First Grade

Building a classroom community is the main focus as we begin the school year. Our goal is for each child to feel like a significant member of the classroom community: safe, welcome, included, heard, and inspired. During this hands-on, authentic, scaffolded social studies unit, first graders delve into themes connected to identity, learn to recognize their best selves, and work to develop a growth mindset. We explore what makes a community, expanding from classroom to neighborhood to city. We also focus on changemakers, the people whose ideas, efforts, and actions have led to societal change, and explore how we can also give back to our community and become changemakers. Students learn that they can make small, daily choices that add up, collectively, and make a difference. They participate in direct-action activities, such as cleaning up litter on campus, collecting gift cards for Columbus House), and learn about ways to protect and preserve the environment.

First-graders explore the world around them through a hands-on approach that fosters the development of science skills, including the ability to observe, classify, question, experiment, record and analyze. Experiments and investigations are designed around topics relevant to the children's experiences of the world, with major units focusing on aquatic habitats, solids and liquids, and air and weather. Many of their studies take children outside the classroom as they investigate real-world variables and develop a sense of environmental awareness.

The first grade language arts curriculum encompasses daily lessons in reading, writing, grammar, and spelling. We use Fundations, a systematic, comprehensive, multi-sensory reading, spelling, and handwriting program. During our literacy block, small groups of students meet to hone decoding skills, build fluency and oral expression, and work on comprehension strategies. Discussion is an important part of each session; children are asked to predict, analyze, compare, connect, and retell as they read a variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction. Group configurations are fluid. Their writing units cover a wide range of writing styles including friendly letters and thank-you notes, descriptions, personal reflections, story retells, opinions, poetry, writing in the style of an author, and discoveries from a science investigation.

In first grade at Foote, we continue exploring both thematic units — All About Me and My World and the World Around Me — building upon the foundational concepts introduced in kindergarten. Storytelling becomes a key component of the curriculum, offering them a meaningful and developmentally appropriate way to engage with the language. First graders are introduced to simple, engaging stories that not only reinforce language patterns and the musicality of Spanish but also serve as a gateway to cultural exploration. Through an interactive approach that includes songs, games, and hands-on activities, students develop confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for continued language learning.

First graders grow their repertoire of songs, singing games, rhymes, and dances, and are introduced to the melodic elements sol, mi and la, and the rhythmic elements ta (quarter note), ti-ti (two beamed eighth notes) and quarter rest. Part work that began in Kindergarten is built upon in first grade. The children analyze form and develop their listening skills and singing voices, while also building social skills by working with partners and cooperating in groups.

In first grade drama classes, children continue to expand on imagination and expression. Students explore the range of facial movements that characterize emotions and they practice using their voices and bodies to convey feelings and reactions. They work together to create imaginary environments and act out simple storylines. Students experiment with walking style, voice and other behaviors to bring characters to life onstage.

The first grade Physical Education curriculum focuses on further developing large and small motor skills, spatial awareness, balance, and coordination. Students refine object control skills like throwing, catching, dribbling, and striking using a variety of equipment. while also enhancing hand-eye and eye-foot coordination on both their dominant and non-dominant sides. Dynamic games, along with cooperative activities, foster teamwork, problem-solving, and good sportsmanship. Students build physical, social, and cognitive skills in a fun, supportive environment that emphasizes safety, active participation, and cooperation by participating in structured lessons and exploratory stations.

Social-emotional learning is at the forefront of our first grade library lessons. Class always begins with a read aloud. We love to take time to look at the illustrations and discuss how words and images work together to tell a story. During story time we always ask “How are the characters feeling? First graders can explore our wonderful collection  and select two books to take home and share with their families.