Home » Misc » What should 1st graders be learning

What should 1st graders be learning


Homeschooling a First Grader | Time4Learning

View Our Lesson Demos!

Going from kindergarten to the first grade is a big transition for students and parents alike. A first-grade education builds on what a child has learned in kindergarten and sets the stage for future learning. Time4Learning’s homeschool first-grade curriculum and lesson plans will empower you to reach your learning objectives for the year. Our corresponding lesson plans will help your family stay on track throughout your homeschool journey.

What Do First Graders Learn?

First-grade students are expected to have an understanding and knowledge of basic skills in language arts, math, science, and social studies. This will help them expand on those skills and gain new ones quickly and easily.

Below are some of the skills and concepts that a first-grade student will typically learn:

  • Become an independent reader, improve their phonics, phonemic awareness, and comprehension
  • Grammar skills including capitalization and punctuation
  • Handwriting skills, writing their name as well as simple words and sentences
  • Math skills such as adding and subtracting, identifying patterns and shapes
  • How to make scientific observations and record these in writing, pictures and/or graphs
  • Symbols that represent the U. S.
  • Important figures and events in U.S. history
  • The difference between living and nonliving things
  • The importance of the sun in relation to Earth and living things

The Time4Learning first-grade lesson plans pages can help you gain an understanding of what a first-grade education should include.

What to Look for in a First-Grade Homeschool Curriculum

Most first graders are about five or six years old and seeking independence as they explore the world around them, but they need help with some tasks. If you’re new to homeschooling and learning how to homeschool first grade, or simply looking for a new homeschool curriculum, it’s essential to keep these things in mind when choosing the right curriculum.

  • Does the curriculum make learning fun and keep children engaged?
  • Is the material taught in a clear way using real-world examples?
  • Does it include reporting tools that make tracking progress easy?
  • Are there plenty of opportunities for children to reinforce skills?
  • Do the activities promote problem-solving skills?

Math Curriculum

Time4Learning’s First Grade Math Curriculum and Lesson Plans builds on the skills learned in kindergarten and will further your child’s knowledge and proficiency in mathematical skills such as:

  • Addition and subtraction
  • Fractions
  • Operations
  • Currency and patterns

Language Arts Curriculum

Time4Learning’s First-Grade Language Arts Curriculum and Lesson Plans will build on what your child already knows and further their skills and proficiency in language arts, including:

  • Reading and writing skills
  • Understanding of spelling rules
  • Comprehension skills, and more

Science Curriculum

Time4Learning’s First-Grade Science Curriculum and Lesson Plans will prepare your child with a solid foundation and understanding of concepts that will set the stage for further learning in the years to come in the areas of:

  • Scientific observation
  • Physical science
  • Life science
  • Earth science

Ready for 1st Grade: Skills Kids Need

A lot of learning happens in kindergarten to help kids hit the ground running when they go into first grade. Some of the skills kids need going into first grade are social skills, like listening and taking turns. Others are more academic — the skills kids need to develop as they do more work in reading, writing, and math.

Here’s a sample of what kids should be learning by the end of kindergarten to be ready for first grade.

Literacy skills kids need for first grade

Literacy skills include both reading and writing. The two are taught together because they’re closely connected. In kindergarten, kids practice breaking words into small chunks and identifying the sounds each letter makes. (This is known as decoding.)

That’s because kids going into first grade are expected to know the alphabet and the basic features of letters and words. They’re also typically able to recognize and provide rhyming words. These are all skills that help emerging readers learn new words and read simple books.

When it comes to writing, incoming first graders are expected to be able to write and share information in a variety of ways. This includes drawing, writing letters and words, listening to others, and speaking out loud. To help build these skills for first grade, kids do activities like these:

  • Write and recognize upper- and lowercase letters.
  • Match letters to sounds, make rhymes, and recognize some words without having to sound them out (teachers refer to these as sight words, and some of the first ones kids pick are and, the, and it).
  • Learn and use new words to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
  • Ask and answer questions about a story the teacher reads aloud, and talk about the characters, settings, and major events in the story.
  • Name the person, place, thing, or idea in a picture.
  • Follow the rules of conversation by listening and taking turns talking.
  • Give information about an event, topic, or opinion by drawing, talking, and writing about it.
  • Participate in shared reading and writing activities (for example, the teacher reads a big picture book aloud and students take turns sharing ideas about it).

