First Grade Language Arts

Family Literacy & Skills

We have been working hard as a team to revamp our CGA Family Literacy based on your suggestions and input. The Family Literacy will be available to all our families on the curriculum tab in Ally and NOW will provide a complete Language Arts program! This will provide a more rich and engaging learning experience for your family to coincide with our EPIC Day Program.

We have taken all the guesswork out of Language Arts and simply offer lesson plans that are effective, efficient and fun. Our CGA program provides activities families can do together along with specific grade-level appropriate material that cover all the academic needs.

Family Literacy and Skills Overview of Program:
Week 1: Homepage with Links to the First Lesson for grades K-3. The welcome Letter is in Red which has an explanation of the Family Literacy and Skills Program.

Sing, Spell, Read & Write

This is a complete phonics and language arts curriculum. The “Raceway” theme is very appealing and motivating to children, who love tracking their success via race car around a track as they complete the 36 steps to independent reading.  The songs are contagious – children will sing and sing and learn their letter sounds, long and short vowel sounds, blending vowels and consonants, and digraphs almost effortlessly – and enjoy it!  The 17 phonetic, full-color storybooks cover all 36 steps, providing immediate, rewarding reinforcement for the decoding skill just learned.  The games are not just fluff, but real fortification of phonetic skills.  The step-by-step instructor’s manual provides easy-to-follow directions for all lessons. It will aid you in understanding/teaching the phonics program – and give you the confidence to do it!    Included is a complete, phonetic spelling program dove-tailing with the phonetic constructs being learned and a complete handwriting program (if you use the ball and stick manuscript).  Two workbooks include grammar and creative writing as well as letter recognition, sequencing, phonemic awareness, phonics practice, manuscript writing, reading, comprehension, and spelling.  Learn More

Logic of English

Foundations teaches children age 4-7 to read real books without guessing or memorizing sight words while developing their writing, spelling, and language skills.   In Foundations students gain phonemic awareness, learn to read and write the 74 basic phonograms and increase reading fluency through structured but playful activities. The innovative Rhythm of Handwriting™ method aids students in developing fluid handwriting. Step by step, students grow as readers, moving from phrases to sentences to paragraphs to books.  Using evidence-based reading instruction methods, Foundations combines multi-sensory learning with the latest in linguistic research to provide students the best possible foundation for education: strong reading and writing skills.  l Learn More

Comes with: Level A Teachers Manual and Student Workbook,  Doodling Dragons,  Phonogram and Spelling Rule Quick Reference (cursive or manuscript), Rhythm of Handwriting Quick Reference Chart (for cursive only), Rhythm of Handwriting Tactile Cards, (cursive or manuscript, optional for K only), Phonogram Game Cards-2 sets,
Basic Phonogram Flash Cards, Phonogram Game Tiles, Spelling Analysis Card

Notes: Logic of English is a very solid phonics foundation that is multi-sensory in nature.  It is parent intensive. Help Me Choose link

Shurley English

This program is highly structured. Lessons are taught with continual teacher-student interaction. Students then complete worksheets or writing assignments from their workbooks. CD’s present jingles and the question and answer flow for different types of sentences. The teacher’s manual explains the methodology and offers useful teaching tips and some creative ideas. Learn More

Moving Beyond The Page

Explore patterns in nature. Learn how numbers can be applied in the real world. Engage in informative and interesting literature. Enjoy watching your child plan interesting projects like a “Sensible Party” where everyone who attends has to use all of their senses.  The Age 5-7 curriculum constitutes one year of academic instruction.   In the Moving Beyond the Page Age 5-7 curriculum, your child will explore all subject areas and will be given ample opportunity to practice letter recognition – along with reading and writing according to your child’s ability. The curriculum does not assume that your child can read, but readers and non-readers alike will be challenged. The curriculum is filled with quality literature to enjoy with your child. Oftentimes, homeschoolers are only taught reading, writing, and math during the early years, but a truly comprehensive curriculum will expose them to science and social studies as well. These subjects can be the most engaging and exciting for a young child. Learn More

Comes with: Each Concept comes with a variety of  Literature, Manipulatives, a Teachers manual and Student Activity book.

