Kindergarten – Food Allergy Parents

We officially completed our kindergarten year of homeschool and learned a LOT this year! We completed some resources and switched a couple of curricula to find some that better suited our needs. Now, I'm ready and excited to share our 1st grade homeschool curriculum and resources. For first grade homeschool curriculum, our top four areas of focus will be reading, math, writing, and Bible study. We will also regularly study language, spelling, history, timeline, geography, science, and fine arts. Although in Kindergarten we used The Good and the Beautiful for math and language arts, I ended up switching to a stronger phonics-based curriculum halfway through the year and a different math curriculum with a stronger emphasis on number sense and mental math. Here's what I'm excited to use for 1st grade homeschooling, as well as where you can get each resource if you'd like to use any for your child's learning. 1st Grade Math Curriculum: Rightstart Math Level B We'll be using RightStart Level B for 1st grade math. We switched from the Good and the Beautiful Math to RightStart Math Level A halfway through our kindergarten year after talking with several homeschool moms, including a high school math teacher, who all highly recommend it. RightStart vs The Good and Beautiful Math (Level K) The main differences I've found is rather than focusing on counting, RightStart focuses on: understanding what numbers mean, like eleven, twelve, and thirteenvisualizing quantitiesusing card games for mastering math concepts To use this math curriculum, you'd need RightStart Level B Book Bundle and the RightStart Manipulatives Set. You can purchase these directly from RightStart or support Christianbook. Level B Book Bundle, Second Edition By Joan Cotter PhD. Math Set, Second Edition Manipulatives Set RightStart Mathematics Level A Book Bundle, 2nd Edition The Good and the Beautiful Math is beautiful and less expensive, but for the educational reasons listed above (and the fact that our 3-year-old has easily been able to join in), we'll finish Level A this summer and continue on with RightStart Math Level B for first-grade math. 1st Grade Reading Curriculum: All About Reading Level 2 We're about 15 lessons into All About Reading Level 2 and it's working really well for us. It's simply incredible to hear your child read on her own! 📚🥰 There is prep work involved with this curriculum, such as cutting activity sheets. You can purchase the complete package directly from All About Learning Press or order most individual resources on Amazon. For All About Reading Level 2, you'd need: Basic Reading Interactive Kit for the letter tiles, phonogram sounds app, and reading divider cards. *Note: I purchased the Basic Spelling Interactive Kit before we decided to use All About Reading. You do not need an interactive kit (tiles) for both. You can use the same tiles for both All About Reading and All About Spelling. You can purchase the Reading Divider Cards or I just made my own using index cards. All About Reading Level 2 Teacher's Manual All About Reading Level 2 Activity Book What Am I? Reader Queen Bee Reader Reading Interactive Kit 📒If you plan to use this curriculum for more than one child like us, tear out the activity sheets and put them in heavy-duty sheet protectors in a 3-ring binder. I got this genius idea from a friend who recommended this curriculum. 🤑 This curriculum has incredible resale value! I've been in a group for All About Reading & Spelling Resale for months, and each level consistently sells for $100+ each within minutes! I kept missing out, so I finally purchased a new kit with plans to sell it in the future. So if you keep it in good condition, there's a good chance you can sell it quickly to make decent money back. 1st Grade Reading Workbook: Explode the Code 3 Explode the Code workbooks have a systematic approach to phonics. These workbooks are effective for reading and phonics review. We'll be using Explode the Code Workbook 3 this summer and on days we need a lighter workload. You can purchase Explode the Code workbooks on Amazon or often for a lower price on Christianbook. Explode the Code, Book 3 (2nd Edition; Homeschool Edition) 1st Grade Readers: Pathway Reading Series A friend recommended these simple, wholesome, character-building readers that all 3 of her kids enjoyed. Our daughter just finished the first book in the series today reading aloud while we ran errands. She loves it! I only expected one chapter, but she just kept wanting to read more! (Music to a homeschool mom's ears, right?!) These books are great for practicing reading as an alternative to sit-down curriculum lessons. First Steps (Pathway Reading Series, Grade 1) Hardcover Days Go By (Pathway Reading Series, Book 2) Hardcover More Days Go By (Pathway Reading Series, Book 3) Hardcover 1st Grade Spelling Curriculum: All About Spelling Level 1 We started using and really like All About Spelling Level 1 for our first-grade spelling curriculum. Our kids love using the letter tiles on a magnetic whiteboard. I love that it's open-and-go, comprehensive, sequential, and goes well with our reading program. You can purchase All About Spelling curriculum on Christianbook. To use this curriculum, you'll need All About Spelling Level 1 Teacher's Manual, Student Packet, and the All About Spelling Basic Interactive Kit. All About Spelling Level 1 (Teacher's Manual & Student Packet) All About Spelling Basic Interactive Kit * If you already have the All About Reading Interactive Kit, the only spelling components not included are the Spelling Divider Cards and the Spelling Review Box. You can purchase these separately or make your own. Learn more here. 1st Grade English Language: First Language Lessons Level 1 First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind Level 1 is the simple, scripted, open-and-go curriculum we'll use for first grade language arts. You can purchase it on Amazon or on Christianbook. 