First Grade Homeschool
First grade is when reading often clicks — and when you realize your child can read the cereal box instead of the lesson. Channel that energy: daily reading practice, math facts, and short writing wins.
Skills checklist
Language arts
- Phonics rules (silent e, blends, digraphs)
- Read beginning readers / early chapter books
- Write complete sentences with capitalization and period
- Spelling common words
Mathematics
- Addition and subtraction within 20 (fluent)
- Place value (tens and ones)
- Tell time to half hour; identify coins
- Word problems with drawings
Science
- Life cycles (plants, butterflies)
- Weather patterns; seasons
- Five senses investigations
Social studies
- Maps and globes
- Now vs long ago
- Good citizenship basics
Sample week
| Day | LA | Math | Rotation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Phonics + reading | New lesson | Science |
| Tue | Spelling | Practice | Social studies |
| Wed | Grammar | New lesson | Science |
| Thu | Writing 3 sentences | Review | Art |
| Fri | Review | Games | Field trip / project |
Sample Thursday (2.5 hours)
| Time | Block |
|---|---|
| 9:00–9:30 | Reading lesson + independent read 10 min |
| 9:30–10:00 | Math — word problems with manipulatives |
| 10:00–10:15 | Break |
| 10:15–10:45 | Write 3 sentences about yesterday’s book |
| 10:45–11:00 | Spelling aloud |
Florida notes
First grade portfolios should show reading growth — save a reading sample from September and March.