Grade 1 receives students who have turned 6 by October 1.  First grade curriculum builds upon prior knowledge to develop fundamental reading, writing and mathematical skills.  Through exploration, cooperative learning, problem solving and critical thinking, students are guided to develop cognitive, social and behavioral habits necessary for success.  The First Grade program is enriched by the specialist subjects including ECE, Art, Music, Physical Education, Arabic Language, Counseling and Library.

Student Expectations

At the beginning of the year, students determine a set of class rules during a whole group brainstorming session that addresses what is needed to create an environment in which all students have the opportunity to learn and grow.  The class works together to understand  the AIS-R EAGLE Honor Code: I am an AIS-R EAGLE: Ethical, Adaptable, Global, Learning and Environmental.  These behaviors are expected of all AIS-R students and the class will spend time exploring what these traits look like in a first grade classroom.

Reading and Writing Workshop

To achieve a balanced literacy program, first grade students practice language skills within the workshop model.  Students will read to self, read to someone, listen to reading, work with words, participate in interactive read alouds and book clubs, sketch, draft, revise, edit and publish.  Students also learn how to select "good fit" library books and leveled readers of interest.

Math

The AIS-R Elementary school uses the Everyday Mathematics program.  Everyday Mathematics connects math to real-world situations through the spiraling practice of basic skills and the use of manipulatives for problem solving and mathematical thinking. This program allows us to use cooperative learning, differentiated instruction, and approaches that meet the needs of multiple intelligences within the class.

With our math program, regular reinforcement of skills will appear multiple times and throughout a course of study. The key principle in regards to spiraling and spacing out skill practice is that proficiency in basic skills are goals that should be achieved long after they are first introduced, giving students needed time for repetition and review.

Program Goals in first grade include counting and skip counting, reading, writing and modeling numbers with manipulatives up to 1000, modeling fractions with manipulatives, identifying odd and even numbers, understanding equivalent names for numbers, comparing and ordering numbers up to 1000, addition and subtraction, estimation, collecting and organizing data, describing events using basic probability terms, using standard and non-standard measuring tools to estimate and measure weight and length, comparing the value of coins and dollar bills and making exchanges with coins, using a calendar, identifying and describing plan and solid figures, identifying lines of symmetry, extending and describing numeric, visual and concrete patterns, reading, writing and explaining number sentences, and using mathematical symbols such as +, -, =, < and >.

Science

The units explored in first grade science are "Describing Matter", "Weather", "Health" and "Animals".  Each unit of study involves investigations and experiments.

Social Studies

The units explored in first grade social studies are "Rights and Responsibilities," "Citizenship," "On the Job," and "Maps."

Home/School Communication

In first grade, folders are send home each evening with important information from the school as well as notes from the teacher.

Homework

From Saturday through Tuesday, first grade students will have approximately 20 minutes of homework each evening.  The homework will be math Home Links, practice of math facts and math games taught in class, and practice sight words/high frequency words.  In addition, students are expected to read for about 15 - 20 minutes each evening and we ask parents to read aloud with your child often.

Birthdays

We love to celebrate birthdays at school but please keep it simple.  Large cakes are difficult to serve.  Small bars, cookies or cupcakes make a birthday easy to celebrate in our busy school day.  Please provide any napkins, plates or utensils needed to help serve your child's treat.

Reporting and Assessing

Grade one teachers collect learning data through formative and summative assessments.  Formative assessments may be in the form of homework , class work, anecdotal notes, observations, questioning, discussion, etc.  Summative assessments will take the form of unit or chapter tests, final assessments, final rubrics, performance assessments, etc.  Progress Reports may be sent home up to four times a year and Report Cards are sent home at the end of each quarter.

Special Events

Grade one students enjoy a wide variety of special events throughout the year such as the Fall Parade, Holiday Concert, Market Day, field trips, Author Celebrations, Readers Theater, Splisn 'N Splash Day, Walk-A-Thon's, Terry Fox Run, and Portfolio Day.  Each grade level performs in an assembly at least once a year.  This year our assemblies will be based on our AIS-R EAGLE Honor Code with each grade level responsible for one letter in the code.  Students and teachers work together to create the show with singing, dancing, speaking parts.  Student-made videos are often incorporated into the shows.  Specialist teachers are also involved with the music, the backdrops, props, costumes or other artwork.  The tech teacher is often involved with the video production.  Every student is involved in the creation and performance of these assemblies.  Assemblies are performed in AIS-R’s beautiful Larkin Theater for parents and the elementary school student body.

If you would like to find out even more about or elementary school, please visit our ES Blog at http://blogs.ais-r.edu.sa/jcanar/