FIRST GRADE OVERVIEW

BIBLE

Students will learn that God is a God of impossibilities who expects our love and obedience above all else. Students will learn that wise choices bring good results, and that unwise choices bring bad results. Students will also learn that God had a plan for each of their lives, even before they were born, which continues to be fulfilled through them day by day. Students will learn that God sent His Son to teach them how to live; and that He has power over all aspects of life. They will learn that He is worthy of our praise and worship.

LANGUAGE ARTS
(PHONICS, ORAL READING, READING COMPREHENSION, HANDWRITING, SPELLING, GRAMMAR)

The students will be able to recognize and articulate phonetic sounds. The students will accurately decode words. They will read various forms of literature knowing that it is God's plan that people should be able to read well, and will be able to write responses to their reading. Additionally, they will demonstrate an understanding of character relationships, point of view, and mood. Realizing that God has used writers down through history to accomplish His purposes, students will increase proficiency in written expression by developing skills in manuscript writing, mastery of spelling words, vocabulary words and fundamental mechanics of grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. The student will use complete sentences when communicating orally or telling a story and will use correct meanings for familiar words in speech, understanding that God is concerned that communications be clear and easily understood, and that our speech can praise and magnify God.

OTHER LANGUAGES
SPANISH

Students will understand that God gave them the ability to speak and understand other languages.

In learning a second language, they will learn to (in the second language):
¨ Say uplifting words of praise to God and others.
¨ Take turns speaking.
¨ Communicate with courtesy
¨ Use their speech to glorify God
¨ Give their name, phone number, and birthday
¨ Answer yes and no questions
¨ Describe pictures in simple words and phrases

They will know that God gave them the ability to hear. Students will understand basic listening is important. They will become aware that God listens to them regardless of what their indigenous language may be. Students will discriminate between letters, money and numbers from other symbols, objects, and figures respectively. Students will develop their acuity skills by being able to listen to and correctly identify sounds. They will be able to name and match environmental sounds. They will also be able to repeat two or three items in correct sequence.

MATHEMATICS

Students will recognize that God designed the universe in an orderly manner from the beginning of time. They will recognize His consistency, and understand that He is the creator of numbers. Students will recognize that God gives us the ability to work with these numbers and understand problem solving by His infinite wisdom. Students will identify, count, and write, numbers by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's as well as recognize the place value to the hundreds. They will learn common day information in relation to our calendar. The students will understand mathematical concepts and vocabulary to enable them to develop and perform age appropriate operations of addition and subtraction. The students will use higher-order thinking skills to solve logic problems and mathematical stories that may include: money, weight, fractions, time, measurement, graphs, shapes, order, comparison, sequencing and position. The child's mind will be developing a spiritual thinking of God's hand in all problem solving and difficult situations.

SCIENCE

Students will learn that God created for His own purpose and pleasure every part of the natural world and that He has control over it. Students will demonstrate mastery in the acquisition and communication of data, sequencing events, measurement of volume, and understanding relationships of classroom objects to daily life as it applies to animals, ecology, weather, matter, electricity and magnetism.

HEALTH

The students will be able to list sound practice in health and the care of their bodies, realizing that their bodies are the temples of God. The student will be able to articulate good safety rules, knowing that as we protect our bodies we are protecting a part of God's creation. The student will develop good manners in order to interact with others in a way that would be pleasing to God.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students will receive instruction and information about our country, national heroes, important holidays and patriotic concepts. In addition, they will be presented with grade appropriate information about countries around the world. They will develop an understanding of individual responsibility, good citizenship, self-control, self-discipline and submission to authority, with God being the supreme authority. The students will recognize themselves as unique individuals, created in the image of God, the Master of all creation, and develop an understanding of His Word.

FINE ARTS

The students will know that by expressing and fostering their creative abilities, they can glorify God. The students will know that God's first drama was the creation. They will know that there is honor in a finished work. Students will learn to appreciate the talents of others as well as their own. They will see how God gives talents to be used for His glory. The students will recognize body awareness using rhythmic, imitative, creative, sensory and pantomime movement. They will learn how to use vocal expression and dialogue while coordinating body movements. The students will identify the proper relationship between the audience and the player. They will learn proper audience etiquette. Students will explore and develop various avenues of creative drama through grade appropriate expressive use of body and voice, incorporating the creativity with which God has endowed them. They will experience theater arts in all subject areas when appropriate to increase skills in expression of the glory of God. Students will become aware of the magnificence of the creation of God and explore their creative potential.

TECHNOLOGY

They will acknowledge that God is concerned about the details of our life and wants us to give attention to details as well. They will use technology wisely, recognizing that true wisdom comes from a right relationship with God. Students will be able to demonstrate effective use of computer hardware and software. They will understand the value of well-presented written and technological communication in influencing people. Students will recognize that perseverance and orderliness are qualities that bring forth fruit spiritually and practically.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The students will know that they are able to glorify God through their physical abilities. The students will learn how the abilities that God has given them can be used to glorify Him. They will realize that by giving their best effort and completing a task they honor the Lord. They will know their own abilities, as well as the abilities of their fellow students. The students will understand how body movement, rhythm, time, and space relate to their personal life. The students will explore and develop a fit body through various forms of activities including age appropriate games and drills. They will see how God has created beauty through physical activity performed well. Students will cultivate habits that help them maintain a physically fit body throughout their lives.