For the Parents of First Graders
You will find below, the things that a first grader is expected to learn. In addition you will find ways to help your child learn. The links below will jump you to the appropriate section, or just scroll down the page.

First Grade Mathematics
Working toward the goals of the Essential Learnings in mathematics, each first grader will understand concepts and apply procedures in the following areas:

Number Sense:

  • Explores, sequences and represents whole numbers (0-100).
  • Understands addition and subtraction concepts.
  • Adds and subtracts using concrete materials (0-100).
  • Adds and subtracts using money.
  • Knows basic addition and subtraction facts.
  • Selects and uses tools appropriately.
  • Uses estimates to make predictions.

Measurement:

  • Explores measurement (time, weight, length, temperature).
  • Measures and compares objects by characteristics.
  • Explains reasonableness of measurements.
  • Recognizes and identifies values of coins.
  • Uses measurements in problem and everyday situations.

Spatial Sense:

  • Understands how geometric shapes and objects are related.
  • Recognizes and names shapes.
  • Sorts shapes by characteristics.
  • Explores concepts of geometry (symmetry and congruency).

Probability and Statistics:

  • Predicts.
  • Participates in experiments and activities.
  • Collects and organizes data.
  • Records data using real or pictorial symbols (charts, graphs).
  • Reads, interprets, and compares charts and graphs to make inferences.
  • Verifies results.
  • Notices and discusses simple probabilities.

Functions & Relationships:

  • Uses guess and check in the search for patterns.
  • Creates, identifies, extends, and applies patterns using manipulative objects.
  • Recognizes number patterns (by 10’s, 5’s,...)
  • Translates simple patterns into a different medium.
  • Represents number patterns using manipulatives and symbols.
  • Describes equal and unequal using symbols (<, >, =).
  • Solves simple equations at the concrete level

 

First Grade Reading and Language Arts Skill Expectations
Working toward the goals of reading with comprehension, writing with skill, and communicating effectively and responsibly, each first grader will learn to:

Reading:

  • See reading as a source of information and pleasure.
  • Experience being read to.
  • Use consonant and vowel patterns in reading and spelling (phonics).
  • Understand what has been read.
  • Understand simple punctuation and phrasing when reading orally.
  • Use a table of contents.
  • Use directionality to gain meaning from charts, maps, graphs, etc.
  • Sequence and re-tell stories.
  • Read independently at his/her developmental level.

Reading Quick Check: Does your child:

  • Show evidence of confirming predictions?
  • Make more accurate predictions of word and structure?
  • "Practice" reading?
  • Talk about the act of reading?

Writing:

  • Print capital and lower-case letters and numbers legibly as taught in school.
  • Alphabetize words to the second letter.
  • Use ideas, voice and conventions in writing.
  • Use capitalization editing marks to revise written work.
  • Use technology as appropriate.

Communication:

  • Present ideas orally in a way that can be easily understood.
  • Continue listening and communicating effectively in groups.
  • Extend reading, writing, and spoken vocabulary.
  • Integrate reading, writing, and communication skills to produce projects and/or oral presentations on topics covered in math, science and social studies.

First Grade Science
Your child will learn to:

Living Things:

  • Recognize that living things have structures that work together to help it survive in its environment.
  • Air, Sun, and Water: Systems and Interactions

 Earth Science:

  •  Understand that air, sun and water make weather which can be observed and measured.

Physical Science:

  •  Recognize that matter changes in a variety of ways.

 Health and Wellness: 

  • Understand that the human body has systems that work together.

First Grade Social studies
Your child will learn:

 Knowledge and Skill:

  •  Recognize and use map skills and terms.

Heritage:

  •  Study present-day Aberdeen and discuss how it relates to our past and heritage.

Citizenship:

  •  Discuss and explain the role of citizens in a community.

Diversity:

  •  Students will compare and contrast cultures within their own community.

Interdependence:

  •  Students will be able to define the term current events.
  • Students will be able to explain the difference between fact and fiction.

Change:

  • Students will explain how changes in our local community affect us alll.
  • Students will recognize that changes can be environmental or come from outside influences.

Things I Can Do to Help My First Grade Child

  • Help your child become a reader and a writer. Provide books, and other "print rich" items so your child will see letters and words and want to explore them. Curiosity takes over!
  • Read to your child and have him/her read to you. Ask questions about what was read. Discuss the material. "Can you tell me what happened in the story?" "Why did the elephant run away from the monkey?" "What could he have done differently?" "What part of the story did you like best?" "Why?" First graders regularly use critical thinking skills in their daily lives. You can encourage and strengthen them by asking questions, listening to your child’s responses and discussing their viewpoints.
  • Let your child catch YOU reading regularly!
  • Go on outings together: store, mall, beach, parks, city, bus, plane, library, museum, restaurants. Talk about what you see, hear, feel, taste, smell, etc. Make sure you listen to your child’s descriptions and help them find words to describe what they experience: "Mom, that man has on funny clothes!" "The trees in the forest are moving. Why are they doing that?." "The sunshine feels warm on my face." "The ice cream is cold and sweet." You can help develop critical thinking by asking them questions about what they describe to you. "Why do YOU think the trees are moving?" "Why do you think the man’s clothes look funny?" "What is your favorite place to visit, favorite flavor of ice cream, favorite color?", etc. These questions cause children to reflect on their thinking.
  • Make collections! Children love to collect things; rocks, shiny things, shells, buttons, keys, coins, anything small that can be stored as "treasures". Collections are great things to talk about, write about, make up stories about, and, they are useful for counting, sorting, classifying, grouping, and for practicing addition and subtraction with real objects so children understand these math concepts.
  • Help with math skills by: playing games which involve counting, adding, subtracting and basic multiplying with your child: Uno, Yahtzee, etc. Cooking is a great way to teach measurement, proportions, fractions, more/less, and many other math concepts we all use in our daily lives.
  • Give your child choices of activities, chores, ways to spend time, or foods. "Would you like crackers with peanut butter or apple slices for your snack?" "Should we have salad or green beans for dinner? "Would you like to hear a story right now or read to me?" "Would you rather set the table or fold the clothes?" "Do you want to pick up your toys now or put away your clothes?" These are daily decisions young children can make, yet adults often make them for them. In these situations, the adult is clearly in charge, yet the child is able to have some control. This leads to independence and teaches responsibility.
  • Help your child select items or topics to share at school. Sharing or Show & Tell, teaches children pride in themselves and to respect the diversity among others. Sharing also helps develop oral communication skills and helps children work toward the goal of effective and responsible communication.
  • Talk to your child about feelings. Let him/her know those feelings are important. Remind them that all people feel like they do at times. This teaches respect, understanding, & acceptance.
  • Provide for your child to play with others, to share, and cooperate. This will help him/her make friends, as well as learn to work together cooperatively with classmates.
  • Teach your child to button and tie if he/she still needs help.
  • Volunteer at school!
  • Remember that YOU are your child’s first teacher. The impact of your words and actions are the most important!
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