The answer to this question is determined by the situation you are in. Are you homeschooling, distance learning in quarantine or part of a community of learners based on a curriculum or philosophy? Here are some resources that might help you navigate your answers.
"The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn.. and change." -Carl Rogers
Your priorities will guide what you choose. I choose a faith-based approach. We nurture the heart and mind. Out of great books we learn nature, history, biography, geography, literature, poetry and science. Our language arts is reader based. Our math is a Charlotte Mason inspired textbook. We have daily journaling, notebook informative writing and once a week creative writing. The art, poetry, music, nature, and storytelling add richness.
There are so many things to learn, podcasts and audio books to listen to and sites to see-explore. Ask for some serendipity to come your way. Ask and receive something fit just for you.
Homeschool Methods or Philosophies
Well-Educated Heart-balance mind and heart
Montessori-scientifically proven
Classical-rhetoric, Latin...
Charlotte Mason-feast of many subjects
Unschooling-rich environment with child interests highly influential
Waldorf- natural material, arts
Unit Study-depth in a topic and breadth through connections
Morning Basket with Pam Barnhill
Wild and Free- nature
Read Aloud Revival- Reading aloud and author events
Public School Expectations: Each state has standards for what is to be taught at each grade level. They are available at your state's department of education website.
These are long documents full of objectives. The schools use textbooks, that should cover these, but often textbooks are catered to fit the standards of big states like Texas and California. Common Core National Standards cover math, reading and writing. Each state determines the other standards. There are National Science and Social Study standards, but these are not all adopted at a state level.
I am familiar with the standards from a teacher's point of view. They are useful in assessment and measuring knowledge. Go with what your children's teachers have prepared and add what works for you.
Hopefully the resources I included with William and Winona Rotation can clarify the content I teach and what I want my children to learn. The assessments post can help you see what reading, spelling and writing level your child is at. Start where you are and improve. While we may not teach the children for what “the test“ will measure, this time is prime for teaching habits of learning with joy.
Other checklists that you may be interested in:
Core Knowledge, which published the What a First Grader Needs to Know, has free resources available.
A checklists by grade From a parenting magazine
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