First Grade Strands

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Number

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Our number lab is designed to encourage love of numbers. We explore numbers using all our senses.  Students learn mathematical  relationships through projects, art, blockbuilding and basic computation. Our goal is to instill in each student a strong  number-sense ability to think mathematically. This year students learn  operations of addition and subtraction, recording measurement and data, 2D and 3D geometry,  reasoning with numbers, and number stories. They gain a preliminary basis in algebraic thinking and practical real life application of numbers.
 

Reader’s Workshop

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This strand is intended to broaden students’ creative imagination and deepen their understanding of texts through exploring Classic and Contemporary Literature.  Students will read folktales, myths, drama, and poetry from a variety of cultures. The students will understand the elements of  a story, analyze characters and themes. Also, they will be able to retell stories and begin to understand an author’s point of view. Students will develop their phonological awareness through our Sounds Lab and grow as readers through phonics based instruction.  We work with students to grow in their overall literacy and have the ability to express their ideas both verbally and in written form. 
 

Writer’s Workshop

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Students begin this workshop with the statement, ‘I am a writer’. They explore what it means to be a writer. The different units are Small Moments, Teaching Books, Opinion Writing, Fiction Books, and Poetry. The students will learn the foundational skills of writing, how to use transition words, details and dialogue in a story, the development of simple sentence structures and usage of punctuation. We use sound spelling during first grade to encourage their flow of ideas and to help continue their phonological awareness.  Writing becomes a wonderful form of expression that students have a positive attitude about engaging in rather than a fear or disdain for the medium. Students will learn to use writing as a medium to express their thoughts and opinions and experience a community who cares about reading and listening to each other's writings. We encourage the use of detailed illustrations to support and encourage the telling of their stories.
 

Science Lab

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This strand teaches the students how to become independent scientists who can come up with their own research and find possible solutions to questions based on an experiment. The students will be immersed in a world of varying scientific methods; questions, recording materials, hypothesis/prediction, observation, procedures, results and conclusion. As young scientists, they will learn the multiple steps involved in undergoing an experiment. The scope of this strand will cover areas of the natural (life and earth), physical, chemical and biological sciences.  In addition students will become young engineers who are familiar with building forms and structures. Students will practice and acquire the skills of investigation, documenting and experimentation of individual scientific work.

People who have Changed the World: Africa

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Students will explore inspiring stories of people from countries in Africa who have changed the world. Students are introduced to the concepts of continents and countries.  They are then given the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, wildlife, and prominent figures from different countries in Africa. Through theater and storytelling, students learn about the individuals who have contributed to the development of strategies to help their communities and the planet.  Students perform theatrical presentations and stories to help them to share what they have learned with others. 
 

Art and Clay

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In Art and Clay we are constantly pushing the limits of our creative imagination. This year we will be focusing on the process and journey of our artwork rather than being concerned with the end results. In the first grade, students will develop skills such as resilience, grit, and expression. There will be a use of various mediums, techniques, and procedures to demonstrate the ideas, emotions, and experiences of each young artist. The students will build the ability to recognize where color exists in the world and how to use color to express feelings or ideas.

Language

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Students learn Spanish through song and hands-on activities in first grade. They will work with Spanish through stories, art and beginning conversation. Our focus is on developing the skills necessary for conversational Spanish.

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Home Learning

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Home learning is an opportunity for the students to share what they have learned with others outside of the classroom. Students will develop the skills of perseverance, independence, and time management. Home learning will consist of something students have learned or have been working on in numbers, readers, writers, art, social studies, and/or science. 
 

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