ItoLina Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 I am looking ahead to next year and just wondering what others are doing. What do you cover (writing, grammar, literature, phonics, etc?) Also, what curriculum are you using? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 My oldest is in first. She's doing WWE 1, FLL 1, AAS2/3, NAC, and reading books from a selection of assorted books. (She just completed Ramona the Pest.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Here's what I used with my older four kids as first graders, and it's what I plan to use again when my youngest two are there. Grammar: First Language Lessons by Susan Wise Bauer Phonics: Phonics Pathways, BOB Books, Nora Gaydos readers, www.starfall.com, and Leapfrog videos Writing: just copywork, pulled from books we were reading for something anyway, starting with one, small, simple sentence about three times a week, building up to a longer, more complex sentence daily by the end of the school year Literature: lots of good books read aloud, and plenty of easy readers I don't add spelling until they're ready for it to be their only source of phonics instruction. For some that isn't until second grade. For the fluent readers that were chomping at the bit in first grade I used A Reason For Spelling level A. It was colorful, fun, and the words were grouped phonetically. My last one used Rod and Staff's spelling instead. That series starts with grade 2, but her language arts were advanced across the board and it was a perfect fit. I don't plan on starting my last two on spelling until they're ready for the grade 2 book from Rod and Staff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetpea3829 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Here's what our 1st grade Language Arts plan looks like: :willy_nilly: Language Arts has been a struggle for us...to say the least. First we had too little (DH broke his leg, was out of work, and we had to put all our resources in to surviving). Then, DH went back to work, and I purchased too much. Right now, we are using the free Progressive Phonics...Advanced for DS5 and Intermediate for DD6. We are also using Spectrum Phonics for review and practice...grade 2. We are using First Language Lessons 1, once a week...several lessons wrapped into one 1/2 hr lesson, because FLL1 is incredibly redundant (45 lessons on nouns). We have Writing With Ease 1, which we are using twice a week...day one and day 2 on Tuesday and Day 3 and Day 4 on Thursday. Basically, a narration and copywork...the copywork is part of handwriting practice. We are using Spectrum Language Arts to reinforce and practice the grammar skills covered in WWE and FLL. Grade 1 and Grade 2. I have AAS2...we review (what we call Spelling Defense) on Monday...which is where I give them words to spell and they have to spell the word, and then defend their spelling, using their knowledge of spelling rules. We go over the new step, or rule on Tuesday...they get their week's spelling list which they do for handwriting practice on Wednesday, we practice on Thursday, and they have a spelling test, and dictation sentences on Friday. When we finish Progressive Phonics, we'll work through Spectrum Reading, along with ETC for practice and review. At least that's the plan now. I'm also looking at Learning Language Arts Through Literature as well as Moving Beyond the Page for next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicMom Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 1) Handwriting - A Reason For Handwriting 2) Phonics - Explode the Code 3) Reading - Beginner readers 10 minutes or so a day 4) Literature - Read-alouds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 When Ariel did first grade work, we used Dancing Bears (phonics), Zaner-Bloser manuscript, Jolly Grammar, and WWE1. She wasn't quite ready for spelling yet, but we dabbled a little with Apples & Pears before shelving it until she could read better. Literature was selected from places like the Sonlight and AO reading lists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbakos Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 So far we've been doing: New American Cursive ETC 3 (finishing up this week) OPGTR along with daily readers and lots of read-alouds. I plan to add FLL and WWE at some point this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stm4him Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Phonics: Saxon 2 Writing: Phonics Museum 1 workbook with primers (this also has phonics pages, reading comprehension, fine motor activities, etc.) followed by Logic of English Cursive, probably Pre-Scripts Words book (coming out in January at CC's bookstore) Pre-Scripts Words book is supposed to have a verse for each letter of the alphabet (in cursive) and I believe some drawing lessons but I forget the details. I'll have to wait and see exactly what these look like when they come out. If it is too hard he can do the lower level called Letters. I may have him do the drawing lessons part during the year and do the cursive in the summer after he's finished LOE's book so he already knows how to write in cursive before doing this. Reading: McGuffey 1st Eclectic Reader (oral reading), Veritas Press 1st grade literature guides and all living books in 1st grade from their site Not sure if this counts, but we also use Latin's Not So Tough 1 and Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek 1 in first grade and we love them..... And they memorize English grammar definitions as well as Latin declensions, conjugations, or vocabulary from Classical Conversations.... They memorize poetry from Linguistic Development Through Poetry Memorization (from IEW) as well. I ask for oral narrations from many things we do and for history they have to write one sentence about each of our timeline cards (that is 1-2 sentences a day). I am undecided about how much copywork they will do in history and science next year. Timeline card titles and dates are easy but I'm not sure science sentences or history sentences are doable yet..