1st Grade Homeschool Curriculum Choices ~ Language Arts, Math, Handwriting and Spelling!

Hi Friends! Today I'm sharing what curriculum we will be using next year for my daughter's individual subjects for her first grade year (or at least what I THINK we will be using)! I'm sharing math, math supplements, language arts, spelling and handwriting. We will use a mix of Abeka and The Good and The Beautiful for her independent subjects, and I will be sharing family subjects in a separate video. I'm also talking about how another LA curriculum came about that has me wondering if we might change directions. Stay tuned!
Language 1: www.abeka.com/abekaonline/boo...
Letters and Sounds 1: www.abeka.com/abekaonline/boo...
Spelling: www.abeka.com/abekaonline/boo...
Math: www.goodandbeautiful.com/prod...
Math Supplement: www.abeka.com/abekaonline/boo...
Handwriting: www.goodandbeautiful.com/pre-...
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Looking for other grades?
3rd grade curriculum choices: • 3rd Grade Homeschool C...
5th grade curriculum choices: • 5th Grade Homeschool C...
The Good & The Beautiful Playlist: • The Good & The Beautiful
Abeka Playlist: • Abeka
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Other videos you might enjoy:
~Our Favorite Curriculum: • Our FAVORITE Homeschoo...
~The Good & The Beautiful Unboxing: • Raw & Honest Reactions...
~Abeka vs. The Good and The Beautiful Language Arts: • WHICH IS BETTER? YOU D...
~Abeka vs. The Good and The Beautiful Math Level K: • Kindergarten Math | Ab...
~Homeschool Update & Mom Encouragment: • ARE WE STARTING A NEW ...
~Kindergarten Curriculum Choices: • HOMESCHOOL KINDERGARTE...
~1st grade curriculum review: • 1ST GRADE END OF YEAR ...
~2nd grade curriculum choices: • 2nd GRADE HOMESCHOOL C...
~3rd grade curriculum review: • MY END OF YEAR 3RD GRA...
~4th grade curriculum choices: • HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ...
~ Our morning basket from last year: • OUR *SIMPLE* MORNING B...
~ Our morning basket for this year 2021-2022: • NEW! GROUP SUBJECTS ~ ...
~Do our morning basket with us: • HOW WE DO OUR GROUP SU...
~Day in the Life of a Homeschooled 2nd Grader: • WHAT DOES SHE DO ALL D...
~ What My 3rd Grader is Reading: • WHAT MY 3RD GRADER IS ...
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homeschool curriculum, homeschool curriculum picks, homeschool math curriculum, homeschooling for beginners, homeschool curriculum choices, homeschool curriculum review, the good and the beautiful math, math curriculums for elementary school, first grade curriculum

[@brittanyolga]

I love how you supplement your math curriculum. It is a great way to make sure those math concepts stick. I love using two math curriculum as well. 😍

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

It really does help!

[@lifewithginab]

Enjoyed seeing your picks Lauren!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Thanks Gina! ☺️

[@captain7471]

Also, thanks to you we picked up The Handbook For Reading from Abeka and that’s how I know their program works so well for her! Thank you for all your videos and advice ❤️

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

So happy to hear that!

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

Looks good! That’ll be a fun year. Now you got me thinking about supplementing math with Abeka. 😊

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Do it 😄😄

[@terezagroves2261]

Thank you so much for your videos! I'm homeschooling for the first time with my K5 and 2nd grader. I'm getting so many ideas of how to combine Abeka with GATB.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Nice! Glad to hear that 😄

[@meganquinn7646]

We used TGATB Math 1 this year and loved it! I wish it had more lessons though. We finished it about a month ago and I’ve been trying to supplement it for the rest of the year by using some workbooks that we have on hand. Thank you for the idea to use the Abeka workbook to go along with the core curriculum! Next year will be the same since the second grade book ahead 120 lessons also.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Yea I get that! But it also allows you to try out some other stuff and switch it up a bit for the rest of the year!

