Curriculum Picks
Sometimes, well lots of times, when we are in the middle of our school day, I feel like we didn’t do enough, but after writing this down and showing you all the materials, we do more than enough. We got this, Mama!
Last year, we happily used Oak Meadow Grade 4 and we have the pleasure of continuing her studies with Oak Meadow Grade 5 as her spine with a few added supplements.
Just an FYI, I am following our state’s homeschooling requirements.
Math
We are using Oak Meadow Grade 5 as our main math course. As well as RightStart Tutoring Fractions and RightStart Multiplication and Division Book to reinforce her math skills using games and tactile devices.
History
Oak Meadow 5th Grade focuses on early American History. Aside from the assigned reading materials for each lesson, we have supplemented some lessons with crash course videos and/or picture books.
Geography: She has been taking an Outschool class called Cultural Corner Africa Study: Catching Carmen in the African Nations! with Erica Ward.
English
Oak Meadow History and English are intertwined. The assigned historical fiction literature books are read with me for partnership reading, and we have discussions about the books.
She definitely finds the reading easier to handle when the chapters are tabbed out for her.
Spelling, Grammar, Composition, Literature Studies, and Cursive
Spelling: We use a combination of Spelling Workout and IEW’s Phonetic Zoo Spelling.
Grammar and Cursive: We use Fix-it Grammar 3 and she practices her cursive when rewriting the daily sentence.
Composition: We are using IEW’s Structure and Style Year1 Level A
Literature Studies with some extra grammar practice: We are using Lightning Literature Grade 4. Don’t get caught up with the grade level. The books are fantastic and I truly appreciate the book discussion section after every book. In our experience, most of our books were found either on audio (through our library system) or on YouTube as a read-aloud.
This is her independent study while I’m working with her older brother.
Full disclosure: We were supposed to use LL4 during her fourth grade year, however, we couldn’t comfortably fit it into her schedule, so we paused it for a bit.
Science
We are using Oak Meadow Grade 5 Science. “The lessons emphasize the scientific method conservation ecology meteorology anatomy and astronomy and lay the groundwork for more extensive scientific studies in the upper grades” – Oak Meadow.
We use picture books, nature shows and hands-on projects to round out the lessons, as well as the 5th Grade Science course via Study.com to lend a hand in more independent learning.
Art
We easily incorporate art within our science and history lessons through the projects and assignments. However, there are days that my daughter wants to do her “own thing”. So, we utilize Outschool, specifically Mariya Kovalyov, for polymer clay creations and eventually acrylic painting.
My daughter also takes photography at our local community center. She has access to the photography studio and the black-and-white darkroom facility. She takes and develops her own film. In addition, there are writing and public speaking assignments.
Technology
She has been taking weekly Computer Technology classes with MyTekLab; she’s learning programming fundamentals.
How do I Keep Myself Organized?
Aside from a spiral notebook to brain dump everything, and a six-month purpose planner, I use an electronic planner called Homeschool Planet. It has been the most useful tool to keep me organized.
Homelife with Us 