Anyone Want to Share their 5th Grade Curricula Choices?

[kristavws]

I am re-reading the logic stage section of the WTM this week. I pretty much have what we are going to be using for next year planned out, but was wondering what everyone else has decided on.

 

Krista

[TN Mama]

:bigear: We're doing 5th grade next year as well.

[patchfire]

I can share what we've done this year for fifth grade. :)

 

Math: Life of Fred. (Dd is accelerated in this area, so we've also added several other resources, including Art of Problem Solving, Patty Paper Geometry, and two courses from TIP)

Language Arts: MCT Voyage level, plus All About Spelling Level 6, and various literature from a list I put together.

Science: PLATO science, plus supplementary reading and a couple of experiment kits (mostly Thames & Kosmos)

History: So far, she's done it a la WTM, using History: The Definitive Visual Guide as her spine. I'm going to change this up for the latter half of the year, I'm just not sure how, yet. :D

Latin: Started out the year using Latin Prep. We're on an indefinite hiatus from foreign language at the moment.

Logic: Critical Thinking 1 & 2 via online course

Fine Arts: Appreciation via Art and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music History; skills via private piano & trumpet lesson. She also participates in Master's Academy of Fine Arts once a week, which covers some appreciation & skill in visual arts, music, and drama.

[Lostinabook]

.

Edited December 28, 2010 by Lostinabook

[HappyGrace]

Here is a link to ours this year; this is for a student who likes/needs a challenge:

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227085

 

I already beefed up a bit since that thread by adding more maps-like when we did Ancient Israel, I also had her fill in and memorize the (modern) Middle East countries. Next she will do the same with the countries of Africa (since we did Egypt earlier in the year). She likes this and it has been a good step up.

 

AND here is what I'm adding to beef it up, starting in Jan:

 

Adding logic-Mindbenders/Orbiting with Logic (2x/wk)

 

Adding Figuratively Speaking (2x/wk) (we've already beefed up lit a bit since that thread by adding more discussion once we've both read it; I think Fig Spkg will give us some more fodder for discussion as we read)

 

Adding beta testing WWS, adding outlining from white Kingfisher (just 1 or 2x/wk), plus pulling from WriteShop and Wordsmith and a couple other sources to transition into more academic writing

 

Adding more sci in the form of science fair in April-got her several sci fair books, she will read and plan out and schedule her time and execute (combines the goals I have of having her do more long-term projects PLUS more sci), plus she got a microscope for Christmas and some books on how to use it, projects to do with it, etc, which she is already into! Also got Snap Circuits; now I want to get the Teacher Guide so she can learn the sci behind it.

 

More long-term projects for her to plan/execute: Awana Bible quizzing in late Jan, two presentations due in co-op over several months

 

DAILY typing

 

extra reading for history (book basket) and sci (Hakim's Story of Sci ties in well with our Ancients)

 

ETA: Thank you to all who participated in the first thread to help me think it all through! I'm happy with our new plans for Jan.

Edited December 28, 2010 by HappyGrace

[LisaKinVA]

This is what we have scheduled for my dd in 5th grade

 

Math: Life of Fred, plus Hands On Equations, possibly Foerster's Algebra I and Art of Problem Solving (I'm trying to draw Algebra I out for two years, but keep it interesting).

Grammar: MCT Voyage level

Spelling/Vocabulary: Abeka Spelling 6; MCT Latin Vocabulary

Literature/Poetry: MCT Poetry, Abeka 7 Lit, plus 4-6 studies from Progeny Press

Composition: MCT, and probably Writing Strands 4

Science: Apologia Zoology 1 & 2

History: SOTW 4/ Veritas Press Explorers to 1815

Latin: LFC B

Logic: Mind Benders... nothing really formal here.

Fine Arts: Feed My Sheep, and some indpendent classes around town. We will also study some examples of fine art and artists from the time period.

Music: Piano/Recorder II, She doesn't like woodwinds, so she's pretty much stuck with piano...and I can't do more than piano & woodwinds.

[SilverMoon]

.

Edited July 9, 2022 by SilverMoon

[radiobrain]

I have a smooshed 5th and 6th, and we almost halfway through the year.

 

I have spent many years getting to this point. AHHHH.:D

 

Math: Life of Fred Pre-Algebra 1 (just completed) Pre-Algebra 2 (starting tomorrow), Singapore 5B (one section left), continuing on with 6A. Should finish 6B by summer. Will do Thinkwell Beginning Algebra with LofF B.A.

 

We also read Murderous Maths, Penrose, and various odd books about mathematicians. I have patty paper geometry in the wings.;)

 

Grammar/LA: MCT Voyage level, although my actual 5th grader might have enjoyed Town level again, instead of ramping it up.

Lit picked out by my husband and I.

