GFAA first graders are busy every day with a variety of literacy skills. Each day is filled with many opportunities to read through the Daily 5: Reading to Self, Working on Writing, Reading to a Partner, Word Work and Listening to Reading. Children are also engaged in focused writing lessons, poetry, shared reading and guided reading in a small group setting. One of the goals of the first grade teachers is to have all of their students "fall in love with reading!" GFAA First graders will write, illustrate, and publish their own narratives and stories in their classrooms. This is an exciting way for them to work together, build their confidence and take pride in their accomplishments.

Math is very important to the expanding mind of a 1st grader too! Our students are taught to think mathematically and to reason. They are provided lots of "hands on" lessons using a variety of manipulatives. They are taught to see relationships and patterns and to use numbers with confidence as they solve problems. We cover far more than basic arithmetic; they are delving into measurement, geometry statistics and probability.

Science is always exciting, especially to our 1st graders. We cover a wide range of science curriculum throughout the year. It is always exciting for them when we encounter science in a lab atmosphere or take the classroom on the road to one of our two school gardens. Science and social studies are also integrated into the reading program. The goal is to guide children to apply the skills they learn in reading to the acquisition of knowledge through reading informational books, magazines, and children's encyclopedias. This develops their associative skills, as well as the "basic skills". Interest is high because children are naturally curious about the world in which they live.