My children are in 5th, 3rd, 2nd, & Kinder. Though we haven't been through this stage before, I'm considering my oldest child's 5th grade year to be transitional between "elementary" and "middle school," which means we're beginning to work toward independence, focusing on study skills and time management as her workload begins to increase.
The first thing we do in school each morning is "Family Work," which currently includes:
- Doxology / Hymn
- Bible Reading (We're in Acts now)
- Our 24 Family Ways (Clay Clarkson)
- Speed drills for math facts
- Story of the World (currently Volume 2)
- Science Reading - currently Focus On Biology from Real Science 4 Kids. We will also be using their Geology program later in the year.
My fifth grader does not stay for science. She does her independent reading at this time, because she has her own science curriculum.
This is what we're using for Little J, who is in Kinder:
- Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
- Explode the Code (ABC)
- Math U See Primer
- Handwriting Without Tears 1st Grade (He did the K book last year because he needed some "real school.")
Super S is in 2nd grade. He is almost ready to do some of his reading independently, but he can often do his math worksheets while he's waiting for me. Here's what he's using:
- Explode the Code (currently in #2)
- Math U See Alpha / Transitioning to Teaching Textbooks 3 when Alpha is complete
- A Reason for Handwriting A
- Spelling Workout A
- Bob Jones University's English 2
- Sonlight's 2nd grade readers (and some free reads)
Princess L is in 3rd grade this year. She is an excellent reader and a math whiz, so she can usually do some independent work while waiting for me. She's using:
- Math U See Delta
- Handwriting Without Tears Cursive
- Bob Jones University's English 3
- Spelling Workout B
- We choose her books together, trying to mix in some easier options and some more challenging ones, and she also reads to Little J often. A few she's planning to read this year include Betsy-Tacy and Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace, and King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry. She's also going to read through the gospels.
- Draw the USA and Draw the World
- Coding with Scratch
- Typing.com
Sweet B is in 5th grade. As I mentioned, she's beginning to do more independent work, so she leaves our Family Work early. Here's what she's using:
- Math U See Delta / Transitioning to Teaching Textbooks 5 or 6 after completing Delta
- Spelling Workout B
- Bob Jones University's English 4 (She does only the grammar chapters, alternates with IEW)
- History Revealed! Romans, Reformers, and Revolutionaries (She is completely excited about this!)
- Literature selections made together, also reading the Gospels.
- Draw the USA and Draw the World
- IEW's Ancient History Based Writing Lessons (alternates with BJU English)
- Mental math games (Multiplication War, Cribbage, etc.)
- Earth Science and Astronomy for the Logic Stage from Elemental Science
- Coding with Scratch
- Typing.com
Next week is my big school prep week for our year and I'm ready to get started! Do you go year-round or take a long summer break? Are you ready for the "new school year"?
