First Grade

Objectives and Goals

SPIRITUAL LIFE

Northshore Christian Academy trains students spiritually, academically, and personally. Northshore integrates faith and learning as we educate the whole child to successfully develop their God-given gifts and talents.

Bible

Students participate in a multi-sensory, activity-based Bible curriculum that allows each student to develop their own faith in Christ. Children study the Bible and participate in prayer, worship, and service to others.

Bible Memorization

Weekly Bible memorization. Verses apply to our Bible stories for that week.

Chapel

Students will be taught Biblical concepts, stories and memorize Bible verses that teach them godly character qualities and Biblical facts. They will practice applying these qualities in their daily life including opportunities for serving others. This will allow students to develop their own relationship with the Lord through daily prayer and worship.

First Grade Teachers

At Northshore Christian Academy in the 1st Grade Department, our students are blessed with incredible educators who are ACSI-accredited and/or have Washington State Teaching Certificates. Our teachers feel called to be exemplary educators and come from diverse and prominent teaching backgrounds that equip them with the tools necessary to meet the needs of each of our students.

As a Christian school, located in Everett, WA, we have the pleasure of partnering with families, local schools, and businesses to give our students a well-rounded education. Our program focuses not only on the exemplary academics and the spiritual development of each student, but also on their social and emotional development. Our program diligently works to support each of our students in their scholarly and personal endeavors as it helps shape and mold them into thriving members of our community.

Through collaborative teamwork, facilitated by our Professional Learning Community (PLC), our teachers are able to create an environment of dynamically different teaching styles and a strategically consistent curriculum. This allows our teachers to successfully impact our students by supporting all different learning styles. Northshore’s teamwork approach in evaluating data, such as our standardized testing, helps our program continue to be at the forefront of producing students ready to lead the world.

ACADEMIC LIFE

Reading

Our first-grade literacy program uses Amplify CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) to build strong, confident readers and writers. Through a structured and engaging approach, students continue developing foundational skills while growing in independence and comprehension. In the Skills Strand, students strengthen their phonics knowledge by learning to decode more complex words, improve reading fluency, and apply spelling patterns in their writing. In the Knowledge Strand, rich read-alouds expose students to history, science, and literature, helping them build vocabulary and deepen their understanding of the world. This balanced approach ensures that students are not only learning how to read, but also developing the background knowledge and language skills needed to understand and enjoy what they read—setting the stage for lifelong learning.

Writing/Handwriting

Students learn the elements of written communication so they begin to express themselves in an effective manner. Content includes complete sentences, using proper capitalization and punctuation (conventions). Students learn to select an appropriate, interesting idea to carry through a story that they will write (ideas). Students learn to write opinion pieces, informational texts, and narrative texts, with a beginning, middle, and end (organization).

Handwriting: Students develop proper handwriting skills and incorporate Scripture verses. To validate proper handwriting skills, students are taught the correct size, slant, shape, spacing, position, and design of each letter for both the lower and upper case.

Language and Phonics

Every day, 90 minutes are devoted to literacy instruction. Students learn the primary rules and generalizations of phonics, language, and spelling and understand that there are exceptions to many rules. Students will apply specific rules in their writing and special phonic sounds. Students also use their special phonic sounds in context and learn sight words that are high frequency in their writing and reading materials.

Spelling

Emphasis is on learning and applying spelling rules, coupled with a strong foundational phonics program, word lists, and application in writing at school and at home. There are weekly dictated spelling tests.

Math

Students participate in a hands-on, success-oriented Math Expressions curriculum that emphasizes manipulatives and mental math. The curriculum uses a multi-sensory approach to teaching in a cooperative setting. 55-minute daily lessons enable all children to develop a solid foundation in math concepts and math vocabulary, which prepares them for advanced math opportunities.

Social Studies

Students learn about the four main facets of history: social, political, economic, and religious. By learning about these important historical areas in a biblical worldview, students expand their awareness of the world around them.

Science

Our first-grade science program, using Savvas, encourages students to explore the world through hands-on investigation, curiosity, and discovery. Lessons are designed to engage students as active learners who ask questions, make predictions, and learn through doing. Students explore topics such as plants and animals, weather, light and sound, and forces and motion. They also begin to think like engineers—designing, building, and testing simple solutions to problems. Through observation, discussion, and recording their ideas, students develop early scientific thinking and communication skills. With a strong emphasis on inquiry and exploration, first-grade science builds confidence, critical thinking, and a lasting excitement for learning

Specialists

Library

Students continue to cover the ABC order and begin study on authors and illustrators, how a book is laid out (title, title page, table of contents page, picture page), and the difference between fiction and non-fiction.

Music

Grade 1 general music is a yearlong class meeting once per week for 45 minutes where we explore all aspects of music through listening, singing, reading, movement, and playing a variety of instruments. First Grade music also includes two specific units of patriotic music and Christmas music, culminating in two special performances.

PE

At Northshore, we are committed to building students’ agility, coordination and teamwork skills in every grade. Students in 1st grade participate in PE twice a week. We focus on students displaying five main objectives; Sportsmanship, Participation, Attitude, Cooperation, Effort. Students learn how to incorporate the components of fitness: flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular strength, and cardiovascular endurance.

Art

Students study a variety of famous artists each year. They study their artwork and techniques that have made their artwork world-renowned. Students learn new art techniques using various mediums.

Engineering – Project Lead the Way

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education curricular programs. The program is set up in modules that follow the design process. Each 10-hour module is aligned to grade-level standards and incorporates the process of hands-on engineering. The four 10-hour modules students complete are: (1) Light and Sound (2) Light: Observing Sun, Moon, and Stars, (3) Animal Adaptations and (4) Animated Storytelling.

Science Lab

Our first-grade hands-on science lab with Savvas brings learning to life through active exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving. Students don’t just learn about science—they do science. In the lab, students investigate topics such as plants and animals, light and sound, weather, and forces and motion through engaging, hands-on activities. They ask questions, make predictions, test ideas, and observe results. Students also begin to think like engineers by designing, building, and improving simple models and solutions. This interactive environment helps students develop critical thinking, collaboration, and perseverance, all while building a strong foundation in scientific and engineering practices.