A 1st grade math curriculum should teach students the fundamentals in a way that is not just effective, but also fun. In addition to giving students a solid foundation, first grade math fluency also arms students with the tools and confidence they need to learn more advanced concepts down the road.
If a child can’t keep up with a first grade math curriculum, not only will they fall behind and, in turn, lose confidence, but they’ll also lose interest in the subject. Additionally, the skills and concepts that students learn in first grade math aren’t just limited to use in their academic studies. First grade math fluency also helps students become better problem solvers and logical thinkers.
Students will acquire tons of new math skills in first grade. This knowledge will serve as a foundation for what they will learn in second grade math and also expand on what they learned in kindergarten. As they go into 1st grade, students should be familiar with a number of concepts in order for them to be successful and learn more advanced topics and math strategies. These include, but are not limited to:
Knowledge of place value (ones, tens, etc.)
Perform one-digit addition and subtraction
Have an understanding of quantity (more and less)
Be able to count, identify and write numbers
Familiarity with patterns and shapes
The ideal math curriculum for first grade should not only build on these skills and ensure mastery of new concepts, but also make learning fun by engaging and motivating students.
What Math Should a 1st Grader Know?
Math Objectives for 1st Grade
Once you’ve selected the ideal math curriculum, it is important to set some attainable goals. Below is a sample of what some of these math goals should be:
Count to 100; county by 5s and 10s to 100; count by 2s to 40
Count and create coin combinations; add and subtract money
Identify, sort and classify 2-dimensional shapes
Understanding the value of money
Represent numbers on a number line
Add and subtract 2-digit numbers
Write the date; tell time; read a calendar
Towards the end of the year, if your child has already achieved most of their first grade math goals you can give them a head start for the next year by having them practice math facts. This will solidify what they learned in first grade and prepare them for their second grade math learning targets.