What is a good curriculum for homeschooling a 1st grader??

Question

I used AOP lifepac last year for kindergarden and was alittle unhappy with its pace and I felt that I wasn't getting everything I wanted out of it.This year I really have had a hard time deciding and have waited until the last minute to purchase.I live in NC and would love some help.???

Answer 1

The early elementary years are the easiest and hardest - easiest because there is so much good, fun stuff available; hardest because there is so much to learn and see and do.

There are plenty of good, full-curriculum programs out there, depending on what you are looking for. You know about AOP,and then there's Bob Jones Univ. Press, A Beka, and Sonlight (all are Christian). Because they offer everything, these are usually more expensive.

Our plan/method is to go with a few "textbooks" (Kingfisher and Usborne History and Science Encyclopedias, Saxon Math) and supplement with lots of library books. I've started using Sonlight's Lang. Arts curriculum this year for my 1st grader, just to make sure I don't miss anything (I chose it over Learning Language Arts Through Literature but only narrowly).

There are several good curriculum guides available, as well. Look for anything by Cathy Duffy or Mary Pride, or check out "Home Learning Year by Year", by Rebecca Rupp.

HTH! Best Wishes on a great year!

Answer 2

For our first years I made a LOT of printouts and posters myself..because I could gear them toward ds's learning. I HIGHLY recommend getting The Well Trained Mind from the library..we did the 3 ring notebooks. A book for animals, a book for vocabulary words etc. Then we would read something about, say penguins. Then ds would write 2 facts on a sheet of paper, and I would write 2 other facts on the same sheet. Then put it in the binder. Move onto another topic. Every month or less, we would go over our old sheets! So fun. And we would print out coloring pages to go with what we learned, and put them in there.

We also used:
Jumpstart 1st Grade

brainpop.com (ohmygosh, so great)

Comprehensive Curriculum (from Sams Club or Walmart!) and then I added my own work pages to suppliment something he wasn't getting or really loved.

I let ds pick something HE wanted to learn about constantly. For example, Pirates. We read about them, tried foods they ate (gag), made crafts (a huge pirate ship, created our own Jolly Roger) and on and on!

Answer 3

I used Calvert and was very happy with it, but it is expensive. Check around to find out about online charter schools in your state. I live in Ohio and found Buckeye Online its considered a public school but you homeschool your children. Since it is a "public school" they pay for everything! And they are so great working with you and your child. So be sure to check it out and see if something like it is available in your state.

Answer 4

Try "My Fathers World"
http://www.mfwbooks.com/1_1st.htm
or a less expensive program that is not likely to conflict with any religious beliefs is one by McGraw Hill
Comprehensive Curriculum Grade 1
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=93684&netp_id=146336&event=EBRN&item_code=WW

Answer 5

It depends upon your homeschooling 'style'. If you are a Charlotte Mason homeschooler try this site:
http://www.amblesideonline.org

Classical :
http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/

or try these:
http://www.covenanthome.com/
http://www.mfwbooks.com/1_1st.htm
http://www.calvertschool.org/engine/content.do

HTH! Good luck in your planning!

Answer 6

Sonlight! Just my personal bias, though. :)