Overview of First Grade

Overview of First- Grade

You may scroll through the entire page to see all the subjects, or click on the links below to go to a specific subject.

Bible Math Language Phonics Spelling Penmanship Reading Reinforcement Creative Writing History Community Helpers Science Health Resources (P.E., Music, Computers, Library, Spanish) Homework

Bible

Bible is instructed using the ABEKA method. Bible is taught everyday except Thursday and is thirty minutes long. On Thursday there is a school-wide chapel service.

Bible starts with prayer, which is both student and teacher lead.
Five to six Bible songs are practice throughout the Bible lesson.
Two new Bible stories are taught each week.
After the Bible story there is time for questions, and a Bible drill.
A new Bible passage is learned each month.
The Bible grade is based on an oral recitation of the verse at the end of each month.

Math

Our math is instructed using the Saxon method, which is a hands-on, success oriented curriculum. Math is taught every day and is an hour long.

§ Geoboards, mini clocks, linking cubes, and many other maniputaltives are incorporated into every daily math lesson.

§ Cooperative learning groups are in place for much of the hands-on learning.

§ Math meetings take place every day. The meetings include introduction of seasons, daily weather, parts of a calendar, counting, time, and patterns.

§ Math lessons include instruction and a guided math paper.

§ H.W. is given every night and mirrors the guided math paper which was completed earlier during the math lesson.

§ The math grade is based on weekly written and oral assessment.

Language

Language is instructed using the Shurley Method. The Shurley Method is a fun and exciting method which teaches children the parts of speech using daily jingles and the utilization of class participation. Language is taught daily and is thirty minutes long.

A new group of vocabulary words are introduced every week.
The vocabulary words are utilized in sentences that are broken down and its parts of speech labeled each day.
The parts of speech and their functions are learned through jingles.
There isn't any Language H.W. given, but the daily morning journal focuses on different parts of speech each day.
A Language grade is based on a weekly test, which focus on labeling the parts of speech and correcting sentences.

Phonics

Phonics is instructed using the ABEKA curriculum. Phonics is taught daily and is thirty minutes long.

Phonics focuses on short and long vowels, letter sounds, blends, sight words, and special sounds.
Types of sentences and the five rules of a sentence are also explained.
Phonics coincides with what is being learned in Language.
Poems and songs are used to make Phonics fun.
No phonics H.W. is given.
The Phonics grade is based on a written and oral assessment, which is given weekly.

Spelling

Spelling is part of Phonics, but is given a separate grade. Spelling is taught daily and last for ten minutes.

Spelling starts the third week of school.
A new spelling list consisting of ten to fifteen words is introduced each week.

Spelling words are practiced daily using a variety of methods and games.
Spelling H.W. is given each night.
1. Monday the children have to write all words 2x’s each.
2. Tuesday the children write five sentences using spelling words. They underline the spelling words that were used.
3. Wednesday the children study for their spelling test.
4. Thursday the children write all words that they missed on the pretest 3x’s each.
5. Friday the children are assigned work from the back of their spelling book.
Every Thursday a spelling pre-test is given.
Every Friday the spelling test is given, those who made a one hundred percent on the pre-test do not have to take the final test on Friday. Those students may instead play with puzzles, folder games, the computers, or go to the listening or reading centers.
The Spelling grade is based on the weekly spelling tests.

Penmanship

Cursive Writing is taught using the ABEKA curriculum. Cursive is taught every day and is thirty minutes long.

Correct posture, pencil placement, and paper positioning are enforced.
A new letter is introduced and practiced every day.
Letter connections are also practiced.
The children learn to write their full name in cursive.
The cursive grade is based on the combination of the weekly cursive tests.

Reading

Reading is taught using the ABEKA curriculum. Reading is taught every day and last forty five minutes to an hour.

Reading first introduces vowel and letter sounds, gradually moves to blends, then to words, and eventually sentences.
During reading one group at a time goes to the reading circle to read individually.
While one group is at the reading circle the other students are doing reinforcement work.
Ten to fifteen minutes of reading H.W. are assigned every night.
Students should read their H.W. assignment 3x’s, first to themselves, secondly to their parents, thirdly to correct expression and smoothness.
A reading grade is based on oral reading assessment.
Grades start the second nine weeks.
ACCELERATED READER starts the second nine weeks, also. Children take an assessment test to find their optimal reading level. Books are checked out each week and comprehension tests are taken on the computer. The goal is for each student to earn 7.5 points each nine weeks.

