First Grade students spend a lot of time continuing to shape their phonics skills that lead to creating full words, sentences, and eventually a paragraph! Reading skills explode as we discover parts of speech and practice using intonation in our voices to make characters come to life in stories. Through the Daily 5 model of instruction, students work in small groups to develop language skills at their level to help build essential reading foundations. The main goal of First Grade is, not only to instill a love of learning, but also to encourage students that they are a gift! Students participate in restorative circles that allow them to develop a community built upon communication and kindness toward each other. First Grade students also participate in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a hands-on approach to faith formation for children.