What should a first grader be learning?

A first grader should be building reading fluency through phonics patterns like consonant blends, digraphs, long vowels, and R-controlled vowels — progressing from sounding out words to reading simple passages independently. In maths, they should master numbers to 120, addition and subtraction within 20, basic place value, telling time, and recognising coins. Science at this level focuses on observation and recording skills: weather, habitats, plant life cycles, properties of materials, and simple machines. Equally important are writing development (complete sentences with proper punctuation, then paragraphs), grammar foundations (nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns), and building independence as a learner. This roadmap ensures each of these areas gets consistent, structured attention throughout the year.

How fluent should a 6-7 year old reader be?

By the end of Grade 1, most children should read grade-level text at 50-70 words per minute with reasonable accuracy (95% or above). However, fluency is about more than speed — it also includes reading with proper expression, pausing at punctuation, and self-correcting errors. At the start of the year, many first graders read at 20-30 WPM, so steady progress is more important than hitting a specific number by a specific date. If your child is reading below 40 WPM by mid-year, additional phonics practice and daily read-aloud sessions (even 10-15 minutes) can make a significant difference. This roadmap builds fluency progressively, starting with decodable blend and digraph texts and advancing to longer passages with varied vowel patterns.

What maths skills should Grade 1 students master?

Grade 1 maths centres on three core pillars: number sense, operations, and measurement. Your child should be able to count, read, and write numbers to 120 and understand that a two-digit number is composed of tens and ones. They need fluent addition and subtraction within 20 — not just getting the right answer, but understanding strategies like making ten, using doubles, and counting on. Beyond computation, first graders should solve simple word problems, tell time to the hour and half hour (progressing to quarter hours), identify coin values, recognise and describe 2D and 3D shapes, collect data and read basic graphs, and begin understanding fractions as equal parts of a whole. By year-end, they should also be introduced to multiplication concepts through equal groups and repeated addition.

How can I support my child's transition to Grade 1?

The jump from Kindergarten to Grade 1 is significant — expectations for independence, stamina, and academic output all increase. You can support this transition by establishing a consistent daily routine that includes 15-20 minutes of reading practice and 10-15 minutes of maths work. Encourage your child to write every day, even if it is just a sentence about their day. Build their confidence by celebrating effort and progress rather than perfection. At home, make learning visible: use a calendar, play board games that involve counting and strategy, cook together to practise measurement, and visit the library regularly. Most importantly, stay in close communication with your child's teacher so you can reinforce at home what is being taught in the classroom. This roadmap gives you a month-by-month guide so you always know what skills to focus on.

How much homework or practice time is appropriate for Grade 1?

Research and most educational guidelines suggest about 10-20 minutes of focused practice per day for first graders, separate from reading time. A good daily routine might include 15 minutes of independent or paired reading, 10 minutes of maths practice (worksheets, games, or manipulatives), and 5-10 minutes of writing or spelling work. The key is consistency rather than duration — short, daily practice sessions are far more effective than long, infrequent ones. Avoid turning practice time into a battle; if your child is frustrated, take a break and try a different approach. Use games, hands-on activities, and real-world connections to keep learning engaging. On weekends, lighter practice or educational outings (nature walks, museum visits, cooking projects) can reinforce skills without feeling like homework.

12-Month Learning Roadmap for Ages 6-7 (Grade 1)

Month-by-month milestones in English, Maths, Science & more — so you never have to guess what to teach next.

