First Grade
Favorite resources and curricula.
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First grade builds on the gentle foundation of kindergarten and runs full steam ahead. It is a huge year of growth, especially in reading. There is a wide range of “typical” skills, and it is important to follow each child at their own pace. Even within your own family, each child will have different strengths and needs.
Recommended First Grade Resources:
Language Arts
Continue with an explicit, systematic reading program. If you have not already started formal reading instruction, check out my post, How to Choose a Reading Curriculum, for details and recommendations.
If your child struggles with handwriting, incorporate explicit handwriting instruction using Handwriting Without Tears or Zainer-Bloser handwriting. If your child has decent handwriting, continue handwriting practice through copywork. Check out my free copywork guide for details.
Start formal spelling instruction. My go-to spelling recommendations are All About Spelling and Spelling Connections (workbook only). Check out my Spelling Guide for routines and instructional strategies.
Check out my Writing Guide for evidence-based writing instruction recommendations and my Notebooking Guide for ideas for incorporating narration, drawing, and writing into your content areas.
Choose novels to read aloud for literature.
Math
Explicit, systematic math instruction — Math With Confidence First Grade is my go-to recommendation.
Social Studies
Consider starting a social studies routine. You can opt for a “mastery” or cycle approach where you cycle through different historical periods. You can also opt to folks on interest-based social studies, utilizing unit study resources. We have dabbled in a bit of both, following my kiddos’ interests. Programs we have enjoyed include:
History Quest Early Times (we enjoyed the audiobook & guide)
Story of the World Vol 1: Ancient History (I prefer this for slightly older children, maybe 8ish)
Unit Studies using Nomad Press Guides. Check out these examples of our unit studies on ancient Rome and ancient Greece.
American Girl History (More on this coming soon! I’m working on guides!)
Science
Consider starting a science routine. You can opt for a “mastery” approach where you do a deep dive on one area of science for the whole year (or break into semesters), a spiral approach where you cycle through different branches of science each year, or a unit study approach. Similarly to social studies, we have dabbled in all three approaches, following my kiddos’ interests. Programs we have enjoyed include:
Nancy Larson Science First Grade (for more on NLS, check out my blog post here)
Blossom and Root Science and/or Nature Study offerings
Unit Studies using Nomad Press Guides
Check out Our Favorite Homeschool Resources on Amazon: