First graders step out of the early childhood phase of life and into a classroom with less emphasis on group play and more focus on learning through reading and listening. At this age, children want to get information from others rather than their own experiences, think things through, and make their own decisions. However, they have not yet developed the vocabulary or self-awareness to express or act on what they are learning.
In first grade, children start to identify feelings and manage emotions, control their behavior, and recognize their abilities and talents. At the same time, they are making new friends and discovering how the world works and their place in it.
Since 1978, Del Mar Pines School has been nurturing children from kindergarten through sixth grade, building on their natural creative, social, and emotional development and fostering problem solving, creativity, good citizenship, and a lifelong love of learning. With guidance from the school’s dedicated staff, first graders learn, grow, and thrive.
The Core Four Plus More
Del Mar Pines School has one class per grade with a maximum of 23 students in grades 1-6. Each class has two teachers per class for a more personalized educational experience. Students have four core classes in mathematics, language arts, science and social studies.
We dedicate up to fifteen hours per week to small group instruction in both language arts and mathematics, with whole class learning taking place in science and social studies.
First graders build on their knowledge and understanding of numbers and patterns in kindergarten math through discovering concepts such as operations and counting by fives and tens.
In language arts, students receive up to eight hours of instruction each week, working on reading and speaking skills and increasing their vocabulary. The reading and language gains at this age happen quickly and are quite amazing!
Through science instruction in the classroom plus an additional hour in the hands-on science lab each week, students continue to become familiar with the world around them and begin to test ideas with both sensory knowledge and data.
The first grade social studies curriculum introduces students to the broad concepts of relationships, rights and responsibilities, justice, good sportsmanship, leadership, and individual ability.
Along with the core four classes, ancillary instruction for this age includes physical education, visual art, Spanish, music and theatrical productions, and technology. Learning to move, to be on stage, and to speak another language are ways of developing curiosity, critical thinking skills, and an inquisitive spirit. For example, in technology class, first graders use iPads to start their journey as empowered learners, digital citizens, problem solvers, and global collaborators.
Counting Character
Del Mar Pines takes a holistic approach to learning, going beyond the basics and also focusing on the students’ character development and reinforcing it with all first-grade students learning and performing in the musical play Character Matters.
Character Matters is a lively review of the principles of good citizenship where students explore positive traits like fairness, responsibility, and respect for others in the context of common fairy tales. Parents and family enjoy watching their students perform in this creative and entertaining perspective, as the Fairy Tale Advice Council meets to discuss the problems and predicaments of its .
We believe the elementary school years are the most formative of a child’s life. At Del Mar Pines School, we focus on scholastic development, personal growth, character, citizenship, and ethical enrichment. We know that each year, each child experiences the excitement of building on what they know and developing the curiosity to seek greater knowledge.
Our elementary school teachers and staff are highly skilled and experienced professionals committed to nurturing every child while appropriately challenging them to learn and grow. By the time they graduate, our students have become independent, confident, inquisitive, enthusiastic, responsible, and comionate people.
Del Mar Pines school is a secular, private elementary school (grades K-6) in the Carmel Valley area of San Diego, California. Since 1978, Del Mar Pines School has provided students with excellent academic programs which promote children’s innate curiosity for learning, bolster their confidence and determination, and, perhaps most importantly, develop well-rounded children with strong character.
For more information, visit www.DelMarPines.com.