Ages 6-7

Download this roadmap as a free PDF

L-Blends, Numbers to 20 & Weather Patterns

English

Read and spell words with L-blends bl and cl (black, clap, blue, clock) — at least 8 words per blend
Segment and blend 4-5 sound words containing L-blends (e.g., b-l-a-ck, c-l-a-p)
Write 3 complete sentences using capital letters and full stops correctly
Read a short fiction passage (50-80 words) and answer 3 comprehension questions about characters and events

Maths

Count forward and backward from any number within 1-20
Write numerals 1-20 from memory with correct formation
Solve addition facts within 10 using ten frames and number bonds (e.g., 6 + 3 = 9)
Identify tens and ones in numbers 10-20 using base-ten blocks (e.g., 14 = 1 ten and 4 ones)

Science

Record daily weather (sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy) on a 5-day chart and identify the most common type
Use a thermometer to compare indoor vs. outdoor temperature and record readings
Identify the four seasons and name 2 weather characteristics of each

Extracurricular

Create a mosaic art piece using torn paper squares to fill a simple shape (star, heart, or animal)
Draw a scene with at least 3 objects showing foreground and background placement
Learn and perform a clapping rhythm pattern of at least 8 beats

Download our L-Blends Word Family worksheets and watch your child decode longer words with confidence this week.

L-Blends Continued, Addition Strategies & Moon Phases

English

Read and spell words with L-blends fl, gl, pl, sl (flag, glad, play, slip) — at least 8 words per blend
Sort 20 L-blend words into their correct blend families (bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl)
Write 3-4 sentences about a personal experience using L-blend words and correct punctuation
Identify nouns (person, place, thing) in simple sentences — at least 10 examples correctly labelled

Maths

Count forward from 1 to 40 and identify each numeral
Use the commutative property of addition (e.g., recognise that 3 + 5 = 5 + 3)
Solve addition word problems within 10 using drawings or manipulatives
Skip count by 2s from 2 to 20

Science

Observe and draw the moon shape for 7 consecutive nights and name 3 phases (full, half, crescent)
Explain that the moon appears to change shape over roughly 4 weeks
Identify the sun as a star and describe its role in providing light and heat to Earth

Extracurricular

Create a zentangle pattern using at least 4 different line types (straight, curved, zigzag, spiral)
Play a cooperative team game and demonstrate taking turns and encouraging teammates
Illustrate a 3-panel comic strip with a beginning, middle, and end

Grab our Moon Phases observation journal and make nightly sky-watching a fun family habit.

R-Blends Begin, Subtraction Concepts & Habitats Introduction

English

Read and spell words with R-blends br, cr, dr (bring, crab, drum) — at least 8 words per blend
Read a 60-word passage containing blend words with 90% accuracy
Write a question sentence using a question mark correctly (e.g., "Can a crab swim?")
Identify action verbs in sentences and use at least 10 different verbs in oral and written work

Maths

Understand subtraction as "taking away" and solve subtraction facts within 10 using counters
Write subtraction number sentences using the minus and equals symbols (e.g., 9 - 4 = 5)
Compare numbers to 40 using greater than (>), less than (<), and equal to (=) symbols
Identify 2D shapes (triangle, rectangle, square, circle, hexagon) and count their sides and corners

Science

Name 5 major animal habitats (rainforest, ocean, desert, arctic, grassland) and describe 2 features of each
Match at least 10 animals to their correct habitats and explain one reason each animal lives there
Draw and label a habitat scene with at least 3 animals and 3 environmental features

Extracurricular

Build a diorama of one animal habitat using recycled materials
Learn a simple rhythm notation (quarter notes, half notes) and clap a 4-bar pattern from written notation
Play a relay race or obstacle course game following multi-step rules

Download our Animal Habitats sorting worksheets and explore five amazing ecosystems with your child.

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R-Blends & S-Blends, Numbers to 60 & Plant Life Cycles

English

Read and spell words with R-blends fr, gr, pr, tr (frog, green, prize, trip) — at least 8 words per blend
Begin S-blends: read and spell words with sc, sk, sm (scale, skip, smile) — at least 6 words per blend
Identify and use pronouns (he, she, it, they, we, I) to replace nouns in sentences
Write 4-5 sentences on a given topic with correct capitalisation, spacing, and end punctuation

Maths

Count, read, and write numbers from 41 to 60
Solve subtraction word problems within 10 by drawing pictures and writing number sentences
Skip count by 5s from 5 to 50
Measure the length of 5 classroom objects using non-standard units (paper clips, cubes) and compare results

