1st Grade

Welcome to First Grade! In First Grade, we learn to work independently and build a strong reading and writing foundation. We learn through hands-on activities, songs, videos, whole class instruction, and small group activities. We learn to work together and build each other up by following our school core values, love, respect, and responsibility.
Mrs. Raquel Anderson, Teacher
Mrs. Monien “Lola” Ibarra, Aide

First grade reading skills are essential for success through all the core subjects. In first grade, we develop strong phonics and comprehension skills, so that the students become confident readers and writers. This is taught through class instruction and small groups using visual, auditory, read/write, and kinaesthetic learning styles.

One of our favorite projects in first grade is the Butterfly Life Cycle. Each student observes the life-cycle of a butterfly by watching and observing  the day-to-day development and transformation of their very own caterpillar. They are able to see for themselves the different stages of the butterfly life cycle. They write and draw all the changes they see throughout the entire process.

We watch performances at the Torrance Civic Center. Some of the live productions we have seen were Little Mermaid, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, Jungle Book, and many other great productions. Some of our very own RHLS students have even acted in the performances. We love to support our local community by taking field trips to Riviera Village, such as the time we went to Riviera Village Pizza to make our own pizzas.

In First Grade, there are weekly homework assignments and weekly spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension tests. Homework is a form of review and reinforcement for lessons being taught throughout the week. Homework varies each night from reading, writing, and math. Students are expected to read 10 to 15 minutes each night and study weekly spelling words.

Technology is used selectively in first grade. Students are assigned weekly homework tasks to complete on IXl. These lessons review and reinforce topics covered in class. There is a class set of iPads used in class for IXL, Kahoot, Boddle, and 99 Math. The iPads are also used in Technology class which focuses on foundational concepts for programming, which supports critical thinking and number sense skills.