1st Grade
Nancy Crom, General Studies
Michele Pregont, General Studies
Martina Zobel, Judaic Studies
Chana Israel, Judaic Studies

General Studies
The First Grade General Studies Language Arts curriculum includes the Houghton Mifflin Reading Series, A Legacy of Literacy. This is a research-based approach that employs multiple strategies to facilitate reading, writing, spelling, and an appreciation of literature. All reading activities emphasize meaning and teach strategies to decode unknown words. Students are exposed to non-fiction, fiction, poetry, and narratives. They have opportunities daily to read independently. They also participate in guided reading, choral reading, singing the words, and group sharing. The opportunity for students to choose is evident in their independent study of spelling words through a creative variety of practice options. It is also evident in the many free choice writing opportunities and reading opportunities. Students learn to read in a variety of ways. They approach reading and writing in their own unique styles. The Language Arts Program in First Grade offers each student the opportunity to grow at his or her own level and pace.

Math
The First Grade Mathematics Program includes Everyday Mathematics.
In First Grade mathematics, the students are introduced to numbers in a variety of ways. Counting games, math board games and class preference graphs are just some of the ways that number sense is developed. The students have the opportunity daily to work concretely with manipulatives to explore number concepts such as addition and subtraction, patterns, coins and currency, telling time, graphing, and solving problems with more than one attribute. Numeration and order, reading and writing numbers, exploring data, use of calendars, ordinal numbers, and number lines are just some of the other areas of focus in First Grade.

Science
In Science, the students will explore the natural world through concrete activities. The students will learn to become more acutely aware of the world around them. Our primary area of study is Organisms, which includes any living structure capable of growth and reproduction. This broad theme enables us to learn about many living things! Among them, plants and animals are major themes.

Social Studies
In Social Studies, the students begin by learning about themselves and expressing their feelings daily on a “Feelings” board. A favorite part of their day is the opportunity to express why they feel as they do. As we learn about each other, the class grows into a community.

The First Grade will also study people all around the world by looking at their customs and celebrations. They will learn what it means to be a good citizen and how good citizenship is developed.

Judaic Studies

Hebrew Language Arts
The focus in first grade is on mastering a basic set of vocabulary words, learning the Hebrew aleph bet, and learning how to read Hebrew. In addition, students increase their oral comprehension skills, and begin to express themselves in simple Hebrew sentences. Using the Tal-Am Language Arts materials, students not only learn how to read and write Hebrew, but they also learn numerous songs that are connected to each learningS unit. Short stories that are provided by the Tal-Am program are read and

Holidays
The Tal-Am program includes a unit of study for each holiday. These units include vocabulary words, blessings, customs, and songs. A multi-sensory approach to learning about the holidays allows each child to joyfully anticipate and experience the holidays.

Israel
Israel plays an important role in the education of our first graders. They talk about Israel in connection with all the holidays but especially in anticipation of Israel Independence Day. A unit of the Tal-Am series is devoted to becoming familiar with the symbols of the State of Israel and to learning numerous songs about Israel.

Prayer
Students in first grade take a special “Morning Walk” each day. During the walk they take special note of their natural surroundings and recite prayers and blessings that are associated with their experience. At the end of the year, parents join together with their children in their morning prayers and then present their children with a beautifully covered and inscribed Siddur.