Our goal in first grade is to develop student achievement, fostered through ability, confidence and a positive attitude in the child.

First grade is where it all comes together. This is where language and literacy skills combine, turning children into real readers.

Our first grade program is focused on developing readers who can sound out words, understand what they read and think critically about text through the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill basal reader. The first grade writing program focuses on writing for a variety of reasons, organization for writing, and using conventions, grammar, and spelling strategies accurately. The Rebecca Sitton Spelling Series is used to help improve spelling skills. In addition, oral language is critical to the development of readers and writers. For this reason, listening and speaking are integrated into the reading and writing program.

Everyday Math is a district wide math program. This program provides the students with more emphasis on basic facts and skills, connecting the concrete and the abstract, daily practice pages, problem solving and continuous daily review. The math chapters include: Classification and Patterns, Addition and Subtraction facts through 18, Geometry, Measurement, Money, Time, Place Value, and Graphing.

The Science program for the District is based on the Delta NSRC Science kits for first grade that cover the topics of solids and liquids, organisms, and pebbles, sand and silt. The observations of living organisms, in terrariums and aquariums, lead students to make predictions and comparisons as they work with exciting hands-on materials. Social Studies topics are integrated across the curriculum in our day. We study courtesy, Columbus, Martin Luther King, Jr., pilgrims, patriotism, maps, weather, and Japan, our country of comparison. Additional health topics include dental health, nutrition, personal hygiene, and safety.

The students should weekly study spelling words, vocabulary words, and participate in the Home Reading program. If daily work is not completed in class, unfinished work may be taken home as homework.

Classroom and playground rules are posted in each classroom. Standards of conduct are clear to all students and rewarded with frequent positive reinforcement. Consequences for inappropriate behavior are also very clear to the students. Communication with parents is well established with letters and work for the week sent home in a "Friday Folder".