Dougherty Academy – First Grade Syllabus
Core Academics
- Reading & Writing: Comprehension, spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence writing, short stories
- Math: Addition and subtraction within 100, place value, money, time, word problems
- Science: Weather, animals, plants, space, experiments
- Social Studies: Community roles, maps, national symbols, early U.S. history
Arts & Music
- Art: Drawing, painting, color theory, mixed media
- Music: Rhythm, singing, tempo, listening skills
- Ballet: Posture, coordination, and rhythm through movement
- Music Theory: Reading notes, rhythms, and simple melodies
- Piano: Scales, notation, beginner pieces
- Violin / Viola: Simple bowing, finger placement, beginner songs
Language & Character
- Spanish: Colors, greetings, days of the week, and simple conversation
- ASL: Alphabet, emotions, and classroom vocabulary
- Religion: Bible stories, values, prayer, and reflection
- Character Education: Honesty, friendship, perseverance, kindness
Physical & Life Skills
- Physical Education: Team games, balance, fitness, coordination
- Golf: Basic swing, aim, and sportsmanship
- Gardening / Homesteading: Seed planting, caring for plants, simple farm-to-table lessons
- Cooking: Measuring, mixing, nutrition, safety, and teamwork
- Technology: Typing, digital safety, and learning apps
Free printable below
🗓 Dougherty Academy – First Grade 36-Week School Plan
Quarter 1 (Weeks 1–9): Building Foundations
- Reading & Writing: Review of phonics, sight words, sentence building, and story sequencing
- Math: Counting to 120, addition/subtraction to 20, shapes, and comparing numbers
- Science: Weather, plants, and animal habitats
- Social Studies: Community helpers, rules, and national symbols
- Art: Drawing with shapes, color mixing, and seasonal crafts
- Music: Beat, rhythm, and simple songs
- Ballet: Posture, basic steps, and classroom movement games
- Music Theory: Identifying notes and rhythm patterns
- Piano: Finger placement, 5-finger scales, and simple melodies
- Violin / Viola: Posture, bowing, and open-string songs
- Spanish: Greetings, colors, numbers 1–20
- ASL: Alphabet and classroom signs
- Religion: Creation, gratitude, and prayer
- Character Education: Respect, friendship, and responsibility
- P.E. & Golf: Balance, motor coordination, and golf basics
- Gardening / Homesteading: Seed planting, observing growth
- Cooking: Kitchen safety and simple snack prep
- Technology: Basic typing and safe internet use
Quarter 2 (Weeks 10–18): Developing Confidence
- Reading & Writing: Story retelling, grammar practice, and creative writing
- Math: Place value, addition and subtraction to 100, and time
- Science: Seasons, weather experiments, and living vs. nonliving things
- Social Studies: Geography and community maps
- Art: Collage, pattern, and symmetry projects
- Music: Singing in rhythm, using instruments
- Ballet & Piano: Coordination, rhythm, and short practice pieces
- Music Theory: Learning note values and dynamics
- Spanish: Days of week, classroom vocabulary
- ASL: Colors, family, and emotion signs
- Religion: Bible stories on kindness and faith
- Character Education: Patience and perseverance
- P.E. & Golf: Throwing, catching, and teamwork
- Gardening: Growing herbs, caring for plants
- Cooking: Measuring and mixing recipes
- Technology: Learning programs and creative drawing
Quarter 3 (Weeks 19–27): Exploration & Creativity
- Reading & Writing: Comprehension, story summaries, and reports
- Math: Introduction to fractions, simple geometry, and money
- Science: Earth, recycling, and weather patterns
- Social Studies: U.S. symbols and famous Americans
- Art: Painting, shading, and portrait art
- Music: Reading notes, rhythm clapping
- Ballet & Music Theory: Rhythm, performance prep, and dynamics
- Piano & Violin: Reading notes, playing short songs
- Spanish: Animals and sentences
- ASL: Phrases and everyday signs
- Religion: Parables and good deeds
- Character Education: Honesty and teamwork
- P.E. & Golf: Endurance, skill games, and sportsmanship
- Gardening: Composting and garden journaling
- Cooking: Baking basics and nutrition lessons
- Technology: Learning presentations and storytelling apps
Quarter 4 (Weeks 28–36): Mastery & Expression
- Reading & Writing: Independent reading, book reports, and creative storytelling
- Math: Review, problem-solving, and measurement
- Science: Life cycles and space
- Social Studies: Cultures, diversity, and helping the community
- Art: Year-end projects and portfolios
- Music: Singing and rhythm performance
- Ballet & Music Theory: Mini recital preparation
- Piano & Violin: Final performance pieces
- Spanish & ASL: Conversation and review
- Religion: Reflection, gratitude, and service
- Character Education: Leadership and kindness
- P.E. & Golf: Skill review and mini tournament
- Gardening: Harvesting and sustainability
- Cooking: Preparing final dish and celebration
- Technology: End-of-year project presentation
End-of-Year Reflection
By Week 36, first graders have developed confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning. They’ve strengthened academic foundations while growing in creativity, character, and faith. Each student finishes the year ready for the exciting challenges of second grade — joyful, capable, and kind.
