🌟 What We’re Loving So Far (Amazon Favorites+)
Here are a few things my kids and I use all the time that make homeschooling + everyday life easier and more fun:
📚 Puzzle Books (Amazon)
✏️ Kids’ Washable Art Supplies Set (Amazon)
🧩 STEM Building Kit (Amazon)
🎨 Craft Supplies Organizer Box (Amazon)
🎲 Family Game Night Favorite (Amazon)
🗂️ Homeschool Planner (My Shop)
🧠 LCD Writing Tablet (Amazon)
🪄 Quiet-Time Activity Book (Amazon)
If you’re anything like me, planning a new homeschool year feels a little bit like Christmas morning—exciting, inspiring, and honestly… a tiny bit overwhelming. When my daughter turned six and we officially stepped into first grade homeschooling, I wanted to make sure we chose things that were gentle, fun, age-appropriate, and not overwhelming for either of us.
And let’s be honest—first grade is such a precious year. They’re still little, still curious, still full of imagination, and still deeply in love with hands-on learning. So while I wanted her to grow academically, I also wanted to keep learning light, playful, and enjoyable.
In this post, I’m sharing everything I bought for my daughter’s first grade homeschool—curriculum, supplies, manipulatives, books, art materials, and the little extras that make our days smoother. I’m also sharing why I chose each thing, what problem it solves, and how it supports learning in a gentle, realistic way.
Whether you’re preparing for your first year or refreshing your homeschool shelves, I hope this helps you breathe a little deeper and feel a little more confident.
Why First Grade Homeschool Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated
Before I jump into the list, I want to say something I wish someone had told me earlier:
First grade doesn’t need to be heavy, expensive, or strictly structured.
Six-year-olds learn through:
Your homeschool doesn’t need to look like a traditional classroom to be effective.
In fact, it shouldn’t.
My goal this year was to create a simple setup that supports independence, builds confidence, and keeps learning joyful—not stressful.
Okay, mama. Let’s get into the fun part!
Curriculum I Bought for First Grade
I kept our curriculum light, flexible, and gentle. Here’s what we’re using:
1. Math Curriculum: A Gentle, Visual Approach
For math, I chose a curriculum that uses:
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hands-on practice
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visual models
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simple worksheets
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story-based lessons
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short, doable activities
I also paired the main curriculum with math manipulatives (more on those below) so she can actually see the math she’s doing. At age six, understanding matters more than memorizing.
Why it works:
It turns abstract math into something concrete. My daughter loves the bite-sized lessons, and the hands-on nature keeps her from feeling overwhelmed.
Problem it solves:
No more tears or frustration. Lessons are short, gentle, and developmentally appropriate.
2. Phonics + Reading Curriculum
First grade is such a magical year for reading. We’re focusing on:
The reading curriculum I chose is structured, but not too heavy. It comes with decodable readers so she can actually apply what she learns immediately.
Why it works:
Decodable books give her early wins, and she feels so proud every time she finishes one.
Problem it solves:
Instead of guessing or memorizing whole words (which is common), she’s actually decoding and building real reading skills.
3. Handwriting Curriculum
For handwriting, I kept it extremely simple. Six-year-olds don’t need pages and pages of writing every day.
We focus on:
Just a few lines a day is perfect.
Why it works:
Short lessons = no overwhelm.
Problem it solves:
It prevents burnout and keeps handwriting enjoyable.
4. Science + Social Studies (Interest-Led)
Instead of a formal curriculum, I chose themed unit studies and books for:
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nature
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weather
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animals
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community helpers
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health
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habitats
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seasons
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geography
First grade is the perfect time for light, fun, gentle science exploration.
Why it works:
We follow her interests. When she loves a topic, she learns deeper and faster.
Problem it solves:
No pressure, no rushing, no checking boxes. Everything is age-appropriate.
Books I Bought for First Grade
Books are the heart of our homeschool, so I made sure to buy a great mix.
1. Early Reader Books
I stocked up on:
These help her see herself as a “real reader.”
2. Read-Aloud Chapter Books
I chose gentle, imaginative stories like:
These build vocabulary, listening skills, imagination, and bonding time.
3. Picture Books for Science and History
We bought picture books about:
Picture books make learning feel like exploring, not studying.
Math Manipulatives I Bought (Game-Changers!)
Hands-on learning is EVERYTHING in first grade math.
Here’s what I bought:
Perfect for addition, subtraction, patterns, measurement, and visualizing math.
Helps her see numbers instead of memorizing them.
3. Number Line
Great for adding, subtracting, and understanding number order.
We use them for:
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geometry
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symmetry
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fine motor skills
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creativity
We turn math into games!
Helps her understand real-world math and basic economics.
Why manipulatives solve a huge problem:
Kids need to see math, not hear it abstractly. Manipulatives prevent confusion, frustration, and gaps in understanding.
Art + Creativity Supplies I Bought
My daughter LOVES art, and honestly, art is a huge part of learning at this age.
Here’s what I stocked up on:
Why it works:
Art builds confidence, improves handwriting skills, and strengthens creativity.
Problem it solves:
On tough homeschool days, art resets the mood instantly.
Essential School Supplies We Needed
First grade still requires the basics, so I bought:
These help keep our homeschool days smooth (and prevent the “Mom, where is my pencil?!” problem).
Printable Resources I Bought or Made
Because I love printables, I also included:
Printables help fill small gaps without overloading our day.
Organization Items I Bought
A little organization goes a long way in homeschool.
Here’s what helps us:
Perfect for storing daily work, books, and art supplies.
We use one for math, one for reading, and one for art.
These keep her workbooks upright and easy to grab.
For pencils, scissors, glue, and markers.
One folder for completed work
One folder for “still working on it” pages
Why it works:
When everything has a place, our days move smoother and faster.
Problem it solves:
Less searching, more learning. Less clutter, more calm.
Games I Bought for Learning (Her Favorite Part!)
Games build SO many first grade skills without stress.
Here’s what I chose:
Educational games are secretly teaching:
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reading
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spelling
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math
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problem-solving
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logic
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cooperation
But to kids, it’s just fun.
Outdoor Items I Bought for Nature Learning
Because first graders thrive outside, I included:
Outdoor learning is not just “extra” — it’s foundational.
Why This First Grade Setup Actually Works
Everything I bought supports:
✔ short lessons
✔ hands-on learning
✔ curiosity
✔ gentle academics
✔ independence
✔ confidence building
✔ a peaceful homeschool rhythm
I didn’t want a year full of stress, tears, or pressure.
I wanted a year filled with learning that feels natural to her age.
And honestly?
This setup has made our first grade year smoother, gentler, and more joyful.
If You’re Planning First Grade Too… Here’s My Best Advice
Before you buy anything, ask yourself:
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Will this make our days easier?
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Does my child actually need this right now?
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Will this support her learning style?
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Is this age-appropriate?
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Will this simplify my homeschool?
You don’t need to buy everything.
But having the right things truly does make a difference.
Start with the basics.
Add in what supports your child.
And ignore what everyone else is doing.
Your homeschool should work for your family, not anyone else’s.
If you're getting ready to plan your homeschool year, make sure to check out:
👉 My other homeschool blog posts
👉 My printables for early learners on my store
Save this post to Pinterest so other homeschool moms can find it too!
Leave a Comment
I’d love to hear from you!
👇
What are YOU buying for your first grader this year?
Let’s share ideas and help each other out!
📚 Explore More Helpful Amazon Finds
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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.
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
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