First Grade is an important year, as the students extend their core academic skills in addition to developing organizational strategies. We focus on social development by fostering positive character traits in each child, as well as by identifying ourselves as a close-knit class community.
The First Grade is divided into two homerooms, the Spider Monkeys and the Sea Turtles. These names were originally chosen in coordination with our year-long study of the Animal Kingdom, which focuses on conservation and preservation of the Earth and all of its inhabitants, particularly endangered species such as black spider monkeys and green sea turtles. Children report to their “habitats” as part of their morning routine.
Children are then divided into ability-based groups so that teachers may deliver differentiated instruction in Language Arts and Math. The classes then join for Science and Social Studies instruction. In addition each class experiences Science enrichment in the new science lab. To supplement the classroom experience, the students attend the following specials each week: Physical Education, Art, Music, Computer, Library and Spanish. They also participate in various field trips as an extension to the First Grade Curriculum.
We are very excited about the school year!
Mrs. Aquilino and Ms. Maass