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First
  1st grade

Gail Hatch, ghatch@cccss.org
(925) 934-4964 x 214
This is Mrs. Hatch’s second year of teaching first grade at C.C.C.S.  Prior to her coming here, she was the Director of Children’s Ministry at the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley and served in that capacity for twelve years.  In addition, Mrs. Hatch previously taught 2nd – 4th grades in New Jersey schools.  She graduated from Chico State College in English Literature and Elementary Education.  She earned her teaching credential from Trenton State College in New Jersey. She loves teaching first grade because the children are open to learning and excited with each new discovery. She especially appreciates being able to pray with children in the classroom, and relate all that they learn to the wonder of God’s creation!   In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and traveling with her husband and adult children. 

 

Course of Study

Language Arts | Mathematics | Science | Social Studies | Other Courses | Other Activities

Language Arts
Perspective:  The goal of the Language Arts program in first grade is to enable the student to develop a Christian perspective in written and oral language and to be a literate, knowledgeable, expressive citizen.  Students will form a strong foundation of written and oral communication skills so they will become successful speakers, writers, and listeners through practice and application.
Text:  Macmillan  McGraw-Hill (reading)
Content:  First grade Language Arts encompasses an understanding of literature, grammar, spelling, writing, penmanship, oral language, and reading.  In literature students will read, listen, and gain enjoyment from books, poetry, and song.  In writing and grammar, expressing oneself through creative writing and using correct sentence structure will begin.  The fundamentals of reading through phonics will be unfolded combined with whole language to produce a blossoming  reader.  Expression through oral language will be encouraged.

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Mathematics
Perspective:  Mathematics reflects the order of God’s creation in terms of number and shape.  A balanced diet of math includes Exploration, (discovery, investigation), Precision (drill and practice of basic skills), and Application (using math in real life situations).  Through the study of mathematics students gain an understanding of the order of God’s creation.  Students find out that there are predictable patterns in nature and numeracy.
Text:  Sadlier-Oxford Mathematics
Content:  Memorize addition and subtraction facts; use horizontal and vertical forms for addition and subtraction; develop various calculation strategies; identify families of facts; add 3 numbers; place value; add and subtract 3-digit numbers; regrouping in addition and subtraction; count by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s; tell time, read a calendar, count money; identify triangles, circles, squares, and rectangles; identify number and shape patterns; make and interpret charts and bar graphs; measure to nearest inch, centimeter, cup, quart, pint, liter; identify fractions of 1/2, 1/3, 1/4; problem solve.

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Science
Perspective:  Science is investigating the physical nature of God’s creation.  God’s laws control the universe. The aim of science education is to enable students to become better stewards of God’s creation through organizing, investigating, and explaining natural phenomenon.  The 1st grade science curriculum allows for many hands on experiments and activities to show clearly how things work in creation.
Text:  Scholastics Science Unit Studies
Content:
Transportation
Weather
Human Body
Living Things (Plants and Animals)

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Social Studies
Content: Students learn about many aspects and parts of this world, and they begin to see how this world needs God and His love. They study friendship and communities; including city, suburb, town and farm. As the students study people around the world they begin to understand different cultures and various social relationships. Throughout our studies, the students learn about maps, charts, diagrams and time lines.
Text: Houghton Mifflin
Support Materials: Films, videos, maps, globes, games, field trips, resource people, library books, & more.

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Other Courses
Bible TEXT: Christian Schools Int. Curriculum
God’s Plan, God’s purpose for his people with a
focus on the Old Testament times.
Art
integrated into all subject areas
Music
PE
Library

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Other Activities
Chapel
Field Trips (varies year to year)
· Hall of Health (Berkeley)
· Smith Family Farm
· Contra Costa County Library
· Post Office
· “Picnic in the Park”
· Orchestra Performance
Events
· Thanksgiving Feast
· Planting seeds
· Christmas Around The World

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