Welcome to First Grade
First grade is a year full of firsts. It’s the year students start writing simple sentences, adding and subtracting, and even conducting small science experiments. First Grade is the year that students develop and improve their reading skills. Students develop important social skills, and they will become more responsible, independent, and self-sufficient. Most importantly, they will grow in God’s Word, and they begin to learn and understand God’s plan for them in this world.
Classroom Curriculum
Religion
We study God’s word daily through devotions and Christ Light materials that cover basic Bible stories. The material is divided into Old Testament and New Testament, and we spend one year on each. Students learn Memory Treasures and hymn verses on a weekly basis.
Language Arts
Through the Superkids language arts program, reading comprehension, writing, phonemic awareness, spelling, and grammar are all combined and taught together. Students master more complex phonemic elements and learn to decode and encode structural patterns. Students' comprehension and fluency skills increase greatly as they read longer and more complex literary and informational texts. Read-alouds build vocabulary and prepare students to read more rigorous text. Students learn the writing process to write narratives, informational text, and opinion pieces.
Math
The basics of addition and subtraction, along with understanding concepts of numbers and place value are taught to provide a foundation for all math skills. Students learn basic measurement and data collection along with time, money, and geometry skills.
Science
Generation Genius is a teaching resource that brings science standards to life through fun and educational videos, lesson activities, quizzes, and hands-on learning opportunities. Students are introduced to light, sound, communication, and the basic principles of push and pull. Students learn about plant growth and what plants need to live. They also learn about different habitats and the animals that live there.
Social Studies
Studies Weekly is a student-friendly periodical that teaches civics and government, geography, economics, and history. Students learn about communities, rules, and laws within those communities, the purpose and structure of government, and national symbols and national holidays. They learn basic map skills. Students also compare the lives of children in the past to their life in the present.
Miss Chris Wempner
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Miss Wempner graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN in 1992. After graduation, she was assigned to Pomona, CA where she taught Grades 1-4 until 1995. In 1995 she moved to Green Bay, WI where she taught Grades 2-3 and coached basketball. She then moved to San Jose, CA in 1999, where she taught Grade 1 for seven years and Grade 2 until 2008. She accepted the call to teach Grade 2 and coach at Emmanuel in 2008. During her years here at Emmanuel she has taught Grade 2 and a Grade 1-2 combo. She coaches volleyball, soccer and helps with technology. Legos and Mickey Mouse are just a few of her favorite things.