Notes: Moving Beyond The Page is a literature based curriculum.  It does become overwhelming with so many activities.  Our favorite way to use it is to pick and choose between activities and not become bogged down by doing all of them. Placement test

Order Here

See all the Moving Beyond The Page materials available for children ages 5-7

All About Reading

Get ready to make reading your student’s favorite subject of the day! This is a delightful, developmentally appropriate method for learning to read. All About Reading is a scripted, open-and-go program, developed for busy parents, teachers, and tutors who want to teach reading in the most effective way possible. Learn More

Comes with: Teacher Manual,  Student Activity Packet, 3 Readers, Interactive kit.

Notes: All About Reading is great for struggling readers, but it can be too repetitive for quick learners.   Placement test

Teach Your Child to Read -100 Easy Lessons

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a complete, step-by-step program that shows parents simply and clearly how to teach their children to read.

Twenty minutes a day is all you need, and within 100 teaching days, your child will be reading on a solid second-grade reading level. It’s a sensible, easy-to-follow, and enjoyable way to help your child gain the essential skills of reading. Everything you need is here — no paste, no scissors, no flash cards, no complicated directions — just you and your child learning together. One hundred lessons fully illustrated and color-coded for clarity, give your child the basic and more advanced skills needed to become a good reader.

Phonics Pathways

Teaches reading using sounds and spelling patterns.  These sounds and patterns are introduced one at a time, and slowly built into words, syllables, phrases, and sentences.  Simple step-by-step directions begin every lesson. Learn More

Explode The Code

Content provides research-based, multisensory instruction best for beginning and struggling readers.  Reinforcement for every skill in the “1/2 books” series allows for extra practice. Consistent exercise formats with simple directions and concrete examples allow students to work and learn independently. Learn More

Needs: Semester 1- Book 1,  Semester 2- Book 2 (1/2 books are available only if extra practice is needed)

Notes: Great for the child who is beginning to read but needs practice.  Add Spelling and Grammar.

Reading Eggs online

makes learning to read interesting and engaging for kids, with great online reading games and activities. Children love the games, songs, golden eggs and other rewards which, along with feeling proud of their reading, really motivate children to keep exploring and learning.  Learn More

RazKids(Online)

RazKids provides online instruction that automatically adapts to the specific learning needs of every student.  Teaches non readers and early readers critical reading fundamentals, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and basic vocabulary.  Learn More

Spelling You See – Jack and Jill

Jack and Jill uses fun and engaging nursery rhymes to teach spelling skills and introduce new words. Nursery rhymes tell a story, helping students develop an understanding of simple narrative sequences and provide expanded opportunities for vocabulary development. Easy to say and easy to learn, nursery rhymes add an indispensable auditory component to this level.

Learn More

Needs:  Instructors Handbook and Student Pack.

Soaring with Spelling

The spelling and vocabulary worksheets in Level 1 start with a gentler  approach by introducing the student to  simple one and two-syllable list words for  each lesson.  The list words for the Level  1 spelling worksheets demonstrate simple  long and short vowel sounds, as well as  an introduction to vowel and consonant  blends.  The complexity of the list words  and the concepts they cover become  more difficult as the Levels progress. Learn More

Comes with: Workbook and Answer Key.

Spelling Workout

Spelling Workout will build your child’s spelling foundation. Using principles of phonics, this step-by-step program will introduce your child to the basic building blocks of the written word. Of course, you won’t have to worry about the lesson being too dull – MCP Spelling Workout: Grade 1 uses cross-curricular reading selections sure to keep your child interested in the material. You’ll also have access to puzzles, riddles and activities that put a new spin on Spelling education. Learn More

Notes: My personal favorite Spelling program as it is phonics based and includes writing and editing.