You can help your child build literacy skills at home, too:

  • Learn about ways to help kids connect letters and sounds.
  • Get tips to help your child develop good reading habits.
  • Use fun multisensory techniques to practice writing.

Math skills kids need for first grade

There are two big math concepts kids need a strong grasp of as they go into first grade. The first is number sense — learning numbers and what they stand for, like connecting the number “5” with a picture of five apples. The other big one is addition and subtraction. Kindergartners also learn to identify and work with shapes.

Here are some activities kids do to build math skills going into first grade:

  • Count how many objects are in a group (one by one) and compare it to another group to figure out which is greater or less than the other.
  • Recognize that addition means putting two groups together and that subtraction means taking away from one group.
  • Add and subtract numbers 1 through 10.
  • Use objects to show how to break up numbers less than or equal to 10 in more than one way (for example, 8 erasers = 2 groups of 4 erasers, and 8 erasers = a group of 2 and a group of 6).
  • Find the number of objects to make any group of 1 to 9 into a group of 10.
  • Use objects or draw pictures to represent and solve simple addition and subtraction word problems.

You can help your child build math skills at home, too:

  • Explore fun picture books to get your child excited about math.
  • See how to use everyday household items to practice math.
  • Play board games that build math skills.

Working with your incoming first grader

Take a look at your state’s academic standards to see what skills are expected for kids going into first grade. Not all states use the same standards, but many of them have similar expectations for students.

Keep in mind, too, that kids develop skills at different rates. But if your child doesn’t have most of these skills down by the end of kindergarten, it’s a good idea to check in with your child’s teacher to speak about your concerns. Together you can come up with a plan for keeping track of your child’s progress and getting ready for first grade.

Key takeaways

  • Incoming first graders typically know the alphabet and can add and subtract numbers 1 through 10.

  • There are fun ways to practice language and math skills to help your child get ready for first grade.

  • If you have concerns about your child’s progress, talk to the teacher to come up with a game plan.

    What a child should know and be able to do by the first grade: knowledge for a first grader

    According to the law of the Russian Federation "On Education", admission to the first grade of state and municipal educational institutions is prohibited through a competition. Any child aged 6. 5–8 has the right to enroll in a school. But some things should be taught to the baby before the start of training - this will make it easier to adapt to a new rhythm.

    Knowledge and skills for life

    Family knowledge

    Kindergarten graduates should easily navigate information about close relatives and their data. Full name, age, date of birth, what mom and dad work for, how old are the brothers and sisters. It is good if the child by the first grade knows by heart the phone number of one of the parents and the home address.

    Knowledge of safety rules

    It is assumed that the baby is familiar with the basic rules of behavior on the street: in what places and at what color of the traffic light to cross the road, what to do if the traffic light is not visible, is it possible to leave with a stranger without the knowledge of the parents. This is the minimum knowledge of safety that a child should have by the first grade. nine0003

    Speech development

    It is important for a child to speak clearly and distinctly, to distinguish between male and female, to determine the sound in a word, to select simple synonyms, to be able to describe objects, build a dialogue, choose the superfluous in a row and generalize.

    Soft skills

    Soft skills (“soft skills”, “soft skills”) are universal skills that help a person to be successful regardless of the chosen profession or place of work. We can say that this is the base of certain skills on which success and efficiency are based. nine0023

    Soft skills develop throughout a person's life. It is important to lay their foundation already at the senior preschool age, so that it would be easier for the future first-grader to adapt to new living conditions.

    Mindfulness and the ability to concentrate

    This is the basic skill by which all others are formed.

    At the moment everyone is surrounded by a huge flow of information. Adults absorb it, sometimes without even thinking. And the children repeat. In order to memorize new things and be able to apply this knowledge in practical life, it is first necessary to develop the ability to concentrate and maintain attention. Without this, it is impossible to learn and achieve success. nine0003

    Critical thinking

    The ability to defend one's point of view and not take everything on faith. It is worth explaining to the child how important it is to check the information, question it and ask questions.

    Logical thinking

    Must be developed from early childhood. Logical thinking contributes to the ability to see and build patterns, analyze information, draw conclusions, consider the same situation from different angles. A person with a developed logical thinking has almost unlimited possibilities and easily adapts to various situations. nine0003

    Communication skills and teamwork

    Our whole life from the very first days is connected with communication, without it it is impossible to exist, therefore it is so important to develop and improve the child's communication skills as early as possible. The ability to be friends, empathize, negotiate, resolve conflicts and defend yourself if necessary. In addition, it is important to teach a child to hear, appreciate and respect someone else's point of view, to take the place of another person, to find a common language with different people - all this is about working in a team, a team. nine0003

    <>

    Out-of-the-box thinking and the ability to think creatively

    The skill allows a person not only to adapt to changing environmental conditions, but also to find answers to questions of any complexity, generate new ideas, see and find positive even, it would seem , in desperate situations.