[@GenkiKitty]

I just love how your supplement your math curriculum, we've convinced me to do the same with our twins. If you really like the new TGTB language arts, try to supplement it. We actually do two curriculums but stager the days of the week. 3 days for 1 curriculum and 2 days for another. My kids love the variety as it breaks up monoteny and gives two approaches to everything. Later in grade levels, we shall choose just one, as the content gets more intense, for now it works and each child can choose which program to continue on with in the future.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

True! I thought about it (and might do it, who knows!) and may just add a lesson here or there! We’ll see how it goes 😊

[@elenahajda9817]

I did Abeka with my daughter k5 and after I have seen The Good and the Beautiful I fell in love, it's different perspective, Abeka is very basic I feel and TGTB more hands on and so creative so I think Grade 1 will be more fun for my daughter. Thanks for supplementing ideas I do like abeka arithmetic grade 1 and letter sounds 👌 👍👍👍

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

TGTB is definitely different! I agree!

[@SummerMeyers]

I know what you mean about TGTB! I just bought my stuff with the close out sale but now I'm second guessing that choice. Looks really good! 😅❤️

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Lol buyers remorse! I get that!!!

[@lifewithginab]

I like the way you pare both Abeka and TG&TB!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Thanks! It works well for us!!

[@acornfur]

I know we have talked about Abeka and TGTB language before and when I saw the new TGTB language I got super excited cause it looks a lot better and more like what I wish TGTB would do for the you get years for Language! I also thought of you when I saw it too! Good luck on whatever you decide! 🥰

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Aww 🥰 love that! Good luck to you too!

[@nicolentwiga7049]

It's interesting how you like having the teaching in the same book because that's one of the reasons we stopped TGATB math. I hated not having any extra information. We got to place of real struggle and there was no help. The math we use now has a teachers guide and all the extra info...the why of how it's being taught and troubleshooting info has been so helpful. I also felt that twang of indecision over the new TGATB LA but just decided to stick with what I know is working for us. Once I see some reviews, I may use it for 2nd grade.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I understand that. I always love knowing the reasons why behind why something is taught a certain way. When TGTB can’t out I researched why they created the lessons the way they did and I felt like that answered the “why” for me. But that’s totally understandable why you’d like a little more bulk!

[@DellaMrie]

Hi Lauren! Thank you for sharing your 1st grade picks. We are completely in the same boat with TGTB and Abeka for my 3 kiddos (currently 4th, 1st, and K4). The math is a no-brainer for our family. After trying several different programs, we REALLY enjoy Simply Good & Beautiful Math. And when mama AND the kids like a program, the homeschool hallelujah chorus sings. 😂 The LA though! Always a back and forth battle between two really wonderful programs. I purchased the 2nd and Kinder Abeka LA for next year but then, like you, learned TGTB was coming out with new LA. We had tried it before and I personally just felt more comfortable using Abeka’s approach (with some added hands on activities). BUT NOW I’m wondering if I may really like TGTB’s new LA. 🤦‍♀️ I try to keep it all in perspective and recognize that I’m not going to go wrong with either program (and I can always switch back the following year). Look forward to hearing your other picks! 🤗

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Love all of this 🙌 lol yes! I’m honestly just curious about how they will change/update their phonics. I have always enjoyed the other parts of TGTB LA (built in teacher guide, classic works of art), but I’m just curious to see how the phonics/reading is laid out

[@DellaMrie]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler Yep same! 🤗

[@kimberlygoudzwaard2811]

Yes the Abeka v TGTB predicament…I know it well. We are doing TGTB math for sure. For La I ordered the discounted TGTB but after realizing my kids are becoming strong readers yet weak in grammar, I sold the La I ordered and bought Abeka’s workbooks for La (grades 1 and 2). But now that I’ve seen the preview of the new TGTB La I’m wondering if their new stuff is going to be that perfect blend of TGTB and Abeka that I’ve always wanted 😂 but I’ve used a lot of our budget so we will probably have to use Abeka. But I could see myself switching back to TGTB La after we’re done using up what we have…great video as always!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Aww man! Lol Abeka is still really great and since TGTB is free to download, you could always print off some lessons here and there which is just a few cents.

[@kayeanne9134]

I love your channel :)

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Thanks friend ☺️☺️

[@TicketToLearning]

I love your *I think* caveat. I recently posted our curriculum picks for the year, but I'm already making a change . . . I guess that's just the way it goes sometimes.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Ahh makes me feel so much better haha!

