First grade is also the year in which many of the conventions of studying and learning are introduced. These concepts are practiced in order to help children internalize learned skills, develop organized study habits, and consequently take responsibility for their learning by applying attained knowledge.
This cross curricular program is used explicitly at BYDS. Students learn core math concepts, building upon them each year.
In first grade, principal concepts such as addition and subtraction stories, ordinal numbers, numbers to 120, shapes, measurements, comparing numbers, graphs, multiplication, fractions, time, and money are covered.
Students use a multitude of manipulatives when learning and math instruction is differentiated based on individual needs, ensuring that each child will reach his or her potential.
Our curriculum is designed to touch on a wide range of writing genres, to teach how to structure, edit, revise, peer-review, and finally to celebrate the writing process. A few examples are realistic fiction, personal narratives, nonfiction expert books, poetry, and persuasive writing.
BYDS uses a multisensory handwriting program, which progresses at a developmentally appropriate rate from Kindergarten to first grade and continues into second grade. Our fundamental writing skills include pencil posture, letter, word, and sentence skills.
Lessons help students to understand the complexities of the English language. Specifically, discerning pronunciation and meaning when confronted with challenging words in their reading.
Students are taught to choose good fit books from a wide range of subjects. Daily readings and weekly homework works to help build reading stamina. Specific story components are identified and explained so that students can understand the structure of literature.
Beginning with self, the students focus on projects like “BYDS Life Skills”, “What is a Good Citizen“, “All About Me”, “Student of the Day”, and “Me Boxes”. Next students expand the concept into projects centered on family and community.
The Family/Shelter unit integrates lessons about community with Jewish values by coinciding with the holidays. Map Skills are taught specifically to provide students with awareness that there is a global community.
The focus shifts from the individual and community to the city, then state, country, continent, and finally the planet.
We focus on building content knowledge, vocabulary, early reading skills, as well as teaching ethics relating to religious freedom, compassion, empathy, and kindness. Teachers use multimedia resources to teach about history, government, geography, and cultures.
Teachers use a Hebrew instruction book, reading centers, and other materials to increase their spoken Hebrew vocabulary, writing, and comprehension skills.
Students continue to learn about the weekly “Parasha” Torah portion and continue to participate in experiential learning of the Jewish holidays and major Israel celebrations.
The highlight of the year in Judaic Studies is the Siddur Ceremony, at which each student receives the siddur he or she will use for services throughout the years until BYDS 5th grade graduation.
The siddur ceremony celebrates the completion of learning the Hebrew alphabet and consequently the ability to read basic Hebrew by February of First grade.
Foss is a research-based science curriculum, designed to engage students in active learning.
Every week the students learn through hands-on experiments, engineering projects, group discussions, and reading and writing activities.
We focus on three major domains: physical, earth, and life science and study Sound and Light, Air and Weather, Insects and Plants.
We focus on building content knowledge, vocabulary, early reading skills, as well as teaching ethics relating to religious freedom, compassion, empathy, and kindness. Teachers also utilize Studies Weekly as a resource to teach about history, government, geography, and cultures.
Students will experiment with art elements as they practice drawing skills, using patterns, and learning the art of weaving and observe great works of collage and Impressionism art
Students practice the concepts of “Loud, Soft, Fast, Slow”, and an introduction to music history. Students sing in a group and in performances for our Thanksgiving, Grandfriends, Chanukah, Spring Showcase programs, and during their own Shabbat Service.
Students use reading centers and other materials to increase their spoken vocabulary, writing and comprehension skills. We continue to study the weekly “Parasha” Torah portion and participate in experiential learning of the Jewish holidays and major Israel celebrations.
We expand on the vocabulary learned in Kindergarten adding the next set of numbers to 20, additional vocabulary for colors, body parts, and extended family members. We also begin to learn the Spanish alphabet and objects around the classroom.
Through monthly thematic units from basketball to Jump Rope for Heart, we focus on age and skill-appropriate lessons four days a week for 30 minutes a day with a health class once a week.
