First Grade

A big difference in the transition to first grade from kindergarten is how students strengthen their reading and phonics skills. They start spelling tests for the first time. We use Lalilo, Myon, and Freckle for phonics, reading, and math homework and at school. In math, students move into more mental math, write out and visualize number sentences, and also use hands-on manipulatives. First grade is the first time students start doing morning prayer during the announcements and taking a turn hosting Mass. First graders work on becoming more independent and responsible.

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A Typical Day in First Grade at St. Mary

First grade students have many opportunities to learn in different ways throughout the day. They practice skills in small groups, individually, and whole group. Language Arts time include Secret Stories and relating them to their phonics and spelling work. We provide scaffolded writing instruction to have students write multiple complete sentences independently. Social Studies and Science are exciting opportunities to explore the world around us through books, technology, discussion, and hands-on experiments. Religion is integrated throughout our entire day, as well as during specific focus times each day.

First Grade Highlights

Religion

Learn and review basic prayers; write our own prayers
Discuss, act out, and explore parts of the Mass
Participate weekly in Mass
Learn about the Trinity
Learn about Biblical foundations
Saint of the Week
Learn about how God calls us to be

Reading

Long and short vowel sounds
Blends and digraphs
Sight words
Fluency
Small flexible reading groups based on reading levels

Science

Light and sound
Sun, moon and stars
Plants and animals
Engineering

English

Beginning sentence structure
Capitalization and punctuation marks
Nouns/Verbs/Adjectives
Writing workshop where we practice writing narrative, expository, and opinion pieces as well as fairy tale and informative writing
Complete and coherent sentences in writing

Math

Adding and subtracting through 20
Place value
Time to the hour and half hour on digital and analog clocks
Measurement: Length, width, coins
Problem-solving strategies are woven into each unit.
Counting to 120 in multiple ways

Social Studies

What is a Family? (community and home)
How Do We Get What We Need or Want? (economics)
How Do We Learn about Places? (geography)
How Do We Learn about the Past? (history)
How Do We Get Along with Others? (government)
Monthly life skills
Social Emotional Learning

First Grade Teachers

Megan McIntyre

First Grade Teacher

Margaret Werth