This information will help you get organized and prepared to homeschool your child using the Core Knowledge First Grade Language Arts: Listening & Learning curriculum.
Important Note
CK Language Arts Listening & Learning vs. CK Language Arts Skills: The Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum is split into two strands: Listening & Learning and Skills. Each strand has its own set of curriculum. Both strands are required for a full language arts curriculum. The organization information below is for the Listening & Learning strand. All Core Knowledge Grade 1 curriculum can be downloaded here.
1st vs. 2nd Edition Materials: Please note, the support materials available here are specific to the 1st edition CKLA curriculum which is available to download for free on the Core Knowledge website. CK’s partner Amplify offers 2nd edition materials and homeschooling families can purchase hard copies of those 2nd edition materials directly from the Amplify website (there is no “free” option for the 2nd edition materials). If you choose to use the 2nd edition materials, you may need to make significant changes to the schedule and prep information provided here. There is no advantage to using the 2nd edition materials beyond the option to purchase preprinted copies online. We recommend using the 1st edition curriculum so you can take full advantage of these support materials.
Free resources
How-to Videos: Watch the videos to learn to use the CKLA: Listening & Learning curriculum to homeschool.
Unit-Specific Prep Checklist: Review and download the the CKLA: Listening & Learning Grade 1 Unit-Specific Prep Checklist. Includes notes for each unit of the curriculum including which Instructional Masters (activity pages) to print, library books that may be needed, required advanced preparation broken out by lesson, as well as a list of additional unit-specific supplies.
Daily Schedule: Review and download the free daily schedule for homeschooling Grade 1 using Core Knowledge and MEP Math.
Primary materials
Units: There are 11 units in the Grade 1 CKLA: Listening & Learning curriculum. All students start with Unit 1 and progress through the units in order. You will download each unit separately from the CK website. Each unit will be downloaded as a file folder containing multiple files including the Anthology (Teacher’s Guide), Flipbook, Image Cards, and Supplemental Guide.
Anthology: The Anthology functions as the Teacher’s Guide for Grade 1 CKLA: Listening & Learning units. When you are ready to start a lesson with your student, you will simply open the PDF file for the Teacher’s Guide on your tablet or laptop, navigate to the lesson indicated on the daily schedule, and work through the instructions in the Anthology for that lesson.
Flipbook: This flipbook contains the images that go along with the stories that will be read to the student using the Anthology. This flipbook can be accessed as a PDF file on your student’s device.
Image Cards: The Image Cards are a separate file located in the folder of files you downloaded from the CK website. The Anthology will specify when to use these cards during the lesson. You do not need to print the image cards. The file can simply be accessed from your device or your student’s device when needed for a lesson.
Supplemental Guide: The Supplemental Guide provides additional resources for primarily for reading specialists, ESL teachers, and special education teachers. It is a wonderful resource if your student needs additional assistance, but it is not specifically scheduled here.
Getting Organized
Lesson A and Lesson B Scheduling: Each lesson is divided into two parts: A and B which are both completed in a single school day. Lesson A should be completed first and Lesson B should be completed later in the day.
Instructional Masters: These are the activity pages for the units and are found in the back of the Anthology for each unit. More information will be available in the unit specific prep checklists. It is generally easiest to print all the Instructional Masters at the beginning of the unit, even if you don’t end up using all of them.
Multiple Meanings Posters: These are located in the back of the Flipbook. The Anthology will specify when to use these posters during the lesson. You do not need to print the posters. You can simply navigate to them in the Flipbook file when needed for a lesson.
Catch-up Days: Catch-up days have been scheduled for you. If you do not need a catch-up day you can choose to read a library book related to the unit, do one of the projects specified in the unit’s culminating activities section, or enjoy a lighter school day.
Pausing Points: Pausing points are a day set aside for catching up on material, reviewing and reinforcing material, or extending material taught so far in the unit. When you reach this point in the schedule, the PP section of the anthology will list out several options for activities. Remember, you will be choosing one or maybe a handful of these activities to do—not all of them. If you are running behind on lessons when you reach a pausing point, use that day to catch up. The activities listed in the PP are just suggestions and are not required for your student to move forward.
Domain Review: At the end of each unit is a day set aside for domain review. If you need a day to catch up on scheduled lessons, please use this day to do that. Otherwise, the domain review pages in the anthology will guide you through a number of ways to review with your student what they have learned in this unit.
Domain Assessment: At the end of each unit is a day set aside for domain assessment. While homeschooling parents typically have a wide range of opinions on the value of formally assessing what their student has learned, I would encourage you to give the domain assessments a try. They are well designed, typically fun for the student, and they do help you double check your student’s strengths and weaknesses related to the material. This information can then be used when choosing which cumulative activities to use (see below) and/or can be used as items to review with the student as they move into the next unit.
