Sample Lesson Video – Level 1

Level 1 – Sample PDFs

• LEVEL 1 SECOND EDITION STUDENT BOOK SAMPLE
• LEVEL 1 ASSESSMENT/RESOURCE SAMPLE
• LEVEL 1 34-WEEK PLAN
• Alternative Instructional Strategies – PDF

Frequently Asked Questions About Level 1 Writing Curriculum

How old are Level 1 students?

The general age for students completing Level 1 is 6 or 7 years old. The age can vary depending on if a child has started school early, on time, or is repeating a grade. The age of the student does not delegate if a child can complete this writing course. Instead, we recommend that students have a basic understanding of phonetic spelling and letter formation before beginning.

What students are ideal for Level 1?

Level 1 learners are determined by knowledge and writing skill rather than their age. Students should have a basic understanding of phonetic spelling and letter formation before beginning this writing curriculum.

What is taught in 1st grade homeschool writing?

Students will learn the basics of language arts including grammar and writing. In Unit One, students engage in identifying and applying activities for writing sentences and parts of speech. Unit Two focuses on the introduction to composition. Students will learn several tools to become effective writers focusing on quality sentences, paragraphs, letters, and narratives.

What is included in the Student Book and Assessment/Resource Booklet?

Level 1 is the introduction to writing courses offered by Essentials in Writing and features a Student Book as well as a video component.

1st Grade Writing Student Book

• Lesson content that accompanies the video lesson

• Lesson activities that accompany the video lesson

• Writing graphic organizers that accompany the video lesson

• Separate parent/teacher handbook

◦ How to use the program

◦ Sample lesson planning

◦ Writing icon descriptions

◦ Sample answers for each lesson

1st Grade Writing Assessment (A) / Resource Book (R)

• (A) Multiple choice, underline, and fill-in-the-blank assessments

• (A) Composition assessments for each composition completed in the Student Book

• (R) Extra graphic organizers

• (R) Extra writing checklists

• (R) Level 1 spelling dictionary (word lists)

*Assessment/Resource Book will provide students with the opportunity to show what information they are retaining. Although some parents/teachers use the assessments as actual evaluations, others use them as extra practice. The additional word lists are valuable in improving student vocabulary.

Unit One: Grammar

Identify and Apply Activities for Writing Sentences

• Letter, word, and sentence formation

• Spacing, capitalization, and punctuation of sentences – period, question mark, and exclamation mark

• Introduction to complete sentences – subjects and predicates

• Types of sentences – declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, and imperative

Identify and Apply Activities for Parts of Speech

• Common nouns

• Proper nouns

• Singular and plural nouns

• Adjectives

• Action verbs

Tools for Effective Communication: Apply Parts of Speech

• Adjectives in action

Unit Two: Composition

Introduction to Writing

• Lists

• Paragraphs

• Personal letters

• Personal narratives

• Imaginative narratives

Additional Composition Skills

• Parts of a paragraph

• Staying on topic

• Parts of a personal letter

• Writing the date

• Chronological order

• Parts of a personal and an imaginative narrative

What if I have multiple students?

Additional 1st grade writing student books can be purchased to provide a student book for another child/student. The student book does not have additional information and is just another core student book for another student so that each student has their own student book to use.

How are tests and assignments graded?

An answer key is presented in the back of the included Teacher Handbook. For compositions, sample answers for each step of the writing process and a final sample composition are presented to parents/teachers for comparison purposes. Checklists are included to be sure that the student met the composition requirements. Parents/teachers use the checklists and sample compositions to “grade” their student’s work.

What is included in Unit One and Two?

Unit One covers basic grammar instruction with activities where students learn to identify and apply basic parts of speech, to identify and apply the basics of writing sentences, and to use adjectives and sentences effectively in written communication.

Unit Two introduces several multi-sentence compositions as well as how to communicate effectively in written language and in a variety of styles and formats.

How much time will students need to complete this course?

The time needed to complete the 1st grade writing curriculum is a typical academic year (34 weeks). If students follow the 34-week plan included, they will complete individual lessons and activities during the week; however, because the lessons are broken up into small, daily mini-lessons, students can double up on some lessons and activities and complete the entire course sooner. Each day, students will spend 10-15 minutes on writing.

Does the Curriculum include a daily/weekly curriculum planner?

Each level of Essentials in Writing includes a 34-week suggested, yet optional, lesson planner.

Is online help available for additional Curriculum questions?

Essentials in Writing offers 100% free curriculum support through texting, Facebook Messenger, online chat, email, and phone calls.