📖 First Grade
Fluent readers and writers! Advanced reading, complete sentences, addition & subtraction, and critical thinking skills.
Daily Formal Learning
2–3 hours / day
This does not include:
- ✓ Reading together
- ✓ Outdoor play
- ✓ Life skills
- ✓ Creative time
👉 When those are included, kids are learning all day without needing long formal hours.
🎯 Guiding Principle
- • Younger children need less time, more interaction
- • Older children need more focus, not more hours
- • Quality > quantity, always
Skills & Activities
Hands-on learning for fluent readers and writers
Fluent readers and writers! Advanced reading, complete sentences, addition & subtraction, and critical thinking skills.
📖 Reading & Fluency
Decodes CVC Words
Reads consonant-vowel-consonant words independently.
Recognizes Sight Words
Reads high-frequency sight words automatically.
Reads Simple Sentences
Reads and understands simple sentences.
Understands Main Idea
Identifies the main idea and key details in a story.
Uses Context Clues
Figures out unknown words using pictures and context.
Reads Fluently
Reads with appropriate speed and expression.
✏️ Writing & Spelling
Writes Simple Sentences
Composes sentences with capitalization and periods.
Spells CVC Words
Spells simple consonant-vowel-consonant words correctly.
Uses Phonetic Spelling
Attempts to spell unknown words using letter sounds.
Writes Stories
Creates short stories with beginning, middle, and end.
Uses Proper Capitalization
Capitalizes the beginning of sentences and proper nouns.
Leaves Word Spacing
Leaves appropriate spaces between words when writing.
🔢 Addition & Subtraction
Adds Within 20
Solves addition problems with sums up to 20.
Subtracts Within 20
Solves subtraction problems with numbers up to 20.
Understands Equal Signs
Knows that = means both sides are equal.
Counts to 120
Counts forward and backward up to 120.
Compares Two-Digit Numbers
Understands greater than, less than, and equal to.
Shows Number Relationships
Understands that 10 + 5 = 15 and 15 - 5 = 10.
📏 Geometry & Measurement
Identifies 2D & 3D Shapes
Names and describes circles, squares, triangles, cubes, and spheres.
Measures Length
Uses non-standard and standard measurements (inches, centimeters).
Tells Time
Tells time to the hour and half-hour on an analog clock.
Recognizes Coins & Bills
Identifies pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills.
Partitions Shapes
Divides shapes into equal parts (halves, thirds, fourths).
Creates Simple Graphs
Organizes data into bar graphs and picture graphs.
🗣️ Speaking & Listening
Speaks Clearly
Speaks with appropriate volume and clear pronunciation.
Follows Directions
Listens carefully and follows multi-step instructions.
Participates in Discussions
Takes turns and contributes to class conversations.
Asks & Answers Questions
Asks questions to clarify and answers questions accurately.
Listens for Details
Picks out specific information when listening.
Retells Experiences
Shares stories about their experiences in order.
🧠 Critical Thinking
Solves Word Problems
Reads and solves simple math word problems.
Makes Predictions
Makes guesses about what will happen next in a story.
Compares & Contrasts
Identifies similarities and differences between two things.
Follows Multi-Step Tasks
Completes activities with multiple steps in order.
Uses Reasoning
Explains their thinking and justifies their answers.
Sets & Pursues Goals
Works toward learning goals with focus and effort.
💛 Social & Emotional
Works in Groups
Collaborates on group projects and activities.
Manages Emotions
Uses strategies to calm down and handle frustration.
Shows Respect
Respects peers, teachers, and classroom rules.
Builds Resilience
Tries again after making mistakes or facing challenges.
Builds Confidence
Believes in their ability to learn and improve.
Shows Kindness
Demonstrates compassion and helps others.
🏡 Life & Study Skills
Organizes Materials
Keeps belongings and schoolwork in order.
Follows Routines
Completes daily routines independently.
Practices Responsibility
Completes homework and assignments on time.
Shows Independence
Completes tasks without constant reminders.
Manages Time
Understands basic concepts of time (today, tomorrow, next week).
Asks for Help
Knows when and how to ask for help appropriately.
Seasonal Crafts
Nature-inspired projects for every time of year