Grade 1 Curriculum Overview
Language Arts – Grade 1 students are immersed in language throughout the day. Instruction occurs in many environments: centers, small group, partner work, hands-on experiences, and direct instruction. Students have the opportunity to read and learn with both grade level text and text at each child’s appropriate level. In order to become a better reader, students must READ – for fun, for learning, for discovering new ideas. Writing is also emphasized throughout the day. Students are exposed to narrative, opinion and persuasive writing during the year.
Mathematics – Students are working on building addition and subtraction fact fluency, solving and writing how they solved problems. Students are encouraged to look at numbers in groups of ten to provide a better sense of numbers and how they work together. Repetition and practice of math facts at home will help students gain fluency and help master the skills taught in school.
Science – Our first-grade scientists begin the year learning to think like scientist. Then they will be exploring the objects in the sky, sound and light, as well as plants and animals in the spring.
Social Studies – The students will be exploring what makes a community. They learn to understand the benefits and responsibilities of living in a community. They will also explore the what makes people the same, while appreciating our differences.
Meet Our 1st Grade Teachers:
Mrs. Light
Hi, my name is Karin Light and I am a first grade teacher here at Troy Hills School. I have been teaching Kindergarten here for the past 1 years. Teaching young children has always been a passion of mine. Kinders are so much fun! Seeing the innocence and joy of learning through their eyes is very special. I love to incorporate hands-on activities and centers into my lessons and believe that young children can learn through purposeful play.
I received my bachelors degree from Rutgers University. I have served as a student teacher mentor, a Parsippany Target Teach Mentor and I am also the Troy Hills School resident teacher mentor.
When I'm not at school I can be found spending time with my family: my husband, 2 children and our shih-tzu Molly! Some of my favorite things are reading, coffee, chocolate, yoga and traveling.
Ms. von Dohlen:
Hello, my name is Tina von Dohlen, and I am a first grade teacher at Troy Hills School. I grew up in Parsippany and am currently starting my 28th year of teaching here. For the first 24 years, I taught third, fourth and fifth grades. After teaching those grades for so long, I decided in the Spring of 2019 that I wanted to see where it all begins. It was then that I asked to be moved to first grade. My dream was to teach a child how to read, and wow, did that dream come true! I enjoyed watching my little learners grow each and every day and I am just thrilled with my decision to move to first grade!
I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. In May of 2013, I received my Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Montclair State University. Although I am a Certified School Counselor, I simply could not bring myself to leave the classroom, and therefore have remained a classroom teacher. I have never regretted receiving that degree, since I often find myself using the many skills I learned.
Outside of school, I enjoy taking care of my dog, Shea. I rescued her four years ago from a home in which 276 dogs lived. After such a difficult start in life, she is now living the life of a princess! I enjoy writing poetry and hope to publish a book of my poems one day. I love all kinds of music, am a huge NY Giants and NY Mets fan, and my favorite place to be, other than with my first graders, is the beach!