First Grade Curriculum Materials List

Getting Ready for First Grade

This comprehensive materials list covers all supplies needed for the complete first-grade curriculum. Items are organized by quarter and subject to help you plan ahead. Many everyday household items can be used for multiple activities throughout the year, and materials can often be reused across different lessons.

Quarter 1: Laying the Foundation (Weeks 1-9)

Math Materials

Counting bears or other small manipulatives
Ten-frames and counters
Number cards (0-20)
Number line to 50
Unifix cubes or linking cubes

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Science Supplies

Magnifying glass
Small plastic tub for sink/float experiments
Objects with different properties (wood, metal, plastic)
Blindfold (for taste test experiment)
Small samples of fruit (for taste experiment)

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Social Studies Supplies

Family photos (for "All About Me" project)
World map or globe
Poster board for classroom rules
Shoebox (for community helper diorama)
Materials for mapping activity (grid paper, ruler)

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Quarter 1 Learning Activities Using These Materials:

"All About Me" poster (Week 1)
Five Senses Science Walk (Week 1)
Family Timeline (Week 1)
Addition War Card Game (Week 2)
Sink or Float Experiment (Week 2)
Community Helper Diorama (Weeks 5-6)
Mapping Activity (Weeks 7-8)
Balance Scale Equal Sign Activity (Weeks 3-4)

Quarter 2: Exploring Our World (Weeks 10-18)

Math Materials

Addition and subtraction flashcards
Playing cards (for math games)
Geared student clock
Base-ten blocks for place value
Coins (real or play money)

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Science Supplies

Leaves for chromatography experiment
Rubbing alcohol (for adult use only)
Coffee filter strips
Shortening (for "Blubber Glove" experiment)
Plastic bags (for "Blubber Glove" experiment)
Bowl of ice water

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Seasonal & Holiday Craft Supplies

Colored paper for "Thankful Tree" leaves
Paper strips for Kwanzaa Mkeka mat craft
Yellow/orange/blue paper for paper menorah
Materials for paper snowflakes (white paper, scissors)
Flashlight for light experiments
Various materials to test transparency

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Quarter 2 Learning Activities Using These Materials:

Leaf Chromatography Experiment (Weeks 10-11)
Thankful Tree Project (Weeks 12-13)
Multicultural Holiday Crafts (Weeks 14-15)
Transparent/Translucent/Opaque Light Experiment (Weeks 14-15)
"Blubber Glove" Experiment (Weeks 16-17)
Animal Sorting Activity (Weeks 16-17)
Telling Time Practice with Student Clock (Weeks 14-15)
Addition and Subtraction Card Games (Weeks 10-11)

Quarter 3: Patterns in Nature and Numbers (Weeks 19-27)

Math Materials

Base-ten blocks for place value
Place value mats
Dice for "Roll, Build & Write" game
Student clock (review)
Materials for creating time schedule

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Science Supplies

Black construction paper (for catching snowflakes)
Magnifying glass
Materials for sound experiments (tuning fork or ruler)
Paper cups and string (for cup telephone)
Materials for pinhole box (shoebox, paper, pin)

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Social Studies Supplies

Materials for "I Have a Dream" activity
Index cards for character traits
Materials for Venn diagram (comparing presidents)
Supplies for thank-you cards to community helpers
Materials for data collection chart

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Quarter 3 Learning Activities Using These Materials:

Paper Snowflakes Symmetry Activity (Weeks 19-20)
Place Value "Roll, Build & Write" Game (Weeks 19-20)
"I Have a Dream" Activity (Weeks 21-23)
Cup Telephone Experiment (Weeks 21-23)
Vibrations & Sound Experiment (Weeks 24-26)
Pinhole Box Light Experiment (Weeks 24-26)
Data Collection and Graphing Activity (Weeks 24-26)
Presidents Venn Diagram (Weeks 21-23)

Quarter 4: Growth and Discovery (Weeks 28-36)

Math Materials

Non-standard measuring units (paper clips, Unifix cubes)
Rain gauge for measuring rainfall (can be homemade)
Food items for fraction activities (pizza, brownies, etc.)
Pattern blocks or paper shapes for geometry
Materials for math games (review)

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Science Supplies

Clear plastic bag, blue food coloring (for water cycle in a bag)
Lima beans, clear plastic cups, paper towels
Potting soil (optional for planting beans)
Materials for recycling sorting activity
Materials for recycled art projects

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End-of-Year Materials

Memory Book supplies (templates, photos)
Portfolio materials (binder, sheet protectors)
Assessment materials
Certificate of completion
End-of-year celebration supplies

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Quarter 4 Learning Activities Using These Materials:

Water Cycle in a Bag Experiment (Weeks 28-29)
Bean Growing Observation (Weeks 30-32)
Lima Bean Dissection (Weeks 30-32)
Measuring with Non-Standard Units (Weeks 28-29)
Recycling Sorting Activity (Weeks 33-34)
Recycled Materials Art Project (Weeks 33-34)
Shape Hunt - Geometry Activity (Weeks 33-34)
First Grade Memory Book (Weeks 35-36)

Essential Year-Long Materials

Basic Supplies

Pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener
Crayons, colored pencils, markers
Child-safe scissors
Glue sticks and white glue
Construction paper (various colors)
White paper (unlined and lined)
Primary journal with drawing space
Binder for organizing completed work

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Core Curriculum Materials

Reading/Phonics Program

Choose one systematic phonics program:
- All About Reading Level 1
- Logic of English Foundations B/C
- Explode the Code Books 1-3

Math Program

Choose one:
- Math with Confidence Grade 1
- Zearn Math (free online platform)
- Singapore Math Primary Mathematics 1

Core Knowledge Materials

Free downloadable materials:
- CKLA Grade 1 materials
- Core Knowledge History & Geography Grade 1
- Core Knowledge Science Grade 1

Optional Supplements

- Handwriting Without Tears Grade 1
- Spelling program (if not included in phonics program)
- Nature journal for science observations

Reading Program Math Program

Money-Saving Tips

Use household items: Many of the science and math materials can be found around your home, such as measuring cups, beans, coins, and recyclables for crafts.
Check your local library: Most of the read-alouds can be borrowed rather than purchased, saving hundreds of dollars over the school year.
Download free printables: Many worksheets and activities are available for free from sites like Teachers Pay Teachers and Education.com.
Connect with other homeschoolers: Join local homeschool groups to share resources, swap books, and possibly do group buys for materials.
Buy used curriculum: Check homeschool swap groups on Facebook, eBay, or sites like Homeschool Classifieds for gently used materials at a fraction of the cost.
Use free digital resources: Platforms like Zearn Math, Khan Academy Kids, and Core Knowledge materials are completely free and high quality.

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