2026-2027 School Year

1st Grade GVL

Parents must choose to enroll their 1st grade student in either the One Day or Two Day model.

Elementary classes meet for 12 weeks in the Fall and 12 weeks in the Spring for a total of 24 weeks. Each class day starts at 9:10am and finishes at 2:35 pm.

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

ONE DAY MODEL:

In this 1st grade model, the children are with the same teacher the entire day and stay together as a group, with the exception of a music class when they go to the respective teacher for that time.

In first grade, social studies content will be covered at co-op each week.  Additionally, each week students will explore simple machines through a LEGO curriculum.  The children will rotate through learning stations in small groups to maximize learning time. 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).

  • 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.

TWO DAY MODEL:

In this two day model, the class day is team 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 and art class with the respective teachers for that time.

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, 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. 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.  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:

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 study.

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 Green Cedar- 1 Day Model (Mondays only) 1st Red Oak- 1 Day Model (Wednesdays only) 1st Yellow Birch- 2 Day Model (Mondays & Wednesdays) 1st Blue Spruce- 2 Day Model (Mondays & Wednesdays) K3 - 2nd Music- 1 & 2 Day Models K4 - 2nd Art- 2 Day Model

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 Green Cedar- 1 Day Model (Mondays only)

Meet Deborah Hellier

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies with Focus on Elementary Education from Wheaton College

Teaching experience: Combined 14 years teaching K-12 and university students in Christian & International schools both in the US and in Asia

Homeschool experience: Organized the formation of a homeschool co-op in Asia

Certifications: Certified Elementary Teacher K-8

Courses taught: 1st Grade

Began Teaching at UHC in 2024

1st Red Oak- 1 Day Model (Wednesdays only)

Meet Deborah Hellier

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies with Focus on Elementary Education from Wheaton College

Teaching experience: Combined 14 years teaching K-12 and university students in Christian & International schools both in the US and in Asia

Homeschool experience: Organized the formation of a homeschool co-op in Asia

Certifications: Certified Elementary Teacher K-8

Courses taught: 1st Grade

Began Teaching at UHC in 2024

1st Yellow Birch- 2 Day Model (Mondays & Wednesdays)

Meet Ace Fallaw

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Latin American Studies from Furman University

Teaching Experience:

  • 4th and 5th grade in Spartanburg County Public Schools
  • 2nd and 4th grade in Greenville County Schools

Certifications: certified to teach in South Carolina

UHC Courses Taught:

  • 1st
  • 5th Grade Math
  • Intermediate Math Lab
  • Middle School IEW
  • Beginner Spanish- Level 1 & 2

Began teaching at UHC in 2020

Meet Katlyn Cinicola

Education Bachelor’s of Science degree in Special Education

Teaching Experience: Preschool Special Education: teaching students with varying abilities in social emotional and pre-academic readiness skills for three years.

Certifications:

  • South Carolina Multi-Categorical k-12 Special Education
  • Read to Succeed Endorsement
  • Google Educator level 1 certification

UHC Courses Taught: 1st grade

Began teaching at UHC in 2023.

1st Blue Spruce- 2 Day Model (Mondays & Wednesdays)

Meet Katlyn Cinicola

Education Bachelor’s of Science degree in Special Education

Teaching Experience: Preschool Special Education: teaching students with varying abilities in social emotional and pre-academic readiness skills for three years.

Certifications:

  • South Carolina Multi-Categorical k-12 Special Education
  • Read to Succeed Endorsement
  • Google Educator level 1 certification

UHC Courses Taught: 1st grade

Began teaching at UHC in 2023.

Meet Ace Fallaw

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Latin American Studies from Furman University

Teaching Experience:

  • 4th and 5th grade in Spartanburg County Public Schools
  • 2nd and 4th grade in Greenville County Schools

Certifications: certified to teach in South Carolina

UHC Courses Taught:

  • 1st
  • 5th Grade Math
  • Intermediate Math Lab
  • Middle School IEW
  • Beginner Spanish- Level 1 & 2

Began teaching at UHC in 2020

K3 - 2nd Music- 1 & 2 Day Models

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, Elementary Reader’s Theater

Began teaching at UHC in 2024.

K4 - 2nd Art- 2 Day Model

Meet Krista Milburn

Education: Liberty University, Elementary Education

Teaching experience:

  • K5 teacher at Grace International School, Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • K5-2nd grade art teacher at Masters Challenge Academy
  • 1st-3rd grade teacher Crestview Christian Co -op
  • K5 Teacher at UHC
  • Homeschooled oldest daughter through High School and continuing to homeschool youngest daughter

UHC courses taught:

  • K5
  • K4-2nd Art

Began teaching at UHC:

  • 2017-2020
  • 2023