Course Descriptions for First Grade Classes
Grade 1 | Reading and Writing
The emergent reader will blossom into a fluent reader as she progresses through this course. She will read and write daily, practice new skills, and uncover the patterns that are the foundations of words, sentences, and stories. The student will apply new skills to read and understand fiction and nonfiction stories presented in Houghton-Mifflin’s Legacy of Literacy anthologies and Phonics Library. Stories are organized into six themes. Examining literature through themes will help the student to not only make connections between the texts, but also to connect reading topics to his personal knowledge and interests. In addition to formal reading instruction, the student will establish a daily reading routine and will complete activities in response to self-selected books.
As the student learns to read, she will also learn to write. Language development will occur as the student discusses ideas and opinions with the Learning Coach. Listening and speaking will help the student learn grammar skills and correct sentence and story construction. Guided instruction and practice in Zaner-Bloser Handwriting will teach the student proper manuscript technique. Spelling instruction is tied to the phonics skills taught through the student’s stories. Language skills and handwriting come together as the student composes journal entries and compositions of increasing length and complexity.
Student Resources
• 98 Stories for Children (Calvert School)
• Stories and Longer Verses (Calvert School)
• Reading Work Pages 1 (Calvert School)
• Reading Word Cards 1 (Calvert School)
• Activity Pages 1 (Calvert School)
• Zaner-Bloser Handwriting 1(Zaner-Bloser)
• Here We Go (Houghton Mifflin)
• Let’s Be Friends (Houghton Mifflin)
• Treasures (Houghton Mifflin)
• Wonders (Houghton Mifflin)
• Surprises (Houghton Mifflin)
• Phonics Library: Blackline Masters/Take-Home Pads 1(Houghton Mifflin)
• Take Me to Your Readers CD (Little Planet Learning)
• Reading and Writing C Lesson Manual
• Primary Journal
· Grade 1 | Mathematics
In this course, the student will learn facts and strategies for adding and subtracting numbers through 18. The Calvert series textbook, Calvert Math, and the Practice and Enrichment Workbook are the primary resources for this course. By the end of the course, the student will be able to write and count to 100. Additionally, the student will have the chance to work hands-on as he studies money, time, geometry, fractions, and measurement (customary and metric units). The student will gain an understanding of the practical applications of these skills if he helps with activities such as shopping (money), scheduling (time), and cooking (fractions and measurement). Throughout the course, the student is given the opportunity to apply the skills learned in different ways. Problem-solving activities are found in each unit.
Student Resources
• Calvert Math 1 (Calvert School)
• Calvert Math Practice and Enrichment Workbook 1(Calvert School)
• Math C Lesson Manual
• Blue, Green, Red, White, and Yellow Cubes (each color set of 10)
· Grade 1 | Science
Science is everywhere! Throughout this course, the student will actively engage in viewing the world scientifically by observing, discussing, collecting, measuring, analyzing, and asking questions. The McGraw-Hill/National Geographic series textbook, Science, and the Activity Pages are the primary resources for this course. The student will begin exploring the three major branches of science and will learn fundamental concepts of these disciplines as he performs hands-on activities. The opening unit introduces the student to the scientific method. The Life Science units continue the student's exploration of the living world. The Physical Science units introduce the student to the concepts of matter and motion. The Earth and Space Science unit provides the opportunity for the student to observe and record the cycles of the weather, seasons, moon, and stars.
In this course, the student will create and maintain a daily weather chart, construct a model of a pond ecosystem, make a puppet, build a kite, and participate in other exciting activities. The lessons in this course are designed to accommodate many learning styles, and to provide a variety of opportunities for the entire family to participate in the student’s education. Some lessons, or groups of lessons, in each unit are activity-centered, which allow the student to engage the new concepts he encounters through exploration and discovery; others are more traditional, requiring the student to read, research, and reflect on the underlying theory. The student may choose to read and review a fiction or nonfiction book about the subject being studied, undertake a project that reflects a particular personal interest, or participate in an appropriate online interactive experience. The student may include others in a longer-term project such as creating a family garden, or by visiting and reporting on a trip to a farm, zoo, nature center, aquarium, or museum.
Student Resources
• McGraw-Hill Science 1(McGraw-Hill)
• Activity Pages 1 (Calvert School)
• Science C Lesson Manual
· Grade 1 | Social Studies
What is social studies? It is the study of all the many ways people all over the world live and relate with each other. In this course, your student will be introduced to the study of history, geography, civics, and economics. By exploring biographies of well-known explorers, pioneers, inventors, and political figures, your student will gain an understanding of the past as it relates to the present. Your student will examine stories about significant events, such as the first Thanksgiving and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Basic geography skills will be introduced as your student explores the five themes of geography—place, location, regions, movement, and human/environment interactions—within the context of his surroundings. In addition, your student will learn about the basic concepts of government and economics. Basic social studies skills are introduced, such as understanding chronology and distinguishing fact from opinion. Calvert School’s Explore Your World series and Steck-Vaughn’s Maps, Globes, Graphs provide the basis for instruction. These workbooks offer exercises and activities to help your student develop fundamental Social Studies skills.
Student Resources
• Explore Your World I (Calvert School)
• Maps, Globes, Graphs Level A (Steck-Vaughn)
• Activity Pages 1 (Calvert School)
• Social Studies C Lesson Manual
• Inflatable Globe