Best homeschool curriculum for 1st grade in Louisiana

1st grade usually needs a strong daily rhythm around phonics, early readers, hands-on math, handwriting, read-alouds, and short science or social studies blocks. Then compare that with Louisiana's required-subject summary: For the home study option, a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to public schools, Subjects taught at the same grade level used in public schools, Declaration of Independence in elementary school for the home study option, The Federalist Papers in high school for the home study option.

Moderate overall. Parents choose the curriculum, and the DOE says it does not maintain a list of approved programs, but the home study option must offer a sustained curriculum of quality equal to public schools and at the same grade level.

1. 1Start with 1st grade math and language arts before buying a full bundle.
2. 2Match the program to your child’s current level, not just the grade label.
3. 3Decide whether you want faith-based, secular, classical, literature-rich, online, or workbook-based materials.
4. 4Make sure your plan can cover Louisiana's required subjects: For the home study option, a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to public schools, Subjects taught at the same grade level used in public schools, Declaration of Independence in elementary school for the home study option, The Federalist Papers in high school for the home study option.
5. 5Keep a curriculum list and samples in case your Louisiana records ever need review.
6. 6Avoid overbuying in the first month; routines matter more than a perfect cart.

For home study renewals, keep enough records to show that you offered a sustained curriculum of quality. The captured source says the renewal packet can include subject outlines, a list of books and materials, work samples, standardized test results, third-party statements, and other evidence of program quality. For the nonpublic school option, keep copies of withdrawal notices when relevant and the annual attendance report.

No routine statewide testing appears to be required just to homeschool. For the home study option, renewal requires evidence of progress, and one allowed way to show that is through LEAP, CAT, or another approved standardized test score, but the DOE page also says home study students are not required to take state assessments.