Science

Sequence the plant life cycle stages: seed, sprout, seedling, adult plant, flower, fruit/seed
Plant a bean seed and record growth observations (height in cm) over 3 weeks in a science journal
Identify the 4 things plants need to grow (water, sunlight, air, soil) through a controlled experiment

Extracurricular

Write and illustrate a 4-page mini-book about a plant growing from seed to flower
Play a team sport (kickball or tag variation) demonstrating fair play and following rules
Create a symmetrical butterfly painting using the fold-and-press technique

Grab our Plant Life Cycle journal and grow a bean seed while tracking real science data at home.

S-Blends & Digraphs, Subtraction Within 15 & Energy Sources

English

Read and spell words with S-blends sn, sp, st, sw (snap, spot, stop, swim) — at least 6 words per blend
Introduce digraphs sh and ch: read and spell at least 10 words each (ship, shop, chin, chop)
Distinguish between digraphs (two letters, one sound) and blends (two letters, two sounds)
Use adjectives to describe nouns in written sentences (e.g., "The big, brown dog ran fast")

Maths

Count, read, and write numbers from 61 to 80
Solve addition and subtraction facts within 15 with fluency (answer within 3 seconds)
Create and read a tally chart with data collected from a class survey (e.g., favourite fruit)
Skip count by 10s from 10 to 100

Science

Identify 3 energy sources in daily life: light (sun, bulb), heat (stove, fire), and sound (bell, drum)
Demonstrate that sound is caused by vibrations using a rubber band guitar or tuning fork
Sort 10 objects into categories: gives off light, gives off heat, or gives off sound

Extracurricular

Write a short creative story (5-6 sentences) with a beginning, middle, and end, then illustrate the climax
Learn to play a simple melody on a xylophone or recorder (at least 4 notes)
Participate in a cooperative building challenge using 30 blocks or craft sticks

Download our Digraphs SH & CH worksheets to help your child master these tricky two-letter sounds.

Digraph Mastery & Long Vowels Begin, Numbers to 80 & Properties of Materials

English

Master digraphs th and wh: read and spell at least 10 words each (this, that, when, white)
Introduce Magic E / CVCe pattern: read and spell long-a words (cake, make, name, lake) — at least 12 words
Compare CVC vs. CVCe word pairs (e.g., can/cane, tap/tape, cap/cape) and explain the vowel change
Read a non-fiction passage (60-80 words) and identify 2 facts learned from the text

Maths

Identify the place value of each digit in two-digit numbers to 80 (e.g., 73 = 7 tens and 3 ones)
Add two-digit and one-digit numbers without regrouping (e.g., 34 + 5 = 39)
Order 5 numbers from least to greatest and greatest to least within 80
Measure objects using centimetres with a ruler and record measurements accurately

Science

Test 10 materials for properties: magnetic/non-magnetic, transparent/opaque, waterproof/absorbent
Record experiment results in a simple table and draw a conclusion about which materials are best for each purpose
Classify objects by material type (wood, metal, plastic, fabric, glass) and describe one property of each

Extracurricular

Design and perform a short skit (2-3 minutes) retelling a favourite story with 2-3 classmates
Practise throwing and catching a ball with a partner — achieve 8 out of 10 successful catches
Create a collage using materials of different textures (smooth, rough, soft, hard) and label each

Grab our Magic E CVCe flashcards and watch your child unlock hundreds of new long-vowel words.

