First Grade
Wheeling Country Day School’s Reggio-inspired First Grade encourages children to think independently, create boldly, and communicate with confidence. Through student-led exploration, they investigate waves, light, and sound, study the sun, moon, and stars, and discover how plants and animals use unique traits to survive. Their voices are valued, whole-child growth is nurtured, and a sense of community guides each day – building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
About First Grade
The bedrock of the first-grade curriculum is learning how to read. This goal is reached through a predominately phonics-based curriculum which also emphasizes writing. Phonics is taught and applied in a systematic manner.
High frequency and sight words are also utilized. Differentiated instruction is used to meet the needs of the students. Big Books, leveled readers, and a classroom library are also utilized to meet the interests of all learners.
Science and social studies are integrated through the subjects touched upon in the reading series. Seasonal and stand-alone units based on the students’ professed interests are also a part of the science and social studies curriculum. Essential science skills of observing, hypothesizing, testing, and recording are highly-valued and presented.
Mathematics in the first grade is taught primarily through the use of manipulatives. By the end of the year, the students are expected to know the addition facts up to 18 and addition and subtraction strategies. They will also explore place value, number patterns, geometry, fractions, and coins – including: pennies, nickels and dimes as well as telling time. First graders also receive an introduction to multiplication.
Throughout the year, the first-grade class emphasizes literacy and language development. The students work on building their reading and writing stamina, participating in reader’s theater, and reading stories to their peers. They continue to explore poetry and have fun with alliteration, creating sentences based on the first letter of their names. The class engages in various language-based activities to enhance their communication skills and foster a love for reading and writing.
In addition to the traditional subject areas, students participate in fine arts, health once per week, foreign language, and technology classes. An emphasis on the fine arts has been a part of the school since its inception. Biweekly classes in art and music are highlights in the children’s experiences. The morning intramural program fosters team relationships across grade levels.
The first-grade class has numerous opportunities to explore science and the natural world. They learn about animal communication and the importance of the sense of smell for animals. Through interactive experiments, they use their own sense of smell to track matching scents. These experiences nurture their curiosity about the natural world and foster an appreciation for scientific exploration.
Character development instruction highlighting respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship complements the academic offerings. Each teacher weaves this special program into the class’s regular curriculum.
Mathematics plays a significant role in the first-grade curriculum. The students practice addition and subtraction facts, review coins, and learn about the value of money. They engage in money-related songs and activities, gaining a better understanding of counting coins and their relative values. These activities aim to strengthen their mathematical skills and develop a foundational understanding of money concepts.
While being part of the Wheeling Country Day School community, children prepare for an increasingly global, technological society with language and culture classes as well as technology instruction. Students explore the rich cultural heritage represented by the school’s families. Special school-wide and classroom activities throughout the year expand this understanding of the relationship between self and community.
First Grade Teachers & Staff
Danielle Fuentes
First Grade
Karen Mead
First Grade
