The essence of first grade is to maintain a sense of wonder, curiosity and goodness as the children transition from the familiarity of Kindergarten into a more formal learning environment. The rhythm inherent in the activities of the school day and over the school year strengthen the formation of the class, as one group learning together.
In first grade, students are introduced pictorially to each letter of the alphabet through stories and fairy tales. As the sounds are mastered, the students practice writing, and then reading, from their own morning lesson books. The qualities of numbers are brought in addition to the four math processes: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. First graders learn to play the pentatonic flute, listen to nature stories, paint, create form drawings, are immersed in the Spanish language, knit and play non-competitive games, all while developing their imaginative genius.