    Emotional intelligence

    It is important to teach a future first-grader to understand his emotions, to be able to cope with them, to talk about his feelings, to experience empathy. Without these basic skills, a future happy life without depression, apathy and neurosis is impossible. Such questions are especially acute and relevant at the beginning of schooling, during the period of adaptation, when the psychological burden on the child increases. nine0003

    <> ‍

    Intercultural openness

    In today's world, with the opportunities of travel and online learning, it is important and necessary not only to know a foreign language, but also to be able to understand the cultures of other peoples. Know the features and respect the religion of other nations, be familiar with the traditions and honor them. This helps to find a common language with representatives of other countries.

    Self-organization and time management

    The skill can be useful in any area: putting things in order, managing your life, prioritizing things. This will save the child from fatigue, stress, increase self-confidence and teach them to enjoy life.

    <> ‍

    Knowledge and skills for school

    Knowledge about the surrounding world

    It is believed that by the first grade a child knows natural phenomena: snow, hail, lightning. The child should be able to distinguish colors, plants, animals, body parts, clothing and footwear, dishes. To test the knowledge of a preschooler, you can offer offhand to name several types of trees or migratory birds. For clarity, purchase a children's encyclopedia, look at illustrations together and discuss paragraphs. nine0003

    Knowledge of time and space

    Make sure that the child is guided by the hourly routine of the day, knows how to tell the time using an ordinary clock with hands, can list the days of the week and the names of the seasons without hesitation. Another important skill is to distinguish between “right” and “left”.

    Mathematical knowledge

    This is an important category, but it often causes problems. It's good if the child:

    - Counts up to 100 and knows how to perform elementary addition and subtraction operations within the first ten. At least it is worth knowing the numbers 0 to 10 in forward and reverse order. nine0085 - Indicates the number of items as a number.
    Distinguishes between "one" and "many". Operates with the concepts of "greater than", "less than", "equal", "up", "down".
    - Able to compare objects by size, shape. It is expected that he is familiar with basic geometric concepts - a parallelepiped is unlikely to be needed, but a circle, rectangle, square is quite.

    It is also important to teach the child to find patterns in order to train logic: exercises with pictures like “Find 5 differences” are perfect here. nine0003

    Knowledge of reading and the Russian language

    A future first-grader is recommended to know the alphabet. Despite the fact that it is not officially required to be able to read, this will definitely be asked at the interview. It is easier for children who have learned to read before school to adapt: ​​as a rule, their academic performance is higher than that of children who read in elementary school in syllables. You should not force your child to pore over books without getting out, but you can try to motivate them to read on their own.

    What you need to know to get into first grade at Foxford

    Our online school has several learning formats, from which parents choose the one that suits their child the most. These can be recorded or online lessons.

    Since Foxford is an online school, it is important to pay attention to how well the child is familiar with the computer and whether he can type on the keyboard and also handle the mouse.

    In order to be successful in elementary school, a child must have basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. There are no entrance tests, but the family is offered a small test to check the readiness of the child for school. nine0003

    It is important to equip a learning area for a future first-grader before starting training, think over the daily routine and “pump” self-organization skills. Adults should be prepared for the fact that at first the child may need help.

    Parents need to pay special attention to the adaptation moment in order to maintain a positive psychological environment and the child's condition.

    Résumé

    There are no official requirements for what a child should know by the first grade. nine0003

    Parents should pay attention to the general and basic developmental skills and abilities of a preschooler. Focus on issues that have caused problems for the child. For example, go to a museum to learn more about predatory animals, or practice the rules of the road for pedestrians so that the baby knows exactly how to cross the road correctly. As for reading, psychologists recommend setting an example for the child: read more to the parents themselves. If the baby sees that mom and dad take up a book in their free time, he involuntarily copies the behavior. nine0085

    Curriculum overview for first graders


    Photos: Depositphotos / Illustration: Julia Zamzhitskaya

    Choosing a school is a headache for parents of future first graders. In order to provide children with the best conditions, they strive to take into account all factors: rating, reviews of other parents, material and technical equipment and, of course, the curriculum that the school adheres to. After all, the content, approaches and methods of training programs are different and you need to focus on the one that best suits the child, taking into account his individual characteristics. Together with Angelina Trofimova, director of the Lomonosov Primary School (Moscow), we tell you what curricula for first-graders exist in Russian schools and what you need to know about each of them. nine0119

    GEF curricula and education systems

    Curricula used by public schools must comply with the GEF. The list of programs approved for implementation changes every two or three years, based on the conclusion of the expert commission. The school can develop the program on its own. The basis for this is the list of educational literature approved by the order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.