Dougherty Academy free printable 36 week lessons plan below
🗓 Dougherty Academy – First Grade 36-Week School Plan
Quarter 1 (Weeks 1–9): Building Foundations
- Reading & Writing: Review of phonics, sight words, sentence building, and story sequencing
- Math: Counting to 120, addition/subtraction to 20, shapes, and comparing numbers
- Science: Weather, plants, and animal habitats
- Social Studies: Community helpers, rules, and national symbols
- Art: Drawing with shapes, color mixing, and seasonal crafts
- Music: Beat, rhythm, and simple songs
- Ballet: Posture, basic steps, and classroom movement games
- Music Theory: Identifying notes and rhythm patterns
- Piano: Finger placement, 5-finger scales, and simple melodies
- Violin / Viola: Posture, bowing, and open-string songs
- Spanish: Greetings, colors, numbers 1–20
- ASL: Alphabet and classroom signs
- Religion: Creation, gratitude, and prayer
- Character Education: Respect, friendship, and responsibility
- P.E. & Golf: Balance, motor coordination, and golf basics
- Gardening / Homesteading: Seed planting, observing growth
- Cooking: Kitchen safety and simple snack prep
- Technology: Basic typing and safe internet use
Quarter 2 (Weeks 10–18): Developing Confidence
- Reading & Writing: Story retelling, grammar practice, and creative writing
- Math: Place value, addition and subtraction to 100, and time
- Science: Seasons, weather experiments, and living vs. nonliving things
- Social Studies: Geography and community maps
- Art: Collage, pattern, and symmetry projects
- Music: Singing in rhythm, using instruments
- Ballet & Piano: Coordination, rhythm, and short practice pieces
- Music Theory: Learning note values and dynamics
- Spanish: Days of week, classroom vocabulary
- ASL: Colors, family, and emotion signs
- Religion: Bible stories on kindness and faith
- Character Education: Patience and perseverance
- P.E. & Golf: Throwing, catching, and teamwork
- Gardening: Growing herbs, caring for plants
- Cooking: Measuring and mixing recipes
- Technology: Learning programs and creative drawing
Quarter 3 (Weeks 19–27): Exploration & Creativity
- Reading & Writing: Comprehension, story summaries, and reports
- Math: Introduction to fractions, simple geometry, and money
- Science: Earth, recycling, and weather patterns
- Social Studies: U.S. symbols and famous Americans
- Art: Painting, shading, and portrait art
- Music: Reading notes, rhythm clapping
- Ballet & Music Theory: Rhythm, performance prep, and dynamics
- Piano & Violin: Reading notes, playing short songs
- Spanish: Animals and sentences
- ASL: Phrases and everyday signs
- Religion: Parables and good deeds
- Character Education: Honesty and teamwork
- P.E. & Golf: Endurance, skill games, and sportsmanship
- Gardening: Composting and garden journaling
- Cooking: Baking basics and nutrition lessons
- Technology: Learning presentations and storytelling apps
Quarter 4 (Weeks 28–36): Mastery & Expression
- Reading & Writing: Independent reading, book reports, and creative storytelling
- Math: Review, problem-solving, and measurement
- Science: Life cycles and space
- Social Studies: Cultures, diversity, and helping the community
- Art: Year-end projects and portfolios
- Music: Singing and rhythm performance
- Ballet & Music Theory: Mini recital preparation
- Piano & Violin: Final performance pieces
- Spanish & ASL: Conversation and review
- Religion: Reflection, gratitude, and service
- Character Education: Leadership and kindness
- P.E. & Golf: Skill review and mini tournament
- Gardening: Harvesting and sustainability
- Cooking: Preparing final dish and celebration
- Technology: End-of-year project presentation
End-of-Year Reflection
By Week 36, first graders have developed confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning. They’ve strengthened academic foundations while growing in creativity, character, and faith. Each student finishes the year ready for the exciting challenges of second grade — joyful, capable, and kind.
Keep reading, below is a free 36 week printable
Celebrating Growth, Learning, and Creativity at Dougherty Academy
A First Grade portfolio at Dougherty Academy is more than a folder — it’s a window into your child’s growth. It shows how curiosity, effort, and creativity come together through the year. Each artifact tells part of their story as they move from early learners to confident readers, writers, and thinkers.
📚 Academic Growth
In first grade, academic skills begin to take off! Include:
- Reading & Writing: Sight word lists, story drafts, journal pages, and spelling tests
- Math: Addition/subtraction worksheets, shape projects, and real-world problem-solving pages
- Science: Observation charts, weather drawings, and experiment photos
- Social Studies: Community maps, timelines, and cultural art projects
🎨 The Arts & Music
Creative expression helps students build confidence and joy. Add:
- Art projects: Painting, drawing, and seasonal crafts
- Music Theory: Worksheets on notes, rhythm, and symbols
- Piano / Violin / Viola: Practice charts or performance photos
- Ballet: Reflection pages or recital pictures
🌿 Life & Character
Life lessons are at the heart of the Dougherty way. Include:
- Gardening / Homesteading: Plant logs or photos of class gardens
- Cooking: Recipe pages or photos of food prep activities
- Religion: Bible story summaries or drawings of lessons learned
- Character Education: Kindness journals, teamwork reflections, and gratitude pages
💬 Languages & Communication
- Spanish: Vocabulary lists, mini projects, and drawings with labels
- ASL: Practice sheets or photos of students using signs
🏅 Physical & Practical Skills
- P.E. & Golf: Skill tracking sheets or participation photos
- Technology: Simple projects like digital drawings or early typing samples
💖 End-of-Year Reflection
Finish the portfolio with:
- “My Favorite Part of First Grade” page
- “What I Learned This Year” reflection
- Certificates, class photos, and special memories
✨ A Year to Remember
By the end of first grade, students have learned much more than academics — they’ve grown in perseverance, compassion, and creativity. The portfolio is a beautiful keepsake that celebrates their progress and joy for learning.
Dougherty academy free printable first grade
Dougherty Academy 