Climbing to Good English Grade 1 Teacher Edition

Climbing to Good English is an affordable, no-frills language arts curriculum for grades 1–8 produced by the Amish. This systematic, traditional program provides thorough instruction in grammar, phonics review, reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and composition while encouraging student independence and strong dictionary skills.

Designed with multi-grade Amish classrooms in mind, Climbing to Good English works especially well for homeschool families. Early grades (1–3) feature daily lessons with phonics, penmanship, and basic grammar, while upper grades (4–8) shift focus to advanced composition, sentence diagramming, and proofreading. The program promotes self-directed learning, particularly in grades 5–8.

Curriculum Highlights:

• Systematic grammar and mechanics with sentence diagramming starting in Grade 4
• Strong emphasis on dictionary skills and pronunciation from Grade 2
• Balanced coverage of reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing (both practical and creative)
• Multi-grade friendly design where Grades 5–6 and 7–8 study the same concepts at different levels
• Built-in unit tests and end-of-year assessments

Program Components:

• Consumable, paperback black and white Student Books
• Teacher’s Editions with answers and teaching notes
• Optional reproducible Practice Sheets for Grades 4–8

Climbing to Good English curriculum features a simple, utilitarian style with rural and biblical themes. It is an excellent choice for budget-conscious homeschool families who want a solid, traditional language arts program that emphasizes clear communication, independent learning, and mastery of English skills without unnecessary fluff.