What do 1st graders need to know

They are reading grade level text with accuracy, appropriate rate and expression. Most 1st graders are also learning to answer questions about key story ideas, retell the story and describe the characters. Most 1st grade classrooms teach a variety of addition and subtraction strategies for numbers in addition to sequencing, place value, measurement, telling time, using graphs and knowing three dimensional shapes.

Teachers will often present math lessons with the help of tools such as base ten blocks, unifix cubes, a calendar, dice, number lines, hundreds charts, clocks and counters for students to experience hands-on math. Many 1st grade students transition from writing simple words to creating 6 sentence paragraphs. These paragraphs include topic sentences with supporting details and a conclusion.

First grade teachers often provide writing prompts for students asking them to summarize events from their own lives, write about academic content or create fictional stories. First graders are becoming more independent, but they still need active and involved parents throughout the year. What else can you do—in addition to the steps discussed above—to help your child have a successful first grade year?

If you think your 1st grader could use some extra help to catch up, or if they just want to get ahead, call your local Sylvan center today! We are here to help your child succeed! What Your 1st Grader Should Know Preparing for 1st grade First grade involves increased responsibilities and huge growth in terms of learning to read.

Find My Local Sylvan. Other areas of study include learning about the scientific process, such as making and recording observations that include pictures, numbers, or written statements. Expect your child to begin exploring the concept of community beyond just your family.

They'll learn about how neighborhoods make up cities, cities make up states, and states make up nations, with a focus on how all of those components work together to create a cohesive unit. For many students, first grade brings a number of field trips to neighborhood businesses and local government and public institutions, like the library.

In first grade, your child will begin to identify line, color, shape, form, and texture as elements of art. They will learn to create secondary colors by mixing primary colors and describe the process.

The first grade curriculum is designed to meet and advance the skills that are expected of a child this age. Of course, every child is different. If you are concerned that your child is not meeting the markers described above, speak with their teacher. Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Common Core State Standards Initiative. Frequently Asked Questions. Department of Education. Chapter 2: Curriculum. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily.

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The specific writing topics covered in first grade include: Writing upper and lowercase letters legibly Using capital letters for names and beginnings of a sentences Using ending punctuation such as periods and question marks Correctly spelling and using high-frequency words, also called "s ight words " Using descriptive words when writing Learning to write narratives with two or more appropriately sequenced events Including some details in their writing and providing an ending.

Also feel free to give your child fun writing prompts. After you visit the park, for example, ask her to describe the interesting things she did. Give children prompts connected to reading, too.

By the end of the year, your child will count, read, write, and order sequential numbers up to They will also learn how to compare numbers using the signs for greater than, less than, and equal to. First graders can add whole numbers with a sum of 20 or less and subtract from a whole number 20 or less, and they will be introduced to the concept of place value when adding and subtracting two-digit numbers.

Help your first grader understand the importance of math in everyday life. When you go grocery shopping , discuss how much money you'll need to buy milk and bread. While waiting in line, practice counting by twos and fives together.

Hang up a number chart in your child's bedroom showing numbers one to , and find a place mat with numbers to practice counting during meals. As part of the first grade curriculum , kids will compare the length, weight, and volume of objects. Finally, teachers will explain how to compare, identity, and describe common shapes. When cooking , show your child the numbers on recipes and talk about what they mean as you measure ingredients.

Grab a pitcher and a variety of cups, and experiment with volume by pouring the same amounts of liquid into different-size cups and different amounts into same-size cups. Have fun with the scale at home and use it to weigh people and objects. Encourage your first grade student to talk about 3-D shapes of objects, such as a tissue box cube or ball sphere , and discuss the different architectural shapes of buildings outside..

First grade focuses on telling time ; students will be able to read a clock face to the nearest half hour. Finally, your first grader will learn to identify different coins, understand the value of each one, and combine different amounts for example, two nickels equals one dime.