Culminating Activities: One day at the end of each unit is set aside for culminating activities. Please review the culminating activities when first starting a unit so you can gather any needed supplies in advance. The CA section of the Anthology will guide you through a number of options. Remember you only need to choose one or maybe a handful of these activities.
Important Tips
Library Books: Whenever possible, please select several of the recommended books from the unit’s resource list (part of the introduction in the Anthology) and request them from the library in advance. These books can be used as time allows, when specifically called for in a lesson, or can be left out for your student to read on their own in their free time. If library books are not an option, YouTube often has videos of books being read aloud and these can be used as an alternative.
A number of lessons throughout the school year suggest using library books during the lesson. The Unit-Specific Prep document notes when these are needed and that document can be downloaded here.
Classroom-Based Activities: Some activities in this program are clearly designed for a classroom setting. Please adjust the activity as needed for your situation. For example, for an activity that suggests students work in teams, you can act as your student’s teammate. For activities that involve putting on a play or presentation, your student can present one part of the information or you can make the activity a family activity and involve siblings, etc.
Topic Duplication: You may notice what appears to be duplication between topics in the CKHG lessons and the CKLA lessons. This is intentional and provides the opportunity to reinforce key concepts by approaching them from multiple perspectives. For example, a student will have a history lesson about Martin Luther King Jr. one day and then maybe a week later will also study Dr. King in a CKLA lesson.
First Grade CKLA: Listening & Learning Strand Unit-Specific Prep Checklist
This checklist will help you prepare for each new unit of the Core Knowledge First Grade Language Arts: Listening & Learning curriculum. Please refer to the specific unit list prior to starting a new unit. It will guide you through what what documents to print, when a library book is needed, unit-specific supplies that should be gathered, and special notes for lessons in that unit.
Unit 1: Fables and Stories
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-9
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 133-157
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Multiple Meaning Posters are found in the back of the Flip Book.
- Image Cards are found in a separate file in the folder of domain materials you downloaded from the CK website.
- Lessons 2, 4, and 6: Require advance preparation.
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Culminating Activities: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Tree or bush branch (Lesson 10)
- Net (Lesson 10)
- Small or medium box (Lesson 10)
Unit 2: The Human Body
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-9
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 143-171
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 2, 5, Pausing Point, Domain Review, and Culminating Activities: Require some advance preparation.
- Lesson 6: Suggests using several library books for research as part of the extensions lesson (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Lesson 8: Suggests using a library book for the extensions lesson (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Model Skeleton (Lessons 2 and 3, optional)
- Pictures of nutritious and non-nutritious foods (Lesson 8)
- Petroleum jelly (Culminating Activities)
- Soap (Culminating Activities)
- Glitter (Culminating Activities)
Unit 3: Different Lands, Similar Stories
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-9
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 141-169
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 6, 9, and Culminating Activities: Require advance preparation.
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 7-9 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 7-9 for suggestions).
- Culminating Activities: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 7-9 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Rice bowl (optional, Lesson 6)
- Chopsticks (optional, Lesson 6)
- Sewing needle (optional, Lesson 6)
Unit 4: Early World Civilizations
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-11
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 213-244
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 1, 2, and 13: Require advanced preparation.
- Lessons 10, 11, and 12: Suggests using library books about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to reinforce the lessons (see Anthology pg. 8-11 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book in each Pausing Point, two books needed in total (see Anthology pg. 8-11 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-11 for suggestions).
- Culminating Activities: As a homeschooling family, this may be an excellent day to arrange a field trip to a synagogue, church, or mosque.
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Examples of writing systems such as Greek, Arabic, and/or Chinese (Lesson 1)
- Fast-growing seeds (Pausing Point 2)
- Two small containers (Pausing Point 2)
- Soil (Pausing Point 2)
- Sand (Pausing Point 2)
- Dolls or action figures (Pausing Point 2)
- Toilet paper (Pausing Point 2)
- Chocolate chip cookies (Pausing Point 2)
- Toothpicks (Pausing Point 2)
Please note: Lesson 2 in the next unit (Unit 5) suggests using a library book about the Maya to complete the lesson. Please see the Unit 5 Anthology pg. 6-8 for book suggestions. Additional library books (of your choice) will also be used in later lessons during the unit. Plan to request 4-5 books from your library approximately one week in advance so they have time to arrive.
Unit 5: Early American Civilizations
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-8
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 151-169
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 2, 5, and Pausing Point: Require advance preparation.
- Lesson 2: Suggests using a library book about the Maya as part of the extensions lesson (see Anthology pg. 6-8 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-8 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-8 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Salt (Pausing Point)
- All-purpose wheat flour (Pausing Point)
- Chocolate chip cookies (Culminating Activities)
- Toothpicks (Culminating Activities)
- Honey (Culminating Activities)
- Vanilla extract (Culminating Activities)
- Prepared hot cocoa (Culminating Activities)
- Cream (Culminating Activities)
- Cayenne pepper or cinnamon (Culminating Activities)
- Cinnamon sticks (Culminating Activities)
- Cardboard (Culminating Activities)
- Brightly colored yarn (Culminating Activities)
Unit 6: Astronomy
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-8
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 141-168
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6: Require advance preparation.
