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What should I use for 1st Grade?


ExcitedMama
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DS is in a virtual charter school so we have funds to use for secular curriculum. I hadn't intended to have to figure out 1st Grade so soon but we don't need anything else for K and we can use the 1st grade materials over the summer so I'm trying to plan out what we would need. Then I can figure out how much of the budget for fun extras like Lego Education.

 

His favorite subject by far is science. I like the descriptions for NOEO Science, Real Science 4 & kids and R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey but I'm not sure which one or where to start. I think we will choose a couple since DS likes science so much. Any recommendations?

 

Now that he's moving beyond reading instruction what should I add for LA? FLL/WWE? The reviews seem very mixed, anything else to check out?

 

I think we will start SOTW and use the activity book and CD. Math will just be the next level and so will ETC, AAR and AAS. I think we will add in Spanish. Still looking into music options. I'm waiting for Artistic Pursuits to arrive. DS has never used a computer so maybe typing? What else should I add for 1st? Curriculum suggestions? Fun extras? Thanks!

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My kids really like Home Art Studio for art lessons (the "grades" on the DVDs don't mean a lot.  We're working through K right now but the kids are 1st).  I have REAL Science Life but I'm embarrassed to say we almost never get around to it.  We all love science but it's the first to fall through the cracks.  The program is pretty good.  I also found NOEO used so we have that, too, for chemistry and physics.  We haven't used it yet, but it doesn't look as good as REAL Science.  You're so lucky to have those funds!  We use a lot of the same things that you do.

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For us, Grade 1 is way too early for typing.  I'm considering adding it in Grade 4.  But I don't really *want* my 6-year-old typing, to be honest. I'm still trying to limit screen time at that age.

 

There are lots of language arts options, of course.  What do you want it to do?  Reviews are going to be mixed about EVERY curriculum, because not every curriculum is a good fit for every child, or every parent!

 

WWE is very simple--copywork, and narration.  It builds useful skills.  But it's still not suitable for some children--you'll need to assess whether it's a good fit for yours.

FLL is a gentle introduction to grammar, mostly done orally.  We like it.  Some parents don't.

Is there anybody in your neighbourhood who uses it so that you can look at it?  Or look at the sample pages online to see whether it will be a good fit for you.

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Honestly, for first, I'd go simple. You can talk about grammar basics while your son copies his narrations (that you scribe, spiffing up by correcting grammar). Memorize a few fun poems, or bible verses (if that's your thing), or sayings. There. You've done FLL. Save "real" grammar (except capitalizations, punctuations and basic noun/verb/adj/adv for 3rd grade.

 

AAR is All About Reading, right? If it is phonics instruction and still needed, then fine. If you are adding in spelling, I'd pause to consider either letting your spelling teach the "rest" of phonics, or letting your phonics take the place of spelling and just saving spelling for when phonics is completed. (Depends on your child's reading level and how far you get in phonics.)

 

Choose one science. Yes, there are lots of fun, interesting programs. Choose ONE. Then, if you want to supplement, do it casually--get some science books out of the library, go to museums/nature places/do science-y things. That way you won't feel obligated and your son won't feel overloaded.

 

Double up on skills if you can--I mean, use your content to cover skills. So, after basic letters are learned, ditch Handwriting, and do real writing.

 

Save typing for later. Children need to write by hand and achieve automaticity before they type. They need to get to the point where they are no longer drawing their letters, but writing them--they need practice to get their speed up.

 

Love, love, love SOTW. The activity guide will reinforce lots of skills--map work is great for detailed pencil/coloring work, narrations provide handwriting practice, projects cover anything from art to cooking to social skills learned in games.

 

If you start adding a ton of curriculum at first grade, you will soon find you have no time for non-curricular ways of learning.

 

 

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I like RSO.  It's open and go.  Not too meaty for a 1st grader and I can do it with my Ker. 

 

I like FLL/WWE.  We did this when he was 5.  FLL was done orally and really easy.  I skipped some lessons because it was really repetitive.  He did WWE orally as well. 

 

If I had funds I would love to get brainpop. 

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I'm not sure what I want for LA. I really hadn't thought about it yet but now I need to figure it to budget the funds. DS loves writing and is always doodling words and trying to write sentences and stories. He is asking for two lessons of AAR a day so his reading is beyond his wtiting but he is a great natural speller.

 

I know it sounds like a lot but I want to make the most of the funds. He loves science so I think it will be easy to try a few and then we will have a good idea on which ones to continue or stop. DS asks for science daily and DD is happily tagging along so it works. I still have about $1,000 left for this year and I'm just not sure what to spend it on. I don't want to waste it if that makes sense. Any recommendations?

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My first graders generally used First Language Lessons, copywork from good literature for writing, continued phonics or started a spelling book (not both), read lots of really good picture books, listened to high quality children's literature read aloud, worked on a math book, and did some gentle history and science through books read or read aloud and discussed.

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How about some fun science kits or supplies from Home Science Tools?  Microscope, chemistry set, rock collection (or a rock tumbler would be neat), that sort of thing.  I could blow at least $1,000 on that site fairly quickly.  Can you raise tadpoles?  Carolina Biology's website has good sets like that.  Are you allowed to use the funds for extras like that as opposed to a full science curriculum?  Look on the RSO website if you don't already have the curriculum.  On the try before you buy, I think you can see the supplies lists in the curriculum. 

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I really love English Lessons through Literature. Its early levels contain short copywork and dictation, which selections get longer in later levels. But what I really love in the series is the poetry and short stories in each lesson (the latter I have my kids narrate or summerize orally lIke WWE). Grammar is practiced on real sentences from the assigned literature. Playing with words and composition exercises are included in later levels as well.

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