What to Expect in 1st Grade
Topics: School and Academics, Middle Years (5-9), Fall, First Grade, Preparing Your Child for Back to School
For most kids, first grade is thrilling. Rarely, in fact, will school include so many “firsts”: the first time most kids attend full-day school; the first time they manage a page of math problems; and especially, the first time they read a book independently, cover to cover.
Of course, your child may have started these tasks in kindergarten, but first grade teachers expect that developmental levels and learning styles will vary widely. They use a variety of approaches, and they know that kids’ speeds vary. One day, you may see nothing; the next day, “Got it!” As one teacher I know says, “First graders are like popcorn!”
So what exactly is taught in first grade? Here are some key areas to look for:
Reading: Early on, the teacher will assess your child’s level and work from there. In most classrooms, expect a balance of phonics and “whole language”; teachers want kids to develop solid problem-solving strategies for “decoding” (connecting letters to sounds) and “comprehending” (making meaning). The best way to help at home is to read, read, read with your child and keep the tone fun, fun, fun. Do you like picture books? Kids use pictures to build understanding; this is a perfect time to indulge.
Writing: By first grade, teachers will guide your child to write complete sentences with capitals and punctuation, and to create simple stories. Be aware, though: spelling will be fearless, and that’s fine; and an early story can be a three-sentence masterpiece.
Math: The number 100 takes on huge importance in first grade. Expect your child to learn place value; to read and write numbers up to 100; and learn early addition, focusing on sums between 1 and 10. Kids will also work with concepts like more, less, same; and will learn basics of telling time. At home, this is a great time to count everything in sight, and try to point to traditional clocks, not just rely on digital time.
Science and Social Studies: For all children, nature beckons. In first grade, expect units that build science skills by making observations, categorizing same and different, and knowing what’s dead and alive. This all connects to social studies lessons with maps, globes, and simple timelines and graphs showing birthdays, calendars, and school events.
Do be aware: while this is a general list, specific units and requirements may vary somewhat by state, and local districts and schools may have somewhat different approaches to the same topics. So in addition to working with the list above, be sure to consult your state’s Department of Education for a complete list of academic standards.
Still, explains Amy James, award-winning author of the Knowledge Essentials series (Jossey Bass, 2005), what’s common across every state is the fact that kids in each grade are around the same developmental age and stage. After analyzing standards across the country, James promises that there are “fundamental similarities…across all fifty states.” In other words, says James, when it comes to the basics, “first grade is first grade.” And, with good teamwork between teachers, parents, and kids, first grade is also a whopping good time.
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To share your personal experience or ask advice from our community, please start a discussion- The Diversity Debate
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Comments from readers
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_edu_table/
You can search by your state and then narrow down to your child's individual grade. Good luck!
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_edu_table/
That is designed for 2 to 7 year old kids.
what do you think is the best procedure to it?
is it okay for a teacher not to show any picture at the time you are teaching these kind of students that in class time they are fooling around or they are crawling all over the floor and do not pay attention when you say so?
please anyone who knows about these kind of topics let me know send your texts to my e-mail josep william30@hotmail.com
It's ok that your daughter does not know how to read or spell at this point. This next year in school will focus on teaching reading for you - but you have to work with her at home in the evenings as she needs additional help. Before she goes to school in the fall, I would encourage you to work with her on her alphabet as it is important for her to know this to learn to read. Also, it is important to spend time with her on counting to 100. My daughter has trouble focusing and sitting still and we went to a psychiatrist and was able to find help for her and she is doing a lot better when we work on school related activities. The last piece of advice I would offer is to work with your school counselors and teachers to find out if there are additional services that she would benfit from during school.
Good luck!