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Long Vowel Patterns, Addition Within 20 & Simple Machines

English

Read and spell CVCe words with long i, long o, and long u (bike, home, cube) — at least 10 words per vowel
Introduce vowel teams ai/ay for long a: read and spell at least 12 words (rain, play, train, stay)
Use simple prepositions (in, on, under, beside, behind, between) correctly in written sentences
Read aloud a 70-word passage at 40-50 WPM with correct expression for periods and question marks

Maths

Count, read, and write numbers from 81 to 100
Solve addition facts within 20 using strategies: making ten, doubles, doubles plus one
Understand the concept of regrouping in addition (e.g., 8 + 5 = 13 by making 10 + 3)
Identify and describe 3D shapes: cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, rectangular prism

Science

Identify 3 simple machines (lever, ramp/inclined plane, wheel and axle) and find examples in everyday life
Conduct a ramp experiment: test how changing the ramp height affects how far a ball rolls and record results
Explain that simple machines make work easier by reducing the force needed to move objects

Extracurricular

Create a perspective drawing showing a road or path getting smaller as it goes into the distance
Perform a 2-minute dramatic retelling of a scene from a favourite book using voice changes for characters
Build a ramp or lever from household materials and demonstrate how it works to a family member

Download our Long Vowel Teams worksheets and help your child master ai, ay, and CVCe patterns.

Vowel Teams, Subtraction Within 20 & the Human Body

English

Read and spell words with vowel teams ee/ea for long e (tree, bead, sleep, beach) — at least 12 words per team
Read and spell words with vowel teams oa/ow for long o (boat, road, snow, grow) — at least 10 words per team
Use simple present tense verbs correctly in sentences (e.g., "She runs," "They play")
Write a 5-sentence paragraph with a topic sentence, 3 detail sentences, and a closing sentence

Maths

Solve subtraction facts within 20 using strategies: counting back, using related addition facts
Determine the unknown number in addition and subtraction equations (e.g., 8 + ? = 15, 17 - ? = 9)
Count, read, and write numbers from 101 to 120
Tell time to the hour and half hour on an analogue clock and match to digital display

Science

Name the major bones (skull, ribs, spine, femur) and explain that the skeleton supports the body and protects organs
Trace the path of food through the digestive system: mouth, oesophagus, stomach, intestines
Identify 5 ways to keep the body healthy: balanced diet, exercise, sleep, water, and hygiene

Extracurricular

Create a life-size body outline on paper and label at least 8 internal and external body parts
Choreograph and perform a 1-minute dance routine to music with at least 5 distinct moves
Write and illustrate a "How My Body Works" mini-book with at least 4 pages

Grab our Vowel Teams ee/ea and oa/ow practice packs to build reading speed and accuracy.

R-Controlled Vowels, Word Problems & Earth's Resources

English

Read and spell R-controlled vowel words: ar (car, star, park), or (fork, corn, sport) — at least 10 words each
Read and spell R-controlled vowel words: er, ir, ur (her, bird, turn) — at least 8 words each
Use past tense regular verbs correctly by adding -ed (walked, jumped, played) in written sentences
Read a 80-word passage at 45-55 WPM and retell the main idea and 2 supporting details

Maths

Solve one-step addition and subtraction word problems within 20 by identifying key words (in all, how many more, how many left)
Add three single-digit numbers (e.g., 4 + 6 + 3 = 13) by finding combinations that make 10
Tell time to the quarter hour on an analogue clock
Identify and know the value of coins (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p) and count combinations up to 20p

Science

Name 3 natural resources (water, soil, air) and explain why each is important for living things
Describe 3 ways to conserve water at home (shorter showers, turning off taps, reusing water)
Sort 15 household items into "recyclable" and "non-recyclable" categories and explain the reasoning

Extracurricular

Design a poster about water conservation with at least 3 tips and supporting illustrations
Participate in a storytelling circle: narrate a 2-minute original story with a clear problem and solution
Build a simple structure (bridge or tower) from recycled materials that holds a small book without collapsing

Download our R-Controlled Vowels worksheets — the trickiest vowel pattern finally made simple.