1st Grade Writing Practice: Zaner Bloser For handwriting or copy work, we alternate using a lined Kindergarten Handwriting Paper Notepad and the 2M Zaner-Bloser Handwriting workbook. You can purchase Zaner-Bloser handwriting books on Amazon or on Christianbook. We use the student workbook only and have not needed the teacher edition. Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Student Edition, Grade 2 (Manuscript; 2020 Copyright) We use the Kindergarten Handwriting Paper to practice writing things like names, our address, phone numbers, and scripture verses. If you are a fellow Classical Conversations Connected member, there are often printable copywork sheets that relate to weekly memory work too. This is an easy way to review memory while practicing writing. 1st Grade Bible Study: The Ology The Ology is a beautifully illustrated beginner theology book for kids. It helps children (and adults) understand who God is and how we, as his children, relate to him. It addresses abstract concepts from the Bible and makes them easier for kids to understand through creative examples, illustrations, and analogies. The Ology is recommended for children ages 6-11 and it has a Christian worldview. We read one section per day as part of our morning calendar and Bible study time. You can order it on Christianbook or Amazon. The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New If you're looking for a children's Bible with stories, my favorite is the Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name with CDs, available both on Amazon and Christianbook. 1st Grade World History and Timeline Resources We'll use the Classical Conversations Foundations Curriculum as the foundation for our history curriculum. This year is Cycle 1, which focuses on Ancient World History. In addition to the Foundations Guide, we'll use: Classical Conversations Cycle 1 CD to review weekly memory work from Timeline and World History - available on Amazon (Christian worldview) Animals in Time, Volume 1 Story Book: Historical Empires and Civilizations - aligns with Classical Conversations Cycle 1 memory work for history, science, geography - available on Amazon Animals in Time, Volume 1 Activity Book: Historical Empires and Civilizations - aligns with Classical Conversations Cycle 1 memory work for history, science, geography - available on Amazon Imagination Station chapter books - order on Amazon (Christian worldview) Magic Tree House chapter books - order on Amazon We also use the Classical Conversations Timeline Cards to read more about any historical events we're curious about. I hang the 7 weekly cards with clothespins as a visual to go with the timeline facts we're memorizing. Classical Acts and Facts History Cards: Ancient World Classical Acts and Facts History Cards: Medieval World Classical Acts and Facts History Cards: New World Classical Acts and Facts History Cards: Modern World I do not have the Usborne books below (yet) but have seen them recommended as great resources to go along with CC Cycle 1 World History. Sharing to give you another resource idea (and so I remember which ones they are!) Usborne Books Timelines of World History - order on Amazon Usborne World History Encyclopedia (Internet Linked) - order on Amazon 1st Grade Geography Trivium at the Table Placemats Cycle 1 Set (4 Maps; 2nd Edition) Globe - We have the Scientific Smart Globe, which speaks fun facts about states, countries, and continents around the globe. It can play National Anthems, name capitals, and share history and prominent features. You can order it on Amazon We'll also begin Blob Mapping to learn more about our world. You can find great free resources about blob mapping here 1st Grade Science CC Cycle 1 Science covers Biology and Earth Science. Below are a few of the resources we plan to use to explore science in first grade. Classical Conversations Cycle 1 CD to review weekly memory work for science - order on Amazon (Christian worldview) Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 1 to get to know more about God's amazing creation! This colorful book is designed to be a reader for an advanced first grader. It's available on both Christianbook and Amazon (Christian worldview) The Story of Me: Babies, Bodies, and a Very Good God is book 1 in a series of 4 books that come highly recommended by many of my Christian mom friends. Order yours on Amazon or Christianbook (Christian worldview) 1st Grade Fine Arts We will use local resources and Classical Conversations Foundations to guide our fine arts studies: study classical composerslearn about great artistspractice drawing and painting techniqueslearn how to play the tin whistlelearn how to play the pianoparticipate in Kid Art Nation online art classattend extracurricular dance classes and/or sports The kids and I have grown to like classical music, especially during drawing and handwriting time. The Mozart Effect Music for Children Volume 2 and Volume 1 are two of our favorites. Related Homeschool Posts Kindergarten Homeschool Resources for BeginnersFun Homeschooling Tips While TravelingHomeschool Freebies & Deals Why Homeschooling on a Food Allergy Blog? One of the main reasons I began considering homeschool was our daughter's severe peanut allergy. She has had contact reactions, so the thought of hundreds of kids bringing snacks, lunches, and treats with peanuts around her daily made me extremely uncomfortable. Thankfully, I found some incredible moms in my area who homeschool, and they have been simply amazing for support and answering questions. Since I decided to homeschool shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic began, many other moms found themselves considering homeschool for the first time. I had never considered the possibility that I would homeschool before, so I could completely relate to their questions and fears! In so many ways homeschooling has been a huge blessing to our family, and it's an honor to pass on recommendations of what's working well for us to others looking for early elementary homeschool resources. Pin This List of 1st Grade Homeschool Curriculum Ideas for Later Want to come back to these ideas later or share them with a friend? Save it to Pinterest and share it on social media! 💌