Join this class to build community in a small group while learning important First Grade Reading, Writing, Science, History, Latin, history and Math skills! Reserving your spot in month 1 of this Pod will serve as a deposit for your Fall 2022 registration. Pre-register by June 1st for access to exclusive summer events and activities on Outschool! We will be in touch to assist in finalizing your registration for the semester in early August.

Please note: you will need to finalize your registration in early August to receive access to the remaining classes in this semester length Pod.

SCIENCE
First grade science integrates investigation with a scientific scope, a way to acquire science concepts and NGSS standards-based principles. Learners learn how to use their five senses to observe changes in biotic and abiotic factors. In class, I will encourage young learners to think “outside the box” and foster an environment to guide their discussions. To facilitate this, I encourage students to ask more questions and deliver more frequent feedback. The approach I use in my classroom improves participation, retention of knowledge, develops problem-solving skills, fosters collaborative learning while making learning FUN and more personalized.

FIRST GRADE FULL CURRICULUM SCIENCE UNITS:
UNIT ONE: Space Science
UNIT TWO: Earth Science
Unit THREE: Life Science
Unit FOUR : Ecosystems
Unit FIVE: Animal Science

MATH
Our 1st  grade math curriculum will  teach students the fundamentals in a way that is not just effective, but also fun. In addition to giving students a solid foundation, first grade math fluency also arms students with the tools and confidence they need to learn more advanced concepts down the road.

In kindergarten, children are introduced to numbers and math concepts. In first grade, the math skills they learn to build on the concepts they should have learned by the end of kindergarten. They will gain a better understanding of number concepts and will expand their math abilities.

Students will acquire tons of new math skills in first grade. This knowledge will serve as a foundation for what they will learn in second grade math and also expand on what they learned in kindergarten.
We will start the term with reviewing math standards learned in previous years to build up a strong foundation. If a child can’t keep up with a first grade math curriculum, not only will they fall behind and, in turn, lose confidence, but they’ll also lose interest in the subject. Additionally, the skills and concepts that students learn in first grade math aren’t just limited to use in their academic studies.

Our goal is to make math fun and applicable, not a dreaded core subject. To facilitate confidence, our first unit will focus entirely on building their foundation. We focus on reviewing key foundations in many different instructional approaches. Math games, visual aids, technology, mind-maps, reciting it out loud and hands- on approaches. It is important to deepen their confidence where they flourish. Therefore, depending on the type of learner they are, they will receive an individualized instructional approach throughout the units.  It is important for us to identify how they learn best and apply that information to strengthening their math skills.

FIRST GRADE MATH UNITS
Unit 1 Review
Unit 2 Numbers & Counting
Unit 3 Classifying & Estimating
Unit 4  Shapes, Graphs & Data Analysis
Unit 5 Measuring & Comparing
Unit 6 Time & Money
Unit 7 Adding & Subtracting

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
This physical education class is not the traditional approach; it is a unique concept that employs Anatomy & Physiology.  Formal P.E is important in developing motor skills and establishing a positive relationship between the students mind & body. In this class we will be learning the anatomical properties of our bodies and how the physiology relates to such. An example of this connection is during a stretch of the arms, students will learn the skeletal muscles and which tendons and bones are there and how the movement is coordination of specific musculoskeletal components. In learning such, they’ll understand how “bicep” means 2 heads: short head and long head, they will be learning to distinguish the origins of these muscles and bones. Another example of this knowledge building during physical movement is the effects of the body system. Many students have experienced “stitches” or mind discomfort before when doing exercises, they will learn how certain movements can impact our digestive system and cause that distress.

1st Grade Reading
Never judge a book by its movie! In this class we take on books so amazing, they made a movie! Each month we will read 1-2 book(s) in class and upon completion we will all watch their video productions (Parent permission will be required; an alternative will also be given to those not participating in the film screening). After the movie, students will participate in an open dialogue comparing and contrasting both pieces.

Term 1
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by: Judi Barrett,  (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1978) 32 pages.
Film: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs

1st Grade Writing
Students will need a 3 ring folder or binder for their writing handouts. Handouts for the month will be posted at the beginning of the term and reminders with quick print links will be given on Sundays.

Students will also be provided with the Alphabet Formation Cards, Letter Formation Chart, Phonics Helpers, and a Writing Checklist to keep in their folder. You can keep these together with a key ring or keep them in a separate area in the child's working space.

Students will learn about various topics, put them in action, and then we will relate each new skill to our book of the term. We will also participate in fun writing activities, projects, and games with the term theme as well.

Term 1
THEME: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Intro to the Writing Process (8 Steps to Success)
Let's Talk About Grammar and Punctuation
-When Should You Use Capital or Lowercase Letters?
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Study/Activity Book
Themed spelling and sight words (fun assessment to check understanding)

1st Grade African American History and Art

Students will learn about individual African American heroes and their contributions to the world. Each week we will be highlighting two new heroes. Students will learn about each hero's early  life, societal contribution, and posthumous accomplishments.
Each day there will be a fun craft, drawing, or coloring page reflecting each hero. Supply lists and print outs will be given at the beginning of each term.

Week 1: Bessie Coleman and Mae Jemison
Craft/Activity:  Build your own Stunt Paper Airplane and Create Your Own Planet
Week 2: Jackie Robsinson and Ruby Bridges
Craft/Activity: Paper Lunch Boxes and Baseball Craft
Week 3: Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr
Craft/Activity:Bus Craft and Diversity Hands Craft
Week 4: George Washington Carver and Harriet Tubman
Craft/Activity: Design your own Factory and Harriet Tubma coloring page

Latin
Our Latin class embodies how rich this language is globally. It is the universal language of western civilization by providing a blueprint for all languages. While it was more predominantly spoken by ancient Romans, today it is used in all legal terms and most medical terms. Knowing the Latin meaning can help learners build cross-disciplinary knowledge. Contrary to belief, one can gain alot from Latin class without being proficient in the language. In class we learn  the Latin alphabet, which is read without difficulty. The  sentence structure is where things get “hairy” since the words of sentences are placed for their emphasis, rather than in accordance with a pattern like that of the English Subject-Verb-Object sentence. As such, in class students will learn the alphabet and  inflections of nouns and verbs. This class will help students throughout their academic career in every subject and give them a competitive edge in any field they eventually go into as they embark into the real world.