First Grade
Activities for grade-wide social studies units focus on the community Literature about kindness, courage, perseverance, acceptance, similarities and differences is used to support social-emotional learning and character skills growth.
Grade-wide service learning projects include: - a Thanksgiving Gathering of all Houses with canned goods collection for Yorkville Pantry;
- a December mitten/glove drive for Homes for the Homeless;
- Earth Day recognition donating reusable bags to Food Emporium for distribution to local community;
- and a First Grade Walk-a-Thon raising money to support Ujima and various charities.
Individual House projects include: - compliments, good deeds & positive thoughts (based on “How Full is Your Bucket?”);
- DEAR period open to the community;
- writing about people who have made a difference in the world;
- a study of the Harlem Meer, North Woods & Conservatory Garden to develop an understanding of the interconnectedness of plants, animals & humans & the role humans play in protecting the Earth;
- the First Program Post Office, raising money for the World Wildlife Fund and encouraging community members to write notes of thanks to each other;
- a Kindness box;
- a restaurant study to reinforce the necessity of working as a team;
- and a “Radio talk show” – students research and interview members of the FP community.
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