BusyMom5 Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 I am trying to figure out what all I need for 1st grade LA. I am not sure which things should be included. Reading: AAR Level 2, or OPGTR that I already have (opinions?) Spelling: AAS Level 1 Handwriting workbook Read Alouds Grammar ? FLL or something integrated into the writing program? Writing ? I liked WriteShop, it looked fun. Or Language lessons thru Literature? I don't know what types of things are taught in AAR. Does it cover beginning grammar, like punctuation, capitalization, quotes around spoken words, ect.? What about teaching the parts of the story, beginning writing lessons? I'm really not sure what needs to be taught in 1st grade, but I know I want to cover everything necessary. My kids are reading pretty well. They know -ed, -ing, silent E, those types of things. They know very basic sentence structure like capitals and periods. They have been in PS Kindergarten, and it seems they are accelerated in a lot of areas compared to some curricula, and right on target in others. Am I supposed to do grammar and writing (aside from just little sentances) in 1st grade? I don't want to be overwhelmed, but I also don't want to miss anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrunchyGirl Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Check out Language Lessons Through Literature. It's written by a mom on this board and you can buy it through Amazon or Lulu.com. I've been very impressed. It covers literature, poetry, copywork, and grammar (not sure grammar is covered in 1st grade as it follows a more Charlotte Mason feel). I'm using level 3 for my oldest right now and am very pleased. Planning to use level 1 this fall with ArtsyGirl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dentdiva5 Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 I'm following this b/c I am planning a very similar lineup for my upcoming 1st grader. We are 1/4 of the way through AAR2 right now, along with AAS2, and I keep feeling like I need some supplemental worksheets to go along with it, just to reinforce rules. As of now this is what we'll be doing: Reading: AAR2 plus comprehension guides from Veritas Press, plus a lot of read alouds Spelling: AAS2 Writing: WWE1, plus a handwriting workbook, like the Abeka handwriting that we used this year, just to continue manuscript practice. Additional LA workbooks: possibly CLE Language Arts 1 and How to Spell worksheets Grammar: we aren't going to start a true grammar program until 2nd grade, which is what her big sister did. I'm interested to see what everybody else thinks, too! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dentdiva5 Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 One more thing- AAR has been INCREDIBLE for us this year! We started the year using Abeka phonics/reading/etc. b/c that's what her big sis used and excelled with, but we quickly realized that she needed something different. She BEGS to do AAR everyday- it teaches totally different from Abeka, so it was a huge learning curve for me, but it has been perfect for her. Feel free to ask any questions! I have both levels 1 and 2. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 We're doing first grade for the second time next year. I am planning on WWE 1, FLL 1/2 (he's mostly through 1), and reading books. With my older we did AAS 2 in first and my second is looking like he could do that, but right now I'm leaning towards Spalding for spelling for both kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 I am trying to figure out what all I need for 1st grade LA. I am not sure which things should be included. Reading: AAR Level 2, or OPGTR that I already have (opinions?) Spelling: AAS Level 1 Handwriting workbook Read Alouds Grammar ? FLL or something integrated into the writing program? Writing ? I liked WriteShop, it looked fun. Or Language lessons thru Literature? I don't know what types of things are taught in AAR. Does it cover beginning grammar, like punctuation, capitalization, quotes around spoken words, ect.? What about teaching the parts of the story, beginning writing lessons? I'm really not sure what needs to be taught in 1st grade, but I know I want to cover everything necessary. My kids are reading pretty well. They know -ed, -ing, silent E, those types of things. They know very basic sentence structure like capitals and periods. They have been in PS Kindergarten, and it seems they are accelerated in a lot of areas compared to some curricula, and right on target in others. Am I supposed to do grammar and writing (aside from just little sentances) in 1st grade? I don't want to be overwhelmed, but I also don't want to miss anything! That's about it! If you use all that, or even part of all that, you'll be good. If you already have OPGTR, I wouldn't spend a ton of extra money honestly, unless you really want to. FLL is really gentle and easy. I use the 1/2 combo book. I'm not familiar with your writing choices, but I don't try to load too much writing on a 1st