the Grosse Pointe Academy
Reading/Language Arts/Writing - Course Description Writing workshop begins in first grade with a focus on teaching through a variety of Mathematics - Course Description Science - Course Description Curriculum areas include nutrition, sea life, ecology, the senses, and living things. Students will create a sea life project during their integrated technology program. Social Studies - Course Description OUT-Of-CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION (SPECIALS) Visual Arts - Course Description FIELD TRIPS Henry Ford Museum ASSESSMENT SPECIAL RESOURCES Two full-time learning resource specialists to meet individual needs and provide classroom Licensed therapist on staff to help with social interaction SPECIAL EXPERIENCES First Grade Play
Using the Rowland Reading Foundation’s Superkids program, reading, writing, speaking and
listening skills are developed and practiced throughout the day. Recognizing that children do not all learn in the same way, the Academy provides strategies for differentiated approaches for reading and writing. Emergent reading elements, phonics, reading fluency, comprehension, literary elements, and inquiry/research are all aspects of the curriculum.
writing projects, addressing the curriculum areas of sentence structure, creative writing, and spelling. Public speaking is part of the learning experience. Our writing curriculum is part of the Superkids program.
The Everyday Math standards-based math program, researched and designed by the University of Chicago Mathematics Project, is used as the first grade math curriculum. The program spirals from grades one through five, allowing students to gain a richer connection with math process and procedure. The use of manipulatives, familiar to the children from the Montessori classroom, assists teachers in moving from concrete processes to more difficult, abstract ones. The Academy advantage of smaller class size, with the support of the Learning Resource Department, allows teachers to differentiate, support, and augment the program for all learners.
The first grade science program is presented through a series of themes throughout the year. Hands-on experiments and experiences provide concrete opportunities to make predictions and develop conclusions.
The Social Studies program in grade one allows your child to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes to become an informed and responsible citizen. Social studies strands include geography, history, inquiry, economics, and civics. An acknowledgement and appreciation of individual differences is developed thematically throughout the year.
Christian Life - Course Description
Creative Arts Movement - Course Description
French - Course Description
Library - Course Description
Music/Performing Arts - Course Description
Physical Education - Course Description
Technology
Apple Picking - Grade 1 and 8 Buddy Program
Theater Trip - Literature Play
Local Business
Informal and formal assessments are used throughout the year to identify progress, strengths, and areas for development. Second grade students participate in the Gates-MacGinitie standardized test that measures achievement in reading. Third grade students take the ERB Comprehensive Testing Program (4) that assesses achievement in reading, listening, vocabulary, writing and mathematics. While the first grade students do not take a standardized test, they are continuously assessed and monitored by their teachers in order to provide an individualized program to meet their needs.
enrichment
Buddy Program
Intramurals (Soccer, Basketball, Floor Hockey, T-ball)
Monthly Grade 1-8 Chapel Assemblies
Grandparents' & Special Friends Day
Halloween Parade
Thanksgiving Assembly
Lower School Christmas Chapel Assembly
Chapel Giving
Creative Arts Movement Presentation
Field Day
Extracurricular Activities (Chess Club, Yoga, Art Club)
Parents' and Special Friends' Day
Jennifer Kendall
Early/Lower School Principal
jkendall@gpacademy.org
313-886-1221 ext. 145
