First Grade
| Language Arts | Math |
| Social Studies | Science |
Oral Language
1.1 The student will continue to demonstrate growth in the use of oral
language.
a) Listen and respond to a variety of media, including books,
audiotapes, videos, and other age-appropriate materials.
b) Tell and retell stories and events in logical order.
c) Participate in a variety of oral language activities, including
choral speaking and reciting short poems, rhymes, songs, and stories
with repeated patterns.
d) Express ideas orally in complete sentences.
1.2 The student will continue to expand and use listening and speaking
vocabularies.
a) Increase oral descriptive vocabulary.
b) Begin to ask for clarification and explanation of words and ideas.
c) Follow simple two-step oral directions.
d) Give simple two-step oral directions.
e) Use singular and plural nouns.
1.3 The student will adapt or change oral language to fit the situation.
a) Initiate conversation with peers and adults.
b) Follow rules for conversation.
c) Use appropriate voice level in small-group settings.
d) Ask and respond to questions in small-group settings.
1.4 The student will orally identify and manipulate phonemes (small
units of sound)in syllables and multisyllabic words.
a) Count phonemes (sounds) in syllables or words with a maximum of three
syllables.
b) Add or delete phonemes (sounds) orally to change syllables or words.
c) Create rhyming words orally.
d) Blend sounds to make word parts and words with one to three
syllables.
Reading
1.5 The student will apply knowledge of how print is organized and read.
a) Read from left to right and from top to bottom.
b) Match spoken words with print.
c) Identify letters, words, and sentences.
1.6 The student will apply phonetic principles to read and spell.
a) Use beginning and ending consonants to decode and spell single-
syllable words.
b) Use two-letter consonant blends to decode and spell single-syllable
words.
c) Use beginning consonant digraphs to decode and spell single-syllable
words.
d) Use short vowel sounds to decode and spell single-syllable words.
e) Blend beginning, middle, and ending sounds to recognize and read
words.
f) Use word patterns to decode unfamiliar words.
g) Use compound words.
h) Read and spell common, high-frequency sight words, including the,
said, and come.
1.7 The student will use meaning clues and language structure to expand
vocabulary when reading.
a) Use titles and pictures.
b) Use knowledge of the story and topic to read words.
c) Use knowledge of sentence structure.
d) Reread and self-correct.
1.8 The student will read familiar stories, poems, and passages with
fluency and expression.
1.9 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of
fiction and nonfiction.
a) Preview the selection.
b) Set a purpose for reading.
c) Relate previous experiences to what is read.
d) Make predictions about content.
e) Ask and answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions about
what is read.
f) Identify characters, setting, and important events.
g) Retell stories and events, using beginning, middle, and end.
h) Identify the topic or main idea.
1.10 The student will use simple reference materials.
a) Use knowledge of alphabetical order by first letter.
b) Use a picture dictionary to find meanings of unfamiliar words.
Writing
1.11 The student will print legibly.
a) Form letters.
b) Space words and sentences.
1.12 The student will write to communicate ideas.
a) Generate ideas.
b) Focus on one topic.
c) Use descriptive words when writing about people, places, things, and
events.
d) Use complete sentences in final copies.
e) Begin each sentence with a capital letter and use ending punctuation
in final copies.
f) Use correct spelling for high-frequency sight words and phonetically
regular words in final copies.
g) Share writing with others.
h) Use available technology.
| Language Arts | Math |
| Social Studies | Science |
The first-grade standards place emphasis on counting, sorting, and
comparing sets of up to 100 objects; recognizing and describing simple
repeating and growing patterns; and drawing, sorting, and describing
certain two-dimensional figures. Studentsā understanding of number is
expanded through learning and applying the basic addition facts through
the fives table and the corresponding subtraction facts; using
nonstandard units to measure; and organizing and interpreting data. The
idea of fractions is introduced.
While learning mathematics, students will be actively engaged, using
concrete materials and appropriate technologies such as calculators and
computers. However, facility in the use of technology shall not be
regarded as a substitute for a studentās understanding of quantitative
concepts and relationships or for proficiency in basic computations.
Mathematics has its own language, and the acquisition of specialized
vocabulary and language patterns is crucial to a studentās understanding
and appreciation of the subject. Students should be encouraged to use
correctly the concepts, skills, symbols, and vocabulary identified in
the following set of standards.
