Grade 1

List of 6 items.

• Hebrew

  Hebrew instruction in Kitah Aleph is the foundation for all further Hebrew language acquisition. Reading and writing are the primary goals this year. Using a comprehensive approach, students are taught to read Hebrew words, sentences and short stories with accuracy and comprehension. Furthermore, students learn to read and write in both Hebrew print and script. Using vocabulary that is meaningful to their daily life, the students are able to participate in short Hebrew conversations.

• Judaic Studies

  Jewish rituals, history and middot are the heart and soul of our Judaic Studies curriculum. Holidays, Parashat Hashavuah, Tefillah, and Israel are all studied with these goals in mind. The students learn the mechanics and meanings of the tefillot and brachot in their daily davening and tefillah discussions. Towards the end of the year, Chumash skills are also introduced.

• Language Arts

  We strive to help students develop the enthusiasm and motivation to independently read and write. Our balanced literacy program works to build students’ fluency. Whole-class read alouds, shared reading, and leveled reading groups target each student at his or her own literacy level. Students learn and practice phonics and apply these skills to their authentic reading. In small reading groups, we use guided reading to hone both phonics and comprehension skills. We learn critical thinking skills to help deepen comprehension of the text. Reading and writing enhance one another, as we provide opportunities to explore non-fiction, fiction, and creative writing genres. Our literacy program is cross-curricular, incorporating other subjects to weave a holistic literacy experience. Publishing books is an important project-based way that students’ demonstrate their understanding and practice their writing skills.

• Math

  The primary goal of the math curriculum is to build students’ foundational understanding of number concepts and number relationships. We work with numbers hands-on, incorporating activities and games to help sharpen students’ understanding in a real-world context. We learn and explore:

  • Comparing and ordering numbers
  • Ones and tens place values
  • Developing automaticity with addition and subtraction facts
  • Geometric shapes
  • The concept of time and telling time
  • Measurement
  • Fractions
  • Currency: coins and their value

• Physical Education

  Westchester Day School is committed to a quality Physical Education Program which is an essential part of the core curriculum deserving and receiving equal priority in the total educational philosophy of the school. Research from several scientific studies are in agreement that daily physical activity improves cognitive function, achievement performance in the classroom, mental health, confidence, self-esteem, the total improved physical health and fitness of the individual, and makes happier and healthier kids. It is with this in mind that each week the students in the lower school (grades 1-5) are provided 4 periods of physical education (30 minutes each).

• Science

  In first grade, WDS students learn about the world as they develop their science and investigative skills. First graders use the scientific method and learn to use measurement tools as they do investigative units on sinking and floating, states of matter, weather and the water cycle. Students use the WDS property as they create weather tools and track weather patterns. They also learn about their own bodies through units on our senses and the healthy eating.

  
  
  Units of study include:
  

  Scientific Method	Measurement
  Sinking and Floating	States of Matter
  Water Cycle	Weather
  Five Senses	Healthy Eating