First Grade syllabus and the language arts book

[Unregistered]

Hi. I'm looking at using the First Grade syllabus as a guideline for first grade. I am unsure if I need the Language Arts book as well. I am sure the Language Arts book is something I want to purchase eventually, but is it necessary for first grade? (money is tight this year). Is there sufficient info in the first grade syllabus that means I won't necessarily need the living arts guide just yet? Are there suggestions in the syllabus of library books that might be good to supplement with, if a particular story in the syllabus doesn't speak to us? Or is there such great info on first grade in the language arts guide, that I would not want to miss out by waiting until 2nd grade to purchase it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I try to figure out our budget for next year's school supplies.

[Donna]

Dear Friend,

I have designed the LA book and the first grade syllabus to complement each other but to neither be repetitive nor absolutely necessary - in other words, you should find plenty in the Syllabus to keep you going. The stories are given for the math and language arts blocks - but it is always possible to switch things around and come up with different stories or sequence of events. Indeed, I always write all my publications so that this is possible. Homeschooling needs to be flexible and no written curriculum can ever anticipate each individual family's needs.

For the nature stories main lessons, I give a range of suggestions, mainly based on books easily gotten from the public library. The nature stories blocks should really reflect what surrounds the child - so someone living in Australia will use different stories than someone in the Arizona desert or the Yukon!

The one thing, though about Living Language is that it does go much deeper into the why's and how's of teaching - presentation, expectations, sequence etc. And as Waldorf is such a language-rich method of teaching, it would be really useful to anyone. But again, you could do very well with out it.

I do, however, strongly recommend that you purchase boty my form drawing book and Joyful Movement. Form drawing is the first preparatory main lesson in first grade - and it is the only main lesson in all 12 years which I absolutely say must absolutely be taught at a particular time!! The form drawing book is good for grades 1 through 3 and Joyful Movement will give you enough tips, ideas, songs, games and finger plays to also last you into third grade and beyond. (and I should also point out that as second grade is very much like first grade, being really not much more than a continuation of what you been doing, that the First Grade Syllabus can be used as a framework and resource for second grade as well).

Hope this helps!!:)

[Windravyn]

Thanks for your response Donna! (I'm the original poster, but it was before I was registered). Are there suggestions in the first grade curriculum for alternate language arts and math stories? Would those types of suggestions be found in the language arts book? I'm just looking for resources in case a particular story for the letters/math doesn't speak to us.

I already own the curriculum overview, nature stories/science book, joyful movement, and just ordered the form drawing book recently. Oh yeah, and I have the Kindy book as well. :-) So, I think I would be set with just purchasing the first grade curriculum, and yes I plan on using it as a guideline of how to set things up for second as well. :-) I really like putting things together myself, but want some training wheels on setting up the whole main lesson thing, blocks, practice times, etc etc. I think your first grade curriculum will be an invaluable resource in that respect especially.

I know I will eventually purchase the language arts book, but it is nice knowing budget wise that I can get by just fine without it for a while.

Nice chatting with you and thank you so much for all the heart and soul you put into your work!