Boys' Writing Club

A few elements of Bravewriter lifestyle and SWB writing lectures to help with writing, but seriously, the output is not where I would like it.

Son #1--doesn't need extra spelling, Son #2--spelling is horrible, combining Spellbound, Soaring with Spelling and my own spelling list with his trigger words.

 

Logic: Logic liftoff, Logic Safari 3

 

History: History at our House US History, upper Elementary level.

 

Science: OM life science, CPO life science, part one of Galore Park Science, outside classes

 

Attempting to work on: Typing, Italian, Music and Art. Sad, as 3 of these my husband is an expert in.

 

I think that 5th grade is a place where you try to get all your ducks in a row, but still have fun. It is a good place to assess where you are, and where you would like to be... then figure out how the %^$@# do you get there. :D

[8filltheheart]

I just wanted to encourage others who might be reading this thread and feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by it. Most of the responses I read have children that are using very accelerated materials. My 6th grade dd is accelerated, and she is using or will be using in 7th grade many of the materials posted in this thread. These materials are not standard fare for 5th graders.

 

So....if you have kids doing normal 5th grade stuff, I would encourage you to post what you are doing in with your child so that others can read about those materials as well. :)

[Capt_Uhura]

 

I think that 5th grade is a place where you try to get all your ducks in a row, but still have fun. It is a good place to assess where you are, and where you would like to be... then figure out how the %^$@# do you get there. :D

 

That is exactly where I am right now! I really want to get those skills more to automaticity.

[Mallory]

My fifth grader this year is doing-

 

--Writing Tales 2 and beta testing WWS and other writing across the curriculum (outlines/narrations/dictations/lists of facts/letters)

 

--Sequential Spelling- I think we are going to do megawords next year

 

--Singapore Math, we just started a formal curriculum, so I started him back a year, but he has already completed 4A and 4B and will start 5A after break also other math activites

 

--Ancient History SOTW, Kingfisher/Usborne, books from library- lots of writing and reading- I feel we do very much what is listed in TWTM, except I haven't managed to fit in primary scources yet....maybe next year.

 

--Biology made my own, lots of hands on (microscope, owl pellets, disections, models, nature study, etc.) and books from library

 

--Art- Draw Squad, art history from 15yo, lessons with a friend

 

--Logic- all kinds of books, games, and puzzels (this is a subject we really enjoy!)

 

--Typing Instructor Deluxe

 

--Memory Work from history, science, lit, or poetry

[littleWMN]

HOD Preparing, replacing math with CLE 4

 

Co-op for writing, geography, music and art

 

Piano lessons

 

Science co-op

 

We're just "regular" around here. :D

[Capt_Uhura]

I just wanted to encourage others who might be reading this thread and feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by it. Most of the responses I read have children that are using very accelerated materials. My 6th grade dd is accelerated, and she is using or will be using in 7th grade many of the materials posted in this thread. These materials are not standard fare for 5th graders.

 

So....if you have kids doing normal 5th grade stuff, I would encourage you to post what you are doing in with your child so that others can read about those materials as well. :)

 

:iagree:

[HappyGrace]

Most of the responses I read have children that are using very accelerated materials.

 

:iagree:

 

Also, many of the responses (mine included) are eclectic and don't stick really closely to the WTM recs, and in re-reading the OP, she may also be interested in seeing some examples if anyone is closely following WTM recs.

[Avila]

My fifth grader for next year has struggled with academics, so we are not going to be on the more impressive accelerated curve. She has made a lot of progress in the last year, and I am proud of her though.

 

Rod&Staff English 4

Writing Road to Reading (for more phonics and spelling instruction)

Cardinal National Reader 4 and Seton Reading/Thinking Skills 5

Seton Handwriting 4 (still working on fluent cursive)

Saxon Math 65

Harcourt Science 6 (half-speed over two years) and Seton Health 5

Faith & Life 5

Ancient History (Greece/Rome, using Dorothy Mills, Famous Men books, and the Kingfisher Illustrated History)

Typing Instructor

Seton Art 5

 

No Latin. And the Seton RTS book covers what she is ready for in logic. I mix WTM with Kolbe, Seton and MODG and customize for each child. :)

Edited December 28, 2010 by Asenik

[i.love.lucy]

I just wanted to encourage others who might be reading this thread and feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by it. Most of the responses I read have children that are using very accelerated materials. My 6th grade dd is accelerated, and she is using or will be using in 7th grade many of the materials posted in this thread. These materials are not standard fare for 5th graders.

 

So....if you have kids doing normal 5th grade stuff, I would encourage you to post what you are doing in with your child so that others can read about those materials as well. :)

Thanks for that.:D I have a pretty regular 5th grader.

