Switching to Classical method need help with 1st grade

[sarahf.]

Hi I'm new here:) Last year for K we did Sonlight p4/5 with readers K, language arts K and Singapore earlybird math. While I really enjoyed Sonlight my son is a much more hands on learner. I'm torn as to what direction to take for first grade. My son is already reading on a first grade level and has a pretty good handle on basic phonics. Here is what I'm thinking:

LA:
WWE 1
FLL
OPGR
Explode the Code
Time 4 learning
I need a spelling program any rec's?

Math:
Singapore 1A and 1B
Miquon mixed in for fun

History:????
SOTW 1 with activity guide
HO
Mosaics
Need rec's and opinions please:)

Science:????
Noeo Science Biology
R.E.A.L. Science Life
Real science 4 kids biology
Can't decide need rec's and opinions as well:)

Literature:
Sonlight K read-alouds no schedule just read leisurely
Sonlight readers 1

Art:
Artistic pursuits 1


So what do you guys think? Is this too much for a first grader? Please help me decide on Science and History and fill in any blanks. This classical thing is new to me. I have already read The Well Trained Mind just looking for info from seasoned educators. Also we prefer secular curr. Thanks!

[Aurelia]

Hi I'm new here:) Last year for K we did Sonlight p4/5 with readers K, language arts K and Singapore earlybird math. While I really enjoyed Sonlight my son is a much more hands on learner. I'm torn as to what direction to take for first grade. My son is already reading on a first grade level and has a pretty good handle on basic phonics. Here is what I'm thinking:

LA:
WWE 1
FLL
OPGR
Explode the Code
Time 4 learning
I need a spelling program any rec's?

Math:
Singapore 1A and 1B
Miquon mixed in for fun

History:????
SOTW 1 with activity guide
HO
Mosaics
Need rec's and opinions please:)

Science:????
Noeo Science Biology
R.E.A.L. Science Life
Real science 4 kids biology
Can't decide need rec's and opinions as well:)

Literature:
Sonlight K read-alouds no schedule just read leisurely
Sonlight readers 1

Art:
Artistic pursuits 1


So what do you guys think? Is this too much for a first grader? Please help me decide on Science and History and fill in any blanks. This classical thing is new to me. I have already read The Well Trained Mind just looking for info from seasoned educators. Also we prefer secular curr. Thanks!


I'm not all that seasoned, but I would definitely pare down LA. I'd leave spelling and grammar until he's reading better, and pick one program to learn to read. If he likes workbooks, I'd recommend ETC, otherwise OPGTR. Once he finishes one of those, then you could do FLL and spelling (we just started AAS). We tried and weren't amazingly thrilled with T4L, I felt it was a rather expensive supplement. WWE will probably be good, though.

For history, I'm planning to do SOTW with the activity guide, but I looked for a long time at HO. The recommendations I got for it were to wait to do HO until the logic stage because the SOTW activity guide has plenty for the grammar age and is less expensive.

For science, we're not doing anything formal other than weekly nature walks, this year Ariel has already done a lot with the topics covered by the life science, so we're just getting books from the library on different topics and doing projects. I'm thinking seriously of R.E.A.L. science for 2nd grade though, I've heard it's great.

Your literature and art choices look fine, to me. We're going in a slightly different direction, AO for lit and Atelier for art, but everyone has their own way. :001_smile:

[brehon]

Hi I'm new here:) Last year for K we did Sonlight p4/5 with readers K, language arts K and Singapore earlybird math. While I really enjoyed Sonlight my son is a much more hands on learner. I'm torn as to what direction to take for first grade. My son is already reading on a first grade level and has a pretty good handle on basic phonics. Here is what I'm thinking:

LA:
WWE 1
FLL
OPGR
Explode the Code
Time 4 learning
I need a spelling program any rec's?

Math:
Singapore 1A and 1B
Miquon mixed in for fun

History:????
SOTW 1 with activity guide
HO
Mosaics
Need rec's and opinions please:)

Science:????
Noeo Science Biology
R.E.A.L. Science Life
Real science 4 kids biology
Can't decide need rec's and opinions as well:)

Literature:
Sonlight K read-alouds no schedule just read leisurely
Sonlight readers 1

Art:
Artistic pursuits 1


So what do you guys think? Is this too much for a first grader? Please help me decide on Science and History and fill in any blanks. This classical thing is new to me. I have already read The Well Trained Mind just looking for info from seasoned educators. Also we prefer secular curr. Thanks!

I really think that's too much for a 6yo. Or are those the options you're thinking of and you would like help with picking one? Are you following more of a WTM philosophy or a LCC philosophy or something else?

For LA - continue/finish OPGTR, add in FLL (at the appropriate time). I don't use FLL or WWE, so can't tell you when you should start WWE. I would think that using both would be a lot of LA for a young one. Also, I don't think you'll need anything else when you use FLL & WWE.

Math - sounds fine. I use Singapore with my eldest son.

