Reading is extremely important because of the need to understand written words in all other academic subjects. First-grade students learn enhanced phrasing skills through phonics awareness lessons and more developed comprehension skills. Students typically learn at varying rates, so teachers often opt for ability specific reading groups and individualized educational center activities. Writing skills grow from the formation of single letters or tracing sentences to more advanced mechanical writing skills. The introduction of basic grammar rules and punctuation also commonly occurs during the first grade.
First-grade math goals and concepts move from the ability to recognize, write and count numbers to working simple math equations. Students also use their reading skills to comprehend story problems as well as textbook and worksheet directions. Common math skill objectives include identifying patterns, addition, subtraction, geometric shapes and simple fractions. Problem solving skills are also an integral aspect of classroom learning across the math spectrum.
Understanding the role and recognizing the uniforms of community workers is commonly introduced during kindergarten and further explored during first- and second-grade social studies lessons. A typical first-grade social studies curriculum focuses on individual groups and societies, American or state history basics, geography, how to read maps and graphs, and elementary economics lessons.
Science goals in the first-grade curriculum include an introduction to life, earth and physical science. Students participate in simple experiments and learn to create a basic hypothesis. The difference between living and nonliving objects, how to sort and classify different materials, and the life cycle of animals are included in first-grade science. Students use the information they learn to create diagrams. During the first grade, students learn the proper names for their body parts and how to use simple tools such as a magnifying glass.
Character education takes a variety of forms in an elementary school classroom. First-grade teachers may choose to focus on introducing a new personality trait each week or month. Educators also typically teach students how to be good classroom and community citizens by reinforcing the concepts of sharing, taking turns and knowing common safety rules and procedures.