1st Grade
Overview 1st grade sets the tone for all future grades at the Academy. While still offering a program full of fun and enriching activities, 1st graders learn to begin to take independent ownership of their education.
Bible
We use the Purposeful Design Grade 1 curriculum. It teaches how to live as a Christian through the Bible stories of Creation through Paul’s missionary journeys.
Phonics and Reading
We find that continuing a balanced and differentiated approach to teaching our 1st graders works well. We use Abeka for our phonics and reading lessons. The phonics lessons teach phonemic awareness and phonological skills. In reading, we meet in small groups differentiating the instruction as needed. We have literacy centers during this time.
Math
We use a variety of manipulative, classroom aides, and learning games with our BJU math curriculum. Each new concept is taught as a whole group using direct instruction. Math centers and iPad apps provide 1st graders additional concept practice.
Language Arts
Language arts primarily focuses on using complete sentences to express written opinions and informative texts that include topics and supporting facts. We also use writing workshops, grammar activities, and games. Finally, school library visits and iPads apps during computer time are used to reinforce learned skills.
Science and Social Studies
In 1st grade at OCA, science and social studies are learned throughout the year. We use exploration and observation using the scientific method to study topics such as botany, anatomy, insects, states of matter, space, and laws of gravity. In Social Studies, 1st graders begin to identify and study historical figures important to our nation, learn to use maps to identify key elements in our state as well as globally, and what it means to be a citizen of a country.
By the end of 1st grade, students will:
Bible
- Demonstrate Christian virtues and explain why as Christians, we should show these
- Know the Bible as the Word of God
- Know ways to grow in our faith, demonstrate love for others, and share the Gospel
- Memorize key passages of Scripture, and know ways to apply them
- Worship God through music, prayer, and study of His word
Phonics/Reading
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Read poetry, prose, and informational texts of an appropriate level for 1st graders and answer questions about key details in the text
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Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses (inferences.)
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Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events
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Identify the main topic and key details in a text.
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Describe connections between 2 individuals, events, or ideas in a text
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Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events
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Know and apply grade-appropriate phonics and word analysis of skills in decoding words.
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Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension
Math
- Demonstrate an understanding of equality and addition and subtraction
- Understand the place value of three-digit numbers
- Tell time and solve problems involving money
- Collect, categorize, represent and interpret data using appropriate titles, labels, and units
- Demonstrate an understanding of equality and addition and subtraction
- Measure the length of objects and solve problems involving length
- Develop an understanding of fractions
- Develop an understanding of multiplication
Language Arts
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Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of age-appropriate English grammar rules
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Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name of a book, state an opinion, give supporting details and provide closure
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Use self-editing and peer-editing techniques to improve written work
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Express ideas and feelings clearly and calmly
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Distinguish certain word pairs and groups such as rhyming words, homonyms, contractions, opposites, similes, and words with special sounds
Science
- Raise questions about the natural world
- Use the 5 senses as tools to observe and describe objects
- Explore the Law of Gravity and the relationship of objects on Earth to it
- Sort objects by observable properties
- Explore and investigate to learn and solve problems
Social Studies
- Understand history as a record of God’s plan for mankind
- Compare and contrast life in present times to life in times before
- Recognize and understand why we celebrate national holidays
- Give examples of responsible citizenship
- Recognize symbols and individuals that represent American constitutional democracy