2011-2012 Curriculum List and Plans:
FIFTH GRADE
Math: Saxon 6/5
Language Arts:
Grammar & Writing: Hake Grammar & Writing 5
Spelling: Spelling Workout E and F
Phonics: Explode the Code, books 7 and 8
Reading: Literature to correspond with ancient history
History:
History Odyssey, Level 2: Ancients
Science:
Elemental Science, Biology for the Logic Stage
Latin: Latin Christiana 1
French: L’Art de Lire, Level 1
Logic: Mindbenders 3 & 4, and Red Herrings
THIRD GRADE
Math: Saxon Level 3
Language Arts:
Grammar: First Language Lessons, Level 3
Writing: Writing with Ease, Level 3
Spelling: Spelling Workout C and D
Phonics: Explode the Code, 3 and 3.5
Reading: Literature to correspond with Early Modern History
Handwriting: Handwriting without Tears - Cursive
History:
Story of the World, vol. 3: Early Modern Times
Science:
Elemental Science, Chemistry for the Grammar Stage
Latin: Lively Latin, Book 1
We’ll also study art and music here and there. We have memberships to various museums and spend a lot of time visiting them. Both kids take a drama class throughout the year, with 3 performances each year. They do girl scouts. My 5th grader takes karate; my 3rd grader is switching to ballet this year. They attend religious education classes as well. All that in addition to regular library visits makes for a packed schedule. We have reached a point where we had to learn to say no to anything else. Just to have time to breathe.
And they say homeschoolers don’t know how to have fun.
Yeah. Right.
Thank you for posting what you do with your 4yr. I have one which we call, “the Crazy-one.” Yeah, she’s off the chain, and I have another daughter who is turning 9 this Sat, who I call Mariposa–she’s got the attention span of one. Crazy-one wants “homework,” but holds no love for her own seat work yet, actually somewhat-following the directions is truer… thus lots of art projects, hours of singing and reading aloud. It’s working just fine for her, she’ll surprise us with spelling her name or picking out letters and very very basic sight words. She’s really into rhyming and ASL finger spelling. I don’t feel so bad-mommy anymore, for not getting Crazy-one on the workbook wagon, and I shall stop wasting money too, looking for that perfect book… she just ain’t ready! It feels good to finally have out with it. Yes, I CAN school a 4 & 9 year old at the same time, without promising to mail one or both off to there grandparents!
Impervious,
Thanks for posting your comment. It’s good to hear that there are more 4-year-old’s out there like mine.
This looks a lot like the Student Learning Plan we have to submit to get fundage from the state for homeschooling. I wonder if I should post mine?
Hmmmm…I’ve heard strange things about trying to get funding. Things like getting funding opens you up to having authorities dictate your curriculum. Of course, I don’t know if any of that is true, but that’s what I’ve heard. Maybe it changes from state to state?
We need a whole section of Snopes dedicated just to homeschooling myths, ya know? (sigh)
I’ve noticed in a few of your posts that you do some stuff within the Well-Trained Mind philosophy. I got the Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading for my kindergarten-aged daughter, and she and I both love it. We got The Story of the World books on CD from our library, and my daughter played it day and night! So I’m thinking about delving further into this and wonder where one finds out about curricula in the Well-Trained Mind philosophy? I just ordered their book from the library, too, so forgive me if I’m jumping the gun by asking you. Maybe the book will tell me where to start, too. But it’s nice to have someone sort of explain things when they’re not entirely obvious. Like, on a post you once mentioned you were looking through catalogs. Is there a Well-Trained Mind catalog of curricula or something wonderfully easy like that?
Many thanks in advance,
Hillary
Hi Hillary,
The book itself is an important reference, so I’m glad you’ve ordered it. Curriculum developed by the writers of WTM can be found at Peace Hill Press. I order some things there, and I also order from Rainbow Resource and Amazon.
Glad you’re enjoying the classical method!
Hi there,
Thinking about curriculum for next year’s 1st grade. Just wondering if you have any preferences for handwriting? I’m thinking of Handwriting Without Tears, but wondering if you’ve seen or have any thoughts on Zaner Bloser or any others? Also, what are the differences between First Language Lessons, Explode the Code and the Ordinary Parents’ Guide? Wondering if I need them all? We’re using the Ordinary Parents’ Guide and LOVE it! I think First Language Lessons is grammar? Can’t get my hands on a copy of the book without just going ahead and buying it. But for my wallet’s sake, any thoughts you have about them would be very much appreciated. If you don’t mind. Sorry for pestering.
Thanks!
-Hillary
Hey Hillary,
I’ve only used Handwriting Without Tears, and I really like it. I started with it because my eldest is a lefty, and struggled right off the bat with writing, so I wanted something as stress-free as possible.
As for Language Arts, I’d say yes, you need all 3: OPG, ETC, and FLL. OPG is the primer for reading you’d work with your child with intensely. ETC is a phonics workbook system that reinforces what’s happening with OPG. I think it makes a huge difference to also be reading and writing phonics along with going through the OPG. And Grammar is, in my opinion, essential. FLL is a nice gentle introduction to grammar, and it’s easy to tailor to your own needs. For the first year, we didn’t do any writing with Grammar. In the second year, we’ve done more writing.
Anyway… sorry I took so long to respond. Been busy teaching the kids… makes it hard to keep up with my blog this year.
Thank you so much! I joined the WTM message board, too, so I don’t have to bug you so much.
I hear you. I’m sure having two is more of a challenge to balance. I will be learning that this August when our second little girl is born. Good luck to you with the juggling, and I hope you keep writing. You’re so much fun to read. I’ll take sporadic over nothing!