Hey, friends! October flew by and it's already November. Who's ready for the holidays?
Today I'm sharing our curriculum choices for my 5th grade daughter. I know this post is "late" in homeschool world, but, I think it makes a lot more sense. When I post my August homeschool choices, it's usually changed by October. Which is exactly what happened again this year. When we first start out the year, there are such high ambitions that then leads to disinterest.
With the kids being in/nearing middle school, I need to figure out what is going to work for their interests and learning styles. I don't want to be changing courses when they are in high school.
I think our current line up is a winner!
Math: We're still using BJU Press, but right now I'm leaning on switching next year. We've been using them for 3 years and like it, but with my 6th grader going into 7th next year, I think we're going to switch to Saxon. They go through 12th grade, which is what I look for in a curriculum.
We are also doing timed tests. Just for extra practice because it never hurts and only takes a minute or two.
Language Arts: This is the area that every year we struggle with finding the right program. This is actually our third program this year already. It is a winner though! I just love it and it's been everything I've wanted for them.
We started the year using FixIt Grammar and loved it, but I also felt like they needed a structured writing program. I researched and researched and decided on Structure and Style. Oh my goodness. Why did I wait so long to order this program?!! It is perfect.
She is doing handwriting level 5 from The Good and the Beautiful, Reading Skills Grade 5, 180 days of Spelling & Word Study
She has book studies monthly as well. I let her pick the books, but right now she's obsessed with Kate DiCamillo books.
Social Studies: We are doing 180 days of Social Studies and 180 days of Geography. We watch a lot of documentaries and read books on historical figures. We don't have a formal history curriculum and that's okay. I feel they learn so much more from watching and reading than sitting behind a textbook.
Science: Apologia Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology. We are also reading devotions from the Bible App on our tablets. Art is something we don't do formally. My kids are constantly drawing, creating, and building something, so we free flow this area. We do a lot of STEAM activities as well.
Sterling's Schedule:
Monday through Thursday
(We don't do a "morning basket". We get right to work.)
Bible
Math
Spelling
Handwriting
Explode the Code
Social Studies
Geography
Timed Tests
Gratitude Journal
Science
~Lunch~
Structure and Style
FixIt Grammar
Friday
We use Friday's as a games day, field trip day, or make up day. We always do math because as my kids say "mom thinks math is the most important" ha! They are right though, I do. Then she'll do reading skills, timed tests, and any work she didn't finish during the week. Which isn't usually anything because she's good about getting hers done during class time. We also typically play games to end the week in a fun way.
At bedtime she reads for at least 30 minutes before she can watch a show.
We were able to go trick or treating Monday night. The weather gave us a break for a few hours. Sterling went as an astronaut and Xander was a solider. Sterling is obsessed with space (look at her huge grin!) while Xander just wanted to buy a gun, so he created his outfit around the gun. Oy vey!
Happy Wednesday! Have a great day!
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