Grade 1 Math Curriculum
Count and Write Numbers to 120
Learning the numbers up to 120 is a great way to start learning math. Here, the 1st grade math students will gain a thorough understanding of numbers, how they are used to count tangible objects, and how they are written. Once the students learn the numbers up to 120, they can easily progress to the next level and learn the rest of the numbers by deriving a repetitive pattern among larger numbers.
Numbers in words
It is important for students to learn how numbers are expressed in words as this will allow them to recognize numbers among others words while reading study materials.
Number names: 1 to 50
A number name or a numeral is a name that describes numbers. Here, 1st grade math students will be introduced to the numbers names of numbers from 1 to 50.
12 in words
Students will learn how to write the number ‘12’ in words.
15 in words
Grade 1 math students will learn how to write the number ‘15’ in words.
30 in words
Students will learn how to write the number ‘30’ in words.
Counting
Counting is the first math concept that students will learn to apply in real life. Connecting numbers with real objects will help them not only retain the sequence of numbers but develop number sense.
Concept of counting
The best method for first graders to retain the numbers they have learned is to find places where they can use numbers in real life. Students will start learning patterns among numbers by using them for counting.
Cardinal numbers
Cardinal numbers or cardinals are numbers that are used for counting and indicate the quantity or how many things are there. With the introduction to cardinal numbers, students will learn ways to count physical objects and handle quantitative information around them — an important organizational skill. Learning this simple concept in first grade helps students kick start their mathematical learning journey in a meaningful manner.
Odd and even numbers
There are multiple patterns hidden among numbers. The concept of odd and even numbers is usually the first pattern that students discover among numbers. This concept is really important as it forms the foundation of math operations like multiplication and division.
Understand Place Value to 1000
Once students have a good understanding of numbers, the next step is to scale up their knowledge. The concept of place values is essentially a means to introduce learners to the underlying grouping system (base 10 decimal system) that lets students familiarize themselves with larger numbers without having to put as much effort as they put into learning numbers from 1 to 120.
Understanding place values
Place values help understand how large numbers are actually a systematic grouping of smaller numbers. By understanding this systematic grouping system, first graders will quickly adapt and scale up their understanding of numbers. As this concept is really important for a student’s journey with numbers, this section will be backed by many visual-based 1st grade math problems.
Compare Two-Digit Numbers
Once first grade students learn numbers, the next step is to derive relationships between them. Students will be able to connect the dots by introducing students to the concept of comparison of numbers. This step is important as it is used in many math concepts in higher grades.
Comparison of numbers
The concept encourages learners to compare real-life quantities—another real-life application of math. Comparing numbers will help students to strengthen their number sense further and learn to sequence the numbers in different ways.
‘Greater than’ and ‘less than’ symbol
Since math is a language expressed mostly using numbers and symbols, students need to learn how to express ideas in this manner. The ‘greater than’ (>) and ‘less than’ (<) symbols are some of the most commonly used symbols in math.
‘Greater than’ symbol
The ‘greater than’ symbol (>) is used to express the relationship between two numbers. We use it to denote that a number is greater in comparison to the latter number.
‘Less than’ symbol
The ‘less than’ symbol (<), just like the ‘greater than’ symbol, is used to express a relationship between two numbers. But here, we use it to denote that the former number is smaller in comparison to the latter number. These concepts will be supported by math problems for a first grader.
Add and Subtract Tens
One of the most interesting aspects of math is that it allows the manipulation of quantities without actually having them physically with the help of mathematical ideas like numbers and math operations. Addition and subtraction are basic operations in math. Since the operations that students learn in higher grades are built upon the concept of addition and subtraction, they need to be through with these concepts. Hence, most of the first grade math problems will be based on addition and subtraction.
Addition of numbers
Addition is one of the fundamental operations in math. First grade math students need to be thoroughly familiar with addition and its properties, as the operations that will be introduced later are built on this concept.
More on addition of numbers
Here, the first grade math students will learn multiple strategies to perform addition. They will also solve 1st grade math problems that are based on real-life objects.
Addition of tens and addition of tens and ones
Initially, adding large numbers may seem difficult for a first grade math student. The concept of addition by tens and ones breaks downs the steps involved in addition and simplifies the process.
Subtraction of numbers
Subtraction is the inverse operation of addition. Since students are already familiar with addition, it will be easy for them to learn subtraction and its properties.
Subtraction by tens
The concept of subtracting by tens simplifies the subtraction of larger numbers. First grade math students will be able to perform subtraction operations by drawing a relationship from the steps they learned in addition.
Subtraction using a number line
It is not uncommon for students to find it difficult to grasp the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction. But visualizing the operation using a number line will definitely ease this hurdle.