    The list is a catalog of textbooks on subjects that are included in the educational and methodological complex (TMC) - a set of teaching aids for the implementation of the curriculum. In elementary school, these are textbooks on the Russian language, mathematics, literary reading, the world around us and technology. nine0003

    Curricula belong to different learning systems. There are traditional and developing systems.

    1. Traditional education system.

      Based on the experience and traditions of Russian pedagogy. It is implemented within the framework of the class-lesson principle, familiar to most Russians. The results of the students are evaluated by the teacher, who also makes the decision to transfer the student to the next class.

      The scheme of training in the traditional system: "training - consolidation of material - verification". nine0003

      The system is used in elementary, middle and high schools.

    2. Developing education system.

      Indicates a high level of difficulty. In the process of learning, the child overcomes certain obstacles, learns to make decisions independently, work in a team and evaluate his own achievements. The teacher acts as an assistant or friend-mentor on the path to knowledge.

      Learning scheme: "study - independent analysis / conclusions - practice". nine0003

      Only used in elementary grades.

    Some of the existing curricula for the first grade are based on the traditional system of education, the rest are based on the developmental one.

    Popular curriculum for first-graders

    School of Russia

    The most common curriculum in Russian schools. Exists since 2001. It was built as a synthesis of the traditions of Soviet education and modern methods. It is also called a modernized version of the classical Soviet school. nine0003

    The program combines work for results with the spiritual and moral development of children, instills in them respect for the national culture. Attention is also paid to patriotic education. The value of the traditions of all the peoples of the Russian Federation is emphasized. In the fourth grade, "Fundamentals of Religious Cultures and Secular Ethics" are added to the main subjects.

    The program is criticized for its emphasis on repetition with a small number of logical tasks, because of this it is even called somewhat outdated. nine0003

    Angelina Trofimova:

    "School of Russia" is a traditional program that has existed for decades and has managed to establish itself in many schools. It is aimed at developing the basic skills that a child will need in high school: reading, counting, writing. The manuals develop speech and expand vocabulary, and the prescriptions make it possible to correct handwriting at different stages of learning. The program is simple and understandable, but many people criticize it for not meeting the requirements of the time - the "School of Russia" contains a small number of tasks for the development of the child's emotional intelligence, imagination and creative abilities." nine0003

    Elementary school of the 21st century

    The program of Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences N. F. Vinogradova is designed for a high level of preparation and strong students. It is based on the works of L. S. Vygotsky, D. B. Elkonin and V. V. Davydov.

    The program aims to teach a child to be a researcher on a par with a teacher, to acquire knowledge independently. The lessons are structured so that schoolchildren learn to think, develop erudition and outlook, participate in active research work, where there is no place for “cramming”. nine0003

    Learning according to the program implies a transition from simple to complex, many tasks are offered to develop logical thinking and imagination in a playful way.

    At the same time, a large number of textbooks, workbooks, projects require the full involvement of parents in the educational process so that the child does not get confused and continues to acquire knowledge systematically.

    Angelina Trofimova:

    "Primary School of the 21st Century" (according to N.F. Vinogradova) is aimed at children who have already been trained before school and have certain skills. As practice shows, not everyone copes, since already in the first grade, students are introduced to the basics of multiplication and division. They also have a large amount of texts to read. Parents note the difficulty in memorizing the rules that are "dissolved" on the pages of the textbook and are not highlighted in a special way. nine0003

    Planet of Knowledge

    The program is characterized as a holistic one: textbooks in all subjects are divided into large sections, accompanied by a route sheet - a special spread with diagrams understandable for the student, the content of the section and the logic of its development.

