First Grade

Core Subjects & Specials

In first grade, our core subjects are Math, Reading, Spelling, Religion, and Science. Our students also have weekly classes in Art, Computer, Library, Music, PE and Spanish.

Students in First Grade are graded using the following scale:

Satisfactory Plus (S+)
Satisfactory (S)
Satisfactory Minus (S-)
Needs Improvement (N)
Unsatisfactory (U)

Math

Students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade learn math using the GO Math! program and curriculum. Our faculty selected GO Math! after researching several options because the program's ability to deepen understanding of math concepts, develop real world applications and connections, and develop math vocabulary. Read more about GO Math! here.

Reading/Spelling

First grade continues to build on the reading fundamentals that began in PreK and Kindergarten. Using centers, students will work through multiple exercises in reading and writing a day, including guided reading groups, word work, reading to self and a writing center. Weekly spelling tests help ensure students are understanding what they've learned.

Parents are provided with tips to help students strengthen reading skills while at home, and all children are encouraged to read 20 minutes a day, either alone or with a family member.

Students are also welcome to check out books from our school library, which has more than 15,000 titles!

Religion

Celebrating our faith is integrated into everything we do at Saint Peter Catholic School. In Religion Class, first grade students will:

Grow in faith
Learn stories from the Bible, understand God's laws, serve Jesus and others, learn about the saints, pray the Rosary, and participate in Mass.
Have 7th grade prayer partners and attend weekly Mass with them

Beyond the Classroom

Students in First Grade have outdoor recess each morning and afternoon. Physical activity is so important! We also supplement learning through special projects and field trips. The fall field trip is to A Time for Science in Grifton. In the spring, we take a tour of Simply Natural Creamery in Ayden along with a visit to the Aurora Fossil Museum and a ferry ride to Bath. Each homeroom has a class pet--Lucky the Lion and Prayer Bear. These pets take turns going home with each student.

Students get to take turns being Student of the Week, sharing information about them that their classmates might otherwise not know.

We also have several celebrations through the year, including a Christmas Party, Valentine's Day Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Mommy and Me Tea Party, and End of the Year Party. We do not have a Halloween Party because of our school's massive and fabulous Halloween Carnival.

First Grade students get to participate in what we call NUT Days (No Uniform Today) each month during the year. Students also get to have an extra NUT Day during their birthday month.

Other activities the students get to enjoy include service projects, the Scholastic Book Fair in the fall and spring, Veteran's Day Mass, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Catholic Schools Week, Pastor's Day Prayer Service and Breakfast, Spirit Week in February and Field Day in May.