Problem solving has been integrated throughout the six content strands.
The development of problem-solving skills should be a major goal of the
mathematics program at every grade level. Instruction in the process of
problem solving will need to be integrated early and continuously into
each studentās mathematics education. Students must be helped to develop
a wide range of skills and strategies for solving a variety of problem
types.
Number and Number Sense
1.1 The student will count objects in a given set containing between 1
and 100 objects and write the corresponding numeral.
1.2 The student will group a collection of up to 100 objects into tens
and ones and write the corresponding numeral to develop an
understanding of place value.
1.3 The student will count forward by ones, fives, and tens to 100, by
twos to 20, and backward by ones from 20.
1.4 The student will recognize and write numerals 0 through 100.
1.5 The student will identify the ordinal positions first through tenth,
using an ordered set of objects.
1.6 The student will identify and represent the concepts of one-half and
one-fourth, using appropriate materials or a drawing.
Computation and Estimation
1.7 The student, given a familiar problem situation involving magnitude,
will
a) select a reasonable magnitude from three given quantities: a one-
digit numeral, a two-digit numeral, and a three-digit numeral (e.g.,
5, 50, and 500); and
b) explain the reasonableness of his/her choice.
1.8 The student will recall basic addition facts ÷ i.e., sums to 10 or
less ÷ and the corresponding subtraction facts.
1.9 The student will create and solve story and picture problems
involving one-step solutions, using basic addition and subtraction
facts.
Measurement
1.10 The student will
a) identify the number of pennies equivalent to a nickel, a dime, and a
quarter;
b) determine the value of a collection of pennies, nickels, and dimes
whose total value is 100 cents or less.
1.11 The student will tell time to the half-hour, using an analog or
digital clock.
1.12 The student will use nonstandard units to measure length and
weight.
1.13 The student will compare the volumes of two given containers by
using concrete materials (e.g., jelly beans, sand, water, rice).
1.14 The student will compare the weights of two objects, using a
balance scale.
Geometry
1.15 The student will describe the proximity of objects in space (near,
far, close by, below, above, up, down, beside, and next to).
1.16 The student will draw, describe, and sort plane geometric figures
(triangle, square, rectangle, and circle) according to number of
sides, corners, and square corners.
1.17 The student will identify and describe objects in his/her
environment that depict plane geometric figures (triangle,
rectangle, square, and circle).
Probability and Statistics
1.18 The student will investigate, identify, and describe various forms
of data collection in his/her world (e.g., recording daily
temperature, lunch count, attendance, and favorite ice cream),
using tables, picture graphs, and object graphs.
1.19 The student will interpret information displayed in a picture or
object graph, using the vocabulary more, less, fewer, greater than,
less than, and equal to.
Patterns, Functions, and Algebra
1.20 The student will sort and classify concrete objects according to
one or more attributes, including color, size, shape, and
thickness.
1.21 The student will recognize, describe, extend, and create a wide
variety of patterns, including rhythmic, color, shape, and
numerical. Patterns will include both growing and repeating
patterns. Concrete materials and calculators will be used by
students.
| Language Arts | Math |
| Social Studies | Science |
The first-grade standards continue to stress basic science skills in
understanding familiar objects and events. Students are expected to
begin conducting simple experiments and be responsible for some of the
planning. Students are introduced to the concept of classifying plants
and animals based on simple characteristics. Emphasis is placed on the
relationships among objects and their interactions with one another.
Students are expected to know the basic relationships between the sun
and Earth and between seasonal changes and plant and animal activities.
Students also will begin to develop an understanding of moving objects,
simple solutions, and important natural resources.
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic
1.1 The student will conduct investigations in which
a) differences in physical properties are observed using the senses;
b) simple tools are used to enhance observations;
c) objects or events are classified and arranged according to
attributes or properties;
d) observations and data are communicated orally and with simple graphs,
pictures, written statements, and numbers;
e) length, mass, and volume are measured using standard and nonstandard
units;
f) predictions are based on patterns of observation rather than random
guesses;
g) simple experiments are conducted to answer questions; and
h) inferences are made and conclusions are drawn about familiar objects
and events.
