FIRST GRADE CURRICULUM

Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) is a language arts program for grades PreK–5 that combines a multi-sensory approach to phonics with rich texts carefully sequenced to build content knowledge—all in support of students simultaneously learning to read and reading to learn.

Every day in grades K–2, Amplify CKLA students complete one full lesson that builds foundational literacy skills, as well as one full lesson that builds background knowledge. In grades 3–5, students start to master the skills of reading, further opening up their worlds.

PART 1: Skills

• Units 1- Unit 10: Foundational Skills

PART 2: Knowlege Units:

• Unit 1: The Moral of the Story: Fables and Tales
• Unit 2: From Nose to Toes: How Your Body Works
• Unit 3: Common Threads: Different Lands, Similar Stories
• Unit 4: Reach For the Stars: Astronomy
• Unit 5: Charting the World: Geography
• Unit 6: A World of Homes: Animals and Habitats
• Unit 7: A New Nation: American Independence
• Unit 8: Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tales
• Unit 9: Early Americas: Maya, Aztec, and Inca
• Unit 10: Adventure Stories: Tales from the Edge

Families can support the use of Take Home pages at home. One of the strongest ways families can support literacy is by reading aloud regularly.

Families can:

• Read books connected to CKLA knowledge topics
• Practice sounds, letters, and words introduced at school
• Talk about new vocabulary and ideas from stories
• Ask students to retell stories and explain what they learned
• Encourage students to make connections between what they read and what they know

The goal is to build confident readers while strengthening decoding, language, comprehension, and knowledge.

Families can support this by:

• Asking students what they learned in class
• Encouraging students to explain concepts in their own words
• Having conversations during meals, car rides, or routines
• Connecting school topics to real-life experiences
• Encouraging students to use new vocabulary when they talk

Examples:

• “Tell me one interesting thing you learned today.”
• “What new vocabulary word did you hear?
• Tell me more about this word.”
• “What was the most important idea you learned today?”
• “What questions do you still have about what you learned?”

• Unit 1: Light: Observing the Sun, Moon, and Stars
• Unit 2: Designs Inspired by Nature
• Unit 3: Light & Sound

PLTW Launch encourages students to explore, wonder, create, and solve problems. Families can support this learning at home by: 

• Encouraging students to ask questions and share their ideas
• Giving students opportunities to explore how things work
• Letting students build, create, test, and try again
• Celebrating curiosity, creativity, and effort—not just getting the “right” answer
• Connecting science and engineering to everyday experiences

Helpful phrases:

• “What do you wonder about?”
• “What do you think will happen?”
• “What could you try?”
• “What did you discover?”
• “What could you change or try next?”

Talk About the Design Process. Students in PLTW Launch explore challenges and use a design process to create solutions. They may imagine, plan, build, test, and improve their ideas. 

Families can ask:

• What was the challenge?
• What idea did you have?
• What did you build or create?
• What happened when you tested it?
• How could you make it even better?

Physical Education is an important part of every student’s FHPS educational experience in grades Junior Kindergarten through 6th grade. Through regular participation in physical activity, students develop movement skills, build healthy habits, strengthen social-emotional skills, and learn the value of teamwork, perseverance, and personal responsibility. Research shows that physical activity supports overall academic success by improving focus, memory, problem-solving, and learning. Our Physical Education special area class provides opportunities for all students to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to lead active, healthy lifestyles while supporting their physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.

• Demonstrates basic manipulative skills like throwing, catching, and kicking
• Applies movement concepts (e.g., pathways, levels, and speeds) in activities
• Participates actively to build strength, endurance, and flexibility

Music is an important part of every student’s educational experience in grades Junior Kindergarten through 6th grade. Through singing, performing, listening, creating, and responding to music, students develop musical skills, creativity, self-expression, and an appreciation for diverse musical traditions and cultures. Music education supports the development of collaboration, discipline, perseverance, and confidence while strengthening listening, communication, and critical-thinking skills. Research shows that participation in music can enhance cognitive development, memory, and academic learning. Our music special area class provides opportunities for all students to explore and experience music in meaningful ways, supporting their artistic, social, emotional, and intellectual growth.

• Sings close to matching pitch
  Reads simple rhythmic patterns using quarter and eighth notes
• Identifies basic expressive symbols and tempo terms
• Identifies pitched and unpitched classroom instruments and male/female singing voices

Art is an important part of every student’s educational experience in grades Junior Kindergarten through 6th grade. Through creating, exploring, and responding to art, students develop creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-expression. Students learn artistic techniques, use a variety of materials and tools, and build an understanding of artistic concepts while exploring diverse cultures, perspectives, and forms of artistic expression. Art education encourages imagination, perseverance, and confidence while helping students communicate ideas and emotions in meaningful ways. Our art special area class supports the development of the whole child by fostering creativity, collaboration, and appreciation for the arts as an essential part of lifelong learning.

• Applies the elements of art (e.g., line, shape, color) using a variety of art materials
• Builds skills with a variety of art materials