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Here is what we are doing: Grammar & Writing - copywork and sentences we create; I am teaching grammar (though he knows quite a bit about the parts of speech just listening to his brothers' lessons) and sentence structure through copywork/sentence creation. Spelling & Phonics - All About Spelling Reading - He's about done with Little Bear books and will start Frog & Toad this week. Literature - fairy/folk/tale tales, fables, classic literature (we did Beatrix Potter last year; we have read Winnie the Pooh this year and plan on doing The House at Pooh Corner and the three My Father's Dragon books as well) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jane Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 DD6 is 1st grade age.. Primary Language Lessons R&S Spelling 2 but she'll start 3 soon Poetry Memory Work Story Starters because she loves them. Explode the Code Online for fun review Grammar Songs She reads aloud to me from a book everyday, I read aloud and she reads a lot independently too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoamiracle Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 DS6 K12 Phonics 1 - includes spelling and readers audiobooks and other read alouds. I have him read to me every day books way above his reading level. Samson's classroom (online lessons) once a week or so. will be starting WWE 1 and FLL 1 the next couple of months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NASDAQ Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Phonics: We finished phonics so she does occasional review through the Hay Wingo Primer. Reading: Lippincott Basic Reading (1963 edition) 2-1 and (in two days) 2-2 Handwriting: Peterson Directed Handwriting Spelling: Webster's Speller Extra Reading: Beatrix Potter, My Naughty Little Sister, Open Court 63 version, McGuffey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acablue Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Still focused on learning to read here. Phonics Pathways, Explode the Code and A Reason fror Handwriting A. Reading Pathways will come next, and we might try WWE in the spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustybug Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 My DD is in 1st this year. We use: Poetry for Copywork Narration from our readalouds We started the year using Spelling Mechanics Homeschool Word Study for spelling, but it was a tad cumbersome for me, so we've switched back to using HOD's built in spelling for now. I'm looking at AAS though. We were also using HOD's grammar lessons, but I felt they were too light, so we're getting ready to start FLL 1. We are almost done with the emerging reader list from HOD as well. Oh! We also finished up Abeka's A Handbook for Reading and we use ETC to reinforce the phonics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItoLina Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share Posted November 4, 2012 Thanks to everyone who posted. It is so helpful to just see what others are doing. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbbieJack Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Phonics: Explode the code Grammar: FLL Handwriting : New American Cursive & Daily Journal Reading: Little Bear & Little Critter (When she finishes a Little Bear story I let her watch the movie version on Amazon Prime) Spelling : Week by week spelling packets Literature: We read one major read-aloud a month. (November is- A Little Princess). One weekly read-aloud that goes with the theme we are working on (ex: Bat week = Stellaluna) One monthly Caldecott Book and this moths is Prayer for a Child . We also do two fairy tales a month (The Emperors new clothes & Red Riding Hood ) we read several versions of each fairy tale and compare the differences and similarities. Plus any books we read through out the month along with our daily bed time story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 First grade will look very different for DS2 next year than for DS1 a couple years ago. They're different kids. DS1 was advanced in reading and understanding grammar, but he couldn't physically write more than one sentence before his hand would start hurting. DS2, OTOH, is still at the slow, painful, sounding out stage of reading, I don't think he'll understand grammar easily (he is working on correct word order at speech therapy), and has no trouble with writing and LOVES to write stories. :D DS1 (pulled him out of school halfway through first grade): Reading/Literature: Good chapter books - read, discuss casually Writing: WWE1 (perfect fit) Spelling: Finally landed on AAS, which we did through level 3 Grammar: FLL1 and 2, though I should have just started him at the 3rd grade level, and we really could have waited to do grammar at all. He picks it up easily. DS2 (homeschooled from the beginning): Phonics: Dancing Bears, possibly adding in R&S Phonics Reading/Literature: Read whatever books he's capable of reading. Writing: Copywork. May try WWE at some point, but I don't know that he could handle the narrations yet, especially the comprehension questions. Spelling: Won't do until he's ready for R&S Spelling 2, after he's learned to read. Grammar: If I do anything, it will be FLL1, but I may just skip it. I don't think 1st grade grammar is necessary. Long term, I will likely use R&S English with him, as I think that would be a better fit. But who knows. I have no clue how this kid will do in grammar. We may try Grammarland also, as he likes learning from stories (he does well with Life of Fred). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Researcher Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Handwriting - GDI Phonics - ETC for review Spelling - LOE Writing - WWE1 Grammar - FLL 1 Reading - Read alouds, audio books, and 30 minutes of free reading daily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 I have done first grade with ds a few years ago, and next year I'm doing first with dd. Here is my plan: Grammar: copywork, narration (possibly using WWE Complete Writer as a guide) Literature: narration of whole books Reading: living books at level Penmanship: GDI Book B Phonics: Noah Webster Phonics Spelling: through copywork, Spelling City Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 I am looking ahead to next year and just wondering what others are doing. What do you cover (writing, grammar, literature, phonics, etc?) Also, what curriculum are you using? Thanks! My first grader is using: Phonics: OPGTR + R&S Grammar: no formal Writing: no formal Literature: interest-led, just reading books together (currently the Little House series, up next is the Paddington series) Handwriting: workbook Spelling: no formal So basically, we chose to hold off on spelling, formal writing, and grammar until 2nd since my DD was not yet reading strongly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdownie Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Our first grade curriculum... Phonics: OPGTR Spelling: All About Spelling 2 Grammar: First Language Lessons 2 Writing: WWE 1 Handwriting: Handwriting without Tears Lots of library books and read-a-louds. She gets intimidated by big chapter books (i.e. lots of text with minimal pictures), even though she can easily read the words. So, I let her choose shorter, smaller books to keep it fun. They are only first graders once! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocCityMom Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 My first grader uses: OPGTTR FLL 1 WWE 1 AAS 1 Plus he spends time each day reading to me and I spend tons of time each day reading to him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy M Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Right now I'm using ABeka language arts completely, which covers phonics, reading, writing, spelling and poetry, and language. I'm thinking of switching to FLL1 for language and poetry however, AAS for spelling, and adding in some WWE1. Thanks for asking the question. :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyrobynne Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 It's my first year homeschooling -- my middle son is in 1st grade. He's been reading fluently for a couple years already. Handwriting without Tears, 1st grade -- twice a week I'm reading him "Mr Poppers Penguins" and having him narrate. I might move to the Little House books when we're done -- twice a week Copywork -- I pick out a long sentence from a book he's been reading, have him copy it, then underline the nouns. We also talk about capitalizing first letters, punctuation, and might eventually get to verbs and adjectives. -- twice a week All About Spelling - he finished Level 1 recently and I think he'll get most of the way through Level 3 this year -- four times a week Literature -- I assign a picture book or a chapter of a longer book for him - five days a week Poetry -- I took the list of Core Knowledge poems and plan to have him memorize them over the course of the year, about one a month -- twice a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kesmom Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 FLL - 3 days a week - We like the poetry, but the rest moves sooooo slow. (like someone already said, 40+ lessons on nouns!) I've been skipping/doubling some lessons. I also print some worksheets from McGraw Hill to supplement. Spelling Workout B - 4 days a week - We started with AAS2, but that was way more than dd needed and was frustrating both of us. We are happy with the switch WWE1 - 4 days a week - Loving this! Could easily be 2 days a week instead. HWT1 - 2 days a week - our third year using HWT, it works. Plaid Phonics B - 2 days a week - very straightforeward Literature - interest lead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuovonne Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Here's my current first grader's language arts lineup: phonics / spelling: All About Spelling handwriting: Spelling Plus Dictation (using dictation sentences as copywork) reading / writing / history: First Timeline (read and write a brief narration) reading comprehension: McCall Harby literature: none grammar: none Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItoLina Posted November 5, 2012 Author Share Posted November 5, 2012 Thank you to everyone for the replies! I feel like I have a much better sense of what subjects I should include, and I definately have a long list of different curriculum to check out! Off to research :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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