Ready to homeschool First Grade language arts? My goal is to guide you step-by-step through the process of learning to use the free, high-quality language arts curriculum from Core Knowledge to homeschool your student.
What is Language Arts? Language arts is a broad term referring to a variety of subjects including reading, spelling, composition, penmanship, grammar, language mechanics, punctuation, vocabulary, literature, and literary skills.
What Will Your Student Learn in First Grade? Your student will learn to read and spell more complex words, write short compositions, learn the basic parts of speech and sentence structure, and be exposed to fiction, drama, and poetry. They will hear wonderful stories including fairy tales and Aesop’s fables, as well as have an opportunity to learn and compare similar stories from different cultures around the world.
Let’s get started!
Using the Core Knowledge Curriculum
To use the free Core Knowledge Curriculum to homeschool you’ll need to watch the how-to videos, download the free support materials we’ve put together, and download the free curriculum from Core Knowledge.
But first an important note…
The Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum for Kindergarten through Third Grade is split into two strands: Skills and Listening & Learning. Each strand has it’s own set of curriculum. Both strands are required for a full language arts curriculum.
Core Knowledge Language Arts Skills Curriculum Covers:
- Reading
- Spelling
- Penmanship
- Grammar
- Language Mechanics
- Composition
Core Knowledge Language Arts Listening & Learning Curriculum Covers:
- Literature
- Literary Terms
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Reinforces other language arts concepts
Experienced Homeschoolers: If you are already using a high-quality phonics curriculum and are primarily looking for the literature, reading comprehension, and vocabulary components, you will want to use the CKLA: Listening & Learning curriculum alongside your current phonics, grammar, and penmanship curriculum.
Please note, the support materials we make available are specific to the 1st edition Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum and the 1st edition Core Knowledge Skills curriculum which are available to download for free on the Core Knowledge website.
How to Use Core Knowledge Language Arts Skills Curriculum
- Watch the How-to Videos for the CKLA Skills Curriculum (below)
- Download the free CKLA Skills Support Materials: Organization Guide and Unit-Specific Prep Checklist
- Download the free CKLA Skills Curriculum
Watch the How-To Videos for the CKLA Skills Curriculum
Download the CKLA Skills Support Materials
I have done the organization and scheduling work for you! View and download the organization guide, unit-specific prep checklist, supply list, daily schedule, and more.
Download CKLA Skills Curriculum
Ready to download the free Core Knowledge Curriculum? Click the button below to watch the How-to Download video where I’ll walk you through the download process and give you important tips for keeping the curriculum files organized.
How to Use the Core Knowledge Language Arts: Listening & Learning Curriculum
- Watch the How-to Videos for the CKLA Listening & Learning Curriculum (below)
- Download the free CKLA LIstening & Learning Support Materials: Organization Guide and Unit-Specific Prep Checklist
- Download the free CKLA Listening & Learning Curriculum
Watch the How-to Videos for the CKLA Listening & Learning Curriculum
Download the CKLA Listening & Learning Support Materials
I have done the organization and scheduling work for you! View and download the organization checklist, unit-specific prep checklist, supply list, daily schedule, and more.
Download the CKLA Listening & Learning Curriculum
Ready to download the free Core Knowledge Curriculum? Click the button below to watch the How-to Download video where I’ll walk you through the download process and give you important tips for keeping the curriculum files organized.
Once you’re ready, check out our videos and support materials for using Core Knowledge History and Geography (CKHG), Core Knowledge Science (CKSci), and MEP Math for First Grade.
The Core Knowledge Foundation is a non-profit organization and has generously made their curriculum free to download. If you are able to, please consider making a donation to support their ongoing curriculum development efforts.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase an item, we will receive a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. These small commissions help offset the costs of producing and hosting this content.
Core Knowledge, CKLA, CKHG, and CKSci are registered marks of the Core Knowledge Foundation
Amplify is a registered mark of Amplify Education, Inc.
MEP Math has been made available through the Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching
