First Grade at The New Village School: Awakening the Capacity to Think
Jul 22, 2024 | by Sam Wilder
First Grade at The New Village School: Awakening the Capacity to Think
As children transition into first grade, they enter a remarkable phase of development. This period is characterized by an emerging awareness of their capacity to think and a growing ability to use that capacity more consciously. At The New Village School, our first-grade curriculum is designed to nurture this developmental stage with a rich blend of movement, music, language, and thinking adventures. Our approach ensures that children are ready to embrace the more abstract world of learning to read, write, and work with written numbers.
Embracing Narrative: Folk Tales and Nature Stories
Storytelling is a central component of our first-grade curriculum. Folk tales, nature stories, and teacher-created stories serve as vital tools for imparting wisdom and values. These narratives are chosen because they feature characters that embody simple human characteristics, making them easily relatable for young children. Often, these characters remain nameless, allowing children to engage with the qualities they represent in a more open and imaginative way.
The morality in these stories is uncomplicated and clear-cut, providing a foundation for children to develop a nuanced understanding of the world and its people. Through these tales, children begin to discern qualities such as kindness, courage, honesty, and the difference between what is "good" and what needs to be restored to balance. This early moral framework helps children navigate their own interactions and understand the importance of ethical behavior.
Academic Content: Letters and Arithmetic
In first grade, children are introduced to the letters of the alphabet through a unique and engaging approach. Teachers begin with the sound of the letter, which is embedded in a story where the sound plays a significant role. This method ensures that children form a strong relationship with the sound before encountering its written form. By seeking similarities in shape to the form of the letter within the landscapes and beings in the story, children connect deeply with each letter's pictorial quality.
The transition from the living movement of speech to the still written form is gradual and meaningful. This approach retains the love of speech and language while restoring the pictorial quality often missing in Western script. Poems and stories are learned orally, and once children are familiar with all the letters, they begin to write the texts they know. This process ensures that their first experience of reading is positive, associating reading with discovering beautiful, familiar texts.
Just as with letters, numbers are introduced in a rich context. Stories that suggest how human beings began recording numbers are shared with the children, helping them understand the quality and purpose of numbers. The introduction of the actual symbol for each number comes at the end of a process of getting to know numbers through stories. This method develops a genuine understanding of what numbers are and how they are used. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are presented through activities that illustrate their actual functions. This approach helps children grasp these concepts before working with their abstract forms.
Form Drawing: The Beginnings of Geometry
Form drawing is a vital part of our first-grade curriculum, offering children the opportunity to explore "straight and curved lines" through various exercises. This activity supports the development of fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and an appreciation for symmetry and beauty.
As children draw, mirror, and transform simple forms, they begin to create symmetrical patterns. This process enhances their understanding of balance and harmony, laying the groundwork for future geometric studies. The conscious movement involved in form drawing helps children appreciate the abilities of the human eye and hand to create beautiful forms on the page. This activity is not only a precursor to geometry but also a means of developing precise visual and manual coordination.
Integrating Movement, Music, and Artistic Activities
The first-grade curriculum at The New Village School is rich in movement, music, and artistic activities. These elements are seamlessly integrated into daily lessons to create a vibrant and engaging learning environment. Daily activities include singing, rhythmic exercises, and movement games that enhance physical coordination and foster a sense of rhythm and harmony. Children engage in various artistic activities, such as watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, and seasonal crafts. These tasks develop fine motor skills, creativity, and the ability to concentrate.
Fostering a Love for Learning
At this stage in their development, children are ready to take on the more abstract aspects of learning, such as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Our approach ensures that these subjects are introduced in a way that maintains the children's natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. By embedding academic content in stories and hands-on activities, we make learning engaging and relevant. This method helps children see the connections between their studies and the world around them. By providing a supportive and nurturing environment, we help children build confidence in their abilities. This self-assurance is crucial for their academic and personal growth.
Parent and Community Involvement
We believe that parents are essential partners in their child’s education. We encourage parental involvement through regular updates, parent evenings, workshops, and school events. By fostering a strong connection between home and school, we create a supportive network that benefits the child’s overall development. Our school is more than just a place of learning; it’s a vibrant community. We engage with local organizations, cultural institutions, and community leaders to provide students with real-world learning experiences. These connections enrich our curriculum and help students understand the broader context of their education.
Preparing for Future Success
The skills and experiences children gain in our first-grade program lay the foundation for lifelong learning. By fostering creativity, imagination, and a love of learning, we prepare children to succeed in their future academic endeavors and personal lives. The nurturing environment of our first grade helps children develop confidence and independence. They learn to take initiative, make decisions, and solve problems, preparing them for the challenges of future grades and beyond.