At FreedomHomeschooling.com, we list several free all-in-one-curriculum programs. These programs include every subject your first grader will need. Homeschoolers often choose all-in-one programs because of the simplicity they provide. They take care of the planning and curriculum selection for you.
However, many homeschoolers, myself included, prefer to choose a separate curriculum for each subject. This allows us to customize our children’s education, choosing materials that fit their learning styles and individual needs in each subject area. Also, I’ve always enjoyed the variety that a more eclectic approach provides. Using the same approach and materials for every subject can become monotonous for some students.
If you’d like to piece together your own customized 1st grade curriculum, visit FreedomHomeschooling.com’s main page, and choose a subject area to explore from the menu. On that subject’s page, you will find a list of links to free curriculum resources.
Below, I’ve provided a sample 1st grade Christian curriculum. This sample curriculum is intended to give you an idea of what a 1st grade curriculum could look like. Feel free to make substitutions as needed. If you have other children, you may prefer to study some subjects, like Bible, history, and science, together as a family. Also, many homeschoolers choose to skip formal curriculum for subjects like science and history in the early years. Instead, they do things like read library books, explore nature, and watch videos.
Language Arts, Geography, and Art
The Good & the Beautiful (TGTB) Language Arts Level 1 covers phonics, reading, writing, spelling, literature, grammar, punctuation, art, and geography in one downloadable course. The course download includes the course book, reader, mini books, and phonics cards. TGTB recommends that you use their free assessment to determine if Level 1 is the correct placement for your child.
TGTB doesn’t include handwriting instruction. For manuscript penmanship practice, you can print worksheets at tlsbooks.com and K12 Reader.
For additional reading practice, either check out beginning readers from your local library or download some of these classic readers. If your child needs extra phonics reinforcement, I’d recommend going through the Learn to Read Lessons at Starfall. Each lesson includes a teaching game and a story to read.
Math
FreeMath uses online activities and printable worksheets. The lessons will need to be taught by the parent. You’ll notice that only 27 weeks of materials are included, rather than 36 weeks, which is a typical school year. This is because the curriculum skips the review often included in other math courses. If your child needs more review, consider adding Doctor Genius for online practice or K5 Learning for printable worksheets. If your child does not require review, just progress to 2nd grade math when your child completes 1st grade math.
Bible
Garden of Praise’s Bible lessons wach include a story, song, and various online activities and worksheets. However in 1st grade, I would recommend skipping the worksheets and most of the online activities. Simply read and discuss the story with your child and listen to the song. Unless your child completed Garden of Praise’s Stories from the Old and New Testaments (lessons 1 to 35) last year in kindergarten, I recommend starting there. If your child has already completed these lessons, do More Stories about Jesus (lessons 36 to 53) and Stories of the Early Church (lessons 54 to 63).
After completing lesson 63 at Garden of Praise, if time allows, I recommend U.B. David & I’ll B. Jonathan’s Know Your Bible Level 1. These 24 short lessons each include a story and memory verse. Also, if you register for a free account, your child can earn points towards free certificates as they complete their lessons.
History
U Read Thru History is a Charlotte Mason inspired, literature-based approach to learning history. Each year your child will spend one semester learning World History and one semester learning American History. Year 1 covers Early American History and Ancient Mesopotamia/Egypt. Each weekly lesson includes discussion questions and activities. If you are unable to find the books recommended in your local library, you may substitute any book that covers the same topic. If you choose to purchase some of the books, save money by purchasing used books. In first grade, you will read the books aloud to your child. For more information on how these history courses are set up, be sure to read the teacher’s guide.
Science
Under the Home’s 1st grade science course uses the classic book, Peter & Polly in Autumn to teach basic introductory science concepts. There are 36 lessons, so you will complete one per week throughout the school year. For each lesson, the “lesson” tab is where you’ll find the story, and the “lesson guide” tab is where you’ll find the coinciding vocabulary words, key concepts, and activities.
If your child would like to learn more about animals, they may enjoy watching Wild Kratts, which can be found on YouTube. You may also like to add Nature Stories for Young Readers: Animal Life. If your child is reading well, he may be able to read this book himself. Otherwise, it makes a great read aloud.
Life Skills
ChopChop Cooking Club provides recipes, how-tos, shopping and storage tips, fun activities, and conversation starters. Children can upload pictures of the meals they’ve prepared to receive virtual badges. Badges celebrate the different cooking skills learned in each recipe, such as whisking, roasting, mixing, measuring, and grating. Cooking is an excellent hands-on way for children to practice math and reading skills.
Practical Money Skills teaches young children basic concepts about money, including what money is, spending, saving, and earning money. Each lesson includes a printable teacher’s guide and printable student materials. There are only four lessons, making Practical Money Skills a short unit that can be completed at any time during the school year.
Computer Skills
Code.org’s Course B teaches visual block-based programming, critical thinking skills, and internet safety. At the end of the course, students create their own custom game. The course is designed for pre-readers, but your child may occasionally need some help with the activities.
Physical Education and Recess
Rather than following a set curriculum, simply allow your child plenty of free time for active play. When the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor play, consider using some of these dance and exercise videos on YouTube.
Other Grades
I hope this sample curriculum has been helpful. If you’re looking for guides for other grades, you can find them here.
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