Overview of First Grade

The following is a summary of what I sent to the state as my overall plan for the school year. I may have bitten off a bit more than we can chew, but we'll work around that!

Basic Communication Skills:
Grammar, creative writing, lots of reading including poetry, dictionary skills, dramatic play, oral reports, cursive handwriting (he's already started on that on his own)

Math:
Addition, subtraction, English and Metric measurements, place value, beginning multiplication

Citizenship, History, and Government:
Neighborhood helpers (e.g. Firemen), recycling, manners, globe and map study, continents, US history as related to the calendar, and "Silent Cal" Coolidge.

Physical Education and Comprehensive Health:
Daily outside time called "The Outdoor Hour" (see button over to the right), playgrounds (inside and outside), and possibly a short gymnastics class (we have GOT to give the energy an outlet!!), nutrition, and dental health.

Literature:
We'll study one local author a month, possibly doing a lapbook on each. We'll read some about their lives, but mostly read their books.

Natural Sciences:
Body systems (he already knows quite a bit), common animals, birds, and plants, geology, energy, and lots of experiments

Fine Arts:
Drum lessons (already started), piano lessons, study specific artists and their styles and "copying" their style (he loves this), attend arts events. (We are very much into the fine arts! I LOVE doing this part, especially!) Soon we'll be going to see some of Mary Cassatt's paintings. Her paintings were mostly of mothers and children done in the impressionist style. Here is an example:

This is our first "official" year of homeschooling, but we (like every parent) have been doing this since his birth. I hope you enjoy walking through this new chapter of J's life with us.