History - you just need one. I use and like SOTW and haven't looked at HO. Although I know several people with young kids use it, I'll revisit the program when my eldest finishes SOTW. I haven't heard of Mosaics.

Science - I think you'll be fine whichever program you choose. You can supplement with outside reading/living science books/additional experiment books as wanted/needed.

Lit/Art - I don't use either of those resources; I'm sure they're fine.

Remember, your ds doesn't need to learn it all right now. He has plenty to time. Have fun with this year!

[calandalsmom]

For first grade I would do Explode the Code, the SL readers and read alouds, a handwriting program, a math and SOTW and let that be it. You have years ahead of you to cram in the rest of it. You definitely do not need a spelling program. If you had to add FLL I guess you could. Science at that age should be as hands on as possible and we like How to Fossillize Your Hamster and also the Young Scientist Club kits. Wild Goose kits are nice too.

[Laurel]

LA:
WWE 1
FLL
OPGR
Explode the Code
Time 4 learning
I need a spelling program any rec's?

If you are going to use ETC, that can be your spelling program. Otherwise, if your dc is reading well, I would choose a spelling program that focuses on phonics rules, and drop OPG and ETC. FLL is gentle and easy and only takes about 5 minutes a day. Don't be afraid to combine lessons in the beginning if the repitition is too much. I'm not terribly familiar with Time4Learning, but I don't think you need anything more than WWE, FLL, OPG, and ETC.

Math:
Singapore 1A and 1B
Miquon mixed in for fun

Sounds good.

History:????
SOTW 1 with activity guide
HO
Mosaics
Need rec's and opinions please:)

We are using SOTW with the activity guide and really enjoying it. The only piece of advice I can offer is don't feel like you have to cover everything in a year - skip over some parts if you need to - and focus on others for longer if you're interested - and it's not the end of the world if you don't finish it all in one year.

Science:????
Noeo Science Biology
R.E.A.L. Science Life
Real science 4 kids biology
Can't decide need rec's and opinions as well:)

We are using REAL Science Life. I think it is the best that there is for a secular science curriculum. I don't love it, but it gets the job done. If I were more of a science-y person, I would design my own science program, focusing a lot on nature study, but I'm not.

Literature:
Sonlight K read-alouds no schedule just read leisurely
Sonlight readers 1

Sounds great to me.

Art:
Artistic pursuits 1


So what do you guys think? Is this too much for a first grader? Please help me decide on Science and History and fill in any blanks. This classical thing is new to me. I have already read The Well Trained Mind just looking for info from seasoned educators. Also we prefer secular curr. Thanks!

I don't think it's too much necessarily, but I do think you need to be willing to drop things if needed. We only get to science and history about 3 weeks every month. That's okay by me, because we're enjoying it and we're learning, and we're not stressing about it.

[Chris in VA]

I think you've got a good, solid program. That said, I'd pick:

Continue with OPGTR

Do FLL--this just takes 5-10 minutes

Use SOTW and the AG, taking narrations about once a week--this will cover writing, very similarly to WWE (so you could drop that)

Instead of the Sonlight read alouds, use the AG read alouds to tie history to literature. You could pick two or three from Sonlight if you want to get away from just historical fiction.

Nix T4L and ETC as they would be repetitive.

If child isn't overwhelmed, you could add in SWO--we loved it, and it was very easy. It only took about 10 minutes a day, and we got thru a book and a half.

Math sounds great, but I wouldn't bother with Miquon. (I don't like C Rods)

Science--each program has its strengths. We just did nature study--you could do that with maybe a kit or two for fun.

Artistic Pursuits is great for that age, and ties in with Ancients, also. There are lots of art projects in SOTW AG, too.

[sarahf.]

Thanks guys! I'm going to go with SOTW 1 with AG; Singapore 1A and 1B; R.E.A.L Science Life and Sonlight read-alouds. I'm so torn on LA can you guys suggest other programs as I am not set on using any of the above mentioned. My son hates workbooks that why I hesitate continuing with ETC. I have not read OPGR so I'm not sure if it would be a good fit. My son is a very reluctant writer so I'm not sure how WWE would fly with him. We are using Time4learning as a supplement because Sonlight K LA is to easy for him but he refuses to do ETC most days. We have tried reading eggs and he enjoyed it I was alo considering ETC online. So basically I need a solid phonics program for a visual learner and a very gentle writing program. I forgot to mention we use and will continue with HTW. Shoot me some curric's to check out:) Thanks....

[Pata]

If ETC is not working for him, don't keep it. Have you looked at All About Spelling (http://www.all-about-spelling.com/)? It's a phonic based approach to spelling. It thought that I would also post what we are doing for first grade since that's what we are doing this year...

LA: copywork, ETC, With Pencil and Pen(free at Google books)
Math: Singapore Math
History: combining SOTW 1 and Sonlight Core 1 (my plans are at my yahoo group here (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elemental_science/))
Science: Biology for the Grammar Stage (http://www.elementalscience.com)
Literature: Early readers & Sonlight Core 1 Read-Alouds
Art: Art Adventures @ Home

Hope that helps!

