Our energetic first-grade students excitedly skip into school through the Onwentsia entrance. Any first-day jitters are quickly replaced by enthusiasm about moving from the Early Childhood Center to the classrooms in the Lower School wing. So, it's no surprise that first-grade classrooms are just as bustling and industrious as the students that inhabit them!
First grade is a time of increasing independence—from walking to class without an adult to completing homework each evening. Students at this grade level love pondering new ideas; asking questions; and learning through games, poems, songs, field trips, and hands-on projects. Their ability to understand a variety of points view is growing, and they are beginning to understand past and present and why things happen. Socially, first-grade students are learning to develop and maintain friendships.
At LFCDS, we focus a lot on respect and what it means to be part of a community. Each classroom develops its own group agreement about standards for behavior. First-grade students regularly attend and participate in weekly Lower School Community Meetings. In late September, there is great anticipation about meeting their fifth-grade buddies as they join the House System, a tradition of pairing Lower and Upper School classes. The students will enjoy several activities each year with their buddies who will be part of their lives until they younger students move into the Upper School and their buddies graduate from LFCDS.
Highlights of the First-Grade Experience
List of 8 items.
Discovery
Dipping a net to discover and observe prairie insects and frogs at a local nature preserve
Chinese Dragon Parade
Taking part in a Chinese Dragon parade and eating Chinese delicacies with chopsticks as a celebration of Chinese New Year
Henna Art
Practicing the art-making tradition of henna while learning about the culture and history of India
Learning About History
Learning about history by interviewing a grandparent or elderly friend
Making a Difference
Making a difference by planting flowers to beautify the courtyard for eighth-grade graduation
Performance Art
Experiencing performance art such as a play, poetry slam, or dance
Forging Relationships
Forging relationships in the School community through House events
Responsibility
Taking on the responsibility of doing homework, Word Sorts, and Math Facts
Curriculum Guide
Faculty
List of 9 members.
Glenda Barnwell
First-Grade Teacher (1GB), First-Grade Team Leader
(847) 615-6145
Nancy Clifford
First-Grade Teacher (1NC)
(847) 615-6144
Mark DeBernardi
Visual Art Teacher
(847) 615-6179
Marie Dohnke
Grade 2 Teacher (2MD)
(847) 615-6147
Jason Gronkiewicz-Doran
Grade 6 Social Studies Teacher
(847) 615-6164
Maria Hempen
Early Childhood and Lower School Music Teacher, Early Childhood Spanish Teacher
(847) 615-6184
Kevin Nicholson
Early Childhood & Lower School Science Teacher
(847) 615-6154
William Scroggins
Physical Education & Wellness Teacher
(847) 615-6232
Suzanne Stanczak
Physical Education & Wellness Teacher
(847) 615-6122
A co-educational independent private school for students age 2 through Grade 8. Graduating students of strong character with a passion for learning since 1888. Schedule a tour!