2024-2025 School Year
1st Grade SPT
Students meet for a full school year, with 12 co-op weeks in the fall and 12 weeks in the spring. The 1st grade class is taught with one 1st grade teacher who teaches Science and another 1st grade teacher who teaches Social Studies. Class sections are assigned one of those teachers as their homeroom teacher as well. Additionally, the 1st grade classes go to music with the respective teacher for that time. The students enjoy recess twice a day at either the playground or the gym. Parents must pack snack and lunch for their student. Children in 1st grade will not be assigned homework, except for an occasional oral presentation requirement. Formal grades are not given in 1st grade but teachers do send home progress reports twice a year.
Course Description
In first grade, both science and social studies content will be covered at co-op each week. Age appropriate math facts and sight words will also be practiced weekly. The children will rotate through learning stations in small groups to maximize learning time.
Social Studies component: In first grade, we will focus on learning about U.S. History using Our Star-Spangled Story Part 1. This book has 45 lessons beginning with life in America before Europeans came and continuing through the late 1800s. Students will learn about history from a Christian worldview through hands-on activities, songs, and dances. Notgrass curriculum company recommends eight works of literature to read along with the lessons in Our Star-Spangled Story. The UHC teacher does not have time to read these books aloud in class but we highly recommend that families read through them at home with their students. Each book gives your child a richer perspective on a certain time period. The student has 3-5 weeks to read each book.
The following literature books are recommended for Part 1, which is covered in 1st grade at UHC:
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- Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin by Marguerite Henry (Units 1-4)
- Toliver’s Secret by Esther Wood Brady (Units 5-9)
- Freedom Crossing by Margaret Goff Clark (Units 10-12)
- Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Units 13-15)
Science component: In first grade, we will also complete Life Science unit studies about the human body, animals, insects, and plants based on the Magic School Bus series, enabling great flexibility as we explore a wide variety of science while integrating other subject areas. Students will participate in various hands-on activities and projects to further reinforce scientific methods of discovery.
Students also enjoy Music and Art class once weekly as part of their class day.
- Music Class: Students will attend music class once a week. The students will enjoy experiencing music in a variety of ways. We explore music through a repertoire rich in folk songs, nursery rhymes, and traditional singing games. We learn about music through imitation, movement, listening, visualization, improvisation, finger play, and rhythm instruments. Seasonal music activities are incorporated throughout the year.
- Art Class: Students will attend art class once a week. K4-2nd grade students’ study of art will encourage them to better see and appreciate God’s own artistic brilliance in His lavish creation. Quality children’s literature will be used to teach various art elements such as shape, line, texture, color, value, form and space. Students will put their learning in action by completing an art project each class day using a variety of media and hands-on learning.
To be successful in this class:
Listen, raise your hand, line up, be kind to others, obey the teacher, use an inside voice, keep your hands to yourself, work cooperatively in a group, and begin to learn how to study material.
Grades: 1st Grade
Fees: Two Day Model Tuition: $800 for the year
Plus the following fees:
-$140 enrollment fee per child
-$70 security fee per family
-$10 per student portrait/bag tag fee
Prerequisites:
Must be 6 years old by September 1st
Sections Offered: 1st Blue Jays: Tuesday & Thursdays 1st Red Cardinals: Tuesdays & Thursdays K3-2nd Grade Music K3-2nd Grade Art
Required Materials
Textbook:
Other Materials:
Each class has a supply list of required materials parents must purchase and send to class with their student. Find Supply Lists here.
1st Blue Jays: Tuesday & Thursdays
Meet Sami Hoilman
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Charleston Southern University
Teaching experience: Foxbank Elementary School in Charleston, SC 2018-2021, taught first and second grades
Certifications: certified to teach in South Carolina
UHC courses taught: 1st grade
Began teaching at UHC in 2022
Meet Esther Smith
Education: Bachelors in Elementary Education
Teaching experience:
- First Grade teacher at Easley Christian school for two years
- Second Grade teacher at Shannon Forest Christian school for three years
- English TESOL tutor with VIPKid and Global Learning Alliance for two and a half years
- Online Reading Tutor with Littera Education for six months
- Homeschooling experience: Created curriculum and lessons and taught my son k-3
Certifications: TESOL and TEFL UHC courses
UHC courses taught: 1st grade
Began teaching at UHC in 2022
1st Red Cardinals: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Meet Esther Smith
Education: Bachelors in Elementary Education
Teaching experience:
- First Grade teacher at Easley Christian school for two years
- Second Grade teacher at Shannon Forest Christian school for three years
- English TESOL tutor with VIPKid and Global Learning Alliance for two and a half years
- Online Reading Tutor with Littera Education for six months
- Homeschooling experience: Created curriculum and lessons and taught my son k-3
Certifications: TESOL and TEFL UHC courses
UHC courses taught: 1st grade
Began teaching at UHC in 2022
Meet Sami Hoilman
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Charleston Southern University
Teaching experience: Foxbank Elementary School in Charleston, SC 2018-2021, taught first and second grades
Certifications: certified to teach in South Carolina
UHC courses taught: 1st grade
Began teaching at UHC in 2022
K3-2nd Grade Music
Meet Xavier Moses
Education: B.M. in Music with an Emphasis in Education – University of South Carolina 2010
Teaching Experience: 2010 – 2011 Fairforest Middle School; 2011-2015 Allendale County Schools; 2015 – 2023 Lead Academy Public Charter
Certifications: CPR/AED First Aid Certified; Certified Teacher Mentor; Vocal Performance Certificate
UHC Courses Taught: Elementary Music
Began teaching at UHC in 2024.
K3-2nd Grade Art
Meet Olga Romero
Education: 3 year Cosmetology degree from Germany
Teaching Experience: I have been homeschooling my own children since 2020. I also work in the 2-3 year old toddler classroom on the Hampton Heights Campus.
Art Experience: I enjoy quilting and sewing, which I learned from my mother, but I love to put my own unique spin on every project. My work reflects my Ukrainian background and the resulting work is often playful, bold, and colorful. 2024 is my first year teaching and I love to bring a sense of fun, playfulness, and love of color to my classroom as well as the idea that there are no mistakes in art, only chances for a new perspective and a way to get creative!
UHC Courses Taught: 2-3 year old toddlers, K3-2nd art
Began teaching at UHC in 2024.