Best homeschool curriculum for 1st grade in Vermont

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 Vermont's required-subject summary: Basic communication skills, including reading, writing, and use of numbers, Citizenship, history, and government in Vermont and the United States, Physical education and comprehensive health education, English, American, and other literature, The natural sciences, The fine arts.

Moderate. Parents choose curriculum and teaching methods, but they must cover the minimum course of study and complete the yearly notice and assessment requirements.

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 Vermont's required subjects: Basic communication skills, including reading, writing, and use of numbers, Citizenship, history, and government in Vermont and the United States, Physical education and comprehensive health education, English, American, and other literature, The natural sciences, The fine arts.
5. 5Keep a curriculum list and samples in case your Vermont records ever need review.
6. 6Avoid overbuying in the first month; routines matter more than a perfect cart.

Keep copies of your enrollment notice, the Agency of Education response, attendance-style records, course plans, work samples, and each year’s assessment results.

Yes. Vermont requires an annual assessment showing the student has made progress in the minimum course of study.