[@TicketToLearning]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler 😂

[@lahuerta_esl]

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful resources. I loved the book and the manipulatives, as teachers-we are always looking for good resources that can be use to facilitate teaching and learning, Noe

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Thanks for watching❤️

[@lahuerta_esl]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler you are welcome. I work as a bilingual tutor and have my master’s in education, I know how to do my job. However, the student behavior now days. Omg - just terrible, no respect and no sense of ownership in their studies or future.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

@@lahuerta_esl so sorry to hear that. How frustrating and disheartening 😔

[@kayeanne9134]

im pretty much in the same boat...i am planning to use both TGTB math and abeka math ...and im currently trying to decide which language arts to do ( abeka or tgtb) ...i wish we could see just a Little bit more of each level of the new TGTB to help people make a decision before summer time.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I know 😩 we need to see it!!

[@hkahookele1]

My son is doing LA level 1 TGATB but he's really struggling with writing and spelling and I feel like that severely lacking in their program.. I need to supplement. I am going to look into abeka for that. Thanks for the review. WE also do TGATB math and love it

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

At that level, they aren’t expected to have great skill at spelling or writing. I think it’s most important to focus on reading and the others will come in time.

[@f3nw1ckfamily]

Yayyy, another 1st Grade video! I get excited when I find "batchmates." 😃 Are the pages on the Abeka Math book perforated? We've been using Horizons for fun practice/supplement and I like that the pages are perforated so she gets one sheet at a time and carries it around the house (even outside) with a marker. Then she brings it back to me when she's done, with beautiful Nutella or grass stains sometimes. 😄

[@kayeanne9134]

yes they are, I tear out one page a day for my daughter ( we did the 1st grade math this year)

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

If you want to use a single sheet at a time, you can order the workbooks unbound and it will just be the loose sheets so you don’t have to tear them out!

[@f3nw1ckfamily]

@@kayeanne9134 Thank you!

[@f3nw1ckfamily]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler Nice that they provide that option. Thank you!

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

We love the new TGTB math!!! We’ve only done their new math tho and came from math u see!!! We don’t do tests including spelling tests!!! We are excited for TGTB Language Arts for my youngest!!! TGTB Language Arts Level 1 and 2 got my older kids to read!!! It wasn’t their 1st reading program tho!!!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Will you use the new levels for your youngest?

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler i think we will but at the moment it’s hard to tell

[@user-vd8zn2nt7u]

Thank you for your videos! I am enjoying so much and learning a lot. My daughter is 5 and we just pulled her out of a Christian school because she was bullied, so we are gonna homeschool and after this year, who knows what happens?:) my husband saw me watching this video and asking if it is a beauty blog🤣🤣

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I’m sorry to hear that about your daughter ☹️ best wishes on your homeschooling journey!! And that’s so funny about your husband 😂😂😂 definitely not!

[@peace-luv533]

Hello I am a homeschool mama of 2. We will be starting k5 and 1st grade in June of 2023. We are using Abeka. I love your videos & you have helped me so much starting my journey. I like how you incorporated different programs and was wondering if you have a video about how you purchase & what you focus on when purchasing different items from different places. I bought the entire child kit for K5 and just the teachers manual for me. I ended up going back later & purchasing additional items I feel I needed. Any advice for what you need for 1st grade Abeka would be amazing. Congratulations on the new baby as well!!!! You have a beautiful family!!!!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I have an Abeka on a budget video and a how I choose homeschool curriculum video that might be helpful (they’re under the curriculum playlist). For my first grader we did the lesson plans, charts, readers, letters and sounds workbook and language workbook (and spelling if you think your child will do well with it)

[@peace-luv533]

@The Practical Homeschooler Thank you I will definitely check that out.

[@melissacapps8453]

I’m totally cracking up. I wish there was a 😂 button on u tube. I’m the same way w TGTB and Abeka.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

You get it then!!! Lol

[@SlushieBear22]

We have a lot of the same books! I got TGTB level 2 math for my son. For my youngest Abeka 1 math and tgtb level because I couldn't decide. I think Abeka is going to be the main math though for her and use TGTB when she needs a brain break. I ordered Abeka 2 for my son tonight, I'm not loving how multiplication is introduced in TGTB. Language I keep eyeing Abeka sounds and letters, spelling and language books. I love the whole matching work for phonics. I think TGTB is lacking there.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Sounds great! I love going back and forth between the two…just the right amount of contrast!

