First Grade

The curriculum introduces students to phonics, reading, language, handwriting, poetry, arithmetic, history, science, health, Bible stories, music, and arts and crafts.

Phonics

Each phonics element necessary for learning to read is systematically reviewed in an appealing way. There
are many puzzles, riddles, exercises, and illustrations designed to teach word analysis skills, build vocabulary,
and increase reading comprehension.

Language

Provides daily exercises to help students increase thinking skills, improve reading comprehension, and develop creative writing ability.

Arithmetic

Students are presented with concepts in an orderly manner, building on prior learning and including consistent
year-long review. Concepts include counting, writing and reading numbers, place value, addition and
subtraction, money, graphs, measurements, time, temperature, and fractions. Applications to real-life
situations and daily thinking questions stretch the students’ reasoning ability.

Bible

Students will learn more about the character, strengths, and weaknesses of men and women from the Bible.
By studying the lives of Bible characters, students will learn practical truths to apply their own lives, such as our actions will bring about either rewards or consequences.

Poetry

Children will be acquainted with a wide variety of good poetry through classroom recitation. They learn simple rhymes coupled with finger actions. Students will develop use of appropriate expression and increase comprehension through questions that encourage listening.

Health

Introduces first graders to the importance of good health habits and gives God the glory for the way He has
designed us. Students will learn about nutrition, exercise, proper sleep habits, good posture, safety habits, and
manners.

Arts & Crafts

Designed to give month-by-month variety in enjoyable art activities, to teach children elementary art techniques in many types of media, and to provide interesting seasonal projects.

Handwriting

Students will learn the correct spacing between letters, words, and sentences. Through daily writing exercises,
students will practice and review what they are learning in phonics, beginning with single letters and progressing to special sounds, words, and sentences.

Spelling

Students will apply the phonics concepts they are currently learning as they master the spelling of
approximately 420 words. Most of the words are arranged phonetically, which teaches students to recognize
basic spelling patterns. They will learn sight words, contractions, and abbreviations that they will encounter
frequently in their reading and writing.

History

Students will learn how our country was founded and what our basic freedoms are. They meet several famous
American patriots and take a trip across America. Good citizenship is emphasized and reading skills are
developed. Students will also learn new patriotic songs and be introduced to major countries and U.S.

Science

The study of plants, animals, insects, energy, health, the seasons, and the five senses provides an excellent
introduction to science, with the emphasis on building student interest and augmenting students’ reading skills.

Reading

Early readers will advance their reading skills. Students will coordinate the reading material with the phonics
concepts being learned. Students move from stories with simple one- and two-vowel words to stories based
on children’s classics, giving them valuable practice in applying phonics skills.