Below we have assembled the primary components of our first grade homeschool curriculum.
Math
Tara West does it again. Having used KinderMath, we were so excited to discover FirstieMath. Once again the curriculum is game based. It’s differentiated. Lesson plans are well organized and comfortably scripted. Each unit includes links to readings on youtube of recommended books to accompany the skill.
Science
We used Measure, Pour, Mix: Kitchen Science Tricks. As with Learn While You Scrub, Science in the Tub, this inquiry based science book uses what you already have in your kitchen. It helps the parent guide their child through the experiment then follows up with scripted questions to further engage your child.
Getting outside and exploring State Parks was also a significant portion of our first grade science curriculum. Many State Parks have coloring books, learning packets, and themed exploratory backpacks. Don’t hesitate to ask park rangers what their park has. Park Rangers love to help kids learn. But even without extra resources, camping provides continuous exposure to science learning whether plants and animals, combustion, or meteorology.
Language Arts
We did lots, and lots of reading. Our kids read on their own (see Kindergarten), our kids read to us, we read to our kids. The library was our friend. Our library even gives us free access to many online resources. When our library was closed due to COVID-19, we were grateful for the access to TrueFlix and BookFlix our library provides.
Early in the year we did copy work in our primary journals to develop writing fluency. Often the selected copy work was a Bible verse selected for its relevance to a current teaching point in our family life.
As the year progressed, we transitioned to a (flexible) writing schedule:
- Mondays: Free writing about the weekend
- Tuesdays: worksheet from My Teach Pal’s grammar worksheets
- Wednesdays: writing prompts found on Pintrest
- Thursdays: worksheet from My Teach Pal’s grammar worksheets
- Fridays: Letter writing to relatives, friends, and missionaries
After any writing task, we have a writing conference.
Music
Hoffman Academy offers free videos, with premium paid supplemental materials.
I am impressed by the thoroughness of the curriculum. Note names, rhythm language, solfège, solfège hand signs, piano posture, and note reading are all developed at a digestible pace in tandem from the very beginning.
My children are engaged by the videos as well as the premium games and worksheets.
Geography
The knowledge of world geography kids can soak up from a world map shower curtain is astounding.
Tracey also found a fun intro to the States in a Target dollar spot one time.
Bible
Our kids begin each school day spending 5-10 minutes at one of five devotion stations:
- Missionary prayer cards and globe
- ABCs of Bible verses
- Cedarmont Kids CDs (e.g. Hymns)
- Bible Storybooks (Some favorites include
- Bible App
Our son chose to listen to The Bible Experience every night before bed, making it through the whole Bible in less than a year.
