In first grade, the students are very comfortable with the school routine and following directions. The day begins with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance and continues on with a center format. In centers, the children will work on reading, spelling, handwriting, phonics and listening. The afternoon includes social studies, science, Spanish, religion, phonics, P.E., art and music. Every Friday, the students attend an all school Mass and are paired up with seventh graders as their mentors. The first graders and seventh graders quickly form a bond and enjoy a special relationship throughout the year.
Curriculum Overview
Language Arts
- First grade is devoted largely to learning to read. As a result, students will become independent readers by the end of the school year.
- The first grade student will be immersed in a literature-rich environment to develop an awareness of print materials as sources of information and enjoyment. They will use a variety of strategies to read new words and read familiar selections aloud with fluency and expression. Understanding the main idea and sequencing the events of a story are important comprehension skills that will be applied to all subject areas.
Mathematics
- First grade mathematics introduces the concept of number sense and operations and continues the development of sorting and patterning skills. By the end of first grade, students can use ones and tens in the place value system. First graders will add and subtract small numbers easily, measure a variety of objects and use basic geometric concepts. In addition, first grade students can collect and organize data and solve basic work/story problems.
Science
- Science education in first grade builds upon the foundation that began in kindergarten. First graders learn that all living things have the same basic needs. Students will be given as many opportunities as possible to experience and interact with living things within the environment and study the basic needs of all living things. They will also continue to explore the physical and earth sciences.
- Students will conduct simple experiments in which they make predictions and test them. They will draw conclusions from experiments and practice recording and explaining them.
Social Studies
- The first grade social studies curriculum includes a comparison of the everyday life in neighborhoods and communities in different places and time periods. Maps and globes will be used to locate places in Oklahoma and around the world. Students will also learn the rights and responsibilities of good citizenship as well as patriotic traditions.
Religion
- Jesus, the son of God, came to earth to teach us about God’s love and help us to be holy members of the church.
Click here for the complete Diocesan Curriculum.
Enrichment
- Art
- Music
- P.E.
- Library
- Computer
- Spanish
Special activities and celebrations
- Special time with 7th grade buddies
- Show and Tell
- Grandmother Spider comes to tell stories
- Adoration