1st Grade

Our 1st Grade students move from Primary School to Lower School with an intentional, structured transition that helps them develop focused learning behaviors and ownership of their work. Many of the hands-on, centers-based learning opportunities students are used to in Primary School are carried into 1st Grade, with a greater emphasis on independence and depth of understanding. Students also spend time in more structured, sequential lessons that encourage them to develop listening skills, engage in active participation in academic discussions, and apply new knowledge to follow-up assignments. Our 1st Grade students participate in whole-group, small-group, and independent learning experiences around the classroom, with frequent chances for movement and active learning.

1st Grade Curriculum

Math

In Math, 1st Grade students continue their understanding of counting and number sense. They use many visual tools such as number lines and hundreds charts to compare, add, and subtract numbers. 1st Grade students learn to identify different types of 2-digit addition or subtraction problems, and choose from a variety of explicitly-taught strategies to solve them. Math topics also include geometry, data, and word problems. Through a daily calendar lesson, students practice telling time, counting coins, skip-counting, and identifying patterns. All math topics are introduced with concrete, hands-on manipulatives with the goal of moving towards abstract understanding.

Language Arts

The 1st Grade Language Arts program includes reading, writing, grammar, word study, and phonics. The structured literacy approach to teaching reading is based on the Science of Reading, which demonstrates that both word recognition and language comprehension are required for skilled reading. 1st Grade small group reading lessons focus heavily on phonological awareness and accurate decoding skills, which are taught in structured, explicit lessons. Language comprehension skills are taught and practiced through whole-group read alouds, small group differentiated reading instruction, and social studies lessons.

1st Grade writing lessons move students through a writing process of prewriting, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing. Emphasis is placed on independence, moving between each step of the process. Teachers support each student’s growth by conferring with students and identifying areas for mini-lessons. Throughout the year, students write fictional stories, nonfiction reports, and personal narratives. Students practice grammar and word study concepts through these authentic writing tasks.

Social Studies and Thematic Learning

Social Studies and Science thematic topics provide opportunities for 1st Grade students to learn about the world around them, past and present. A goal is to not only provide mirrors for them to better understand themselves and their world, but also to provide windows into the lives of others. Students conduct research projects, often aided by enrichment teachers such as librarians who support research skills. Students practice presenting information to an audience through presentations and projects. Hands-on learning experiences help students further their understanding of concepts. In the past, units have included bats, the Wampanoag People, Christmas past and present, evergreen trees, Black History Month, Texas history, Women’s History, and career fields.

Science

1st Grade students attend science class twice every six days. Students learn about and engage in the scientific process as well as use many scientific tools such as microscopes, thermometers, and devices to measure time, weight, volume, and capacity. Science process skills include observing qualities, measuring quantities, sorting/classifying, inferring, predicting, experimenting, and communicating. Science experiments offer students many opportunities to work in groups, follow their own interests, explore cause and effect, and get messy!

1st Grade Science topics include: Motion; magnetism; classifying objects; heat, light, and sound; weather patterns and seasonal patterns; properties of soil and rocks; natural resources; living and nonliving objects; plant parts; animal features and life cycles; food chains.

Social-Emotional Learning

1st Grade students develop social and emotional skills through the Responsive Classroom approach, which focuses on establishing classroom routines, procedures, and relationships so students learn to make good choices that contribute to a positive learning environment. Each day, students participate in classroom meetings where they practice social skills, set class goals, and work together to solve problems. Teachers guide students to collaborate in whole-class and small group settings successfully.

Enrichment Classes

In 1st Grade at St. Mark's, Students Practice:

Meet the 1st Grade Team

Learn more about Lower School

Learn more about 2nd Grade

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1st Grade

1st Grade Curriculum

Math

Language Arts

Social Studies and Thematic Learning

Science

Social-Emotional Learning

Enrichment Classes

In 1st Grade at St. Mark's, Students Practice:

Meet the 1st Grade Team

Margaret Alvarez

Sarah Aylsworth

Dewayne Bowden

Sara Brannon

Roma Coleman

Amy Evans

Rachel Mahaffey

Amanda McGee

Meredith Mejia

Amanda Rea

Kristin Sullivan

Cat Thomas

Kristin Uptmor

Heather Williams