Wantagh School strives to provide each student with the ability to satisfy his or her curiosity through the acquisition of the skills and methods that would allow each youngster to answer his or her questions about the world in which they live. Formal reading instruction begins in first grade using the Scott Foresman literature series as a foundation. Literature anthologies, big books and trade books representing a variety of literary genres are used to teach students word-analysis and phonic strategies. Students learn beginning and final consonant sounds, vowels and sight words.
The Wantagh School social studies program focuses on helping students learn about their roles as members of a family, school and community. The development of identity and social interactions is stressed. Students learn about families of long ago and study different kinds of families that existed in different societies and cultures. They learn about clothing, shelter, needs and wants. First graders learn to locate places on maps. They learn about the concepts of country, state and town. They continue to learn about their role as citizens by accepting rights and responsibilities in the classroom.
