The First Grade Team focuses on both Reading and Writing. The goal is to set each child on the path to becoming proficient, lifelong readers and writers. Each child will have many avenues to accomplish this goal through varied materials, methods and activities. One of the most important ways to help your child this year is to READ, READ, READ with them, to them, by them.

During Literacy instruction, students are involved in the following through Daily 5, Centers and Writer's Workshop: phonics, vocabulary development, fluency, comprehension, listening skills, spelling and writing. The First Grade Team teaches ideas, organization, voice, sentence fluency, word choice and conventions during Writer’s Workshop. We incorporate these skills in the genres of narrative, expository and opinion writing.

In the area of Mathematics, topics to be covered include basic facts, place value, money, time, addition, subtraction, data analysis, geometry and problem solving. One way to help out at home is to practice the math facts through sums of 18. The goal of Illinois Common Core Learning Standards is for First Graders to master sums through 12. 

Character Development

Another important part of the First Grade journey is developing character traits. The team believes this to include honesty, respectfulness, caring, responsibility, fairness and use of good manners. The First Grade Team of teachers will model this in partnership with the students and their famililes. Your child's progress will be shared with a Weekly Choices Check-Up.