Grade 1 (Form 1)
What our family uses in The Philippines, subject by subject, with our Somera ebooks and the books we pair them with.
The subjects follow the DepEd Grade 1 list. Tap a subject to see our Somera ebook and the books we pair it with. Take what helps and leave the rest. New to homeschooling? Start with our free parenting guide. Many of the free books are in our virtual library.
English
Little Adventures in Kiblawan · The Blue Fairy Book
Reading and stories, all through the school year.
What we use
Five cheerful picture books that follow little Irvin through everyday life in Kiblawan. Our reading book for the whole school year.
Buy the EbookPaired with (Living Pupil list)
Classic fairy tales to read aloud. Some are long or a little scary, so we choose the gentle ones first.
Read FreeFilipino
Tidam Dam Tidam · Foundations in Filipino
Short, playful lessons first, then a full beginner course when your child is ready.
What we use
A fun Filipino living book with rhymes, songs, movement, and playful learning. We made it to keep lessons short and light for little learners.
Buy the EbookPaired with
A beginner Filipino course for children with no prior knowledge. It uses real-life conversations and short stories.
Get the BookMathematics
Prime Mathematics · Math for All · Math Mammoth
Clear, step-by-step lessons. Parents also love Math Mammoth.
What we use
The Singapore-method math books our family uses. Short lessons that build one step at a time.
See PR1ME MathematicsAlso recommended
A complete first-grade program that teaches ideas with pictures and models. Each worktext has the lessons and the practice in one place.
See Math MammothScience
Somera Science Book (coming soon) · Seaside and Wayside
Gentle science lessons about the world around us.
What we use
coming soon
We are creating a gentle science book for Form 1. Check back soon.
Paired with
Gentle nature lessons about the little creatures you find by the shore and along the path.
Read FreeNature Study
Nature Study Guide (coming soon) · The Little Farmer’s Poetry Book · The First Book of Bugs · The First Book of Bees
Perfect for farm kids and backyard explorers.
What we use
coming soon
A gentle nature study guide made for little learners with language delay. Check back soon.
A Charlotte Mason-inspired poetry companion for nature study and simple learning, made with children with language delay in mind.
Buy the Ebook
Araling Panlipunan
History Guide · Malakas at Maganda · Dalawang Bayani ng Bansa · A Child’s History of the World · Little Folks of Many Lands
History, biography, and geography, starting close to home and growing out to the Philippines and the world.
What we use
Connects your child’s own story, Philippine history, and world history.
Buy the Ebook
The Philippine legend of the first man and woman, in short, simple sentences with trace, color, and draw activities.
Buy the EbookPaired with
A picture book about the lives of Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. The publisher suggests ages 10+, so we read it aloud and preview first.
Get the Book
A storytelling tour of the ancient world, from Egypt, Greece and Rome to the first cities, in short chapters. Read it aloud, one story at a time.
Read Free
Meet children from around the world and see how they live and play. Written in 1904, so preview first.
Read FreeMusic
Visayan, Tagalog and English Rhymes (coming soon) · Visayan folk songs · Bilbro’s Very First Piano Lessons
Singing together first, then a gentle start at the piano.
What we use
coming soon
A collection of favorite rhymes in three languages to sing and say together. Check back soon.
Visayan folk songs and nursery rhymes like the Alphabet song and Bingo, with a little Bingo on the piano. Singing first helps words and music grow together.
Free book to start the piano
A 46-page first piano book written for a beginner of five or six years old, planned as one year of gentle study. A good fit for a child who loves music. It was written in 1914, so we preview each piece and go slowly. Free sheet music on IMSLP.
Open FreeArts
Brushwork · What to Draw and How to Draw It
Calm, hands-on time with paint, pencil, and paper.
P.E.
Drawing and Coloring Book (coming soon) · Basketball · scooter riding · Games for the Playground
Moving, playing, and staying safe.
What we use
coming soon
A drawing and coloring book about staying safe and having fun while playing basketball and riding a scooter. Check back soon.
Simple basketball skills and safe scooter riding, one skill at a time.
Free book for games and sports
Hundreds of play ideas, including ball games and bean-bag games, with notes on what suits a six-year-old: short, simple games with few rules. It is not a basketball how-to, so we use it for ball-play ideas. Written long ago, so we choose games gently.
Read FreeHealth
Picky Eating, Solved with Play (coming soon) · daily habits · Oki Dok series
Small habits, done every day.
What we use
coming soon
A playful ebook series that helps picky eaters get curious about new foods through play. Check back soon.
A daily shower and brushing teeth twice a day.
Recommended (Living Pupil list)
Friendly Filipino picture-book stories about everyday health, such as Oki Dok 1: Nilalagnat si Enat!, Oki Dok 2: Dirty ‘Yan, Judy Ann! and Oki Dok 3: Checkup Time, Adam at Audrey!
See the SeriesGMRC / Values Education
Gentle Fables for Little Learners (coming soon) · Laying Down the Rails for Children · habits and home chores
Good habits grow slowly, one small story at a time.
What we use
coming soon
An Aesop compilation that helps young learners with language delay. Check back soon.
Paired with
A habit-training companion full of stories, poems and activities for building good habits, one at a time. A Living Pupil recommendation.
See the BookGentle, short lessons made on our little farm. Each one is a digital download.
This is the plan our own family uses. The subjects follow the DepEd Grade 1 list, but our book choices are not a DepEd-approved curriculum, so please check what your provider requires. Paid books are linked so you can find them, and their prices are set by their publishers. The free books are old, so some language can feel old-fashioned. We suggest previewing a chapter before you read it aloud.