First Grade

First grade is a year of growth, discovery, and faith. At Notre Dame School, students build strong academic foundations while developing independence, responsibility, kindness, and a love of learning.

English Language Arts (ELA)

Through a balanced literacy approach, students develop reading, writing, and communication skills using Wonders by McGraw-Hill, Fundations, and Heggerty. Instruction focuses on phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, spelling, and handwriting. Students practice writing complete sentences, keeping journals, exploring different writing genres, and responding to literature.

Mathematics

Students develop number sense and problem-solving skills through addition and subtraction within 20, counting to 120, place value, comparing numbers, measurement, and geometry. Additional topics include time, money, and data. Math centers provide opportunities for enrichment, targeted instruction, and extra support.

Religion & Faith Formation

Using the Word of Life series, students learn about God's love, creation, and the life of Jesus. Lessons incorporate the Catholic faith and the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Through prayer, reflection, and religious traditions, students grow in faith and learn the importance of kindness, gratitude, and respect.

Science

Hands-on investigations encourage curiosity and critical thinking. Topics include animal adaptations, the life cycle of a chick, matter, light and sound waves, the Earth, and the sky. Students practice observing, predicting, conducting simple experiments, and interpreting data.

Social Studies

Students explore rules and responsibility, voting, family, American symbols, and how life has changed over time. Christmas Around the World introduces students to holiday traditions and celebrations from different cultures.

Special Activities and Classroom Experiences

First grade offers opportunities to learn, create, and build meaningful relationships through class projects, the Buddy Program, classroom jobs and helpers, holidays and celebrations, field trips, and Fun Friday rewards. These experiences foster teamwork, responsibility, independence, and a strong sense of community.