First Grade

Philosophy: The philosophy in educating first grade students is to provide classroom environments that generate a desire to learn, motivate students to be productive, and acquaint them with a wide variety of activities to enhance instruction. While maintaining a nurturing environment, teachers strive to stimulate each child to reach an individual mastery level of first grade skills.

Curriculum

Reading- The goal of St. Paul’s first grade reading curriculum is to balance reading and phonics, thus creating fluent readers who also have basic comprehension skills.  There is a focus on the following elements:  phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and reading comprehension.  Visual tools, specifically designed to correlate with particular comprehension strategies, are used to organize and represent patterns of thinking.

Writing and Grammar - Writer’s Stylus is implemented with research-supported instructional methods that develop students as writers through active thinking and communication. An interactive teaching method is implemented appropriate to this grade level.  Grammar and writing conventions are modeled and integrated throughout.

Math - Everyday Math provides a basic understanding of the number line, the number grid, math facts, time, and money.  Students apply these skills through daily routines and basic problem solving activities.  A variety of manipulatives are used to work and solve problems.  By becoming a part of their work and play, the concepts will become a part of their overall understanding.

Science – Students are introduced to physical science through the study of solids and liquids.  This unit provides experiences that heighten students’ awareness of the physical world.  The life sciences are taught through the units on new plants and insects that provide opportunities for investigation, problem solving and exploration through the use of hands on activities.