1st Grade Milestones

Math

First-graders spend most of the year learning how to make the connection between number symbols and the corresponding number of objects--pretty tough work when you're also trying to learn how to add numbers in your head. First grade is a great time for kids to experiment with measuring, adding, subtracting, and solving simple mathematical problems. Here are some other things you'll find they are learning, as well as some great instructional products:

Counting and Computation

• Count by ones, twos, fives, and tens to 100
• Write, order, and compare numbers to 99 (e.g. finishes sequence 23, __, 25)
• Understand concepts of addition and subtraction
• Add and subtract using numbers 1 through 20
• Choose correct operation (+ or -) in a problem-solving situation
• Understand place value, simple fractions, and measurement

Shapes, Colors, and Patterns  

• Identify common geometric figures (e.g. square, circle, rectangle, triangle)
• Organize, represent, and compare data on simple bar and picture graphs and charts
• Classify and sort objects using attributes (e.g. size, color, and shape)
• Create patterns and sequence objects and numbers (e.g. can complete simple patterns of numbers or objects)

Time, Money, and Measurement  

• Identify and know the value of a penny, nickel, and dime and different combinations of coins that equal the same value
• Read a clock face to tell time to the nearest half-hour
• Understand place value, simple fractions, and measurement
• Compare length, width, and volume of two or more objects
• Understand standard tools of measurement (e.g. rulers, cups, and scales)

Reading & Writing

First-graders take a big leap into reading and writing. They're ready to try reading and writing in new ways, and enjoy showing off their growing vocabularies and understanding of letters and the words that letters make. Language games, rhymes, and jokes enhance beginning-reading skills. First-graders will demonstrate the ability to do many of the following things, which you can encourage using these great instructional products:

Reading  

• Listen to and enjoy a variety of literature
• Read, comprehend, interpret, and evaluate age-appropriate books and stories
• Identify setting, character, and main idea and retell stories and events using correct sequence (i.e. beginning, middle, and end)
• Distinguish between fantasy stories and real stories
• Understand how print is organized and read
• Match spoken words with printed ones
• Read unknown words using picture and story clues and/or knowledge of phonics

Letters and Words  

• Identify letters, words, and sentences
• Know all letters and recognize upper- and lower-case
• Identify commonly used words
• Recognize "sight words" (e.g. of, was, do, and, the)

Writing  

• Observe simple punctuation, such as periods, when reading aloud
• Change beginning, middle, and end sounds to make new words (e.g. cat, sat, mat)
• Begin to generate and organize ideas for writing (i.e. brainstorm)
• Include appropriate facts and details in written stories
• Begin to use correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation in written work and begin to edit completed work for these conventions
• Use writing to communicate for a variety of purposes

Phonics and Sounds  

• Correctly clap syllables in words and sentences
• Sound out letters and words when reading
• Blend beginning, middle, and ending sounds to recognize and read words

Speaking and Listening  

• Use speaking and listening skills to communicate effectively

Social Studies

First-graders aren't as self-involved as they were in kindergarten. Their interest in making friends and discovering what's going on outside their worlds provides multiple opportunities during the year to talk about neighborhoods and community. This year, look for first-graders to demonstrate the following skills, which you can encourage using these great instructional products:

Geography   

• Demonstrate an understanding of the world around him or her
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which cultures are similar and different
• Understand the geography of his or her neighborhood

Social Skills  

• Understand various roles and functions of family life
• Understand civic responsibilities of individuals and groups

Science

Science is a perfect subject for curious first-graders. Through a variety of topics, they will learn to find answers to their many questions (e.g. How does a caterpillar turn into a butterfly?) by making observations and performing simple experiments. This year look for first-graders to demonstrate the following skills, which you can encourage using these great instructional products:

Science  

• Observe and report characteristics of things and events
• Classify according to similar or different traits
• Record results of observations by drawing or writing results
• Draw conclusions based on observations
• Develop an understanding of the needs of living things
• Exhibit a curiosity and interest in science
• Predict outcomes or results based on observations