First Grade Language Arts
Family Literacy and Skills Overview of Program
Family Literacy and Skills Curriculum Map by Grade Level
Week 1: Homepage with Links to the First Lesson for grades K-3.
Explanation of the Family Literacy and Skills Program.
Each week, there will be three days of skill practice in order to:
- Increase in knowledge.
Family literacy is available for all grades and reading levels placing an importance on phoneme awareness, phonics and decoding, but then going beyond with syntax, morphology, and semantics. Reading needs a brand new circuit of knowledge and the Family Skills Literacy program can change the thinking through a print and digital adaptive, blended instruction. Each week they will connect the world around them to their own experiences through fluent cognitive awareness.
- Expands vocabulary.
Family Literacy expands vocabulary by exposing the students to new words and ways they can sound out and find the meaning of words through the science of reading, by increasing their ability to expand their vocabulary, spelling, grammar skills and helping the student be a part of this entire comprehension, systemic approach to literacy.
- Sharpens the mind.
Family Literacy sharpens the mind through being a part of the entire comprehension and engaging the students’ brains tapping into their critical analysis and empathy to help make judgments and focusing on the importance of messages in a single word and simple phrases so by the end of the year students will have an automatic, fluent, comprehending brain.
- Enhance the imagination.
Reading and writing are great entertainment and have to be part of this entire comprehensive process. Family Literacy will allow your student to travel to a new world each week connecting their thoughts and feelings. Reading is not only about uncovering new discoveries, but a vehicle to challenge and reflect.
- Early Learning
We have the absolute best academic support for early learning, engagement, and mastery. CGA family literacy helps build a sense of self understanding and facilitates evaluation of individual needs. The more a student knows about a word, the quicker the student will read and comprehend words and stories.
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
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.
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
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