 

Bible: Teaching Hearts/Training Minds catechism study

Math: MM 4A&B and hoping to do LoF starting late next semester. But I'm okay if not.

Grammar: Essentials of English Lang from CC (which I understand is pretty similar to Shurley)

Writing: IEW

Spelling: Megawords

Latin: Latin for Children A

History: Middle Ages/Renaissance using a mix of materials (Mostly SOTW and Veritas)

Science: just finished an astronomy unit using a mix of materials and will move on to physics in a couple of weeks. Not sure yet what we'll use.

Lit: anything related to history. We are doing a lit analysis of Adam of the Road in the coming weeks.

 

She has been studying recorder but I finally have the financial means to get her in piano this Spring. We also do our own composer and artists study based on the Ren period. We dropped Spanish for now. It was just too much.

[Matryoshka]

These are some very accelerated 5th graders! I'm reporting my dd as a 5th grader this year, and this is what she's doing:

 

Math: Singapore 5a/b, and she did LOF Fractions last summer and will do Dec/Perc this summer. Also have done parts of Hands-on-Equations

Grammar: MCT Town level, Killgallon Story Grammar for Elementary

Spelling: Sequential Spelling

Vocabulary: MCT Caesar's English I

Literature/Poetry: Book Club, assigned reading from History, MCT Poetry

Composition: MCT Paragraph Town

Science: McHenry's The Elements, Mr. Q Earth Science

History: Ancients; done with older sisters (K12 HO read aloud as spine)

Spanish: Spanish the Easy Way

German: Saturday School

Logic: Mind Benders, Cranium Crackers

Music: Piano lessons, chorus

PE: Ballet (1st semester), Gymnastics, Volleyball (2nd semester)

[TheAutumnOak]

This is what we are doing...My son is starting 5th next week...

 

Math Mammoth 4A & 4B

Rod and Staff Remedial English and then Level 5

Mystery of History Vol 1

Elemental Science Biology

Writing With Ease 1 & 2

Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading

Logic Countdown

Prima Latina

Calvary Chapel Bible Study

Homeschool PE

 

This is our first year doing classical and we have to do some remedial work...

[kristavws]

:iagree:

 

Also, many of the responses (mine included) are eclectic and don't stick really closely to the WTM recs, and in re-reading the OP, she may also be interested in seeing some examples if anyone is closely following WTM recs.

 

Actually, we do not follow all of the WTM recs, so I am interested in seeing it all!! It also occurred to me that I probably should have included what we have planned thus far.

 

Language Arts: MCT Voyage Level

Spelling: SWO F

Writing: Writing With Skill (Hopefully it will be out in time) and MCT

Literature: History-related and other selections I have chosen

Latin: Finish LFC B, begin LFC C

Logic: Mind Benders

Math: Singapore 5A and 5B, and Horizons 5

History: TOG 1

Fine Arts: Harmony Fine Arts, continue with violin lessons

Bible: TBD - we have decided to begin visiting an EO church, so I do not know where God is going to lead us in this area

PE: Fall soccer, winter basketball (we may add fencing, but only if they will let mom fence too :tongue_smilie:)

Life Skills: We are part of a 4-H club that meets once a month for horticulture, cooking, an outdoor related skill, and art

Memorization: Selections from Living Memory

Science: I still can not figure out what I want to do - someone put me out of my misery, and decide for me!

 

We may add in French but I have not decided yet.

 

Krista

[rootsnwings]

We'll be starting 5th in the fall & this is what we have planned:

 

Math: Singapore 5A & 5B, and LOF Decimals & Percents.

Grammar: K12 LA5

Spelling: K12 LA5

Vocabulary: K12 LA5

Literature/Poetry: K12 LA5

Composition: K12 LA5

Science: TBD--Probably Exploration Education's Physical Science

History: SOTW 3

Latin: Cambridge 1

Logic: logic games

PE: PE Co-Op, Soccer & Baseball

[JenneinCA]

This is what my ds10 is currently doing -

 

Math: Life of Fred

Spelling: Spelling Power

Writing: All Things Fun and Fascinating (IEW)

Science: Lyrical Life Science

Geography: Trail Guide to US Geography

Japanese: Saturday School

Music: Piano Lessons

 

Literature: online class starting in February. I just can't get this done.

[Closeacademy]

Our choices:

 

Oak Meadow 5/6

Rod and Staff Math

Scott Forseman free grammar workbooks

Spell to write and Read

lapbooks

 

We had a great 2010 using Oak Meadow and the other materials and are looking forward to doing the ancients through medieval times in 2011.:001_smile:

[radiobrain]

I just wanted to encourage others who might be reading this thread and feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by it. Most of the responses I read have children that are using very accelerated materials. My 6th grade dd is accelerated, and she is using or will be using in 7th grade many of the materials posted in this thread. These materials are not standard fare for 5th graders.

