Exciting Things that Happen in My Class: 
     First grade is an exciting year for the students as they learn many new skills and discover many new things about their world.
     Bible class is the most important class of the day.  It is here that we learn about God and His purpose for us.  Our Bible curriculum begins with the Salvation Series, then continues with Creation through Joseph, and completes the year with the life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.  Each month we memorize a new passage of scripture.
     Phonics and reading play a key role in our academic schedule.  Through the ABEKA phonics and reading program, the students learn all of the phonics sounds needed to be a successful reader.  During daily reading group time, the students practice reading the sounds that were introduced during phonics time.  They also read meaningful stories that incorporate each phonics rule learned as well as learn Christian character principles.  The students engage in reading comprehension strategies  during reading group time as well.   
     Throughout the year, the students develop writing skills by authoring writing pieces that focus on certain special events and special topics that we study.  The students also have opportunity to write about their own topics of interest throughout the year.
     Each week, starting the first week in school, the students are given a spelling test.  Each week's words are aligned to the phonics sounds introduced in phonics class.
     Through the ABEKA math curriculum, the students learn such skills as counting by ones, twos, threes, fives, and tens; addition and subtraction through the thirteen family; double digit addition and subtraction; counting combinations of coins; telling time to the five minute interval; place value; and word problems. 
     In social studies, we enjoy learning about how our country began.  This year as part of our Pilgrim and Indian study, we will be linking with the second grade class to do a special Thanksgiving program for senior citizens.  First graders will dress as Pilgrims while the second graders will dress as Indians.
     Our social studies lessons will continue as we learn about how our country developed into colonies.  To better understand what life was like for boys and girls during colonial times, we will have a special "Colonial America Day."  On this day the students will move through classroom centers that involve them doing early American activities such as stuffing homemade dolls, making butter and biscuits, and playing a game of marbles.
     Other special social studies topics that we study throughout the year include, Johnny Appleseed (We link this lesson with a science lesson on apples, and we make our own applesauce.) Christopher Columbus, Groundhog Day (This study is also linked to science as we learn how light makes shadows.), George Washington and the Revolutionary War, Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, and our flag.
     Science is also always fascinating as we learn about how beautifully and wonderfully God created our world.  During the fall season, we learn about various kinds of leaves and why they change colors.  The students collect leaves and bring them to school to investigate them.  We also learn about how animals get ready for winter.  During the winter we learn how and why animals hibernate.  We also discover the beauty of snowflakes.  Finally, when spring arrives, our classroom becomes an exciting place, as we watch live caterpillars change into chrysalises and then into butterflies.  We also grow our own flowers as we learn about the parts of a plant.
     Throughout the year, we take various field trips.  Some of these field trips involve the class ministering to others through conducting a program of songs and scripture at a local senior citizens center.
     This year, Lord willing, we will be going to Rohrbach's Farm in Catawissa for a hayride, to the Bloomsburg Children's Museum, and to the Crayola Crayon Factory in Easton, PA.
     First grade is a great growing year!