First grade is a bridge between kindergarten and the grades. Students are now ready to work with the mind imaginatively in new, more focused, and explicit ways. The first-grade curriculum is designed to meet the children's particular developmental level. First graders learn and live through imagination, feeling, rhythm, and movement.  

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The central theme of first grade is Fairytales from Around the World.  Through these fairy tales, the children are introduced to each letter of the alphabet.  

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Main Lesson Subjects 

• Math: Qualities of numbers; counting; imaginative introduction of the four operations in arithmetic

• Language Arts:  Pictorial and phonetic introduction to letters (upper and lower case) and letter sounds; printing upper and lowercase letters; capitalization and punctuation introduced; poetry recitation; creating artistic renderings based on stories.  Form Drawing.

• Natural Science: Nature stories; Nature walks in all seasons to forest and beach areas.

• Living Science:  Scientific observations and experiments focusing on local plants, animals, and classroom surroundings.

• History/Social Studies: Multicultural stories, class community building

• Class Play: Each class will practice and perform a class play or presentation tied to the curriculum shared with class families.

 

Special Subjects 

• World Language: Introduction to Spanish through songs, stories, rhymes, imitation, and gesture

• Sculptural Arts: Beeswax modeling

• Painting: Watercolor painting

• Music: Singing in unison and introduction to instruments

• Handwork: Introduction to knitting, 2 projects

• Movement: Rhythm circle games, bean bags, jump rope, hand clapping

• Nature Immersion:  All-weather hikes and immersion in the forest beach areas.

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