This post contains affiliate links.
Planning a curriculum takes hours and hours of research. After months of comparing methods and systems, I finally found what could work for us, and I’m happy to say that all the hard work of research has paid off with a homeschool day that is relatively easy to implement. (Of course, I only have one in school, so I am still a newbie!! Mothers of many, I look up to you with respect!)
Here is what I am proud say we are doing with our first grader. He is really the only one doing formal school work for now (the others listen and ask questions when they are interested.)
See the links at the bottom of this post to see how I scheduled all of this material!
First Grade Homeschool Plan {2013-2014}
English Language Arts
Handwriting: Copybook I, www.worksheetworks.com, copywork
Reading: Finish Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading, Little Angel Readers Levels D and E, Readers by Harriette Treadwell
Poetry: Memorize 6+ poems from The Harp and Laurel Wreath, Read 1 poem daily from A Child’s Garden of Verses, Now We Are Six/When We Were Very Young, or 200 Classic Children’s Poems
Literature: The Magician’s Nephew, Shakespeare’s Cats, Just So Stories, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Trumpet of the Swan, Pinocchio, Gilgamesh, The Golden Goblet
I used Librivox.org and the public library for Literature!
Grammar: First Language Lessons, Level 1 by Jessie Wise
Composition: The Complete Writer: Writing With Ease by Susan Wise Bauer Workbook
Mathematics
Right Start Mathematics, Level B
Khan Academy online practice exercises
Science
Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding by Bernard J. Nebel, with some supplemental chapters and activities from Behold and See 1 from www.chcweb.com
Nature in a Nutshell for Kids by Jean Potter
Nature Study (this year we will be sketching trees, shrubs, vines, stars/sky, and amphibians)
History
History: Connecting with History, Vol. 1 (covers the beginning of the world to 167 B.C.)
Geography: Map Trek by Terri Johnson (to be used with Connecting with History)
Social Studies: Things People Do by Anne Civardi, America Can Be Fun by Munro Leaf – borrowed from the library
Religion and Personal Development
Catechism: Faith and Life Series 1: Our Heavenly Father and the Baltimore Catechism. We use www.memorytyper.com to help memorize and review.
Bible Study: Scripture Memory (memorize Verse Pack 1 using Scripture Typer) and Bible Boys and Girls by Ethel M. Philips
Lives of the Saints: Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints by Ethel Pochocki
Personal Development: Building Good Character and Devotional Stories for Little Folks
Art and Music Appreciation
Child-Size Masterpieces by Aline D. Wolfe (All 3 Levels for Steps 1-5)
Music Together collections and Songs of God and Country
Picture and Music Study: Study 6 artists and 6 composers following the All Things Bright and Beautiful blog (Make sure to subscribe to her blog to get her weekly emails!)
Physical Education
We Win! by Alexander D. Marini (a physical fitness program)
Health, Safety and Manners 1 (A Beka series), Health can Be Fun and Manners Can Be Fun by Munro Leaf
Enrolled in martial arts classes that meet twice a week.
Handicrafts/Life Skills/Art
Handicrafts: sewing, weaving, wax modeling, knitting
Life Skills: baking/cooking, organizing/sorting, raking/shoveling, vegetable gardening
Art: watercolor painting, finger painting, tracing, drawing, pencil sketching
Click here to see my monthly plans for Handicrafts/Life Skills/Art!
Want to see how I planned all of these subjects into a five-day school week with a lighter day on Wednesdays?
Click here for a free printable of this curriculum and daily schedule!
I hope this helps you plan your own curriculum tailored to the needs of your family and children!
God bless you on your homeschooling journey!