Measure and Compare Lengths
Measuring lengths is one of the most basic ways to relate math concepts with the physical world around us. The first grade math problems in this section will interest students, they will be able to measure, compare and order objects around them on the basis of their length.
Represent and Interpret Data
Math is not all about numbers and symbols. Math also introduces students to different ways to use numbers, shapes, and diagrams to organize and represent information in an easily comprehensible manner. The usage of different types of graphs and charts allows students to present data visually.
Interpret data by picture graphs and bar graphs
Here, the students will be introduced to the concept of picture graphs and bar graphs. First grade math students will learn how to organize and read data in a systematic manner.
Problems based on tally charts, gar graphs, and picture graphs
By solving first grade math problems on tally charts, bar graphs, and picture graphs students learn to represent, organize and infer data.
Time
Students in the first grade will be introduced to the concept of time and the steps followed to read the time from a clock. They can use these learnings in multiple aspects of life. For example, students gradually learn to manage their daily lives and maintain schedules by understanding the concept of time.
Reading the clock
Here, students will learn how to read the time from an analog clock with the help of some simple steps. They will also solve first grade math problems related to time to reinforce the concept they have learned.
Two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes
Children get introduced to shapes at a very young age. They learn to solve puzzles and play with toys that have different shapes. Students learn about these shapes and their features in detail in the first grade. Here, the students will be introduced to the concept of two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional shapes.
Two-dimensional shapes
The shapes that have a length and breadth are known as two-dimensional shapes. First grade math students will be introduced to basic two-dimensional shapes like triangles, squares, rectangles, and so on.
Combining and taking apart two-dimensional shapes
Real-world objects are usually combinations of different shapes. Here, the students will learn how to combine and take apart two-dimensional shapes to create and comprehend different complex shapes.
Three-dimensional shapes
Three-dimensional shapes are shapes that have three dimensions: length, breadth, and height. Most objects that students touch and feel are, in fact, three-dimensional shapes.
Combining and taking apart three-dimensional shapes
As most real-world objects with which students play are made up of multiple three-dimensional shapes, they need to be able to tell apart the individual shapes that make up an object.
Equal Shares
After learning how to combine and take apart shapes, the next step is to learn how to divide shapes in multiple ways. Here, students will learn to identify whether a shape is divided into equal shares or unequal shares. As this forms the foundation for concepts like fractions that will be discussed later, this unit discusses several math problems for first graders regarding this topic.
Make your child Math confident for life
Ace concepts of mathematics with personalized learning
Make your child Math confident for life
Ace concepts of mathematics with personalized learning
Helpful Resource for your Kids
Working through math worksheets, students start picking up math patterns, formulas and logic faster. It also helps in improving their problem-solving skills more quickly. Click the link below to download our online math worksheets for students in grades 1-8.
Importance of 1st Grade Math
The first grade is a crucial stage for students in terms of developing early math skills like numeracy, spatial understanding, logical thinking, identifying patterns, and problem-solving. This is when students take the first big step of their journey in learning math. Learning first grade math not only helps students in build a strong foundation for the concepts in higher grades but also teaches them a variety of life skills. First grade math students will be introduced to the basics of most mathematical concepts, which in higher grades, develop into full-fledged math branches.
Studying math online with tech interactivity and supportive visuals is a great practice for all first graders. As the concepts discussed in the first grade are fundamental, it is of utmost importance to master them before moving on to the next grade. The resources available at BYJU’S Math work in tandem with the concepts taught and activities performed in schools to help students gain a headstart for the upcoming grades. We make sure that all students are able to strike off all fundamental skills from the first grade skills checklist by utilizing our free online math classes and resources.
The math concepts discussed in first grade are fundamental to the concepts that will be discussed down the road. Being thorough with the first grade concepts will give students an advantage by preparing them for higher-grade math concepts.
After completing the first grade, students will be able to count up to 120, and they will have a strong number sense where they can visualize how numbers are organized on number lines. They will also learn how numbers are related to each other, and the comparison of numbers using the ‘less than’ and ‘greater than’ symbols. Students will learn to add and subtract two-digit numbers, and identify and understand two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes and their basic features.
BYJU’S Math has a huge repository of study material and math practice problems and worksheets for a first grader. Students can use these resources to gain a head start in their journey with math.
Addition and subtraction are inverse operations. Once students learn the concept of addition using visuals like number lines and daily life problems and master the addition facts, it will be easy for them to learn subtraction.
Students can learn to count at an early age by practicing it with real-life objects like toys, pebbles, beans, and chocolates. They can also practice counting using various math sheets provided here.