Guest Author - Meg Grooms

Following is a list of topics that are part of a well-rounded first grade classroom. Use this list as a starting point for a customized course of study for your 6 or 7 year old. These items are in addition to lower-level skills.

Language Arts
Reading (greater phonemic awareness and decoding skills)
Establish extensive sight vocabulary (Dolch sight words)
Ability to read common words (name, signs, etc.)
Dramatic play
Creating stories and poems
Simple narration of favorite stories
Following and giving multiple instructions, properly and with clarity
Participation in group discussion
Alphabetizing
Beginning spelling (particularly words with same ending or beginning)
Beginning grammar (nouns, verbs, adjectives)
Beginning punctuation and capitalization
Advanced printing/manuscript skills


Math
Counting and writing numbers to 100
Counting by 2s to 40
Counting by 5s to 50
Concept of zero
Place value & sets (units/ones, tens, hundreds)
Single digit addition and subtraction to 9
Double digit addition without carrying
Use of number line to add and subtract large numbers
Concept of equality and inequality
Beginning estimation of weight and size
Concept of 1/2 and 1/4
Complex shapes (rectangle, oval, etc.)
Telling time to quarter hour (analog)
Matching analog and digital time
Value of penny, nickel, dime, quarter
Simple addition and subtraction word problems
Basic charting and graphing

Science/Health/Safety
Grouping and classification
Common birds
Habitats
Solids, liquids, gasses
Air & water
Magnet study
Fire & temperature
Sun, moon, stars, planets
Simple machines
Introduction to scientific method
Hygeine
Dental health
Proper eating habits
Proper exercise habits
Common diseases
Dressing for the weather
Street safety rules
Recognition of safety signs, police officers, directional signals, etc.

Social Studies
Beginning American History
Neighborhood helpers (police, firefighters, etc)
Careers
Basic geogrpahy terms (north, south, left, right, etc)
Making and reading simple map

Art/Music
Continued exposure to variety or musical and art genres
Expanded experience in creating with various mediums
Continued dramatic play
Exposure to theater and dance
Proper behavior at events

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Take a look at my ebook
Homeschooling With Confidence: A Plain English Guide to Homeschooling in the United States