grader until they are getting more confident with their reading and handwriting. But there's no harm in giving either of those a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 (edited) Quote Edited July 9, 2022 by SilverMoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sally Day Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 We used FLL, WWE, AAS and McGuffey readers. All very effective, enjoyable and got the job done in a minimum of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommy2ella Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 We've been using EIW Grade 1 for grammar and writing, and AAS for spelling. I don't see the need to a separate reading program if they're already reading well. We also use Evan Moore Daily Language Review (takes just a couple of minutes). Other than that, we just use a handwriting program and call it good for LA. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 We are just finishing our second round of 1st grade. Phonics: AAR 2-3 and finishing out phonics with OPGTR only because AAR 4 is not out yet Spelling: AAS 1 Writing: WWE 1 Grammar: FLL 1 Handwriting: HWOT 1-2 We love AAR-- so worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyerin Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Three first graders here next year, with two of them working pretty far ahead of the 3rd one. Here's what we're planning: LIt for all 3: AO Y1, with tweaks (read aloud by me) Spelling: Spalding for two, AAS for the third Handwriting: Copywork for two, HWT for the third, starting copywork when he's ready Grammar and Writing: Queen's Language Lessons, probably using two different levels Reading: reading aloud to me daily for the two fluent readers, AAR for the third I will not be doing all of that every day, though. That would be killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WahM Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 If they still need phonics instruction I skip a spelling program and just do phonics and of course plenty of reading out loud and me reading to them. I also don't do grammar until second grade other than simple things that come up during every day conversations such as, capital letters, periods, etc. I use pentime for hand writing. No writing program either since they usually write in other subjects. Sometimes we do fun writing prompts in a journal. That's about it for English in first grade. For me, a formal spelling(unless they're finished with phonics intruction), grammar and writing is not needed at that age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Welcome! :) In case it helps, here's a very general break-down of language arts topics (reading, read alouds, writing, handwriting, phonics, spelling, grammar, vocabulary) and when the average student works on those topic areas: grades 1-2 - reading - optional: solo reading (15-30 min. from book basket choices to aid fluency and/or support other subjects) - optional: free reading (books, magazines, etc. of personal interest to student) - read alouds - handwriting / copywork - spelling - phonics grades 3-4 - reading - optional: solo reading (15-30 min. from book basket choices to aid fluency and/or support other subjects) - optional: free reading (books, magazines, etc. of personal interest to student) - read alouds - handwriting / cursive - writing (narration, complete sentences) - grammar - spelling - optional: phonics, if still needed - optional: vocabulary, if desired grades 5-6 - reading - optional: solo reading (works to supplement/support history, science, or other subjects) - optional: free reading (books, magazines, etc. of personal interest to student) - read alouds - writing (narration, moving to outlining; sentences, moving to complete paragraphs) - grammar - spelling - optional: handwriting, if needed - optional: vocabulary, if desired grades 7-8 - literature (reading some classics with beginning literary terms and analysis) - optional: solo reading (works to supplement/support history, science, or other subjects) - optional: free reading (books, magazines, etc. of personal interest to student) - read alouds - writing (introduce essay writing, research paper, compare/contrast, basic business/real life types of writing) - grammar (introduce / practice proof-editing) - optional: spelling, if still needed; many people combine spelling/vocab, or switch to vocab. at this stage - optional: vocabulary, if desired grades 9-10 = English credit (rather than "language arts") - approx. 1/2 Literature, 1/2 Writing/Composition (introduce / practice timed essays from a prompt) - optional: a little lite grammar review/practice, that grows less with each year of high school - optional: vocabulary; many people use a roots-based program, or programs geared for ACT/SAT test prep - optional: read alouds -- still enjoyable! ideas: family fun "reader's theater" of classic plays, or just passing the book around the table after dinner and everyone gets to read a page or two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.