Homeschooling First Grade

1st Grade Homeschool Curriculum

Homeschooling first grade can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both you and your children or students, but getting started can be daunting! Having helped countless homeschooling parents succeed, All About Learning Press is a valuable ally to have by your side.

Below, we’ve laid out some of the key benefits, basics of building a curriculum, essential supplies, tips, and more to help you begin your homeschooling journey.

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What Are the Benefits of Homeschooling?

Homeschooling enables you to customize your child's or student’s education, which means you can accommodate their individual needs, interests, and learning style. First grade, in particular, is a foundational year in a child’s academic journey. Homeschooling offers flexibility and personal attention that can help them get used to studying, build a solid foundation, get ahead, and develop a love of learning.

Building a Homeschool Curriculum for First Graders

When creating a curriculum for first grade, you’ll want to make sure you cover all the key subject areas, including reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and more. You’ll then need to determine the curriculum for each subject, ensuring that you cover the core skills for first grade and teach them in an order that allows them to build progressively. Finally, you’ll need to outline lesson plans that teach the information in an engaging way to encourage understanding and retention.

Programs Based on Skill Level Versus Grade Level

While grade-based guidelines from school systems can be a useful starting point, they shouldn’t limit how you plan and conduct your homeschooling. One of the key advantages of homeschooling is that students are not automatically sorted into grades based on their age like they are in traditional schools. This allows homeschooling parents and teachers to create personalized curriculums and lesson plans based on each student’s individual ability. That means children can devote the time they need to subjects that are difficult for them and not spend unnecessary time on subjects that they already understand.

At AALP, we firmly believe that this approach is better for students, and all of our products are based on skills and mastery rather than on grade level. For more information, take a look at our blog post: The Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Mastery-Based Program.

Steps for Building Your Curriculum

Identify Core Subjects:
- Language Arts (Reading and Writing)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Art and Music
- Physical Education
Set Learning Objectives:
- Break down the standards for each subject using guidelines from your local educational system or independent homeschooling resources. Where available, placement tests (like our All About Reading placement test and All About Spelling placement test) make it easy to decide what to teach next and how to meet your student's needs.
Select Resources:
- Choose textbooks, workbooks, online resources, and hands-on activities. Consider a mix of structured lessons and open-ended activities.
Schedule and Pacing:
- Develop a weekly or monthly plan, allowing flexibility in case certain topics require more time than others. Take a look at our blog posts on how much time to spend on reading and spelling.

Sample Homeschool Curriculum Outline for First Graders

1. Language Arts (Reading and Writing)

For inspiration and guidance, watch our video on building a language arts curriculum or read our blog post: Language Arts in My Household.

Reading Comprehension: Develop reading comprehension through leveled readers and storybooks.
Writing: Practice handwriting and short sentences. Introduce basic punctuation and capitalization.
Spelling and Phonics: Focus on phonics-based word building (CVC words, blends, digraphs).

Reading and Writing With AALP

All About Reading and All About Spelling are the perfect tools for creating the language arts component of your first grade homeschooling curriculum. Not only do these programs cover the fundamental concepts your student needs to be successful, but they also incorporate proven teaching methods that take the hard work off your shoulders. They also include a fantastic array of review books, activities, teaching aids, and accessories that make learning to read and spell fun. Even better, All About Reading and All About Spelling offer a comprehensive variety of levels, so you can be sure that your student is using the materials that are right for them.

Reading Placement Test

Spelling Placement Test

2. Mathematics

Counting: Can count without error by 1 and by 10 to 100, and can count backward from 10 to 0.
Identify Numbers: Practicing naming and writing numbers up to 100.
Place Value of Two-Digit Numbers: Understanding that a two-digit number is made up of some tens and some ones. For example, 43 is made up of 4 tens and 3 ones.
Addition and Subtraction: Practice with numbers up to 20.
Place Value of Two-Digit Numbers: Can represent story problems with manipulatives, drawings, and equations to solve using multiple strategies.

3. Science (Suggested Options)

Life Science: Animals, plants, and human body basics.
Physical Science: Properties of matter (solid, liquid, gas).
Earth Science: Weather patterns and the seasons.
Simple Experiments: Hands-on activities like growing a plant or exploring magnets.

4. Social Studies

Community and Geography: Learn about local communities, maps, and family.
History: Basics of American history or stories of early settlers.
Civics: Understanding roles of family members, leaders, and helpers.

5. Art and Music

Art Projects: Drawing, painting, and crafting with simple materials.
Music: Listening to songs, clapping to rhythms, and learning basic notes.

Essential Homeschool Supplies for First Grade

While homeschooling can be done with minimal supplies, there are some basic items you'll want to have to help create an effective and engaging learning environment. We recommend checking out our blog post: Organizational Tools I Couldn’t Homeschool Without.

Basic Supplies:

Paper and Notebooks: For writing and drawing.
Crayons, Markers, and Colored Pencils: For creative projects and art.
Pencils and Erasers: Essential for writing practice.
Scissors and Glue: For cutting and pasting in crafts or projects.
Whiteboard and Markers: To teach concepts visually (especially for reading, spelling, and math).
Flashcards: Useful for spelling, math facts, and reading fluency.
Books and Workbooks: Age-appropriate materials for each subject area.
Timer/Clock: To help with setting up and maintaining a routine.

Additional Homeschooling Tips and Considerations

Finally, make sure to keep the following considerations in mind when planning your homeschool schedule. You can find some great tips in our blog post: 7 Ways to Be the Teacher Your Child Needs.

Socialization: Have fun! Make time for playdates, group activities, community programs, following your child's interests, and unscheduled free-play time.
Routine and Flexibility: Create a daily routine, but stay flexible. Some days may require extra time, while others may be shorter due to unforeseen events.
Assessment: Periodically assess your child's progress with simple quizzes, assignments, and observations. Record your child reading or jot down your observations in a notebook so you can see their growth over the course of the year.
Incorporate Life Skills: Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity to teach practical life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and organizing. These can be integrated into daily lessons.
Self-Care for Parents: Take time for yourself! Homeschooling requires energy and dedication. Consider support groups, online resources, or co-ops for additional support.
Remember to Enjoy It: You don't have to know everything to get started. Give yourself the freedom to learn along the way, and most of all, enjoy this special time with your child. You can do this!