Complete list of books needed for the first grade homeschool curriculum
Complete list of books for the first grade homeschool curriculum
This comprehensive book list includes all the literature and reference materials needed for our first grade homeschool curriculum. Books are organized by quarter, with information about when they are used, what subject they support, and direct links to purchase them if needed.
We recommend accessing these books through your local library when possible. Many can also be found as e-books or audiobooks through services like Libby, Hoopla, or Epic! If purchasing, consider used book options to save on cost.
Note: The CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website at coreknowledge.org.
by Kevin Henkes
A heartwarming story about a young mouse who loves her unique name until she starts school and gets teased, perfect for discussions about identity and self-acceptance.
by Karen Beaumont
A jubilant celebration of self-love and acceptance, with playful, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations that support the All About Me theme.
by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
A beautiful story about celebrating cultural names and identities, perfect for discussing family heritage and traditions.
by Shannon Olsen
A heartwarming book that helps students understand how their classroom is like a family where everyone belongs and supports each other.
by Ellen Javernick
A thought-provoking book about the consequences of actions and the importance of rules, perfect for discussing classroom and community expectations.
by Cynthia Rylant
A warm celebration of family gatherings and the joy of spending time with relatives, supporting the theme of family and connections.
by Jamie Lee Curtis
A touching story about adoption that celebrates family love and helps students understand different ways families are formed.
by Kathryn Heling
An engaging picture book that uses visual clues to introduce various community helpers and their roles, perfect for the community helpers unit.
from Abeka
An informational text that provides clear, simple explanations of various community helpers and their important roles in society.
by Joan Sweeney
A clear, child-friendly introduction to maps that begins with a map of a child's room and gradually zooms out to the world, perfect for the mapping unit.
by Tish Rabe
A fun Cat in the Hat Learning Library book that introduces various types of maps and their uses in a playful, rhyming format.
Core Knowledge Foundation
The Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) Grade 1 materials include read-alouds and activities that support the Quarter 1 themes of community, family, and mapping. These materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website.
by Julia Rawlinson
A beautifully illustrated story about a fox experiencing autumn for the first time, perfect for exploring seasonal changes and sensory descriptions.
by Gail Gibbons
An informational text that explains how pumpkins grow, their life cycle, and their many uses, supporting the harvest theme and plant science concepts.
by Tomie dePaola
A charming story that connects the harvest theme to community sharing and generosity, with Strega Nona's magical garden producing a bountiful harvest.
by Oge Mora
A heartwarming story about generosity and community as Omu shares her delicious stew with neighbors, who then return her kindness when the pot is empty.
by Traci Sorell
A beautiful introduction to Cherokee culture through the concept of gratitude, showing how the Cherokee express thanks throughout the seasons and special occasions.
by M.E. Furman
A delightful exploration of Christmas traditions around the world, focusing on the different treats left for Santa in various countries.
by Ellen Fischer
A heartwarming Hanukkah story about a rescue dog experiencing his first Hanukkah with his new family, introducing the traditions and symbols of this celebration.
by Karen Katz
A child-friendly introduction to Kwanzaa that explains the seven principles and traditions of this celebration in simple terms with bright illustrations.
by Jan Brett
A classic Ukrainian folktale about animals seeking shelter in a lost mitten during winter, with Brett's signature detailed illustrations that include side panels foreshadowing the next events.
by Kate Messner
A beautifully illustrated book that reveals the hidden world beneath the snow where many animals live during winter, explaining the concept of the "subnivean zone."
by Jim Arnosky
A simple yet beautiful book about a bear preparing for hibernation, with detailed illustrations that capture wildlife and seasonal changes.
Core Knowledge Foundation
The Core Knowledge Language Arts materials for Quarter 2 include selections on seasons, holidays around the world, and animal adaptations. These materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website.
by Ezra Jack Keats
A classic picture book that follows a young boy's adventures in freshly fallen snow, with beautiful collage illustrations and sensory language perfect for descriptive writing.
by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
A beautiful biography of Wilson Bentley, who developed a method of photographing snowflakes and discovered that no two are alike, perfect for the science of snow unit.
by Doreen Rappaport
A powerful picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that weaves his actual words into the narrative, focusing on his message of peace and equality.
by Doreen Rappaport
A beautifully illustrated biography of Abraham Lincoln that incorporates his actual words into the text, focusing on his honesty and leadership qualities.
by Deborah Chandra
A humorous but factual account of George Washington's lifelong dental problems, using a light touch to make history accessible to young readers.
by Paul Showers
A gentle story about a girl who goes on a walk with her father and his dog, focusing on all the sounds they hear along the way, perfect for the sound unit.
NewPath Learning
An age-appropriate informational text about sound waves, vibrations, and how sound travels, with clear explanations and diagrams.
Core Knowledge Foundation
The Core Knowledge materials for Quarter 3 include resources on winter, famous Americans, and the science of sound and light. These materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website.
National Geographic
An informative book with colorful photographs explaining weather patterns, forecasting, and different types of weather phenomena in an engaging, kid-friendly way.
by Kenard Pak
A beautifully illustrated book about the transition from winter to spring, observing subtle changes in nature through poetic text.
by Eric Carle
A colorful story that follows the journey of a tiny seed through the seasons until it grows into a giant flower, illustrating the plant life cycle in an accessible way.
by Deborah Heiligman
A Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science book that clearly explains the butterfly life cycle with simple text and detailed illustrations.
by Gail Gibbons
An informational text about rabbits, including their life cycle, different breeds, and how they live, with clear illustrations and accessible text.
by Dr. Seuss
A classic environmental fable about the importance of protecting natural resources and the consequences of excessive consumption.
by Jess French
An informative book about trash, recycling, and protecting our planet, with practical tips for reducing waste that first graders can implement.
by Carole Lindstrom
A powerful, lyrical picture book inspired by Indigenous-led movements for environmental justice, celebrating the importance of clean water.
Core Knowledge Foundation
The Core Knowledge materials for Quarter 4 include resources on weather, animal and plant life cycles, and Earth Day. These materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website.
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