Where Reading and Writing Come to Life
Grade 1 is the year everything clicks. Your child will move from recognizing letters to actually reading, from scribbling to writing sentences. Our curriculum breaks these big leaps into manageable daily steps with clear instructions for you every step of the way.
Quick Facts
- Phase: Foundation Phase
- Age range: 6-7 years
- Weekly commitment: 15-18 hours
Readiness Requirements
Completed Grade R or equivalent. Your child should recognize most letters, count to at least 20, be able to hold a pencil correctly, and have the attention span for 15-20 minute focused activities. If they're not quite there, we can help you assess and bridge gaps.
Learning Outcomes
By year-end, your child will read simple books independently, write complete sentences with correct letter formation, add and subtract within 20, tell time to the hour, and understand coins and basic money concepts. They'll work independently for longer periods and follow multi-step instructions.
Subjects
- Home Language (English or Afrikaans) (language) — 7: Phonics, reading, handwriting, creative writing, listening and speaking skills
- First Additional Language (English or Afrikaans) (language) — 2: Vocabulary expansion, simple conversations, listening comprehension, basic reading
- Mathematics (core) — 5: Numbers to 100, addition and subtraction, time, money, measurement, data handling, and problem-solving
- Life Skills (enrichment) — 4: Personal and social wellbeing, creative arts, physical education, and natural sciences exploration
Assessment Approach
Termly formal assessments in literacy and numeracy plus ongoing informal assessment. All assessments include marking guides so you know exactly what you're looking for. We track progress against CAPS requirements and provide detailed reports.
Parent Role
Plan for 3-4 hours of teaching time daily. You'll work through structured lessons covering reading, phonics, writing, and maths. The curriculum guides you through each lesson with scripts and explanations. Patience with the reading process is key - every child develops at their own pace.
Teacher Support
Our curriculum materials include guidance for common questions, assessment support, and learning recommendations. We help you identify when extra support might be needed and what that support should look like.
Weekly Structure
Daily lessons in Home Language (reading and writing), Mathematics, and Life Skills. Each subject has structured lesson plans with clear timing. Fridays include assessment activities and creative projects.