    Tasks are divided into blocks: information search, creative tasks, pair work, intellectual marathon. Information search involves the work of children with reference literature and the Internet. And the intellectual marathon includes difficult but exciting tasks for each topic. True, both methods require the help of adults. nine0003

    The goal of the program is to create comfortable conditions for the cognitive interest of schoolchildren, in which new knowledge is acquired with pleasure.

    The Planet of Knowledge is criticized for the lack of a theoretical base: there are no explanations and rules in the textbooks. To master the topic, you will have to spend a lot of time searching for information on your own. In addition, to pass the program, a first grader must already be able to count and read.

    Angelina Trofimova:

    “In the Planet of Knowledge program, tasks are divided into basic tasks that all children must complete, and more complex tasks that are aimed at broadening their horizons - they are optional. Electronic applications have been released for textbooks, which makes the lessons more interesting. The first year is an adaptation year, and first-graders are not loaded with a lot of exercises. In the second and fourth grades, the amount of work increases. It may take longer to complete, and children often need help. In general, Planet of Knowledge pays great attention to project activities and the active involvement of the child in the learning process.” nine0003

    RHYTHM

    RHYTHM means: Development — Individuality — Creativity — Thinking. The development of these skills is the goal of the program.

    The authors assumed that "Rhythm", first of all, should reveal the individual abilities of students, so the tasks vary in complexity. The subject textbooks themselves are designed for children with different "points of reference" in their preparation. This gives teachers more freedom of action in working with the class.

    The educational process includes multimedia technologies designed to maintain cognitive interest and develop the ability to search and analyze information, independence and creative thinking. nine0003

    Particular attention is paid to moral education, ethical standards, respect for other peoples and cultures.

    Among the disadvantages of the program is the unhurried pace of learning topics and the constant return to the past, which makes children bored. In textbooks there is a clerical language - a language that is difficult to understand.

    Angelina Trofimova:

    “The program is designed in such a way as to arouse a child's sincere interest in learning, to motivate them to learn. Tasks of different levels of complexity allow you to find such a task for everyone that he can handle. For example, several textbooks have been developed for the Russian language and literature. Texts and exercises are aimed at the formation of personal qualities and moral values ​​of the child. nine0003

    Perspektiva

    The author of the program is Lyudmila Peterson, Doctor of Pedagogy, mathematician, laureate of the Presidential Prize in Education. The program is based on her favorite "activity approach", where the teacher acts as an assistant and mentor, and the child must open himself to knowledge on his own.

    "Perspective" does not provide ready-made algorithms, answer options, the student seeks and offers solutions in the process of research work and communication with adults and classmates. Any topic poses a certain problem, solving which, students gain knowledge. This reveals the principle “I want to learn!”: the main engine of learning is the curiosity of children. nine0003

    There are other principles: the development of communication skills in children, assistance in cultural and moral self-determination.

    The program is quite difficult not only for children, but also for teachers. They will have to study a lot of new methodological material and take a special training course. They also note the inconsistency in the presentation of educational material in the program textbooks.

    Angelina Trofimova:

    "Perspective" pays more attention to the student's individuality, which is valuable. The textbooks are filled with game exercises, it is interesting to study them. The program places particular emphasis on developing the speech skills of first-graders: the ability to write, read, listen and understand others, and explain themselves. However, in some places the program involves additional work aimed at repeating or consolidating the material covered. Adult assistance may be needed. nine0003

    Elkonin-Davydov system

    The only developmental program included in the list recommended by the Federal State Educational Standard. The authors of the system are the Soviet teacher and psychologist D. B. Elkonin and his student and associate, professor, vice-president of the Russian Academy of Education V. V. Davydov. In their works, they started from the importance of the game in teaching younger students.

    The program aims to teach children to independently determine learning tasks and methods for solving them, to conduct self-analysis. Children gain knowledge in the process of didactic games, discussions and experiments. Therefore, homework has been reduced to a minimum: the process is based on the joint work of schoolchildren in the classroom. nine0003

    The students themselves determine the evaluation criteria and evaluate the achieved results according to them, and the teacher assigns points according to the scale invented by the children. The task of the teacher in the context of the implementation of the program is to build partnerships with the class and rally the children.

    The disadvantage of the program is that when moving to the fifth grade, students may have difficulty getting used to traditional educational and methodological complexes. The game format and the lack of assessments cause bewilderment among parents focused on the traditional education system. nine0003

    Angelina Trofimova:

    “The main advantage of the Elkonin-Davydov program is that it prioritizes not getting grades, but the development of the child, teaches you to analyze and evaluate your work.

    Learn more