In the Brambles: A First Grade Curriculum
A Classical Charlotte Mason Curriculum for the First Formal Year
In The Brambles Early Elementary
This curriculum is aimed at first year (Form 1b) students. However, you can use this in any of the early elementary years!
Focused on the children's classics of Brambly Hedge, Winnie-the -Pooh, and Beatrix Potter's tales, In the Brambles will bring joy and inspire a sense of wonder in your homeschool. This is a Christian Classical and Charlotte Mason homeschool curriculum aimed at the early elementary level. Although labeled for first grade (Form 1B), it can be easily be used for students grades K-3 or used as a family-approach to homeschooling.
WHAT’S INSIDE
The Curriculum
In the Brambles is a 36-weekly plan featuring read-alouds from Brambly Hedge, Winnie-the-Pooh, and many of Beatrix Potter's tales. Subjects are integrative and include Literature, Poet Study, Tales & Fables, Tea Time Recitation, Dictation, Natural History, Nature Study prompts, Astronomy, and Folk Songs, as well as Music and Art studies.
CONTENTS
Weekly Plan
This curriculum plan consists of…
3 terms of 12 weeks
each term includes 11 weeks of readings and 1 week of exams1
simple exam prompts are included
narration, copywork, and dictation pages
Astronomy constellation pages
Nature study ideas
Other books round out the curriculum to cover everything you need for the homeschool year, except for math2 and history3.
Songs & Recitation
Enjoy a new rotation of folk songs every three weeks. Enjoy tea time while reading poems together. Choose one each week for daily recitation. This strengthens each student's memory while enriching their soul.
Student Pages
Narration, copywork, and dictation pages are provided. Astronomy constellation pages are also included for term 2 and can be used with the lesson or separately.
Add-Ons
You can round-out this curriculum further by using the Fruit of Light formation programs (Foundations and Cornerstone), free reading program, and the Nostra Fides Picta Latin Primer.
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Some subjects may instead have an additional reading.
Math is often based on the level of the individual. For a child brand new to mathematics, I recommend Number Stories and First Year in Number. I also recommend math manipulatives like number block cubes.
Often, homeschool families use cycles of history. For this reason, I have left the history sections blank for families to be plan what works for them. That being said, I have a few history recommendations for those interested:
Study your local region as well as your country.
Make geography (map work, cardinal directions, etc.) go along with your study of history.
For American history, I typically use the America’s Story series by Mara Pratt.
For world history, I typically use On the Shores of a Great Sea by M.B. Synge.
Finally, I’m working on a history cycle that I hope to share in the coming year (perhaps sooner!) as well as a Picture Book History plan for Kindergarten or Form 1b.
IN THE BRAMBLES
Booklist
Some subjects do not require a text (folk songs, a nature study journal, etc.) Any subjects that do require a text are included in this booklist.
Curriculum
This pdf file below includes all the readings and exam prompts for the 36-week plan.