[SilverMoon]

That seems like a lot to me for first grade.

For LA I'd cut either OPG or ETC, or cut both of them and do a spelling instead. I don't do phonics and spelling at the same time for my kids. When they're ready for spelling we drop the phonics. If Time4Learning is just games I'd leave that on, if it's more work for the kid I'd drop it.

Math looks ok.

History looks really full. In my experience first graders don't retain a ton of history, just focus on hanging those history "pegs" talked about in TWTM. Go broad and don't worry about going deep just yet. SOTW and literature selections from the library are plenty IMO.

I'd drop science down to one of those, and have plenty of children's encyclopedias around on various topics (human body, animals, astronomy, etc). Again, it's more about pegs than thoroughly covering a topic at this age.

I'm not too familiar with Sonlight's choices, but I'd trust them to be good. Add in a library card and you've got it made. ;)

My third kiddo will be starting first grade this fall. His list is:
-FLL
-copywork and narration for writing
-real books for reading
-Phonics Pathways for as long as he needs it, and A Reason For Spelling when he's ready for it. (I expect him to be ready by fall)
-math is to be determined, I'm leaning towards MCP since he likes workbooks so much

He'll be slid into his older siblings' history and science where he's able. We're still using SOTW on a second run through. I collect games and websites and assign reading based on their skill level. Science is elementary Apologia. I plan to just keep rotating through them like SOTW so it won't matter much where he starts. (My olders will move to beefier science on their own in jr. high)

[ElizabethB]

I'd try OPG or PP. You can actually very easily do a bit of oral spelling with both, at first, have him spell a few words he's read, then, after he gets used to that, have him spell a few phonetic words he hasn't learned yet.

I did a bit of spelling with my daughter with Webster's Speller along with the phonics, and it really helped her learn quicker. Before that, we were not doing spelling with our phonics. I also think the syllables helped. If you're adventurous, you could try that, instead! It's a bit tough to get used to, but I have a movie showing how I used it, and it is a very powerful method, the divided syllables make it easy for a young student to learn 3+ syllable words. (ba-ker, to-ma-to, etc.)

Also, here's a fun game you can use as a supplement whatever you decide:

http://www.thephonicspage.org/On%20Phonics/concentrationgam.html

Edit: in K, I did phonics from the white board. You can do this with any method you're using. My daughter was fine with books in 1st grade, but the white board was really helpful with extending her attention span at first.

[Rosie_0801]

Math on the Level is very hands on, since you said your boy doesn't like workbooks...

Rosie

[Colleen in NS]

My son is already reading on a first grade level and has a pretty good handle on basic phonics. Here is what I'm thinking:

LA:
WWE 1
FLL
OPGR
Explode the Code
Time 4 learning
I need a spelling program any rec's?

I'm so torn on LA can you guys suggest other programs as I am not set on using any of the above mentioned. My son hates workbooks that why I hesitate continuing with ETC. I have not read OPGR so I'm not sure if it would be a good fit. My son is a very reluctant writer so I'm not sure how WWE would fly with him. We are using Time4learning as a supplement because Sonlight K LA is to easy for him but he refuses to do ETC most days. We have tried reading eggs and he enjoyed it I was alo considering ETC online. So basically I need a solid phonics program for a visual learner and a very gentle writing program. I forgot to mention we use and will continue with HTW. Shoot me some curric's to check out:) Thanks....

If your son is a reluctant writer, I think WWE will be perfect for him. Do a search on these boards for WWE or Writing With Ease, and read the reports of people on how it's working for their kids.

Is ETC a reading program? If so, I'd choose either that or OPGTR, not both. And, I'd choose OPGTR, simply because I LOVE the teaching books that Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer have put out (FLL, WWE, WTM, OPGTR, etc.). Those ladies, IMO, really know how to communicate to the parent on how to teach language skills. That said, I used a different reading program, because I started before OPGTR came out. It's called Writing Road to Reading (another for you to check out, and it includes spelling training). To use WRTR requires a learning curve for the parent, and it's a good program for how-to-read and spelling, but there are other good spelling programs out there, too.

I'm not sure what all the other abbreviations you mentioned are, but all you really need is a how-to-read program, a spelling program, a writing program, and a grammar program. Oh, and handwriting if you think he needs it. And lots of books to read for history, science, and literature.

[diaperjoys]

My son hates workbooks that why I hesitate continuing with ETC... So basically I need a solid phonics program for a visual learner and a very gentle writing program..

You might want to check out BJU Phonics/English. We were using ETC, and needed a change. My 5yo thinks the colorful BJU pages are just great. Since he was already reading, we aren't doing their reading program, just the 1st grade phonics/english. There is a TM, a worktext, and a practice book. It is fun, solid, and a wee bit silly, which fits my little man perfectly.