2026-2027 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 attend Related Arts class where they go to 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, the students will learn world history using The Story of the World, Volume 1: Ancient Times. They will explore the ancient world from the pyramids of Egypt to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and from the Spartans to Attila the Hun. The students will utilize the accompanying student pages in class for a full year of history from a Christian worldview and geography map skills along with fun and engaging hands-on activities. As optional enrichment, parents are welcome to purchase the textbook to read along at home or download the audio version (always check with your local library too).
Science component: In first grade, students will 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. They will explore music through a repertoire rich in folk songs, nursery rhymes, and traditional singing games. The students will 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. K3-2nd 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:
Enjoying learning about God’s creation and His story, 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
Course Tuition and Enrollment Fees can be found HERE. If applicable, see below for additional course fees (supply, lab, textbook, etc.)
Prerequisites:
Must be 6 years old by September 1st
Sections Offered: 1st Blue Jays: Tuesday & Thursdays 1st Red Cardinals: Tuesdays & Thursdays K3-2nd Music K3-2nd Grade Art
Required Materials
Textbook:
Parents should purchase the Student Workbook to The Story of the World, Volume 1: Ancient Times, 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition for their student to use in class.
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 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 Shelby Dennis
Education: Bachelor of Art Degree in Early Childhood Education from North Greenville University
Experience: Shelby has been teaching in Early Childhood classrooms in both public and private schools since 2019.
UHC Courses Taught: 1st Grade Science
Began teaching at UHC in 2026.
1st Red Cardinals: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Meet Shelby Dennis
Education: Bachelor of Art Degree in Early Childhood Education from North Greenville University
Experience: Shelby has been teaching in Early Childhood classrooms in both public and private schools since 2019.
UHC Courses Taught: 1st Grade Science
Began teaching at UHC in 2026.
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
K3-2nd Music
Meet Brooklyn Hardin
Education: Bachelor Degree in Worship music and Business from Anderson University.
K3-2nd Grade Art
Meet Stephanie Davis
Education: Degree in General Education
Teaching Experience: UHC Substitute Teacher 2024- 2025
Homeschooling Experience: Started homeschooling in 2019
UHC Courses Taught: K3 and K3- 2nd Grade Art
Began teaching at UHC in 2025.
