WELCOME TO FIRST GRADE!
A year of incredible growth for your student
We are so excited to welcome your child to first grade. This year, your student will develop their number sense, learn to write excellent sentences, grow leaps and bounds as a reader, study science, examine the world around them, and even explore economics. Truly, your child will grow tremendously as a learner and as a young person this year.
We look forward to watching this new group of first graders enter the classroom each morning ready to play, learn, and collaborate with classmates. We are delighted to partner with you as you share your child with us for this incredible journey.
Warmly,
Lisa Jones
Lower School Division Head
Welcome Letter from Mrs. Jones
Meet the Teachers
Bigger Classroom, More Friends
Learning Highlights
Building Academic Skills
Big Developmental Changes
Social Emotional Learning
Service Learning
ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS
Thematic units are a wonderful tool to make the most of students’ interests, keep their curiosity alive, and help them learn new concepts. Our interdisciplinary themes help students establish patterns and make connections across subject areas – plus, they are better able to retain all the new information! Below are some special units to look forward to.
Hooray for the USA
Students are assigned influential Americans to study, including scientists, athletes, politicians, and other historical figures. They spend several weeks researching their figure and memorize a speech about their figure’s accomplishments. The unit culminates in a performance where students dress up as their American, perform their speeches, and sing classic patriotic tunes during a special concert!
Market Day
Australia
First grade students dive deep into all things Australia, exploring the country’s unique culture, geography, climate, and animals. They begin by researching an Australian animal, and use their knowledge to write a report and create a stuffed 3D representation of that animal. They also create digeridoos in art, write messages to an Australian pen pal, and taste Australian treats.
During their study of money and economics, students create crafts, artwork, and services to sell on Market Day. Each student brings in $3 to spend on each other’s items and services (e.g. nail painting, cool rocks, bracelets, etc). This activity not only welcomes creativity and self-expression, it teaches students how to count money and work with a budget.
LEVELING UP CORE ACADEMIC SKILLS
Reading
During first grade, reading and writing really take off! Building on their phonics foundation from kindergarten, we use decodable books to strengthen each student’s ability to recognize patterns in words. As we move through the year, decodable phoneme/ sound patterns help students learn “orthographic mapping,” or the capacity to mentally store written words for immediate, effortless retrieval. You will be amazed at your student’s progress in this area throughout the year!
Math
Students continue developing their number sense and mathematical reasoning with daily number corner and math lessons. Students often work with manipulatives such as base ten blocks, ten frames, hundreds charts, clocks, and more as develop their mathematical skills. Major skills covered in first grade math include: addition and subtraction facts up to 20, reading and writing numbers up to 120, adding and subtracting two- and three-digit numbers with regrouping, telling time to the hour and half hour, adding and subtracting money, and more.
Spelling
It’s easy to think spelling tests don’t serve much of a purpose among today’s cutting-edge teaching techniques, but research shows that spelling instruction overlaps with phonemic awareness. Spelling supports learning to read, increases vocabulary, and lays the foundation for critical study habits.
Public Speaking
There are plenty of opportunities to practice this important life skill in first grade, including at the October Halloween show, Australian animal research presentations, readers theater with Coterie Theatre teaching artists, and during the Hooray for the USA performance for 200+ people!
SERVICE LEARNING
Developing good students who happily serve their community
Serving others is a pivotal part of the St. Paul’s experience, and first grade is no exception. We partner with Variety KC, an organization devoted to providing children with developmental disabilities the adaptive equipment and opportunities needed for activity and inclusion.
First grade students raise money to buy tech devices and equipment for children with disabilities throughout the year. Students sell bracelets, hold a candy estimation contest, and reach out to neighbors and friends for support. In 2023, students even went on a fieldtrip to a Variety KC sponsored inclusive playground in North Kansas City. It’s a rewarding partnership that helps St. Paul’s first graders learn the importance of a generous, serviceminded spirit.
School-Wide Service Opportunites
Fundraisers for our sister school in Haiti, Holy Cross School
Christmas Toy Drive for the St. Paul’s Church Pantry
Spring Food Drive for the St. Paul’s Church Pantry
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
