First grade is an exciting year of growth and fun! Parents and students often find the transition between Kindergarten and 1st to be challenging. There are a lot more academic standards to learn and independence is key for success! All of the hard work is so worth it as children learn and grow SO much! First grade really lays the foundation for the rest of children’s elementary years.
In Math, we learn how to recognize and write numbers 1-120. Students should be able to already do this through 31 upon entering 1st. We also add and subtract up to sums of 20. We also learn to do basic bar graphs, tallies, and picture graphs. Basic money skills are also learned including adding coins up to $1. The quarter is introduced but not mastered. Students also learn how to read a 1-120 chart. They also learn the skill of stating what is 10 more or less of a given number. The concept of tens and ones is also studied. Double digit addition is introduced towards the end of the year as an introduction to 2nd grade.
In Reading, we use the SuperKids curriculum over the course of the year with 16 units of study. Students also participate in guided reading groups based on their reading level. Students read daily for 20 minutes at home to help improve their reading skills. Students also have 10 weekly spelling and sight words.
In Writing, we begin the year ensuring students have the mastery they should have from Kindergarten and make sure they can write all 26 letters correctly on lined paper using both uppercase and lowercase letters. Then we learn how to write complete sentences. We have three formal papers consisting of one complete paragraph each: narrative, nonfiction and informational.
In Social studies, we use the My World curriculum. We learn about our country, needs vs. wants, how families are different, past vs present, basic map skills and basic cultural awareness.
In Science, we use the Scott Foresman Science curriculum and it covers four major units:
Physical Science:
Living and nonliving things
Habitats
How plants and animals live
Life cycles
Food chains
Earth Science:
Land, water and air
Weather
Physical Science
Matter: Solids, liquids and gases
Movement and Sound
Energy
Space and Technology
Day and Night Sky: Sun, Stars and Moon
Tools and Technology
In religion, we learn the Hail Mary and how to pray using the rosary. We learn how to participate in the liturgy in mass. We even get the lead mass once in May! In class, we use the Sadlier We believe curriculum. We also have a Saint of the week and we discuss them on their feast day. Prayer and living our faith is part of our everyday curriculum as well!
We also have art every Tuesday. We switch on Thursday afternoons for 45 minutes with the 2nd grade teacher, Mr. Justin and my students learn about social emotional health, where his 2nd graders do an art project with me. It is a great way for 1st graders to get to know him and I still get to connect with my previous class.
First Grade Teacher
At Sacred Heart Since 2021
Ms. Hogate
About Ms. Azure Hogate
I am super excited and blessed to be the first grade teacher at Sacred Heart Area school! I graduated cum laude with my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education with a middle school science speciality in 2010. I have lots of experience in ages birth through 8th grade in various educational roles. I am passionate about making a positive difference in my student’s lives. When I am not teaching, I am a busy mom of two. We enjoy going to area parks, zoos and on walks. I look forward to meeting my students and their families as well as everyone in the wonderful community of SHAS!
