A classical first grade education looks very different from a traditional classroom first grade. According to the trivium model education sciences experts (official website), a first grade student is in the grammar stage, which coincides with Piaget's concrete operational stage. At this stage, children are on the road to independent reading, memorize easily, and enjoy rhyming.

Each of these classical methods has a different approach to first grade, but they all agree that children should be listening to the classics read aloud, and as their reading skills improve, enjoying the classics on their own.

Read Aloud Classics for First Grade

Classical Homeschooling programs often have book lists of classics that are recommended for each grade level, or developmental level. Ambleside is the only one of these curriculum programs that has different lists for each grade level. In The Well Trained Mind and in Charlotte Mason and Thomas Jefferson, books are suggested for age ranges, but not mandated in any specific year. This is because children's abilities and interests are varied, and the goal is that they enjoy the books, and not that they be forced to endure them at a precise, pre-determined time.

Another nice thing about the classics, is that they have stood the test of time, and their copyright has expired, so they can be distributed online for free, so anyone can download these books at no charge. (Who said homeschooling was expensive?)

Classical First Grade Reading List

E.B. White authored several children's books; Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web are very popular with children. Since they've both been made into live action and cartoon movies, a side-study and discussion of the differences between the written story and the two (or more) films can be a fun lesson. You can use them as writing prompts, to create little illustrated versions of the story, retold in the child's own words.

Shel Silverstein authored several popular books of poetry for children. Although his style isn't as lyrical as Dr. Seuss, his work should not be ignored. He offers quick pieces that are easy for children to memorize, with imaginative topics that kids can often relate to.

Andrew Lang published a series for Fairy books named after colors. Primary colors begin the series, with the Red, Blue, Green* and Yellow fairy books all recommended for K-3. Each book is a compilation of short and long stories, poetry and line drawings.

Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories are also popular with classical homeschool curriculum programs. Hearing “big words” in context increases a child's vocabulary. They might be difficult for first grade reading alone, but as a read aloud, they're fantastic. You might find yourself explaining things, but discussions about literature are just as important as hearing the stories (especially if you're using the Thomas Jefferson Education model.

Classics for First Grade

In addition to exposing your homeschooled first grader to classic literature, be sure that children are enjoying the selections and that they aren't being presented as forced materials. There are so many topics and characters and settings that if your child finds something boring, there's really no benefit to forcing it. The important thing, in the younger grades, is to be sure that learning stays enjoyable and relaxed. Stick with topics and characters that inspire and excite them. Rhyming literature like Dr. Seuss and poetry like Robert Louis Stevenson and Shel Silverstein are all developmentally appropriate for a first grade student.