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Reading Fluency Push, Place Value Mastery & Food Chains

English

Read grade-level passages (80-100 words) at 50-60 WPM with proper phrasing and expression
Spell 20 high-frequency irregular words correctly (said, was, they, come, have, give, live, done, gone, some)
Write 3 different sentence types: statement, question, and exclamation with correct end punctuation
Read a non-fiction text and distinguish between facts and opinions with at least 3 examples

Maths

Represent numbers to 120 using base-ten blocks and expanded form (e.g., 115 = 100 + 10 + 5)
Add a two-digit number and a one-digit number with regrouping (e.g., 47 + 6 = 53) using place value strategies
Create and interpret a bar graph with data from a survey of at least 10 responses
Identify halves and quarters of shapes and simple sets (e.g., half of 8 is 4)

Science

Define producer, consumer, and decomposer with examples of each (plant, rabbit, mushroom)
Construct a simple food chain with at least 4 organisms (sun, grass, grasshopper, frog, snake)
Explain what happens to a food chain when one organism is removed

Extracurricular

Write a creative story (8-10 sentences) with descriptive adjectives and at least one piece of dialogue
Design and build a food chain mobile using cards, string, and a hanger
Play a team strategy game (capture the flag or similar) demonstrating communication and teamwork

Grab our Reading Fluency Progress Tracker and watch your child hit 50+ words per minute with confidence.

Grammar & Tenses, Time and Money & Animal Adaptations

English

Use irregular past tense verbs correctly in sentences (ran, went, saw, came, ate, had, made, took)
Combine two short sentences into one using "and," "but," or "because" — write at least 5 combined sentences
Read a fiction chapter book excerpt (100+ words) and answer 4 comprehension questions (who, what, where, why)
Spell words with common patterns: -tion (station), -ness (kindness), -ful (careful) — at least 5 words per pattern

Maths

Tell time to the nearest five minutes on an analogue clock and record in digital format
Count coins to make given amounts up to 50p and determine correct change from simple purchases
Solve two-step word problems combining addition and subtraction within 20
Understand equal groups as the foundation of multiplication (e.g., 3 groups of 4 = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12)

Science

Describe how 5 animals are adapted to their habitats (e.g., polar bear fur, camel humps, fish gills)
Compare how animals in different habitats meet the same basic needs (food, water, shelter, safety)
Conduct a camouflage experiment by hiding paper animals on different backgrounds and recording which are hardest to find

Extracurricular

Write, direct, and perform a 3-minute skit with 2-3 actors, including simple props and costumes
Complete a design thinking challenge: identify a classroom problem, brainstorm solutions, build a prototype, and present it
Create an "animal adaptations" poster with drawings and written explanations for 4 different animals

Download our Time and Money practice worksheets — real-world maths skills your child will use every day.

Reading Fluency Goals, Multiplication Foundations & Year-End Review

English

Read grade-level passages at 55-70 WPM with accuracy, expression, and self-correction of errors
Write a 3-paragraph composition (introduction, body, conclusion) on a chosen topic with at least 10 sentences total
Demonstrate mastery of all phonics patterns covered: blends, digraphs, long vowels, and R-controlled vowels in a cumulative spelling assessment (80%+ accuracy)
Read both fiction and non-fiction texts independently and summarise the main idea in 2-3 sentences

Maths

Fluently add and subtract within 20 (answer any fact within 3 seconds)
Use repeated addition to solve simple multiplication problems (e.g., 5 groups of 3 = 5 x 3 = 15)
Partition shapes into halves, thirds, and quarters and shade the correct fraction
Solve multi-step word problems that combine addition, subtraction, place value, and measurement concepts

Science

Complete a year-end science project: choose a topic, form a question, conduct an investigation, and present findings on a poster
Explain the difference between living and non-living things using 5 characteristics of life (grows, breathes, eats, moves, reproduces)
Describe 3 actions people can take to protect the environment (reduce, reuse, recycle) and explain why each matters

Extracurricular

Complete a capstone design project: identify a need, plan a solution, build it, test it, and improve it based on feedback
Compile a "Year of Learning" portfolio showcasing best work from each month with written reflections
Perform in an end-of-year showcase: present a skit, song, or oral report demonstrating confidence and preparation

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