First Grade

Religion -  The religion curriculum is based on four units: Jesus Teaches Us About God’s Love, We Are Followers of Jesus, We Belong to the Church, and We Celebrate and Live Our Faith.  Religion is taught daily through class discussions, prayers, songs, and projects.  God’s Word is incorporated in everyday situations.  We attend Mass with our 7th grade Big Buddies every Friday.

Science - Through an interactive, hands-on approach, students learn physical science, life science, and earth science.  They also learn to apply science concepts within the scope of engineering and technology.  The science class is a time for reading, inquiry, and hands on discovery.   STREAM activities are incorporated frequently and first graders can explore science through varying degrees of hands on activities.  

Social Studies - Social Studies concepts are history, geography, economics, and civics.   Students are engaged in their learning through inquiry based projects, encouraged to investigate, analyze, and report their findings, and use nonfiction and literature selections to support their findings. 

Writing - Foundational instruction is provided to develop drawing, oral language, and phonics skills.  Students are introduced to the writing process and learn to informally draft, revise, and publish their work.  Students are encouraged in the beginning of the program to get ideas on paper in varying forms, then skills and conventions are emphasized. 

Handwriting - Students learn printing skills using the Zaner-Bloser manuscript method.  They receive handwriting instruction that leads to print awareness, letter recognition, reading and writing development.  

Math - Math concepts taught are Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Numbers and Operations, Measurement and Data, and Geometry.   Students are expected to develop an understanding of addition and subtraction within 20, whole number relationships and place value,  linear measurement, and attributes of shapes.  Students practice making sense of problems and solving them, develop abstract and quantitative reasoning, construct responses to explain thinking, and apply math to everyday life.  Students also explore different tools and strategies that help them solve problems.  Star's math program provides an online component that emphasizes an interactive approach and allows the use of digital content to further explore concepts.