Homeschooling my kids has been one of the most rewarding decisions I've ever made—and also one of the most overwhelming at times. If you're anything like me, when your child reached first grade, you probably asked yourself, "Am I doing this right?" or "What should I teach in 1st grade homeschool?"
Trust me, I’ve been there.
In this post, I want to simplify things for you and share exactly what you need to focus on in your 1st grade homeschool year. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re looking for ways to improve your current routine, this guide will help you feel more confident and prepared.
Why First Grade Matters in Homeschooling
First grade is a foundational year. Your child is building essential skills in reading, writing, and math that will support their learning for years to come. It’s also a year where curiosity blooms—making it the perfect time to introduce fun and engaging learning experiences.
This is the year when phonics start to click, math begins to build on kindergarten basics, and your child becomes more independent in their learning. So let’s break it all down into the key subjects and what you should actually teach.
1. Reading and Language Arts
Main Goals:
What to Teach:
-
Phonics and decoding: Focus on blending letter sounds, digraphs (sh, th, ch), long and short vowels, and word families.
-
Sight words: Practice high-frequency words like the, said, was, there—these are key for fluency.
-
Reading fluency: Daily reading aloud sessions are a must. Repetition builds fluency and confidence.
-
Comprehension: Ask questions about the story—Who, What, When, Where, Why? Let them retell the story in their own words.
-
Grammar basics: Nouns, verbs, adjectives, capitalization, punctuation.
-
Writing practice: Start with writing simple sentences and progress to short stories or journal entries.
Personal tip: I like to keep a reading journal where my child draws and writes a sentence or two about the book we read that day. It’s a simple way to combine reading and writing—and they love looking back at it!
2. Math
Main Goals:
-
Understand number sense (up to 100 and beyond)
-
Learn basic addition and subtraction facts
-
Recognize patterns, shapes, and measurements
-
Tell time and count money
What to Teach:
-
Numbers and counting: Count forwards and backwards, skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
-
Place value: Understand ones, tens, and hundreds.
-
Addition/Subtraction: Simple facts within 20; using number lines, fingers, or manipulatives.
-
Word problems: Help your child learn how to "see" the math in a sentence.
-
Time and money: Read clocks to the hour and half-hour, recognize coins and their values.
-
Shapes and measurements: Learn about 2D/3D shapes, length, weight, and simple graphs.
Personal tip: We use real-life situations to make math fun. Cooking, measuring ingredients, shopping, and telling time with a wall clock are part of our daily math adventures.
3. Science
Main Goals:
-
Encourage curiosity and observation
-
Understand basic scientific concepts
-
Learn through hands-on exploration
What to Teach:
-
The 5 senses: Explore the body and how we interact with the world.
-
Seasons and weather: Track weather patterns and understand how seasons change.
-
Plants and animals: Learn about life cycles, habitats, and needs of living things.
-
Earth and space: Basic introduction to the solar system and Earth’s resources.
-
Experiments: Simple science projects like making a volcano, growing a bean plant, or exploring magnets.
Personal tip: We keep a "Science Notebook" where my child draws observations and writes a sentence or two about what they learned. It’s a great way to build those writing skills while exploring science.
4. Social Studies
Main Goals:
-
Understand family, community, and country
-
Learn about maps and geography
-
Develop respect for diversity and culture
What to Teach:
-
Community helpers: Police officers, firefighters, doctors, teachers—who they are and what they do.
-
Family and traditions: Learn about your own family history and compare to others.
-
Geography basics: Learn the continents, oceans, country, state, and city. Introduce maps and globes.
-
Holidays and cultures: Explore different holidays and how other people live.
-
Citizenship and responsibility: Talk about rules, fairness, and being a good helper at home and in the community.
Personal tip: We do a monthly culture study where we pick a country, cook a traditional dish, and learn a few fun facts about its people and customs. It’s a great bonding activity!
5. Handwriting and Fine Motor Skills
Main Goals:
What to Teach:
-
Letter formation: Practice both uppercase and lowercase letters.
-
Spacing and alignment: Help them keep their writing neat and within lines.
-
Copywork: Have them copy sentences, Bible verses, poems, or favorite book quotes.
Personal tip: I try to rotate writing tools—crayons, markers, pencils, and even sand trays—to keep it fun and engaging.
6. Art and Music
Main Goals:
What to Teach:
-
Drawing and painting: Use basic art supplies to create seasonal crafts or draw from books.
-
Music appreciation: Listen to different types of music, learn simple songs or rhythm patterns.
-
Art history: Introduce a famous artist each month and recreate their style.
Personal tip: We have “Creative Fridays” where we let go of the regular schedule and just create—paint, sculpt, sing, or dance. It’s always the highlight of our week!
7. Life Skills
First grade is the perfect time to begin teaching basic life skills alongside academics.
What to Include:
-
Morning routines
-
Cleaning up after activities
-
Basic cooking (with supervision)
-
Folding laundry
-
Organizing school supplies
-
Taking turns and managing emotions
These skills build independence and confidence. Plus, they're practical and super important in real life!
8. PE and Outdoor Time
Movement is critical at this age! Don’t overlook physical education.
Personal tip: We keep a simple PE log to track activities. It helps me stay accountable and shows progress over time.
A Sample 1st Grade Homeschool Schedule (4-Day Week)
Here’s what a typical week looks like for us. We homeschool 4 days a week and leave Fridays for field trips, crafts, or just catching up.
Monday – Thursday:
-
Morning basket (read alouds, calendar, weather)
-
Language Arts (reading + writing)
-
Math
-
Snack break
-
Science or Social Studies
-
Art, Music, or Life Skills
-
Outdoor play or PE
Keeping lessons short (15–30 minutes each) keeps my child engaged without burnout.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple and Fun
Homeschooling 1st grade doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You don’t need to recreate public school at home. Focus on the basics, create a rhythm that works for your family, and give yourself plenty of grace.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this homeschool journey, it’s this: connection always comes before curriculum.
So keep things flexible, follow your child’s interests, and make space for joy.
I'd Love to Hear from You!
Are you homeschooling a first grader this year? What are your favorite resources or go-to activities for making learning fun at home?
Leave a comment below and let’s support each other in this amazing homeschool journey! Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler or just getting started, your tips, questions, and experiences are always welcome here. 💛
Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.
~With love,
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
Comments
Post a Comment