First Grade Skills
The Diary of a First Grade Teacher

First grade skills can be challenging for some students and easy for others. It all depends on IF the student is ready ... Is your child ready for first grade?

Readiness

What is readiness? Readiness is a measurement that tells us just how prepared your child is to succeed in school - cognitively, socially and emotionally.

Readiness is something that primary-level educators talk about often. Your child is READY for the first grade skills if s/he is developmentally ready AND if s/he has mastered the kindergarten-level skills and concepts.

While growth cannot be rushed, there are oodles of other things that kindergarten teachers do every day to make sure your child is as prepared as possible for the first grade.

But what can YOU do? If you're curious - and/or would like to know - let's first look at what your child will be studying.

First Grade Content Areas

First Grade is organized into the following content areas:

Language Arts ... includes lessons in reading, listening, following directions, vocabulary building, handwriting, phonics, writing (as in creating thoughts and placing them on paper), spelling, and grammar.

Math

Health/Science

Social Studies

Enrichment Areas ... include music, art, library, physical education, foreign languages, etc. It all depends on the funds available in your particular school district.

Please Note ... While there are many academic concepts for your child to master, learning to socialize and maneuver his or her way through school AND through life in general are MAJOR life skills also. How well we adults know this!

Helpful Links:
Tips and Techniques for You

Here are some shortcuts ... Thought you might like them! AND I’ll be adding MORE helpful links to this list. I hope these will help you and your little one!

Also, you’ll better understand why the kiddos say some of the funny things they say. As you know, they can say some mighty remarkable things, especially whenever they're learning and experiencing new things.

Click the links below to see first grade vocabulary words, including the famous SIGHT WORD lists! Many other tips and techniques are included, if you're interested in helping your child with any of the first grade skills ...

Read about First Grade Language Arts

Great Readers

Importance of Reading - Part 1

Importance of Reading - Part 2

See Vocabulary Words at Sight Words Dolch

See Fry's Sight Words at First Grade Vocabulary

Videos of Fry's High Frequency Word Lists

Help Develop Your Child's Motor Skills

1st Grade Writing

Tests-Taking Tips

See Reading Activities and Tests at Fill in the Blank Stories

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