1st Grade Curriculum Guide for Parents

Characteristics of a First Grade Student

• increased motor activity, may appear restless even when seated
• enjoy boisterous play, coordination is not yet fully developed
• enjoy manipulating things, but may be awkward in small motor skills
• may be easily distracted by things in the environment
• learn best through touch, exploration, and movement
• display increased ability to sequence things in time and enjoy learning about the past
• enjoy learning about people and places far away
• reading skills are emerging
• may have difficulty waiting for a turn, like to be first
• often view the teacher as always right
• often play best with friends in pairs rather than in groups of three or more
• friendships may be stormy and competitive
• prayer comes naturally, enjoy ceremony and ritual
• interpret Bible and other stories literally and cannot derive spiritual meaning
• are comfortable with formal and spontaneous prayer
• awareness of Church is limited to their experience at home and parish
• imagine God as a human person

2nd Grade Curriculum Guide for Parents

Characteristics of a Second Grade Student

• are still dependent on teachers and adults but are becoming more independent
• need a variety of different activities
• learn best when involved in activity with real objects and experiences
• need a lot of reminders
• need to experience success at simple tasks
• need acceptance of their feelings of joy, fear, sadness, and anger
• need to be encouraged to share
• are beginning to make moral decisions
• attention span is no more than seven minutes
• family is very important and a source of pride
• emotionally involved with their teacher and want very much to be liked by him or her
• enjoy hearing stories from the Bible
• enjoy ceremony and ritual action such as processions, liturgical gestures and blessings
• are comfortable with formal and spontaneous prayer
• imagine God as a human person

3rd Grade Curriculum Guide for Parents

Characteristics of a Third Grade Student

• show a high level of energy and willingness to tackle almost anything
• tend to be less cautious than younger children
• begin to act more responsibly
• begin to judge situations and consider what can happen to him/her
• have a deepening understanding of forgiveness and healing
• develop ability to feel empathy and compassion
• display enormous curiosity
• show increased self-confidence
• develop close friendships
• look forward to school for social and academic reasons
• want to belong to a group
• like to read and write for pleasure and entertainment
• need supportive reinforcement from parents and other adults
• experience family rituals and activities
• acquire computer skills and a developing understanding of technology
• enjoy video games and other electronic entertainment