After trying a few different resources, I realized that having one perfect curriculum mattered less than finding something that matched my child's pace. Reading lessons worked best when they included short stories and phonics games, while math became much easier once we switched to a mastery-based approach. I found a helpful comparison that explained the strengths of different programs, and it made choosing much simpler: https://esingaporemath.com/blog/best-homeschool-curriculums-for-first-grade. We ended up using a combination of structured math and hands-on science activities, which kept my first grader interested without making each school day feel too long or stressful.