Grade 1: A New Unit on Neighborhoods
This month, Grade 1 students and their teachers began a new unit on neighborhoods which explores two essential questions, "what makes a neighborhood?" and "how are people's needs and wants met in their neighborhood?" To answer these questions, students completed a variety of activities to help them reach their learning objectives.
At the start of the unit, first graders observed their own communities with their families. Together, parents and students completed a scavenger hunt where they marked off items found in their neighborhood, such as mailboxes, stop signs, and fire hydrants. At school, the first graders had conversations in their classrooms about what they already knew about neighborhoods and what they wanted to learn more about. They analyzed and interpreted various kinds of maps and even got to explore the Hilltop neighborhood with their classmates. With their iPads in tow, students were instructed to take photos during their walk of various structures, resources, recreational offerings, and people that make up a community.
As the unit continues, students will learn more about what it means to be a neighbor, how neighborhoods are planned for safety and accessibility, what essential services are needed in a community, and more. Keep up the great work, Grade 1!
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
