Grade School
curriculum
1st Grade
Children come to first grade full of curiosity and are met by teachers who foster the skills necessary to learn, work, and play in an atmosphere of warmth and reverence. Around the age of seven, children reach a milestone as they make the transition to the middle years of childhood or the second seven-year period of development.
Many subjects are introduced in first grade, and even if the child is already familiar with the content, the wonder and beauty the teacher brings to the subject matter holds the students’ attention as they begin their formal learning experience. The students hear fairy and folk tales along with nature stories that support the formation of letters, simple writing, and qualities of numbers. Children learn in a variety of ways and in an engaging manner, from daily movement and finger games to modeling beeswax along with singing and reciting poetry. Learning the pentatonic flute, knitting, performing simple classroom chores, celebrating the festivals, enjoying cooperative games, and learning the Spanish language are also part of the first grade experience.
Coming to first grade means a student will have the opportunity to look out into the world and begin to develop discernment capabilities. The first lesson taught is how to draw a straight and curved line. This simple task, performed with intention and care, lays the foundation for how students are asked to approach their work. As a teacher “loops” through the elementary grades with their students, the teacher carries not only the present but the past and future of the class’ educational journey with them.
Learning Objectives
MAIN LESSON SKILLS
Learning and modeling good classroom behavior and habits, listening and communicating constructively, developing a sense of discernment
LANGUAGE ARTS
Learning of letters and their sounds, introduction to writing from the stories heard, introduction to reading, drama, oral recitation
LITERATURE
Folk and fairy tales from around the world, nature stories
MATHEMATICS
Number concept, arabic and roman numerals, the four operations (+, -, x, ÷), word problems, estimation
SCIENCEs
Nature study through experiential events
FORM DRAWING
Straight and curved line, linear forms, living into colors through color stories in painting
ARt
Beeswax modeling
world LANGUAGE
Spanish (songs, dances, games, poetry and stories)
HANDWORK
Garter stitch knitting, creating knitting needles, finger weaving
Physical education
Cooperative games led by the class teacher
MUSIC
Singing, pentatonic flute, lyre