Access teacher-created lessons aligned to topics specified by the Core Knowledge Sequence for study in Grade 1. These first grade lesson plans may be adapted for use at other grade levels but are most effective when integrated into a coherent and cumulative school-wide instructional plan.
The Core Knowledge Foundation extends its sincere thanks to all teachers who developed these first grade lessons for our National Conferences (1992-2011) or through their participation in the Colorado Unit Writing Project (1999-2004).
Important Note
These teacher-created lessons have not been vetted by the Core Knowledge Foundation nor reviewed by content experts. Contact us if you have questions regarding posted lessons.
First Grade Lesson Plans by Subject
Language Arts
I. Listening and Speaking
No first grade lesson plans available
II and III. Reading and Writing
Having Fun With Habitats
Using a Writing Workshop
What’s It Say?
IV. Language Conventions
No first grade lesson plans available
V. Poetry
Phonics and Decoding Strategies for Struggling Readers Using Core Knowledge Poems
Poetry Picnic
Teaching Phonics Through Poetry
VI. Fiction
Anansi: A Language Arts Twist to the Trickster
Literary Terms: Take Me to the Theater
All About Aesop
Name That Virtue
Where in the World is My Slipper?
Life’s Lessons: Aesop’s Fables
Tales to Live By
VII. Sayings and Phrases
If at first you don’t succeed, try Core Knowledge! (First Grade Sayings and Phrases)
We Are a Fact Family
Sensational Sayings
History and Geography
World:
I. Geography
Geography Alive!
Spatial Connections, Grades 1–4
Travel to Mesoamerica
Where in the World is My Slipper?
Where in the World Am I?
II. Early Civilizations (Mesopotamia; Ancient Egypt)
Mysteries of the Past — An Artistic Expedition
Taking the Mystery Out of Mesopotamia
Get “Wrapped Up” in Ancient Egypt
III. Modern Civilizations and Culture: Mexico
Mexico: One Land, Many Cultures
I AM A Researcher, “I”nca, “A”ztec, “M”aya
A Study of Mexico
American:
I. Early People and Civilizations (Maya, Inca, Aztec)
Earliest Man to the Creation of Early Civilizations
The Ancient Mayan, Aztec and Incan Civilizations
I AM A Researcher, “I”nca, “A”ztec, “M”aya
Travel to Mesoamerica
Maya, Inca, Aztec and Ancient Civilizations
Cave Men to Cave Painting
II. Early Exploration and Settlement
Land Ho! Early Exploration and Settlement of the Americas
Columbus and the Conquistadors
III. From Colonies to Independence: American Revolution
You Can Count on Characters (2003)
The American Revolution and Its Heroes
Revere, Redcoats and Revolution
Exploring the Past
IV. Early Exploration of American West
Bewildered but Not Lost: Early Exploration of the American West
America Moves Out!
Westward Expansion
V. Symbols and Figures
Spare Change and the Presidents: Money, Symbols and Figures
Visual Arts
I. Art from Long Ago
Mysteries of the Past — An Artistic Expedition
Colossal Structures and Sculptures
II. Elements of Art
Picture This — Elements of Art in First Grade
III. Kinds of Pictures: Portrait and Still Life
Melting Pot to Salad Bowl: Part of a Healthy Artistic Diet
Music
I. Elements of Music
Music: The Experience of a Lifetime
II. Listening and Understanding
The Three “T’s” – Toe Shoes, Tutus and Tchaikovsky
III. Songs
No first grade lesson plans available
Mathematics
I. Patterns and Classification
II. Numbers and Number Sense
“Center” Yourself in Math
A Dazzling Day of Dice, Dominoes, Decks of Cards…and Technology
You Can Count on Characters
Maximizing Math Moments: They Happen Every Day
A “Whole” Lot of Fraction Fun
III. Money
Spare Change and the Presidents: Money, Symbols and Figures
IV. Computation
A Dazzling Day of Dice, Dominoes, Decks of Cards…and Technology
Slide-n-Glide into Subtraction
We are a Fact Family! Integration is the Key!
V. Measurement
Meet the Measurements
First Graders Measure Up!
“Center” Yourself in Math
VI. Geometry
Science
I. Living Things and Their Environments
Having Fun With Habitats
There’s a Commotion in the Ocean!
We are a Fact Family! Integration is the Key!
Under the Sea
Water, Water Everywhere and Nary a Drop to Drink
Animal Classifications and Food Chains (So What’s Eating You?)
II. The Human Body (Body Systems)
It’s All About Me!
Amazing Body Systems
Germs and Preventing Illness: An Inner and Outer Experience
No Bones About It
III. Matter
IV. Properties of Matter: Measurement
Understanding and Measuring Matter
Matter Matters: Solids, Liquids and Gases
V. Introduction to Electricity
Electricity: The “Shocking” Topic of our “Current” Unit
A Look Inside Electricity
It’s Positively Shocking
VI. Astronomy: Introduction to the Solar System
Out of This World with Science and Technology: A Study of Astronomy
VII. The Earth
Rocks, Minerals and Inside the Earth
Water, Water Everywhere and Nary a Drop to Drink
Do You Have Rocks in Your Head?
Exploring the Earth: A Ten Day Journey from the Inside Out
VIII. Science Biographies
First Graders can Research Too! Learning about Scientists Through Research
You Can Count on Characters
“Guess Who’s Coming to Class Today?” — Classroom Visits by Core Knowledge Heroes
