Our First Grade Homeschool Curriculum Line up
We’re using Math with Confidence, Grade 1 (affiliate link). We actually started this program in the second half of kindergarten, and it quickly became a favorite.
I love that it’s open-and-go. The teacher’s guide spells out exactly what to say and do, the student workbook gives plenty of practice, and the lessons often include games or short activities. There’s even a suggested list of manipulatives—many of which you can print or easily find at home, or you can purchase manipulatives along with the course book set.
It’s simple, fun, and very effective for building mastery and confidence in math.
One of the most common questions asked in the homeschooling community is: “How do you socialize?”
The second most popular is: “What curriculum are you using?”
I see it all the time in Facebook groups and other homeschool circles—parents trying to figure out what to teach and what materials to use. I’ve asked that same question myself, done a lot of research, and now that we’re in our first grade homeschool year, I’m excited to share our curriculum choices with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, if you purchase something through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps to support my blog. Thank you!
Math curriculum
Language Arts Curriculum - $69.97
For language arts, we’re sticking with The Good and the Beautiful. We started with their kindergarten level halfway through the last school year, and we’re finishing that before moving on to level one.
What I appreciate most is how much it packs into one curriculum—reading, writing, geography, art, and even social studies. The lessons are short, open-and-go, and filled with beautiful stories. My son enjoys the content, and I love the focus on character, values, and gentle reminders of God’s love.
It’s a solid, well-rounded program that fits our family perfectly.
Science curriculum - FREE trial available for a year
For science, we’re using Mystery Science, an online program that has been such a hit in our home.
The video-based lessons are interactive, engaging, and very easy to set up. I can choose lessons based on grade, topic, or whatever sparks my son’s curiosity that week. Some lessons may require a bit of preparation, but it's usually straightforward, and everything is clearly listed, so I know exactly what materials we’ll need.
This is one subject my son often works through independently, while I come in for discussions. It’s hands-on, fun, and one of the easiest parts of our homeschool day.
Social Studies curriculum - $29.95 plus spine books
For social studies, we chose Build Your Library. This curriculum is literature-based, and is perfect for my little guy, who loves exploring and reading new books and stories.
It requires nine main “spine books” that we use throughout the year, plus a variety of supplemental reads that we will either borrow from the library or watch as read-alouds on YouTube. Since the spine books are used throughout the year, we purchased those on Amazon.
I love how it blends history, geography, art, and even cooking into one program. It’s flexible, engaging, and a great way to spark curiosity and conversation.
This curriculum comes as a downloadable PDF that i'm printing bit by bit as we move through the lessons.
Music curriculum - FREE
This year, we’ve added music class where my son will learn to play the piano through Hoffman Academy.
The lessons are online, short (on average 8–13 minutes), and very engaging. My son has already learned two songs, and the best part is—there’s no prep work for me! Sometimes I sit with him during lessons, but overall, it’s something he can enjoy independently.
We’re currently using the free plan, but I’m considering upgrading to the premium option, which is only $20 a month.
Physical Education
For PE, my son is enrolled in Taekwondo twice a week.
Not only does it give him a great workout, but it’s also another opportunity for him to socialize, learn discipline, and have fun with other kids. And honestly, it’s one less thing for me to plan—which is a big win!
Art
We don’t use a specific art curriculum because art is woven into several of our other subjects, like language arts and social studies.
That said, my son loves drawing, coloring, and doing “draw-along” YouTube videos. I often print out coloring sheets or let him explore his own creativity with supplies we have at home. This is our favourite sketchpad (affiliate link)
Handwriting
For handwriting, we use The Good and the Beautiful handwriting program. It’s simple, straightforward, and gives him the extra practice he needs without overwhelming him.
We’ve officially been homeschooling first grade for just over a month, and so far, I’m really happy with how these choices are working out. Each program fits our family’s style of learning and allows us to balance structure with flexibility.
Of course, we still sprinkle in extra activities, videos, and fun projects along the way, but these are the core resources we’re leaning on this year.
Homeschooling looks different for every family, but I hope sharing our curriculum choices gives you some inspiration or ideas as you plan your own year.
Hi, I'm Christal!
I'm a SAHM of 2 amazing kids, and I'm passionate about learning and sharing my experiences as a homeschool mom, homemaker, and home baker. If even one of my stories brings value to your life, this entire blog is worth it! Thanks for dropping by!
