Counting and number sense
Students count, read, and write numbers well past 100. They figure out which number is bigger, which is smaller, and what comes next when counting by ones, twos, fives, and tens.
What does a student learn in
This is the year math grows past counting into thinking in groups of ten. Students add and subtract within 20, learn that 47 means four tens and seven ones, and start solving simple word problems. They also compare lengths, tell time on a clock, and sort shapes by their sides and corners. By spring, students can add two numbers under 20 in their head and read a clock to the hour and half hour.
- Adding and subtracting
- Place value
- Word problems
- Telling time
- Shapes
- Measuring length
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
- 1
- 2
Adding and subtracting within 20
Students add and subtract small numbers using objects, drawings, and quick mental tricks. They learn that addition and subtraction are flip sides of the same problem.
- 3
Tens and ones
Students see that a two-digit number like 47 is made of 4 tens and 7 ones. They use this idea to add and subtract larger numbers and to spot patterns on a number chart.
- 4
Shapes, time, and length
Students name and sort flat and solid shapes, then split them into halves and quarters. They measure lengths with paper clips or blocks and read clocks to the hour and half hour.
- 5
Picture graphs and word problems
Students sort objects into groups and show the counts in simple picture and bar graphs. They use those numbers to answer questions and solve short word problems about everyday situations.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 1.
K-8 Mathematics
K-8 Mathematics
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Numbers and Operations
Students count, compare, and add or subtract whole numbers at a first-grade level. The focus is on building number sense, which means understanding what numbers mean and how they relate to each other.
-
Algebraic Concepts
Students write simple number sentences like 3 + 4 = 7 or 9 > 5 and solve them. They practice putting numbers and symbols together to show how amounts relate to each other.
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Geometry
Students sort and describe flat shapes like circles and squares, and solid shapes like cubes and cones. They look at sides, corners, and size to explain what makes each shape the same or different.
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Measurement and Data
Students collect simple information, like how many classmates prefer cats or dogs, then sort it into a picture graph or tally chart. Reading those charts to answer questions is part of the work too.
-
Probability and Statistics
Students look at simple yes-or-no questions, collect answers, and sort them into groups to find patterns. They start to notice which outcomes happen often and which ones rarely do.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers and Operations | Students count, compare, and add or subtract whole numbers at a first-grade level. The focus is on building number sense, which means understanding what numbers mean and how they relate to each other. | PA-MATH.K8.1.1 |
| Algebraic Concepts | Students write simple number sentences like 3 + 4 = 7 or 9 > 5 and solve them. They practice putting numbers and symbols together to show how amounts relate to each other. | PA-MATH.K8.1.2 |
| Geometry | Students sort and describe flat shapes like circles and squares, and solid shapes like cubes and cones. They look at sides, corners, and size to explain what makes each shape the same or different. | PA-MATH.K8.1.3 |
| Measurement and Data | Students collect simple information, like how many classmates prefer cats or dogs, then sort it into a picture graph or tally chart. Reading those charts to answer questions is part of the work too. | PA-MATH.K8.1.4 |
| Probability and Statistics | Students look at simple yes-or-no questions, collect answers, and sort them into groups to find patterns. They start to notice which outcomes happen often and which ones rarely do. | PA-MATH.K8.1.5 |
No state assessments at this grade
Students take their next one in Grade 3.
PSSA Mathematics (Grades 3-8)
PSSA Mathematics is the spring summative math test for grades 3 through 8, aligned to PA Core Math.
- When given:
- spring
- Frequency:
- annual
Common Questions
What math should students know by the end of the year?
By spring, students should add and subtract within 20, count past 100, and understand that a number like 47 is 4 tens and 7 ones. They should also compare lengths, tell time to the hour and half hour, and sort basic shapes like triangles, squares, and circles.
How can I help my child with math at home in 10 minutes a day?
Play with real numbers during everyday moments. Count steps to the car, add up coins from a jar, or ask how many forks are left after setting the table. Quick story problems beat worksheets at this age.
My child can count but freezes on addition. What helps?
Start with fingers, then move to small objects like buttons or cereal pieces. Practice the pairs that make 10 first, since those become the backbone of harder problems later. Five minutes a day adds up faster than one long session.
How should addition and subtraction be sequenced across the year?
Build fluency within 10 first, then push to 20 using strategies like making ten and counting on. Save two-digit work for later in the year once students can break numbers into tens and ones with confidence.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Place value and subtraction across ten are the two biggest sticking points. Students often memorize facts without seeing 14 as a ten and four ones, which makes regrouping harder later. Build the tens-and-ones idea early and keep returning to it.
Do students need to memorize math facts in first grade?
Fluency within 10 by the end of the year is the goal, but it should come from understanding, not flashcards alone. Mix quick fact practice with games, dot patterns, and number talks so the answers stick.
What does measurement and data look like at this grade?
Students measure lengths using paper clips or cubes laid end to end, tell time to the hour and half hour, and sort objects into simple groups. They also read picture graphs and answer questions like how many more or how many fewer.
How do I know a student is ready for second grade math?
A ready student can add and subtract within 20 without counting every finger, explain that 62 means 6 tens and 2 ones, and solve simple word problems by drawing or writing an equation. Shaky place value is the clearest signal more time is needed.