It’s time for the Heart of the Matter Not Back to School Hop, and this week it’s Curriculum Week! (Oops, I missed this week by a a few days, but since I wrote this post, I’ll just leave it.) I remember participating in some of these last year. Perfect timing too, as we’ve had a few months of trying out our new First Grade curriculum choices already, so we know how things are going to work out.
This blog post will summarize what we’ll be using for all our First Grade subjects, you can always see them at a glance on the right side of the blog. I’ve also created a First Grade Curriculum page where I can into more detail about our choices and how we plan to implement them. We do lessons Monday through Friday about 2-3 hours a day, year-long with extended breaks a few times a year.
The below schedule is what we’ll be following starting September 2010, even though we started first grade June 2010.
First Grade Curriculum 2010/2011
Reading/Phonics (we wrapped our our main program, Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading, August 2010)
- Explode the Code Workbooks 4-8, great review on everything, humorous worksheets
- Beyond the Code – to start in September as a trial, may ditch this if we don’t like
- Various read-alouds – both mom and Satori reading aloud to each other
Math
- RightStart B – main math program
- Math Mammoth (occasional supplemental worksheet)
- MEP Year 1 (supplement for fun 1 day a week)
Spelling
- All About Spelling – Level 3 and 4
- Handwriting Without Tears – Cursive – trying to go slowly on this, Satori totally rushed through handwriting
- StartWrite Handwriting Worksheet Wizard – using for copywork
History
- Story of the World 1 – Ancients (SOTW) and fun Activity Guide
- Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History (occasionally as supplement to SOTW)
- History Odyssey (mostly using SOTW, but may use a bit of this for more ideas)
- Map Trek: Ancient World
Writing
Grammar
- First Language Lessons 2 - this program goes slow for us, but I love the memorization technies
- Growing With Grammar 1 – brand new curriculum we will try in September
Science
- R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey – Life – just started this and having a blast!
Vocabulary
- Wordly Wise 3000 Grade 1 – after this colorful (but expensive) program finishes, not sure if we’ll continue with Wordly Wise 2+ (which is not as colorful but is inexpensive), but we’ll definitely be using something. Satori loves learning vocabulary and loves the Wordly Wise K-1 curriculum!
Art
- Artistic Pursuits K-3 Book One – for general art
- Meet the Masters – for artist study, just started this and love it
- Drawing With Children – for realistic drawing
- various art project books/websites – we really want to enjoy art this year!
Critical Thinking
- various workbooks – such as Logic Safari, Primarily Logic, Analogies for Beginners, Logic Links
- various puzzles/games like Rush Hour, Chocolate Fix, SET Game, Blokus
Geography
- various workbooks, currently using Maps, Globes, and Graphs: Level B
- The Geography Book: Activities for Exploring, Mapping, and Enjoying Your World – haven’t started yet, but looks like hands-on fun!
- Geopuzzles – the whole family loves these
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