Grade 1 Course Descriptions

English/Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies

English/Language Arts

As students in Grade 1 engage in reading, they focus on word recognition, fluency, and vocabulary development by studying the basic features of words. They see letter patterns and know how to translate them into spoken language by using phonics, syllables, and word parts. They apply this knowledge to achieve fluent oral and silent reading. They focus on reading comprehension by reading and understanding grade-level-appropriate material. They use a variety of comprehension strategies, such as asking and responding to essential questions, making predictions, and comparing information from several sources, to understand what they read. In addition to their regular school reading, they begin to read a variety of grade-level-appropriate narrative and expository texts, such as classic and contemporary literature, nursery rhymes, alphabet books, children’s magazines, dictionaries, and online information. As they focus on literary response and analysis, they read and respond to a wide variety of children’s literature. They identify and discuss the characters, theme, plot, and setting of stories that they read.

As students engage in writing, they use the writing process to discuss ideas for group stories and other writing. They write clear sentences and paragraphs that develop a central idea. They progress through the stages of the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing multiple drafts. They demonstrate their knowledge of writing applications by beginning to write compositions that describe and explain familiar objects, events, and experiences. They write simple rhymes. Their writing demonstrates a command of Standard English and the writing process, as well as an awareness of the audience and purpose for writing. They will write using Standard English conventions appropriate to Grade 1.

As students engage in listening and speaking, they focus on listening and speaking skills, strategies, and applications. They listen critically and respond appropriately to oral communication. They speak in a manner that guides the listener to understand important ideas by using proper phrasing, pitch, and modulation. They deliver brief oral presentations about familiar experiences or interests that are organized around a coherent thesis statement and use the same Standard English conventions for oral speech that they use in their writing.

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Mathematics

Grade 1 students understand representations of numbers up to 100 and show an understanding of fractions, addition, and subtraction. They identify common geometric objects and describe the relative position of objects. They learn how to measure length and show an understanding of picture graphs, money, and time. Students also develop problem solving and reasoning skills.

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Science

Grade 1 students ask questions about a variety of living things and events in their natural surroundings, including plant and animal interactions and requirements, that can be answered through observations. Students begin to find answers to their questions about the world by using measurements, estimation, and observation as well as working with materials. They communicate their findings through numbers, words, and drawings.

Social Studies

In Grade 1, students develop knowledge and gain skills for thinking and inquiry through participation as members of the school and neighborhood or local community. Students examine continuity and change in their own community over time and identify individuals, events, and symbols that are important to our country. They explore geographic relationships in the nearby environment, draw simple maps, and locate land and water features on maps and globes. Students will understand that people in the school and community use goods and services and make economic choices and that a wide range of cultural activities benefit the community. They can identify specific rights and responsibilities that people have, explain why rules and laws are needed, take responsibility for resolving conflicts peacefully, and practice citizenship skills through participation in a variety of group activities. Students ask questions, observe, and use a variety of information sources including pictures, books, stories, maps, globes, and atlases to gain knowledge of people, places, and events.

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