuses on four different types of reading: reading aloud to the class(teacher), shared reading (whole group), guided reading (small group) and independent reading.

Our students also participate in shared and individual writing each day. The four types of writing experiences are: shared writing (whole group), interactive writing (teacher and student share the writing), Writer's workshop (small group), and independent writing.

Our students love to experience reading and writing independently. During our guided reading time (small groups that are teacher led) the other students are able to participate in workstations on their own. This is a great opportunity where students can practice and reinforce the skills they have been taught in whole group. They love this part of the day!

The amazing things that happen in first grade are sometimes incomprehensible. Your child will flourish and have a wealth of knowledge in reading, writing and language arts by the end of their first grade year. It is an amazing experience that we look forward to watching and participating in each year!

Math
The primary focus in first grade are building number sense through number relationships, adding and subtracting whole numbers, organizing and analyzing data and working with two- and three- dimensional figures.

Children entering first grade will build upon the foundation set in kindergarten. This includes the basic understanding in number, operation, and quantitative reasoning. Students will work to name, identify, write, and compare numbers up 99. Basic addition and subtraction up to number 20 is also learned. Students learn more in depth patterns and the relationships between them and begin to make predictions about number, operation, shape and space. First graders will learn to distinguish between two- and three- dimensional figures and learn to use formal language in describing those figures. Students will develop and apply measurement concepts. They will be able to identify length, capacity, and weight and the tools you use to measure various objects. First grade students will work to collect, organize, and display data on four different graphs. They will be able to analyze information, summarize and answer questions according to a graph, and make predictions.

First grade students use many hands-on tools in the classroom. Manipulative are used to help the child see and understand the concept to be learned. Small group activities are used in classrooms daily. Math games, such as educational board games or interactive games are used as a tool to help the student identify, communicate, and comprehend the idea being taught.