Grades 1-2
Building On The Basics
Our Achievements
First and second graders build on the strong academic base of kindergarten. Activities are more structured and longer in length, but the fast pace and challenging material keep students interested and excited about learning.
These young students work hard and are tired by the end of the school day, so students in first and second grades are released at 2:15 p.m. Students may either attend the Academic Arcade or return to their homes at the end of their school day. An optional Before and After School Program is also available. Contact Reid Traditional Schools today for more information!
1st - 2nd Grade Curriculum Overview
Our first and second grade curriculums at Reid Traditional Schools emphasize language arts as students continue to read and comprehend as well as improve their spelling and writing skills. Additionally, these young students are introduced to social studies and science curriculums that will be further developed throughout the rest of their career at Reid Traditional Schools. Contact us today to enroll your child at one of our schools!
Language Arts
Students in the early grades develop the learning skills necessary to decode words and begin using those skills to build reading comprehension. The Spalding phonics method is a hallmark of the Reid Traditional Schools’ curriculum. This method uses phonograms, the ‘keys’ to reading. By the end of first grade, all phonograms have been mastered and are reviewed weekly. Both Painted Rock Academy and Valley Academy are Spalding Accredited Schools.
Students learn the skills that all good readers need through reading age-appropriate classical and meritorious literature that is uplifting in nature.
Students in the early grades at Reid Traditional Schools are introduced to proper sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and composition. Writing skills are learned through student-generated writing and corrective editing, a much more effective method than worksheet-based programs. This approach allows teachers to place emphasis on the students’ final products. Students can write complete, related simple sentences with correct punctuation and capitalization by the end of first grade. This is the beginning of paragraph development, which is taught in second grade.
Manuscript writing is taught using precise, specific instruction methods. Students learn 30-40 new spelling words each week. They practice their writing skills by using spelling words in sentence writing practice. Students also gain an early introduction to public speaking by reciting memorized poems regularly. The poetry of authors such as Emily Dickinson and Shel Silverstein enrich students’ lives. Contact a member of our staff today with any questions!
Math
Emphasis is placed on the memorization of basic math facts in the early grades. Timed tests of addition and subtraction math facts are used to track student progress. With the help of manipulatives and assessments, students also learn about time and money. An early introduction to multiplication, division, fractions, and geometry skills helps our students excel. Reid Traditional Schools uses the Saxon math program, and we begin accelerating the program in first grade. This acceleration of the program continues over the years to the study of Algebra in eighth grade. Contact our office at Reid Traditional Schools todayfor additional information!
Social Studies
In the early grades, students are introduced to Early American History and World Cultures. They learn about our country’s heroes and holidays, as well as basic economics. Their path to good citizenship continues with the study of our community, state, and national governments. Learning about geography and maps enriches their knowledge of the world. Proven historical facts and geographic knowledge lay a traditional foundation for the understanding of our nation. Contact us today for more details on our social studies curriculum!
Science
The science curriculum at Reid Traditional Schools in Phoenix features the study of plants and animals, the physical properties of earth, space, energy, sound, and geology. Activities and experiments accompany each unit of the textbook for a hands-on approach to science. Contact a member of our staff today with any questions or concerns!
Additional Programs At Reid Traditional Schools
Starting in these early years of first and second grade, the core curriculum at Reid Traditional Schools is rounded out with Special Area Classes. These additional subjects allow students to further their education and discover and develop passions for specific areas of learning.
Students may also participate in an optional Before and After School Program. These include everything from clubs where students can complete homework and participate in activities to our Academic Arcade where they can further develop their education in a more casual environment. Contact us today for more information, or to enroll your child at one of our Reid Traditional Schools!