Writing with Ease

Provides easy-to-use materials for introducing this comprehensive writing approach to young students; an    approach that understands the need for one-on-one instruction and focuses on copywork (putting words on paper) and narration (putting ideas into words). Learn More

Comes with: A stand alone curriculum.

Four Square Writing

Teach writing skills using this innovative new approach. The Four Square method can be used with all forms of writing and will fit any reading or language arts program. This step-by-step approach is built around a simple graphic organizer that first shows students how to collect ideas and then helps them use those ideas to create clear and polished prose. Open-ended reproducibles make the technique accessible to writers of all ability ranges. Learn More

Notes: A writing method that is easy to teach and understand.

Winning with Writing

This level covers introduction to sentences, different types of sentences, organizing your thoughts for writing, main topics, details, and detail sentences and more. Learn More

Bravewriter

You will act as secretary and transcriptionist, giving your child’s young, quirky, brilliant voice access to the world of print. Your little bundle will discover that a writer already lives inside. These ten engaging writing projects include word play, photography, teatimes, body art, and fairy tales, to name a few!

The Jot it Down! program product:

  • Developmentally appropriate writing projects
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • A weekly and monthly plan

Jot It Down! is visually engaging, easy to use (open-and-go), and lasts an entire school year.

The projects are equally valuable to Charlotte Mason fans, classical homeschoolers, and unschoolers alike! How you home educate will be supported by both the specific, helpful instructions, and the wide open space to interpret the projects individually. Adapt this product for older students by handing the pencil to them. Learn More

First Language Lessons

A complete beginning grammar text that uses copywork, narration, picture study, and other classical techniques to develop the young student’s language ability. Scripted lessons give the teacher direction and confidence, while exquisite pencil reproductions of great paintings are used to encourage children in oral composition. Learn More

Comes with: This is a stand alone product.

Notes: Is very structured and requires parent involvement.

Growing with Grammar

Each grammar book teaches the  basics of grammar in a way that is age-appropriate for  the level. Learn More

Comes with: Workbook and Answer Key.

D’Nealian

D’Nealian Handwriting is the original continuous stroke handwriting program! It’s based on a few simple connecting strokes that children then use to write in cursive.

Four units are included in this Grade 1 workbook: Getting Ready to Write, Writing Lower-case letters, Writing Numbers and Number Words, and Writing Capital Letters. The first unit features pre-writing skill practice in the form of drawing lines, matching, and tracing. The other units feature letters, words, and sentences for students to trace and write independently. Learn More

Zaner Bloser

Zaner-Bloser Handwriting is a complete handwriting program that can be taught in as little as 15 minutes a day! The Zaner-Bloser style teaches a vertical manuscript alphabet that is made up of only four simple strokes and is similar to the letter forms most widely used in everyday print.

This first grade workbook focuses on reinforcing manuscript handwriting. Colorful and engaging exercises increase legibility through regular self-evaluation and will help students develop fluency and automaticity. Students will trace and write strokes, letters, words, and sentences, along with numbers and basic math problems, with review and application included throughout. Learn More

Directional features include:

  • Letter models with arrows to show stroke sequence
  • Green starting dots that show students where initial strokes begin
  • Stroke descriptions to guide letter formation at home
  • Stop-and-check signs to remind students to self-evaluate their letters
  • Space to practice writing directly beneath models (that both left-and right-handed students can easily see)

Handwriting Skills Simplified

Handwriting skills are needed in every facet of life, not just in the classroom! Children will be taught legible handwriting through practice and more practice! Handwriting Skills Simplifiedprovides a direct, easyto do, “trace and write” method. Each page provides tracing and writing practice for each letter of the alphabet, along with individual words and sentences. Basic strokes, hand position, tracing, and the alphabet are also addressed. . Soon your students will have achieved legible cursive handwriting! 64 pages, reproducible for classroom use. Grade 1, manuscript. Learn More