FIRST GRADE

Reading and Language Arts

  • The program addresses and develops all of the language processes: listening, speaking, reading and writing in a variety of ways. These include the use of high quality literature, basal readers, daily phonics, spelling, mechanics and patterns, sight words and dictation.
  • Materials used include children’s literature, McMillan basal readers, McCracken phonics, Rebecca Sitton spelling and teacher created materials.

Mathematics

  • Counting: Counting on by 10’s, by 1’s; counting by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, 10’s.
  • Numeration: Numbers to 1000; whole numbers; fractions; decimal notation; place value.
  • Measurement: Height, areas, capacity, weight, temperature, elapsed time; coin exchange; time to the hour and minute.
  • Operations: Memorize number facts 1-18; >,<, =; fact families; turn around rule; doubles; information work with properties.
  • Data & Chance: Using tally counts; tables, charts and graphs to collect, order and display data.
  • Geometry: Two and three-dimensional shapes.
  • Patterns, Functions, Sequences: Shape/color patterns; predicting, recognizing number patterns; odd/even numbers.
  • Algebra and Use of Variables: Missing numbers, properties of operations.
  • Materials used: University of Chicago Everyday Mathematics.

Science

Studies of vertebrate and invertebrate animals are integrated into the curriculum. Students research and write a report about a specific animal. Students also go to the science lab for activities involving properties of liquids, simple machines and plants.

Social Studies

The students explore the concept of community beginning with themselves and their own class unit. This research then broadens to the study of community helpers and the roles people play in the community. Each student conducts an interview and writes a brief essay on a specific community helper.

Art

Many art projects are linked with the First Grade social studies and science studies. Students also create imaginative drawings, mix colors, manipulate clay, cut, glue and construct their own creations.

Music

Students learn about beat and rhythm, high and low pitch, loud and soft sounds, basic forms. They improvise new words for songs, melodies to poems, movements to a song. Music activities are often correlated with units of study in the classroom.

Physical Education

Students develop motor skills using small and large muscle groups. They learn about basic body parts and how they move. Noncompetitive games and activities reinforce locomotor, non-locomotor, fitness, perceptual motor and manipulative skills.

Library

Library time includes stories, locating and checking out books and conducting research for reports. Students learn about authors and illustration, fiction and nonfiction.

Special Projects

Community service activities focus on helping children who are less fortunate: Care Lunches, toy ingathering, making Easter baskets for disable children. As part of their social studies work, First Graders prepare and perform a Community Helpers program each spring for their parents and for the entire school.

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1031 Bienveneda Avenue, Pacific Palisades, California 90272
School Office 310.454.1350 | Fax 310.573.7423 | Preschool 310.454.1359