Reinforcement Work

A series of assignments is given as reinforcement work each day.
A daily phonics page, a spelling assignment, a writing assignment, and a math assignment are part of the daily reinforcement.
The instructions are given to the entire class prior to the start of reading.
In-between reading groups the teachers checks to be sure all children are staying on task.
Reinforcement work is checked after the last reading group is finished.

Creative Writing

Creative Writing is taught using a combination of Phonics and Language objectives. Creative Writing is taught every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and last for thirty minutes.

In the beginning of the year creative writing is done together as a class or in groups of children working together.
The children learn to write sentences, three-point paragraphs, and stories.
Sense poems and two word poems are introduced near the end of the first nine weeks.
During creative writing children are allowed to use inventive spelling, as this will help their spelling to emerge with time.
Children are allowed to share their work at the end of each lesson.
A creative writing grade is given based on a rubric.
Creative writing grades are first given the second nine weeks.

History

History is taught the first nine weeks using the ABEKA curriculum. It is taught three times a week for twenty minutes.

History of the United States is introduced first. It teaches the children about their country, state, and historical people, such as Christopher Columbus and Abraham Lincoln.
History of the World is taught next. It teaches the children about the continents. It also introduces the children to new countries and their customs.
A grade of satisfactory and unsatisfactory is given at the end of the nine weeks.

Community Helpers

Community helpers are introduced the second nine weeks using the ABEKA, curriculum. It is taught three times a week for twenty minutes.

The children are taught the many jobs and responsibilities peoples have in their community.
It teaches the children to respect and appreciate all people and the jobs they perform.
It also gives the children a sense of teamwork, and working together as responsible citizens.
A grade of satisfactory and unsatisfactory is given at the end of the nine weeks.

Science

Science is introduced during the third nine weeks, using the ABEKA curriculum. It is taught three times a week and last for twenty minutes.

In science the children learn about God’s world.
The children learn about plants, animals, and the weather.
Science is complete with many hands-on lessons.
The children are also responsible for a science project towards the end of the year.
A grade of satisfactory and unsatisfactory is given at the end of the nine weeks.

Health

Health is taught during the last nine weeks, using the ABEKA curriculum. Health is taught three times a week and lasts for twenty minutes.

The children learn about their bodies and how to keep them healthy.
Nutrition and exercise are introduced.
Proper hygiene and germs are also introduced.
A grade of satisfactory and unsatisfactory is given at the end of the nine weeks.

Music

Music takes place once a week and lasts for forty five minutes.

Once a month the children perform a song and a Bible verse in chapel.
A Christmas and spring concert are also a part of music.
A Music grade of Satisfactory and unsatisfactory is given and is based on the child’s participation and performance during class.

P.E.

P.E. takes place twice a week for thirty minutes.

The children learn the importance of staying fit and eating right.
They also learn to do exercise and to play as a team.
Different sports are introduced such as volley ball, soccer, kickball, basketball, and baseball.
The children are given a grade based on how well they are prepared for PE each week.
To be prepared a child needs to bring a water bottle, have tennis shoes, and participate in all activities.

Art

Art is taught once a week for thirty minutes.

A different project is completed each week.
The project focuses on the Bible story, the season, or an up and coming holiday.
There isn't a letter grade for Art.

Library

Students are allowed to check out one library book for seven (7) days. Fines accrue after 7 days.

In library the children learn how to identify the author, the illustrator, and the parts of a book.
The children also learn how to properly handle and check out books.
Each week a new book may be checked out from the school’s library.

Computers

Computers are taught once a week for thirty minutes.

During computer class the children learn about the different parts of a computer.
They learn to care for their computer and CDs.
They also enjoy different educational games, which reinforce academic learning.

Spanish

Spanish is once a week for thirty minutes.

The children learn colors, names of food, family, days of the weeks and months of the year.
The children eventually learn conversational Spanish.

H.W

Approximately, thirty minutes of homework is given each night.
Reading, math and spelling homework are assigned daily.
Occasionally Penmanship homework is assigned to those students who need the extra practice.
Homework is written down in the homework agenda book.
Each night the agenda must be signed by a parent.
If it is not signed the child can not get credit for a completed assignment.
If a child has completed and turned in homework every day, at the end of the year they will be given a Homework medal.