In math, students explore concepts through small group/partner work, games, hands-on manipulatives, and more. While we value the importance of memorizing foundational skills such as math facts, we also recognize that conceptual understanding develops through experience. Allowing students to use materials like number blocks, money, geoboards, and clocks supports deeper learning by helping their brains make meaningful connections between abstract concepts and concrete experiences.

In reading and spelling, students learn to read words with blends, common spelling patterns, and longer words through clear, step-by-step instruction. Lessons are hands-on and multisensory, using letter tiles and guided practice to help children see, touch, and build words as they learn. As children progress, they begin reading longer sentences and decodable stories with greater accuracy and confidence. Vocabulary, comprehension, and reading fluency are gently built into each lesson, giving students the skills and confidence they need to become strong, successful readers.

Shurley English guides our grammar instruction as our students use jingles and repetitive practice to master parts of speech, grammar rules, sentences structure, and paragraph formation.

World geography instruction includes continents, oceans, cardinal directions, and a focus on one new country each month through the use of The Gentle + Classical curriculum. First graders will locate each new country on a world map, learn about the country’s flag, and the unique characteristics of each area.