I have been trying to figure out exactly what to include in our first grade curriculum for science and social studies. I checked out state's official standards, which were frustratingly vague, and of course not the same as the standards I've seen for other states. Books I've read on the subject seem to think that the first grader needs anywhere from a survey of world religions and ancient civilizations to more information about the American Revolution than even *I* know. And for science, either the list of topics is half-composed of things we've already covered in kindergarten or is super-extensive like the aforementioned social studies syllabi. 
: Looking at curricula from homeschooling suppliers online is only marginally helpful in this regard since they're all different too.
So here's what we have so far...I'm hoping some more experienced mamas can come and gently critique it and share your own curriculum plans! Okay, here goes:
SCIENCE (this is not a complete list, but it's fairly comprehensive):
*Unit study on habitats, based around a cool series of books I found and supplemented with other resources (books, online material, etc.). We will create a big lapbook as we learn, and this unit study will incorporate the study of animals, plants, weather, geography, vocabulary, art, etc.)
*Magnets (including experiments with a fun magnet kit)
*gravity, states of matter, weather, basic astronomy (planets in our solar system; how the sun, earth, and moon rotate to make days, nights, months, years, seasons, etc., which will tie in to a greater understanding of the calendar)
*basic anatomy
*simple machines
*closer examination of the parts of plants/sprouting and observing seeds/planting a garden/nature walks and journals
SOCIAL STUDIES:
*Last year was centered around communities and neighborhoods, so this year we'd aim for a more in-depth understanding of our town, state, and country than we had in Kindergarten. A little bit of town history. A little bit of state history, state flag and other stats, etc. Our country, our flag, etc. Election year. Our place on the North American continent. Introduction to globe, map skills (tie-in with habitats).
What do you mamas think?
: Looking at curricula from homeschooling suppliers online is only marginally helpful in this regard since they're all different too.So here's what we have so far...I'm hoping some more experienced mamas can come and gently critique it and share your own curriculum plans! Okay, here goes:
SCIENCE (this is not a complete list, but it's fairly comprehensive):
*Unit study on habitats, based around a cool series of books I found and supplemented with other resources (books, online material, etc.). We will create a big lapbook as we learn, and this unit study will incorporate the study of animals, plants, weather, geography, vocabulary, art, etc.)
*Magnets (including experiments with a fun magnet kit)
*gravity, states of matter, weather, basic astronomy (planets in our solar system; how the sun, earth, and moon rotate to make days, nights, months, years, seasons, etc., which will tie in to a greater understanding of the calendar)
*basic anatomy
*simple machines
*closer examination of the parts of plants/sprouting and observing seeds/planting a garden/nature walks and journals
SOCIAL STUDIES:
*Last year was centered around communities and neighborhoods, so this year we'd aim for a more in-depth understanding of our town, state, and country than we had in Kindergarten. A little bit of town history. A little bit of state history, state flag and other stats, etc. Our country, our flag, etc. Election year. Our place on the North American continent. Introduction to globe, map skills (tie-in with habitats).
What do you mamas think?
just for ideas though.... another good scope and sequence i like is this one: 
