In Grade 1 Science, learning focuses on the exploration of sound and light, air and weather, and plants and animals. Students investigate questions about the scientific world, such as: “How do sound and light interact with objects? What are some ways plants and animals meet their needs so that they can survive and grow? What objects are in the sky, and how do they seem to move?” First-grade scientists continue to learn to use observations to describe patterns, relationships, and phenomena. Instruction is led by hands-on investigations using the Full Option Science Systems (FOSS) and supported by local field trips to enhance students’ experiences and understanding of science. Grade 1 students have science twice during each eight-day cycle rotation.

Grade 1 students in Music build on foundational music skills that reinforce further understanding of musical concepts, including iconic music notation and rhythm patterns. They develop pitch through solfege and an introduction to Curwen hand symbols. They experience solo singing and singing with others through call-and-response and echo songs, as well as coordination with group movement and singing games from different cultures. Grade 1 students attend Music two times during each eight-day cycle rotation.

In Grade 1 Garden to Table, cooks and gardeners deepen their understanding of our connected food system, and they continue to observe the life cycles of animals and plants. Beginning cooks learn knife skills and identify the five tastes while engaging in projects that connect with the core classroom. Grade 1 students learn in the garden once during each eight-day cycle rotation and engage in cooking throughout the year in sessions coordinated with the core curriculum.

In Grade 1, literacy is based on the science of reading and taught via one-on-one, small group, and whole group instruction as students move from decoding text to developing a range of reading strategies to develop comprehension and become more independent, fluent readers. Students gain exposure to high-quality, diverse literature and informational texts, and instruction is designed to provide students with the practice needed to master knowledge of phonics and phonemic awareness. Grade 1 students explore a range of writing genres in meaningful and engaging contexts that connect with their lives and give purpose to their writing. At this level, students write an increasing number of complete sentences and build stamina to write for longer periods of time. In order to further develop their communication skills, students speak and listen in a range of situations, including small groups, whole classes, and larger audiences. 

Grade 1 learning in Spanish and Mandarin builds on students’ introduction to World Languages in Kindergarten. At this early stage of language development, the program aims to continue to capture students’ interest in learning a new language through exposure to a variety of topics such as basic greetings, counting, basic colors, basic body parts, and commonly used verbs through movement, stories, games, and multi-sensory activities. Cultural topics are intertwined with language learning and acquisition. Grade 1 students attend Mandarin/Spanish classes three times during an eight-day cycle rotation and engage in learning each language for one semester. Starting in second grade, students learn either Mandarin or Spanish across the entire school year.

Grade 1 students in PE engage in a wide variety of activities and games, all of which are designed to promote good health, self-awareness, and confidence. Students are encouraged to embrace challenges and learn from their experiences while developing skills of teamwork, communication, and a sense of fair play. At this level, the focus includes developing locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills such as hopping, galloping, jogging, catching, dribbling, kicking objects, and volleying. Additional focus for this grade level includes rolling, twisting, curling, bending, and stretching actions and developing jump-roping skills. Grade 1 students attend Physical Education three times during each eight-day cycle.

In Grade 1 DBi, student builders learn new woodworking skills with an emphasis at this level on developing safe practices when using tools. Students complete the semester applying the skills they learned to design and build a final project. Grade 1 students have DBi ten times within a semester of learning.

In Grade 1, students enter a new stage of social development where they are interested in celebrations and traditions, as well as their individual heritage. Emphasis in Grade 1 Social Studies is placed on learning about family structures, building knowledge of world cultures and traditions, and making connections between student and family identities. Honoring and highlighting holiday celebrations and heritage and history months are weaved throughout the first-grade social studies curriculum.

Lower School Art is where students explore and express their creativity through a variety of mediums and study artists from diverse backgrounds. In Grade 1 Art, students explore the theme “Storytelling through Art”. As they are starting to develop stronger verbal communication skills, they can begin to connect images with narratives. This theme centers around using art to tell simple stories, encouraging imagination and the ability to express ideas visually. Students create storybooks, draw sequential events, illustrate their favorite stories and characters, and craft puppets. Students learn how to enrich their work with the use of narrative by studying artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Ma Liang, Laila Shawa, Faith Ringgold, and Norman Rockwell. Grade 1 students have Art two times during each eight-day cycle rotation.

The Lower School library program and space invite students to explore ideas and interests, gather and enjoy individual and communal activities, engage in inquiry and research that supports the curriculum, and experience the joy of reading. Lower School students attend library classes once every eight-day cycle, where they are exposed to rich, diverse texts, have the opportunity to explore and select books and learn the fundamentals of information literacy as part of a developmental continuum.

Grade 1 students gain important digital citizenship skills and learn responsible, safe, and healthy use of technology through classes taught in the core classroom facilitated by our technology specialist and core teachers.

In Grade 1, DEIB concepts are developed across the academic program including within Social Emotional Learning, Morning Meetings, and within Equity and Inclusion groups that focus on developing students’ identities and their roles within the Redwood Day community. At this level, students build upon their understanding of racial identity via the community identity iceberg. They explore differences and what differences look like as they pertain to gender identity and self-expression. DEIB learning is aligned to the Learning for Justice Anti-Bias Framework and Social Justice Standards.