Welcome to First Grade
Our first grade program provides a framework for children to develop a love of reading, writing and math. Students work together on cooperative projects and multi-sensory learning activities, where they explore their independence and build self-confidence. Students enjoy reading a variety of children’s literature, exploring our community around us and working on fun group projects.
First Grade Curriculum
English Language Arts (ELA)
Students will gain reading fluency, becoming strong readers and writers. They learn about story elements, including characters, setting, beginning, middle, end and the main idea of a story. The spelling program focuses on patterns, blends, prefixes and suffixes. Students work in small reading groups where they explore their reading levels through reading a variety of stories independently.
Math
Students learn concepts of number sense, place value, addition, subtraction, shapes, measurements, and problem solving.
Social Studies
Students learn about neighborhoods, community helpers, and their own community. Students gain an understanding of different holidays and festivals that are celebrated around their town, state, and country.
Science
The K-6 science curriculum at Saint Isabella School is designed to promote an understanding of nature and an appreciation of its methods and mysteries. The program prepares each student for the future by providing opportunities to investigate, explore and evaluate the world we live in. Kindergarten through grade six study Earth Science, Physical Science and Life Science. These 3 subjects include the study of native California plants, the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly, and experiments with magnets and forces.
Religion
Students learn about God and how to show God’s love towards one another. Students read stories from the Bible and learn about kindness, love and support for their community and friends. We celebrate God’s love in our lives and how we can share that love with those around us.
Ms. Erin McGraw
First Grade Teacher
Ms. McGraw joined the Saint Isabella School community in 2021 and is so excited to be teaching first grade. Ms. McGraw has taught in Catholic Schools since 2016, including 2 years in a kindergarten/first grade combination class and 3 years teaching 3rd grade. She also has experience working in a learning support context with an emphasis on teaching reading. In addition to studying education at UC Berkeley, Ms. McGraw is close to earning a CA Reading Certificate through the University of San Francisco.