[@fatimatamuz1939]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Motherhood1]

hi Lauren! you are starting to convince me to try abeka. we've been trying masterbooks and find it very boring. did you purchase the teacher key and The lesson plan book for language arts? and all of the readers? or did you already have those on hand from your other child. also which do you suggest buying bound and unbound for the letter and sounds and language 1. I kind of find this pricey compared to the good and beautiful.. so that's one thing that has me leaning to wait till their release in June. thanks for sharing your picks! love your videos

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Hey! I have the lesson plans (I don’t use the teacher answer keys because at this level it’s easier to just look to see if the answers are correct), and I do have the readers. I purchased those a few years ago for my older daughter. I bought them used on eBay or Facebook to save money! And when we’re finished I’ll resell too to try to get a little bit of that back. It can be pricy, I hear you! For the workbooks, I buy them bound because it’s too much loose paper for me to keep up with and my girls don’t mind the workbooks. But some people prefer unbound and want to work on one sheet at a time. I think it just depends on preference!

[@Motherhood1]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler thank you! This helps a ton!🙏🤍

[@jeannettebryant6487]

We used Abeka for K5. We don't have anything but the workbooks, readers, and teacher guide. Do you suggest the flashcards and other supplements or do you only use the workbooks to teach? I'm most on the fence about buying all the extras with Abeka (flashcards). I'm leaning towards your idea of TGTB for math and using the Abeka workbook.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

For Abeka math we just use the workboook since it’s just a supplement but with the LA, I have some of the charts and such (not everything though!)

[@jennajadeg7010]

Do you start at the beginning of the Abeka book or do you supplement with around what they previously learned with TGTB. Thank you for sharing your videos!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I actually typically start Abeka in the summer since the first 10-20 lessons are very simple and review. That way, we start the year with a decent chunk of the Abeka work books already done.

[@jennajadeg7010]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler great to know! Makes sense, BJU has 180 lessons, but we combine the review days.

[@cherimathews6235]

Do use Abeka LA because it is more straightforward? We switched after ur reading video.my son does not lime it but does seem to b helping more with reading.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Multiple reasons. I like that the phonics lessons are more of a consistent order (TGTB was a bit scattered for me personally). It transitions nicely from short vowels, to long vowels to special sounds and builds slowly but concisely. If he isn’t liking it, maybe think of ways to switch it up a bit? I’m assuming you’re talking about the handbook for reading? Maybe have him read only the even or odd lines as opposed to the entire page. Or just read the readers one day. I find that switching things up just a bit helps with the monotony.

[@abdiraghe154]

It is very interesting program but wonder how I can get the learning materials-books.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I buy directly from the company website, or Christianbook.com (or sometimes from eBay if it’s a book that can be reused)

[@tanyacagle2423]

I used Abeka k4 videos last year and my daughter hated it but I did phonics with her off the side she learned a lot from phonics however this year with tgab she is just fluently reading from it! I supplement Abeka now, I’m in between because I feel Abeka can be just too much I hate the teachers manual it’s wayyy too much for me and confusing and homeschool shouldn’t even be like a classroom. They have it set that way. Tgab la gauge arts is short and simple so that’s why I incorporate Abeka as a back up too.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I don’t like the teachers manual for K5 either. It definitely needs an update!

[@tanyacagle2423]

We did Abeka k4 last year too and my daughter hated the videos as well so august we switched to good and beautiful and she loves it and finished h thy e booster cards within four months! It’s simple and school can take us total of 30 minutes for everything. Then outside play:)

[@bryndendevenny9875]

My youngest girls are twins and starting first grade as well! I can't believe it's the last time I'll teach all this! We're planning to use TGATB Math and Handwriting as well! They're already reading chapter books so I'm not doing a formal reading curriculum. I would love to go with TGATB Language but I find its very focused on reading so I need something more focused on spelling and writing! That abeka spelling book looks great!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Awww…so sweet 🥰 yes, I prefer a heavy phonics focus in k5/1st grade so if it’s not a heavy phonics focus, I’ll stick with what we have.

