Grade 1 Language Arts

The language arts program is a strong, traditional approach that encompasses the areas of reading, writing, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, handwriting, and study skills. The goals of program include developing effective oral and written communication skills, providing students with a solid understanding of writing mechanics. Students will develop effective reading strategies that will increase both fluency and comprehension including, an in depth phonetical understanding.

• Students keep a personal journal to respond to writing prompts and to communicate with classmates about their lives. Students present their journal entries orally to the class on a daily basis, giving them experience with presenting in front of groups.
• Students complete and publish individual writing assignments that include, expository, persuasive, descriptive, creative, and explanatory forms of writing. Students complete assignments in letter and paragraph formats. Students showcase their writing at an annual writers’ night where friends and family visit the classrooms to enjoy their children’s work.
• Through readers’ theater performances, students learn how to read and speak fluently.

Spanish

Spanish in the primary grades concentrates on learning vocabulary and becoming comfortable with the sounds of Spanish. A spiral curriculum with its emphasis on mastery, retention, and expansion of knowledge introduces the vocabulary units. Students learn grammar implicitly as it is slowly introduced. Resources in the classroom allow them to practice reading and to learn about the Spanish-speaking world.