With school right around the corner I just had to share what curriculum choices we have chosen for Wyatt’s 1st grade homeschool year.
We are already into the first week of August which means that school is right around the corner. I mean technically since we homeschool that date can be very flexible but I thought starting around mid August sounded like a good idea.
I remember last year I was SO eager to begin and my expectations were set high. I over planned our days which done nothing but made everyone exhausted and frustrated. I’ve tried to avoid that this go round which has left me in a bit of a procrastinated state of mind.
I just can’t seem to get into the school spirit. Whether that’s a result of being 8 months pregnant or the fear of things not working out I’m not sure. Now don’t get me wrong, I am so thankful for the opportunity to homeschool and do love it but officially letting summer go is heartbreaking.
Anyone feel me here?
Okay, okay I’ve complained long enough so now to the nitty gritty. Y’all came here for curriculum choices so here we go!
Language Arts & Handwriting
Last year I purchased The Good And The Beautiful’s language arts course for my eldest’s kindergarten year. I decided to go with level K and long story short we were about a week into school and it was too challenging. On a whim I purchased one month’s subscription to Time 4 Learning to try it out.
We continued the subscription for the entirety of the year. Although Time 4 Learning worked out okay I really wanted to make use of the language arts curriculum I had already purchased from TGTB. I did consider selling it or even saving for my daughter but ultimately decided we would give it another go this year for 1st grade.
Here’s to hoping we have better luck because I really do love this curriculum and believe it would be such a wonderful foundation for reading.
As for handwriting I also went with TGTB and chose level 1. We completed level K last year with no complaints other than maybe a bit too much coloring. I think my son may be the only child in the world who hates to color.
Purchase The Good And The Beautiful’s Level K Language Arts Course HERE
Purchase The Good And The Beautiful’s Level 1 Handwriting Workbook HERE.
Math
For math this year we are trying something completely new. I’ve heard wonderful things about Masterbooks so thought we’d give it a chance. Last year we used TGTB’s level K math course and it worked out well but did include a lot of manipulatives that seemed to complicate everything.
Although Wyatt is technically a 1st grader this year Masterbooks seems to be pretty easy in comparison to other curriculum. For this reason I decided to go with Math Lessons For A Living Education Level 2. It still seems like a bit on the easier side but I am in love with the simplicity and open and go concept that Masterbooks provides.
Purchase Masterbooks Math Lessons For A Living Education Level 2 HERE.
Science
Going into homeschool I thought for sure I’d fall in love with planning and carrying out my own unit studies for science. I’ve come to realize though that I am a horrible planner and want nothing to do with the sort. At least in this season of life anyway.
With a new baby on the way I can’t see myself spending too much time working out the details of every little thing. Some years call for easy and simple and this is one of those years.
Masterbooks takes the cake for science this year! Adventures in Creation level 1 seems so wonderfully put together that I couldn’t see myself going with another curriculum. The added Bible concepts are a huge plus as well!
Purchase Masterbooks Adventures In Creation Level 1 HERE.
History/Social Studies
This is the only subject area that I do not have actual curriculum for. I searched around but did not find anything fitting. Many curriculum for 1st grade felt like a lot and seemed unnecessary. So what I’ve decided is to keep it simple and mainly read books from the library to satisfy our history requirement.
Also, I discovered Teachers Pay Teachers. If you are a homeschool parent and have never heard of this I’d love to encourage you to check it out! I found many awesome resources on there for affordable prices. You’ll find worksheets, games, and even complete unit studies that other homeschool moms or teachers have created. I utilized this some last year and plan to do the same this year especially around holidays!
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