1st Grade Homeschool Curriculum
Age Range: 6-7
Developmental Milestones
- Reading simple sentences and early chapter books
- Writing complete sentences with proper capitalization and punctuation
- Adding and subtracting within 20 fluently
- Understanding place value (tens and ones)
- Telling time to the hour and half-hour
- Following written instructions independently
- Developing logical thinking and problem-solving skills
Recommended Daily Schedule (2.5-3.5 hours)
- Reading/Phonics: 45-60 min
- Math: 30-45 min
- Writing/Language Arts: 20-30 min
- Science/Social Studies: 30 min
- Art/Music/PE: 30 min
Homeschool Tips for 1st Grade
- Continue emphasizing phonics while introducing comprehension strategies
- Use manipulatives for math to build concrete understanding
- Incorporate daily writing practice, even if just journaling
- Read aloud from chapter books to build listening comprehension
- Allow plenty of hands-on science exploration
- Use educational games to reinforce skills
- Celebrate progress and effort over perfection
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours a day should 1st grade homeschool be?
First grade homeschool typically takes 2.5-3.5 hours of focused instruction daily. This can be spread throughout the day with breaks. Remember that homeschool is more efficient than traditional classroom learning, so you'll often cover more material in less time.
What should a 1st grader know by the end of the year?
By the end of first grade, students should read simple books independently, write complete sentences, add and subtract within 20, understand place value, tell time to the hour, identify basic shapes and patterns, and demonstrate growing independence in learning tasks.
How do I teach my 1st grader to read fluently?
Continue phonics instruction while building sight word recognition. Practice reading aloud daily, use decodable readers matched to your child's level, and gradually introduce more challenging texts. Focus on both accuracy and comprehension, and make reading enjoyable rather than stressful.
What math should 1st graders learn?
First grade math covers: counting to 120, addition and subtraction within 20, place value (tens and ones), measuring length, telling time to the hour and half-hour, identifying coins, basic fractions (halves and fourths), and two-dimensional shapes.
Is 1st grade too early for handwriting?
No, first grade is an ideal time for handwriting development. Focus on proper letter formation, pencil grip, and spacing. Start with larger letters and gradually decrease size. Many families use handwriting programs like Handwriting Without Tears. Include fine motor activities like cutting, drawing, and building to support development.
Should I use a full curriculum or individual subjects?
Both approaches work well. Full curriculum packages provide structure and ensure coverage, while individual subjects allow customization. Many families use a core curriculum (often math and language arts) and supplement other subjects with various resources. Choose based on your teaching style and child's needs.
How do I know if my 1st grader is on track?
Use a combination of informal assessment (observation, conversation) and occasional formal checks (reading level tests, math assessments). Compare progress to grade-level expectations but remember that children develop at different rates. Focus on growth rather than hitting exact benchmarks at specific times.
My 1st grader hates writing. What should I do?
Writing reluctance is common at this age. Start small - even one sentence daily builds stamina. Use topics your child cares about, allow dictation sometimes, try different writing tools (markers, chalk, keyboards), and separate the creative process from mechanics. Most importantly, keep it low-pressure and celebrate all attempts.