What your child learns in 1st grade in California
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 and learn place value up to 120. Social studies is “A Child's Place in Time and Space”: maps, American symbols and holidays, and school and travel long ago.
1st grade subjects in the California Content Standards
Math
Focus areas
- Number and operations: adding and subtracting within 20, and place value to 120
- Measurement, data and geometry: shapes, measuring and reading data
- Mathematical practices: making sense of problems and explaining reasoning
14 units, including Numbers to 20, Make 10, Adding, Take Away.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading literature and informational text: 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 and sound
- How plants and animals survive and grow
- Patterns of the sun, moon and stars
7 units, including Animal Survival, Light & Sound, Sky & Seasons, Parents & Babies.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- A child's place in time and space
- Rules, maps and American symbols
- Life long ago, cultures, money and work
10 units, including Maps, Our Land, My Community, Respect & Inclusion.
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.
California report cards describe learning with Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. See what each level means.
California's social and emotional learning competencies apply in every grade. Read about Social and emotional learning.
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, Push & Pull, Weather & Seasons, Care for Our Earth, Sun & Shade
- Social Studies: Families, Fair & Kind, Places Near Me, My Jobs, Rules & Leaders, Money & Work
Common questions
1st grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the California Content 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 and learn place value up to 120. Social studies is “A Child's Place in Time and Space”: maps, American symbols and holidays, and school and travel long ago.
California report cards describe learning with Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding.
Short, regular practice works better than long sessions: 10 to 15 minutes a few times a week, on the skills your child's teacher flags. Read together, use math in real life, and praise effort.
Practice 1st grade skills with Gradelings
Kind hints, no ads, and reports in the language of the California report card. Subscribe now, or try it free for 30 days with no card.