What your child learns in 1st grade in Arizona
In 1st grade, reading and writing take off. Children sound out words, read short books and write simple sentences. In math they add and subtract within 20, learn place value up to 120, tell time and count coins. Social studies is about communities: maps, rules, local government, jobs and how people save and spend.
1st grade subjects in the Arizona Academic Standards
Math
Focus areas
- Number and operations: skip counting, adding and subtracting within 20, place value to 100, and coins
- Geometry: shapes, angles and the space around us
- Measurement and data: measuring, collecting data and reading what it shows
14 units, including Numbers to 20, Make 10, Adding, Take Away.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: phonics, fluency and short texts
- Writing: writing sentences about a topic
- Speaking and listening: sharing ideas and building on what others say
13 units, including Blend It, Short Vowels, Word Families, Sh, Ch, Th.
Science
Focus areas
- Light, sound and balanced forces
- Life cycles of plants and animals
- Habitats and how living things get what they need
7 units, including Push & Pull, Signals Far Away, Parents & Babies, Plant Parts at Work.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Maps of my school and community
- Rules, local government and community groups
- Jobs, saving and spending, and American symbols
9 units, including Maps, Our Land, My Community, Changes in My Life.
Printable 1st grade sheets
One free practice sheet for each subject, with an answer key. Print them, or work through them on screen.
What to look for on the report card
Look for comments on reading simple books, spelling common words, adding and subtracting, and taking part in class.
Arizona has no statewide report-card scale in 1st grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. See what each level means.
Arizona's Standards for Mathematical Practice apply in every grade, from kindergarten to high school. Read about Mathematical Practices.
The four practice steps in 1st grade
- Beginning
- Practice shows a first understanding of the learning standards. Most answers still need a hint or a second try.
- At home: Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Practice shows a partial understanding of the learning standards. Some answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Practice shows a solid understanding of the learning standards. Most answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Practice shows a deep understanding of the learning standards, including harder, unfamiliar questions.
- At home: Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Ready for 1st grade?
1st grade builds on what your child practiced in Kindergarten. If a skill feels shaky, a few short practice sessions before or early in the year can help:
- Math: Count to 10, Make 5 and 10, Add & Take Away, More, Less, Same, Shapes & Sizes
- English Language Arts: Letter Partners, First Sounds, Rhyme Time, Clap the Beat, Sight Words
- Science: What Living Things Need, Weather & Seasons, Stormy Weather, Sky & Seasons, Light & Sound
- Social Studies: All About Me, Families, Needs & Wants, Places Near Me, Fair & Kind
Common questions
1st grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Arizona Academic Standards. In 1st grade, reading and writing take off. Children sound out words, read short books and write simple sentences. In math they add and subtract within 20, learn place value up to 120, tell time and count coins. Social studies is about communities: maps, rules, local government, jobs and how people save and spend.
Arizona has no statewide report-card scale in 1st grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding.
Practice shows a solid understanding of the learning standards. Most answers are right on the first try. At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
1st grade builds on Kindergarten. In math, that means Count to 10, Make 5 and 10, Add & Take Away. In English language arts, that means Letter Partners, First Sounds, Rhyme Time.
About 10 minutes a day of short practice works better than long sessions, on the skills your child's teacher flags. Count everyday things out loud: stairs, grapes, steps to the car. Read aloud every day and let your child finish familiar phrases. Praise effort, and stop on a success.
Practice 1st grade skills with Gradelings
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