First grade is such a fun and exciting time of growth! At Johnson Elementary, we enjoy every minute of teaching and learning - it certainly fills each and every day!

All of our instruction is closely guided by the Arizona State Standards.

READING
In reading, our children learn phonetic sounds and skills, and begin to apply them to their daily reading. Our first graders are taught to use S.O.A.R strategies when reading new and unfamiliar words. As they progress toward mastery of sight words, vocabulary words, and phonetic skills, comprehension and fluency become part of the instruction. The school's Accelerated Reading (AR) program is used to supplement our comprehension classroom instruction.

MATH
We also learn many math skills in first grade. Addition and subtraction facts through 10 are taught and drilled, as well as number concepts, problem solving, measurement, time, money, and graphing.

COMMUNICATIONS
In communications, we work on penmanship daily, and our goal is to write personal narratives, creative stories, informational reports, friendly letters & invitations. We progress to this goal through phonetic spelling lists, sentence writing with proper mechanics, and sequencing our sentences around a theme.

SOCIAL STUDIES/SCIENCE
Our science and social studies units are hands-on, and a tool for great discussion and learning, with writing integrated throughout. Our units include the Senses, Weather, Solids and Liquids, and Animals.

Click here to see Animals Across the Curriculum

HOMEWORK
First graders should work for 20 to 30 minutes on homework.
Assignments include:

• Specific homework sent home to develop daily responsibility, as well as reinforce the basic skills taught.
• Completion of all classroom work, including handwriting, spelling, math, vocabulary development, science, social studies, and health.
• Reading for fifteen minutes per night
.
• Practice of any skills needing reinforcem
ent.

CLASSROOM RULES