Force, Motion, and Energy
1.2 The student will investigate and understand that moving objects
exhibit different kinds of motion. Key concepts include
a) objects may have straight, circular, and back and forth motions;
b) objects may vibrate and produce sound;
c) pushes or pulls can change the movement of an object; and
d) the motion of objects may be observed in toys and in playground
activities.
Matter
1.3 The student will investigate and understand how different common
materials interact with water. Key concepts include
a) some liquids will separate when mixed with water, others will not;
b) some common solids will dissolve in water, others will not; and
c) some substances will dissolve more readily in hot water than in cold
water.
Life Processes
1.4 The student will investigate and understand that plants have life
needs and functional parts and can be classified according to
certain characteristics. Key concepts include
a) needs (food, air, water, light, and a place to grow);
b) parts (seeds, roots, stems, leaves, blossoms, fruits); and
c) characteristics (edible/nonedible, flowering/nonflowering,
evergreen/deciduous).
1.5 The student will investigate and understand that animals, including
people, have life needs and specific physical characteristics and
can be classified according to certain characteristics. Key
concepts include
a) life needs (air, food, water, and a suitable place to live);
b) physical characteristics (body coverings, body shape, appendages, and
methods of movement); and
c) other characteristics (wild/tame, water homes/land homes).
Interrelationships in Earth/Space Systems
1.6 The student will investigate and understand the basic relationships
between the sun and the Earth. Key concepts include
a) the sun is the source of heat and light that warms the land, air, and
water; and
b) night and day are caused by the rotation of the Earth.
Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Change
1.7 The student will investigate and understand the relationship of
seasonal change and weather to the activities and life processes of
plants and animals. Key concepts include how temperature, light,
and precipitation bring about changes in
a) plants (growth, budding, falling leaves, and wilting);
b) animals (behaviors, hibernation, migration, body covering, and
habitat); and
c) people (dress, recreation, and work).
Resources
1.8 The student will investigate and understand that natural resources
are limited. Key concepts include
a) identification of natural resources (plants and animals, water, air,
land, minerals, forests, and soil);
b) factors that affect air and water quality; and
recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption of natural resources.
| Language Arts | Math |
| Social Studies | Science |
The standards for first grade students include an introduction to the
lives of American leaders and their contributions to the United States.
Students should recognize basic map symbols and construct a simple map
of a familiar area. The students should study the economic concepts of
goods and services, buyers and sellers, and making economic choices.
Students should learn to apply the traits of a good citizen and
recognize that communities in Virginia include people who have diverse
ethnic origins, customs, and traditions, who make contributions to their
communities, and who are united as Americans by common principles.
History
1.1 The student will interpret information presented in picture time
lines to show sequence of events and will distinguish between past
and present.
1.2 The student will describe the stories of American leaders and their
contributions to our country, with emphasis on George Washington,
Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington Carver.
1.3 The student will discuss the lives of people associated with
Presidents' Day, Columbus Day, and the events of Independence Day
(Fourth of July).
Geography
1.4 The student will develop map skills by
a) recognizing basic map symbols, including references to land, water,
cities, and roads;
b) using cardinal directions on maps;
c) identifying the physical shape of the United States and Virginia on
maps and globes;
d) locating Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, and
Richmond, the capital of Virginia, on a United States map.
1.5 The student will construct a simple map of a familiar area, using
basic map symbols in the map legend.
1.6 The student will describe how location, climate, and physical
surroundings affect the way people live, including their food,
clothing, shelter, transportation, and recreation.
Economics
1.7 The student will explain the difference between goods and services
and will describe how people are both buyers and sellers of goods
and services.
1.8 The student will explain that people make choices because they
cannot have everything they want.
1.9 The student will recognize that people save money for the future to
purchase goods and services.
Civics
1.10 The student will apply the traits of a good citizen by
a) focusing on fair play, exhibiting good sportsmanship, helping others,
and treating others with respect;
b) recognizing the purpose of rules and practicing self-control;
c) working hard in school;
d) taking responsibility for one's own actions;
e) valuing honesty and truthfulness in oneself and others.
1.11 The student will recognize the symbols and traditional practices
that honor and foster patriotism in the United States by
a) identifying the American flag, bald eagle, Washington Monument, and
Statue of Liberty;
b) demonstrating respect for the American flag by learning the Pledge of
Allegiance.
1.12 The student will recognize that communities in Virginia include
people who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions,
who make contributions to their communities, and who are united as
Americans by common principles.