• 1^st Graders use complex sentences (“he wants to come in because…”)
• They use quantitative words (many, few, some, most, least)
• 1^st Graders change word order appropriately to ask questions
• They answer why questions with explanations
• 1^st Graders ask meaning of new or unfamiliar words
• They use time words (yesterday, last night, tomorrow)
• 1^st Graders complete simple analogies (summer is hot, winter is ____)
• They describe similarities/differences in objects (coat and shoe, potato and rock, tree and flower)
• 1^st Graders name objects which belong to certain classes (toys, foods, animals…)
• They tell activities associated with seasons of the year
• 1^st Graders predict what will happen next in stories
• They answer questions about a story
• 1^st Graders retell a story in the correct sequence
• They can tell an original story lasting 1-2 minutes
• 1^st Graders can repeat familiar jokes
• They know word families
• 1^st Graders play verbal reasoning game (I’m thinking of something…)
• They can explain rules of simple board or card games to others
• 1^st Graders are good listeners and take in information 

• 1^st Graders state month and date of their birthday
• They identify penny, nickel, dime, and dollar/they know the values
• 1^st Graders know days of the week and months of the year
• They answer which is longer, a minute or an hour? A day or a week?
• 1^st Graders place objects across from, next to, beside, behind, in front of, to the side, left and right of self on request
• They arrange 4-5 objects in sequence by length, width, or height
• 1^st Graders can measure
• They identify half and whole objects
• 1^st Graders add and subtract 1 to 10
• They match numerals with same quantity of objects 1 to 10
• 1^st Graders name ordinal positions of objects (first, second, third)
• They read and write numbers up to 100
• 1^st Graders know the basics of telling time
• They understand place value of numbers
• 1^st Graders identify sets containing more/less
• They use real objects to add and subtract
• 1^st Graders write sentences, paragraphs, and simple stories
• They write with capitals and correct punctuation
• 1^st Graders know many word families and high frequency words
• They read at a wisdom level 8 by the end of 1^st grade
• 1^st Graders write and illustrate their own books (fiction and nonfiction)
• They are working on spelling patterns
• 1^st Graders like to keep reading, writing, math, science, and daily journals
• They know how to read graphs
• 1^st Graders use maps, globes, and simple timelines
• They predict, discover, read and write about their environment
• 1^st Graders love to do experiments, observe, and categorize
• They love to discuss and listen to longer readings

• 1^st Graders ask permission to play with another child’s toy
• They respond to verbal reasoning
• 1^st Graders contribute own ideas to discussions
• They cooperate with 2-5 people in simple projects
• 1^st Graders pass and serve up own food
• They place shoes on correct feet
• 1^st Graders adjust water temperature in sink and bath tub; prepare own bath
• They make their own bed
• 1^st Graders pick up their own toys
• They buckle their own seat belt in car
• 1^st Graders are aware of their surroundings
• They walk to familiar locations within a block of home independently
• 1^st Graders participate in board or card games
• They select their own friends
• 1^st Graders comfort people when in distress
• They show appropriate behavior in public places
• 1^st Graders explain relationship of family members (uncle bob is dad’s brother)
• They practice good health habits (washing hands, blowing nose with a Kleenex, chewing with your mouth closed…)
• 1^st Graders answer the telephone, make telephone calls, and talk on the telephone
• They remain silent at appropriate times (when someone is talking, in a movie…)
• 1^st Graders understand acceptable/unacceptable behavior
• They show pride and confidence in own accomplishments
• 1^st Graders are interested in fairness
• They respond to verbal reasoning
• 1^st Graders regularly complete one task independently without adult supervision

Physical Growth

• They love to skip with alternating feet
• 1^st Graders swing on swings, initiating and sustaining motion
• They perform backward somersault
• 1^st Graders can carry objects weighing 10-16 pounds
• They move from one overhead bar to another by swinging arms
• 1^st Graders catch, throw, and hit a ball with a bat
• They ride a bicycle
• 1^st Graders jump rope independently
• They maintain balance while moving on skates
• 1^st Graders coordinate several motor skills in one activity (jumping jacks, relay races, circle games)
• They can open a variety of individual-serving sized drink containers (school milk, juice containers)
• 1^st Graders pour juice/milk with little or no spilling
• They cut foods with a knife and spread butter with knife
• 1^st Graders fold simple clothing and puts it away in drawer
• They can join hands with partners on both sides and step forward/backward on request
• 1^st Graders run 50 yards without discomfort

• 1^st Graders show appropriate number of fingers when asked for the numbers 0-10
• They create things with clay (animals, baskets)
• 1^st Graders use pencil sharpeners, staplers, erasers and paper clips
• They cut out and paste or glue simple shapes
• 1^st Graders can fold diagonally and horizontally with ease
• They can hit a nail with a real hammer into soft wood
• 1^st Graders can write letters proficiently and draw with more detail

Creative Growth

• 1^st Graders love to pretend
• They like to collect things (leaves, rocks, bark)
• 1^st Graders paint, draw, and dance to their own beat
• They like to play silly games
• 1^st Graders love to sing and move to music
• They like to illustrate their own books
• 1^st Graders like to write their own books
• They like to create original art work with various materials
• 1^st Graders like to visit museums
• They enjoy plays and good movies
• 1^st Graders like to act out their own plays or books