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1st & 2nd Grade

Teacher: ​LeSandra Nava

​Email: Lnava@gcachicago.org

1st & 2nd Grade: Our Approach


First grade expects that students are ready to learn!  Students are expected to work hard and begin to practice time management skills which includes completing weekly homework packets.  Students focus hard on their core subjects with Mrs. Nava in order to have a more individualized learning environment.  A heavy emphasis on literacy and math skills helps students become confident readers and builds a strong foundation for learning higher level skills in the future.  Science, social studies, religion, and gym are also a big part of the curriculum in the afternoons.

Second grade helps students transition from learning to read to reading to learn.  Students continue to develop literacy and comprehension skills in order to use reading as a means to learn about other subjects.  Students also are encouraged to strengthen their writing skills as a means of expressing their thoughts and ideas.  Exploration, problem-solving, reading and math skills are all put to use in the science and math curriculum as students continue to grow in each of these skill areas. 

1st and 2nd grade at Cultural Fair


​What sets our 1st Grade classroom apart:

  • FOCUS ON READING: Reading Workshop consists of several literacy stations: Word work, silent reading, guided reading, and listening to reading

  • INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING: ESpark provides differentiated learning activities on an ipad for each student in reading and math.  This includes listening to reading activities during reading workshop as well as individualized math activities that help to boost academic achievement and keep the students interested and engaged in the learning process.

  • LEARNING TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE: Students create cards of hope which they to send every month to Phil’s Friends, a Christian not-for-profit founded by two-time cancer survivor Phil Zielke.  The agency brings support and hope to those affected by cancer in the United States with care packages, cards, and prayer so students learn how they can participate in sending love and encouragement through their monthly cards.

  • LEARNING TOGETHER: Buddy reading allows 1st graders and 5th and 6th graders to both practice their reading (and teaching) skills by reading together for 45 minutes every Wednesday.
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  • STAYING FOCUSED: The use of stabilizer ball chairs provides an alternative form of seating that helps wiggly kids release excess energy and keep their focus on their schoolwork​

1:1 iPad Access for Each Student!