We wrapped up our 2019-2020 school year in mid-May and took about two weeks completely off of school. After that, we’ve been steadily doing summer school 3-4 days a week. Once we hit August 3, I’ll be starting our new school year officially with a first grader, a second grader, and a fourth grader. Here is my plan for first grade for the 2020-2021 school year.
Language Arts
With the exception of Explode the Code and her daily journal writing, all of her Language Arts curriculum is completed with my assistance. She started using TGATB Level K last year for Language Arts, but once we got to the third unit, she needed to slow down big time. I chose to go over simple short vowel words with her and used This Reading Mama’s Learn to Read program. It helped so much, and I feel confident that she’s ready to tackle Level K again. I think we’ll do a quick redo of the lessons she’s already completed and work our way to the point where we left off. I could see her beginning Level 1 in the early spring, but if she needs to go slowly through Level K, I’m perfectly fine with that as well.
Why The Good and the Beautiful?
I adore The Good and the Beautiful curriculum for several reasons. It’s very affordable if you ask me. For starters, Levels 1-5 is completely FREE online as a downloadable PDF. You can use it directly on a device or choose to print as you go. I purchase their print versions, and still feel that it’s one of the more affordable curriculums offered out there.
Instead of needing to find curriculum for each individual subject, they have combined reading, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation, literature, geography and art. The content is visually stunning and the lessons are excellent and thorough.
I would say that it’s a challenging curriculum and almost a “grade level” ahead. As a first grader, she is working in Level K. My son worked through Level K last year as a first grader as well. My third grader did work through Level 3 though. It’s all up to each individual child. Luckily they have assessments you can administer to select the best place to start for your own child.
I love the open-and-go approach of the entire program. I used to plan out ahead of time what I would be teaching each day. With TGATB, I simply open and always just do the next lesson. If a lesson is a tad longer than usual, then we’ll sometimes spend two days covering it, so it’s not too much at once.
She will also use The Good and the Beautiful for handwriting. She’s a handwriting book addict. Usually I have to give her 3-4 different handwriting books in a year. For some reason, it’s just her jam! We’ll also be using the boxed readers from TGATB as well as the Dash Into Learning Book Sets.
Curriculum links:
The Good and the Beautiful Level K
The Good and the Beautiful Boxed Readers Levels B, C, and D
Dash Into Learning Books Sets 1-2
The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting Level 1
Explode the Code Books 3-5
Daily Journal Writing
Math
Math is definitely a strong point for Sawyer. She began working in Saxon Math 1 during pre-k along with her older brother. So, now at the beginning of her first grade year, she is nearly finished with Saxon Math 2. I use Saxon until we finish 2nd grade and then typically begin Teaching Textbooks Online. In between her completion of Saxon Math 2 and starting Teaching Textbooks, she will complete a Math Skills workbook for Grade 2 to fine-tune some basic mathematical operations and skills. I feel confident that she will be ready for Teaching Textbooks by the time we hit our second semester.
I like Saxon Math because it’s a no-frills approach to Math. It’s not distracting and offers a good spiral-review of skills learned. I’ve had our copy since my oldest finished using it a few years back.
Teaching Textbooks offers a free trial for any level up to lesson 15. I always choose this option before I fully commit to buying the grade level for each child. They have placement tests available online as well to make sure it’s a good fit!
Curriculum Links:
Saxon Math Level 2
Math Skills for 2nd Grade
Teaching Textbooks Grade 3 (January 2021)
Science
We usually do Science together as a family subject, and as of last year it’s quickly turned into one of my favorite things to do with my kids. This year, we’ll be using a few of The Good and the Beautiful Science Units, the Gather ‘Round Homeschool Oceans Unit, as well as doing a nature study at least one day a week.
The Good and the Beautiful Units I plan to use this year include Botany, Marine Biology (available as a FREE PDF download), Meteorology, and Energy. I’m so excited for all of them, but in particular the Botany and Energy units as the company has released some gorgeous extension packs with lovely picture books and games.
A couple of months ago, TGATB offered their gorgeous Nature Journals as a free PDF download, so I took advantage of that and ordered a few printed copies from The Homeschool Printing Company (sidetone…if you ever need PDF’s printed, The Homeschool Printing Company does an excellent job at much more affordable prices than Office Depot or Staples).
The Gather ‘Round Homeschool Oceans Unit is a new-to-me curriculum this year. I’m excited for the family-style notebooking type of study to do with my children. I could see us using it in conjunction with Marine Biology as a good supplement during our morning time.
Curriculum Links:
The Good and the Beautiful Science Units
-Botany, Marine Biology, and Meteorology
Gather ‘Round Homeschool Oceans Unit
Nature Journals
History & Economics
History is another subject that we do together as a family. The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts does a great job of incorporating geography and some art history throughout each level, and I felt this year was a good time to begin using their History curriculum, beginning with History 1. There is a 215-page, spiral-bound, course book that guides the parent through the course, which requires no prep time other than glancing at future lessons to see if there are any extra items to gather. Only one course book is needed per family (which I LOVE). It also comes with The Big Book of Stories, a high-quality, 204-page, full-color book that includes maps and color images for use with the course book as well as a compilation of 21 beautifully written, illustrated stories that correspond with the lessons. The Student Explorer worksheets are included as a PDF download for each age group, and you can print them as needed per lesson. Click here to see an outline of all four years of TGATB History courses.
We’ll also continue to use our Tuttle Twins library this year as well. I’m awaiting arrival of the latest book in the series, Messed Up Market, but I’m sure we’ll revisit several of the other stories again. The Tuttle Twins is a set of beautiful, enjoyable books that use storytelling to help you introduce important economic, civic, and social principles to your child. I have NEVER seen anything like them in a public school setting (and I was a product of public education AND a public school teacher for seven years). Trust me when I say, these books are so good, your children will beg you to finish them in one sitting. The illustrations are fantastic and the messages are always crystal clear for even early elementary kids to understand. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that they’ve taught me a thing or two as well. Right now they are offering a bonus pack of all titles PLUS the PDF downloads to accompany each book (think crossword puzzles, coloring pages, recipes, small projects, etc…) for only $61. Jump on this deal…it’s a good one!
Curriculum Links:
The Good and the Beautiful History 1
The Tuttle Twins Books
More Resources
Some additional resources we’ll be using include:
Mind Benders Level 1
Paint By Sticker Books
Usborne Color by Number Books
Kitchen Table Classroom (for art instruction)
Daily Gratitude Journals
I’ll be sharing our second grade curriculum choices in the next couple of days. Let me know if you’ve used any of our choices in the past or have different suggestions in the comments below.
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