|First Grade Curriculum|
Math skills develop differently for many students and we encourage them
to work at their own level, at their own pace. Math groups are small which allow students to receive
individualized instruction. Math
periods may include a group lesson to teach or review concepts. The
first grade math curriculum includes: counting, place value, operations, money,
fractions, problem solving, grouping, geometry, patterns, and analyzing
data. Students use math manipulatives to
aid in the understanding of concepts and accuracy in computation. We use the Singapore Math program until
students reach the 2nd grade level. At that time they move into the Sadlier Oxford series,
Progress in Mathematics.
Reading and Language Arts
As in math, students
are encouraged to work at their own individual level. The reading requirement for entering first grade is that
children demonstrate an ability to read and comprehend sentences. We read a great deal in first grade. We read silently and orally, we read in
groups, and in front of the whole class.
We focus on phonics, comprehension, and oral expression. Students are encouraged to read chapter
books. We have an optional reward
program that involves reading and writing book reports outside of class.
printing throughout the year. We emphasize neatness and proper form. Students also enjoy creative writing,
making their own books, writing poetry, journal writing, and creating
bibliographies. Every student participates in the Authors Fair in the
spring. Grammar studies cover
punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, and short paragraphs. Students work on spelling and
vocabulary. By the end of the year
the students will be starting cursive handwriting. Spelling, reading and short grammar practice exercises are
part of weekly homework assignments.
Science & Life Lab
Science is a
popular activity, which involves active participation. Children learn the scientific method
(hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, and application). The individual students are encouraged
to present topics that interest them and together we explore them as a
class. Some of the themes we study
are: animals, sound and noise, measurements, temperature, air and weather,
light, plants, seasons, earth changes, magnets, simple machines, water and
rocks. The first grade students
prepare a science report and diorama for the annual school Science Fair. Students participate in Life Lab once a
The geography curriculum is a discovery of the planet on which we live. The topics covered are: land forms, oceans, islands, rivers, forests and rain forests, mountains, deserts, plains, and polar regions. We look at the earth in many different ways. We study and create maps. We learn about the people and animals that inhabit the different continents.
History & Social Studies
Our history program
is literature and art-based. The
focus is on Native Americans and famous people in American history (Presidents
Lincoln and Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc.). In social studies, we explore how we
belong to many groups --- where we live, how we all work together, and how we
can be good citizens.
simple, basic Spanish through videos, songs, games, and Spanish literature.
Learning the appropriate social skills is important at any age and is incorporated into every class at Spring Hill. In first grade we expect children to be respectful, thoughtful, and considerate toward each other. We continually work on effective communication with other children and adults, working with others, resolving conflicts, problem solving, and becoming more responsible young people. We help the students with decision making, learning from mistakes, and celebrating achievements.
Kim Haile has been teaching first grade at Spring Hill since 2000. She started her work with children in 1974 when she worked with autistic youth and other emotionally and physically handicapped children. She taught English in Brazil for several years. She has a Bachelors Degree in Social Science from Bethany College in Scotts Valley, California.