First Language Lessons is a homeschool grammar curriculum designed by Jessie Wise. It teaches grammar using poetry and stories, and is suitable for parents of any skill level.
Most homeschool families report completing core academic subjects in 3-4 hours per day for elementary students, compared to the 6-7 hours typical of traditional schools, due to the one-on-one instruction and absence of classroom management overhead (NHERI, 2024). According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is first language lessons?
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind is a homeschool grammar program created by Jessie Wise, who co-wrote The Well-Trained Mind. Published by Well-Trained Mind Press, this curriculum teaches grammar through poetry, art, and stories instead of just drills. It combines classic education's focus on memorization with Charlotte Mason's techniques like copywork, dictation, and narration. Each lesson lasts about 10-15 minutes and comes fully scripted, so any parent can easily follow along.
Grade levels and structure
This curriculum has four levels:
- Level 1: Grades 1-2 (100 lessons)
- Level 2: Grades 2-3 (100 lessons)
- Level 3: Grades 3-5 (89 lessons)
- Level 4: Grades 4-5 (85 lessons)
Levels 1 and 2 have just a teacher's manual since most teaching is oral. Levels 3 and 4 add student workbooks that introduce sentence diagramming. Students can move up based on their progress, so if they finish Level 1 in first grade, they can start Level 2, while those finishing in second grade may jump to Level 3.
Teaching methods
Each lesson mixes classical techniques with Charlotte Mason methods. Memory work includes poems and grammar rules that kids memorize through repetition. Copywork helps with handwriting and reinforces spelling. In later levels, dictation lets kids write sentences from memory after hearing them. Narration involves describing pictures in full sentences. The program revisits concepts regularly with review sections at the end of each book.
What parents should know
This curriculum needs parents to be hands-on—it’s not for independent study. The scripted lessons mean you don’t need to be a grammar expert, but you must be there for each session. Some families find the repetition boring, especially for quick learners. Level 3 occasionally gets feedback for longer lessons. It focuses only on grammar, so you’ll need separate resources for phonics, reading, and writing. There's also an optional Audio Companion ($8-13) with recordings of poems and songs for extra practice.
The bottom line
First Language Lessons is great for families looking for a structured, classical grammar program without religious content. The short lessons and scripted format work well for new homeschoolers. Plus, the focus on poetry and memorization helps kids appreciate language while learning grammar. Parents who like direct interaction with their kids will find this program valuable. However, those who want independent work or have kids who resist repeating might find it challenging. At under $35 a year for most levels, it’s one of the more affordable grammar options out there.
