First graders are provided with the resources to develop mathematical proficiency and an appreciation for the power and usefulness of math in everyday life.

The students are challenged to develop problem solving and reasoning skills as well as computational strategies.

Math drills are given to increase automaticity.

Math consists of whole group teaching, as well as small group and one-on-one time to reinforce concepts learned.

The curriculum also incorporates hands-on learning through the use of centers and manipulatives.

First grade reading groups facilitate individualized reading advancement.

Fluency, expression, and comprehension skills are reinforced during this quality reading time.

Within the reading block, students are taught the Daily Five Reading Program, which is designed to create independent and motivated readers.

During this time, students rotate between five stations: work on writing, read to self, read to someone, work on words, and listen to reading to further develop their literacy skills.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt. 4:19).

First graders are challenged to become Christ followers.

Special emphasis will be on creation, building relationships with our families, friends, and Jesus.

Each week students will be encouraged to memorize scripture that coincides with practical Bible lessons.

First graders are given numerous opportunities to love God and to love others.

The students are introduced to geography, symbols, amazing places, and great people of the United States, and explore various countries around the world from Mexico to Australia.

We also cover:

• Map Skills
• Pilgrims and Native Americans
• Famous Places
• Freedom and Responsibility
• Continents and Countries
• American Symbols
• Honored Presidents

Students explore and enjoy God’s creation through engaging science units:

• Senses
• Weather
• Seasons
• Health and Safety
• Tame Animals
• Wild Animals
• Matter
• Sound
• Sun Moon and Stars
• Plants
• Pushes and Pulls

• Elements of Design: Line, shape, color, value, texture, form and space
• Media: Different media and techniques in artworks from around the world (painting, drawing, cutting, gluing, sculpting (slab technique), and mixed media
• Skills: Create artworks using observation, problem solving, designing, sketching and constructing
• Create using color value, color schemes (complementary colors)
• Creating art which communicates ideas based on imagination, recall and observation
• Identify and describe the elements of two and three dimensional form
• Recognizes that visual arts are part of various cultures' history
• Knowledge of foreground, middle ground, background and horizon line

• Dynamics (loud and soft)
• Pitch (high and low)
• Rhythm (fast and slow, rhythm patterns)
• Melody (high and low, melodic patterns)
• Harmony (combination of high and low pitches played together)
• Performance (rhythmic and melodic instruments including African Drums, various rhythm instruments, and bells)
• Music History (study of composers and their music in correlation to how it relates to today’s music)
• Composition (writing rhythmic and melodic patterns and songs

• Our curriculum covers 12 essential skills of digital literacy including: computer fundamentals, coding, keyboarding, online safety and digital citizenship, computational thinking, multimedia, internet usage and online communication, visual mapping, word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentations.

Students are introduced to understanding the resources of the library with weekly visits and are able to check out two books per week and can renew them twice.

• Develop team-building skills by working with others through physical activity
• Understand principles of health promotion and the prevention and treatment of illness and injury
• Students will perform loco motor, non-loco motor and manipulative skills at a utilization level, show fundamental components of healthy living, and use appropriate skills in team, group and individual activities
• Introduce basic fundamental skills of various team sports and other health-enhancing activities
• During all activities, recreational play versus competitive play and good sportsmanship are continually fostered and encouraged.