[@reclaimingwonder]

Do you need to get the teachers key for Abeka’s math workbooks or is it easy enough to do without? I’m thinking about using arithmetic 1 next year to supplement tgtb math 1 for my will be 1st grader!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I think it’s easy enough to do it without…especially if you’re on a budget…it’s an unnecessary expense.

[@leighdiaz3359]

Why don’t you try Logic of English?

[@babybellalovesbeagle]

hi what curriculum do u use for social studies and p.e.? how old is your first grader? ty

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

We’re using beautiful feet books Around the world with picture books. For p.e. We play outside 😊 she just turned 6 so she’s a little young

[@elaineknoche]

Have you used the Abeka art projects books? Thank you

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I have a partially used one but I’ve honestly never done a project from it though

[@brittanyolga]

It’s ok to change 🤣🤣🤣🤣!!! Lol I feel you to is to many good curriculums out there lol

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

There really are! And it seems like they all just keep getting better and better lol

[@christinayeargin7298]

Have you ever looked into BJU? I have been trying to figure out if that would combo with TGATB like Abeka does for you? This is our first year trying TGATB.....

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I have yes, but for our main curriculum. I haven’t thought about as a supplement. Are you thinking for math or LA to supplement?

[@christinayeargin7298]

I am not sure how I might use it. That's one reason I love your videos, they give me some direction

[@karenu.7500]

What do you use for literature?

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Do you mean her reading program? Or read alouds? We’ll use the abeka readers for her to practice her reading and various read alouds throughout the year.

[@juliacarter1280]

Just wondering is the abeka perforated?

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Yes

[@breanas_mommy]

Hello there! I am only in my 1st year of homeschooling my only child. I'm stuck! lol I'm not sure if you're willing to help me or anything, but I have NO Idea what i'm doing. I'm just looking for something to help me with lesson planning for the whole year. I just want to make sure I stay on top of everything. I have tons of books and workbooks, I just don't know where to start as far as planning! Lol

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I just did a video on how I plan for the year but I know there are many homeschool mom videos designated just to planning! I’d start there if that’s your main concern!

[@captain7471]

Do you think it’s necessary to use the lesson plans and all the flashcards with abekas language arts? My oldest is really responding well to their program and way of doing things, but I need fast, to the point, get the job done lessons. I have two babies under two who make homeschooling hard. I don’t know anyone who uses the curriculum to ask

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I get this question a lot. Can you do it? Yes, just giving the worksheets and saying “here you go” but I do think that the lessons cover more in depth and give more practice. I definitely don’t do every single aspect of the lesson cuz it’s too much, but we do the review cards and the dictation. It really does help. What I love about Abeka (and homeschool in general) and I know it sounds so cliche, but you really can make it your own. You can just do part of the lesson and skip the stuff you feel your child has gotten a good grip on. They provide SO MUCH review that if you don’t do every single thing, your child will still learn a LOT!

[@captain7471]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler is the review cards the same as the charts in the reading handbook?

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

@@captain7471 the special sounds? Yes it’s the same

[@shannaproffer5865]

Kinda disappointed because I got the old THTB LA because you said in a video that there wouldn’t be much change between the old and the new 😞

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I’m sorry you’re disappointed 😔. I still stand behind that the foundations will be very similar in the new version, in that it will still be a Charlotte Mason/classical approach with short lessons, still using classic works of art, the teacher guide is still built right into the textbooks, they are still phonics based, etc. Meaning if those things didn’t appeal to you about the old version, you’re probably weren’t going to like the new version. I still believe the older version is a wonderful program and there is absolutely nothing wrong it…many people love it! If Abeka didn’t exist, I would hands down use TGTB for the younger years too (I just personally prefer Abeka). But it seems like they’re changing the layout of the new TGTB phonics to have a workbook instead of flashcards, and that is the main part I’m referring too that I think I will like (I didn’t clarify that in my video and I apologize).

[@lifewithginab]

I reserve the right to change 🤣 haha

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

🥴🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️