We use a variety of techniques to provide students the opportunity to grow as much as possible. Students experience grade level texts during whole group times. Our expectation is to move all students to grade level performance as soon as they are able to achieve at that level. In addition, first graders have flexible grouping as a part of their reading time with their children who are working at the same level. This way, we can be sure that every child receives instruction at the level where they are currently reading, and can also experience challenging material.
First graders learn beginning phonics.
First graders put sounds together to make words and take sounds in words apart. They count the number of syllables or parts in words and change beginning, middle and ending sounds to make new words. First graders build a list of words they can read. The first few times they see a new word, they will have to sound it out. Sooner or later, that word will become part of their permanent memory.