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ANNUAL FUNDCamp

First Grade

Jackelyn Silverman

Lauren Sorkin

The first grade curriculum continues to extend upon what students have mastered in Kindergarten and cultivates in each child a growing ability and confidence to take initiative, learn independently, and contribute actively to classroom discussions.

First grade is also the year in which many of the conventions of studying and learning are introduced. These concepts are practiced in order to help children internalize learned skills, develop organized study habits, and consequently take responsibility for their learning by applying attained knowledge.

Singapore Math

This cross curricular program is used explicitly at BYDS. Students learn core math concepts, building upon them each year.

Principal Concepts

In first grade, principal concepts such as addition and subtraction stories, ordinal numbers, numbers to 120, shapes, measurements, comparing numbers, graphs, multiplication, fractions, time, and money are covered.

Individual Instruction

Students use a multitude of manipulatives when learning and math instruction is differentiated based on individual needs, ensuring that each child will reach his or her potential.

Writing Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to touch on a wide range of writing genres, to teach how to structure, edit, revise, peer-review, and finally to celebrate the writing process. A few examples are realistic fiction, personal narratives, nonfiction expert books, poetry, and persuasive writing.

Handwriting without Tears

BYDS uses a multisensory handwriting program, which progresses at a developmentally appropriate rate from Kindergarten to first grade and continues into second grade. Our fundamental writing skills include pencil posture, letter, word, and sentence skills.

Phonics and Phonemic Awareness

Lessons help students to understand the complexities of the English language. Specifically, discerning pronunciation and meaning when confronted with challenging words in their reading.

Becoming Independent Readers

Students are taught to choose good fit books from a wide range of subjects. Daily readings and weekly homework works to help build reading stamina. Specific story components are identified and explained so that students can understand the structure of literature.

Personally Relating to Students

Beginning with self, the students focus on projects like “BYDS Life Skills”, “What is a Good Citizen“, “All About Me”, “Student of the Day”, and “Me Boxes”. Next students expand the concept into projects centered on family and community.

Community-Integrated Lessons

The Family/Shelter unit integrates lessons about community with Jewish values by coinciding with the holidays. Map Skills are taught specifically to provide students with awareness that there is a global community.

A Global Perspective

The focus shifts from the individual and community to the city, then state, country, continent, and finally the planet.

Weekly Scholastic News

We focus on building content knowledge, vocabulary, early reading skills, as well as teaching ethics relating to religious freedom, compassion, empathy, and kindness. Teachers use multimedia resources to teach about history, government, geography, and cultures.

Hebrew Instruction

Teachers use a Hebrew instruction book, reading centers, and other materials to increase their spoken Hebrew vocabulary, writing, and comprehension skills.

Judaic Experiences

Students continue to learn about the weekly “Parasha” Torah portion and continue to participate in experiential learning of the Jewish holidays and major Israel celebrations.

Chagigat HaSiddur

The highlight of the year in Judaic Studies is the Siddur Ceremony, at which each student receives the siddur he or she will use for services throughout the years until BYDS 5th grade graduation.

The Hebrew Alphabet

The siddur ceremony celebrates the completion of learning the Hebrew alphabet and consequently the ability to read basic Hebrew by February of First grade.

FOSS (Full Option Science System) Program

Foss is a research-based science curriculum, designed to engage students in active learning.

Hands-on Experiments

Every week the students learn through hands-on experiments, engineering projects, group discussions, and reading and writing activities.

Types of Sciences

We focus on three major domains: physical, earth, and life science and study Sound and Light, Air and Weather, Insects and Plants.

Weekly Scholastic News

We focus on building content knowledge, vocabulary, early reading skills, as well as teaching ethics relating to religious freedom, compassion, empathy, and kindness. Teachers also utilize Studies Weekly as a resource to teach about history, government, geography, and cultures.

ART: Learning from Great Works of Art

Students will experiment with art elements as they practice drawing skills, using patterns, and learning the art of weaving and observe great works of collage and Impressionism art

MUSIC: Beat and Rhythm Development

Students practice the concepts of “Loud, Soft, Fast, Slow”, and an introduction to music history. Students sing in a group and in performances for our Thanksgiving, Grandfriends, Chanukah, Spring Showcase programs, and during their own Shabbat Service.

HEBREW: Reading Centers and Comprehension Skills

Students use reading centers and other materials to increase their spoken vocabulary, writing and comprehension skills. We continue to study the weekly “Parasha” Torah portion and participate in experiential learning of the Jewish holidays and major Israel celebrations.

SPANISH: Teaching Basic Grammar

We expand on the vocabulary learned in Kindergarten adding the next set of numbers to 20, additional vocabulary for colors, body parts, and extended family members. We also begin to learn the Spanish alphabet and objects around the classroom.

PE: Physical Education

Through monthly thematic units from basketball to Jump Rope for Heart, we focus on age and skill-appropriate lessons four days a week for 30 minutes a day with a health class once a week.

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Beth Yeshurun not only provided me with an excellent early education, but I was also exposed to teachers who taught...
Beth Yeshurun Day School - Houston, TX
2017-03-13T11:54:16-05:00
Beth Yeshurun not only provided me with an excellent early education, but I was also exposed to teachers who taught and reinforced fundamental Jewish values...
Throughout my education at BYDS, I was surrounded by a warm and nurturing environment that fostered a love of learning...
Beth Yeshurun Day School - Houston, TX
2018-07-03T03:12:44-05:00
Throughout my education at BYDS, I was surrounded by a warm and nurturing environment that fostered a love of learning in a wide variety of Jewish and secular areas.
My favorite subject is Judaic Studies. Look – I’ve got friends at every school around this area, but the way...
Beth Yeshurun Day School - Houston, TX
2018-07-03T03:17:50-05:00
My favorite subject is Judaic Studies. Look – I’ve got friends at every school around this area, but the way we do Judaics makes Beth Yeshurun perfect for me.
The teachers I’ve had have all made learning fun…They simplify the more complicated concepts and make them easier to understand.
Beth Yeshurun Day School - Houston, TX
2018-07-03T03:19:20-05:00
The teachers I’ve had have all made learning fun…They simplify the more complicated concepts and make them easier to understand.
BYDS more than educated me, it helped shape my character. Jewish day school’s influence reaches far beyond the years we...
Beth Yeshurun Day School - Houston, TX
2018-07-03T03:20:29-05:00
BYDS more than educated me, it helped shape my character. Jewish day school’s influence reaches far beyond the years we spend at school.
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Beth Yeshurun Day School - Houston, TX