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-8 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-8 for suggestions).
- Culminating Activities: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-8 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Blown-up balloon (Lesson 1)
- Hula hoop (Lesson 2 and 5)
- Pin or flag to mark a location on a globe (Lesson 2)
- Flashlight (Lesson 2)
- Globe (Lesson 2)
- Analog or digital clock (Lesson 2)
- Star stickers (Pausing Point)
- Masking tape (Culminating Activities)
- Measuring tape (Culminating Activities)
Unit 7: The History of the Earth
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-9
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 135-163
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 2, 3, 5, 7, Pausing Point, Domain Review, and Domain Assessment: Require advance preparation.
- Lesson 7: Calls for a library book about fossils (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Lesson 8: Calls for a library book about dinosaurs (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book about fossils or dinosaurs (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Culminating Activities: Optional use of a library book about fossils or dinosaurs (see Anthology pg. 6-9 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Ruler or yard stick (Lessons 2, 7, 8)
- Glass jar filled with distinct layers of soil, clay, and rock (Lesson 2)
- Two differently shaped clear containers (Lesson 3)
- Fresh peach (Pausing Point)
- Hardboiled egg (Pausing Point)
- Cookies with at least two visible ingredients such as chocolate chips, nuts, berries, raisins, etc. (Lesson 5)
- Salt (Lesson 5)
- Bins for sorting rocks (Lesson 5)
- 4 different kinds of small/medium-sized rocks (Lesson 5)
- Dirt (Lesson 6)
- Small rocks (Lesson 6)
- Glass of water (Lesson 6)
- Sediment (Lesson 6)
- Water in a plastic container (Lesson 6)
- Different colored chocolate chips (Lesson 6)
- Aluminum foil (Lesson 6)
- Plastic bags (Lesson 6)
- Clear jar (Lesson 6)
- Pan of hot water (Lesson 6)
- Hot plate or stove top (Lesson 6)
- Clay (Domain Review and Culminating Review)
- Objects with distinct shapes to press into the clay (Domain Review and Culminating Review)
Unit 8: Animals and Habitats
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-11
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 143-160
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 1, 4, Pausing Point, Domain Review, Domain Assessment, and Culminating Activities: Require advance preparation.
- Lesson 1: Suggests taking a trip outside to view the plants, animals, etc. If the weather isn’t conducive for this activity, you could use a library book of your choice (see Anthology pg. 8-11 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-11 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-11 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Colored chalk (Lesson 7)
- Clear container (Culminating Activities)
- Water from a pond or other freshwater environment (Culminating Activities)
- Salt (Culminating Activities)
- Two small drinking cups (Culminating Activities)
- Long piece of blue paper (Culminating Activities)
- Ocean pictures (Culminating Activities)
Unit 9: Fairy Tales
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-10
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 151-187
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 2, 5, and Pausing Point: Require advance preparation.
- Lesson 3: Suggests using a library book featuring the story of Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, or Rapunzel (see Anthology pg. 6-10 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-10 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-10 for suggestions).
- Culminating Activities: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 6-10 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Thread or yarn (Lesson 1)
- Musical recordings of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty and/or Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel (Culminating Activities)
- School-lunch sized milk cartons (Culminating Activities)
- Graham crackers (Culminating Activities)
- White frosting (Culminating Activities)
- Plastic knives (Culminating Activities)
- Paper plates (Culminating Activities)
- Assorted snack and candy for decoration (Culminating Activities)
- Paper towel (Culminating Activities)
- Bean seeds (Culminating Activities)
- Paper cups (Culminating Activities)
- Soil (Culminating Activities)
Unit 10: New American Independence
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-10
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 161-189
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 1, 2, 6, 9, 11, Domain Review, and Culminating Activities: Require advance preparation.
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-10 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-10 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Map of North America (Lesson 2)
- Simple musical instruments (Lesson 7, optional)
- Writing paper (Lesson 10)
Unit 11: Frontier Explorers
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-10
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 143-169
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, Pausing Point, Domain Review, and Culminating Activities: Require advance preparation.
- Lesson 2: Suggests using a library book for the lesson (see Anthology pg. 8-10 for suggestions).
- Lesson 6: Suggests using a library book for the lesson (see Anthology pg. 8-10 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-10 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-10 for suggestions).
- Culminating Activities: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-10 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Sticky notes (Lesson 6)
- Dollar coin (Lesson 10)
Unit 12: Fighting for a Cause
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-13
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 160-204
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 1 and 2: Require Advance Preparation.
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-13 for suggestions).
- Domain Review: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-13 for suggestions).
- Culminating Activities: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 8-13 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Sticky notes (Lesson 5)
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