 

So....if you have kids doing normal 5th grade stuff, I would encourage you to post what you are doing in with your child so that others can read about those materials as well. :)

 

I know you weren't speaking specifically of me, but I take everything too personally so I want to explain myself... ;)

 

My choices (as I said) are 5th and 6th smooshed together, therefore by their very nature are advanced. I listed what we are using (or attempting to use) now, when I suppose I could have used my curriculum choices for last year when I had a 4th & 5th grader. I just chose current choices. It is easier. Also, just because something is listed doesn't mean I am using it as written. For our science, I have 3 programs listed...do I do 3 complete programs? NO WAY! I pick and choose from all of them as none are exactly what I would like to use.

 

Also, my 5th grader is the lovely variety whose understanding and desire for material is far above his skill set. I have to modify almost everything. He is super at math, so having him starting Singapore 6A in a week is not a big deal. OTOH, he is in a remedial spelling program. :tongue_smilie:

 

Anyway, I understand where you are coming from, but I think that 5th grade is a spot where HSers are going to vary wildly. We are able to self-accelerate/hold back where we choose. In addition to being where you get all your ducks in a row, I have been less than impressed with a lot of "on grade level" 5th grade stuff. I might lean towards choosing a 6th or 7th grade book due to content, as it tends to leave the "baby talk" behind. My kids have never liked material that is too much like this, even when we were doing 2nd grade stuff. It has made my life interesting. :glare:

 

I think the key is to not be intimidated by anyone's choices about anything, just use them as a tool. My family is totally different than the next one, and we might have amazingly different educational ideas and focuses. I see no problem with a 5th grader using 7th+ grade material or 2nd grade material. If that is what the kid needs, it's good! I doubt a single one of our kids is ever exactly on grade level in all subjects.

 

OK, I think I am finished. I need to get some more coffee. ;)

Edited December 28, 2010 by radiobrain

[Capt_Uhura]

:iagree:

 

Also, many of the responses (mine included) are eclectic and don't stick really closely to the WTM recs, and in re-reading the OP, she may also be interested in seeing some examples if anyone is closely following WTM recs.

 

I don't want to derail this thread so we can discuss this in a separate thread if you like, but I'm curious about your statement above. When I look at what others are doing, it didn't jump out at me that they didn't fit WTM recs. Perhaps I'm not thinking too deeply about it. What do you mean exactly by WTM recs? Are you referring to using curricula that is not recommended in WTM? Or are you referring to schedule, for ex: 4yr history cycle, starting latin in X grade? I've seen that statement from others and I'm just curious about what it means exactly. :001_smile:

[HappyGrace]

Are you referring to using curricula that is not recommended in WTM? Or are you referring to schedule, for ex: 4yr history cycle, starting latin in X grade?

 

Kind of all of the above, but I was just stating it loosely. :)

 

I have seen people chided on the boards before if you are doing a writing program other than one recommended in WTM, that you are not following the WTM recs. I personally am not dogmatic about it, and believe that there are many ways to skin a cat. I thought the previous posters were following the "spirit of the law" of WTM, if not the "letter of the law" of WTM, which is what I do too, but wasn't sure if that's what the OP was looking for or not (and I see by a later post that she was not.)

 

ETA: Oh, yes, I know what else it was-this is a good example of what I mean-I saw a lot of previous posters before I wrote that were doing MCT (which we did all of Town last yr and loved); I think it's one of the best, if not *the* best LA out there, but it approaches LA differently than you see in WTM (no diagramming, etc., which WTM includes as a must.) Things like that. So I wasn't sure if the OP was looking for things that more exactly match WTM-in this example, that include diagramming.

Edited December 28, 2010 by HappyGrace

[HappyGrace]

Also, just because something is listed doesn't mean I am using it as written. For our science, I have 3 programs listed...do I do 3 complete programs? NO WAY! I pick and choose from all of them as none are exactly what I would like to use.

 

 

I have been less than impressed with a lot of "on grade level" 5th grade stuff. I might lean towards choosing a 6th or 7th grade book due to content, as it tends to leave the "baby talk" behind. My kids have never liked material that is too much like this

 

:iagree: Well said!

 

For the first point, we do the same thing-I am very comfortable pulling elements of different curricula to fit our needs. It is rare for me to use things exactly as written.

 

For the part in red-I totally agree. I have had a lot of trouble finding 5th grade materials, or even some 6th grade materials, that do not "talk down" to the child. It seems that many curric have 5th grade as an "in-between" year before the middle school meat. If you're ready for the meat, you're ready for it! :) And on the flip side, if you're not, you're not. Fifth and sixth graders have a HUGE variance in abilities-I see it in our homeschool co-op.

 

And there is NO way my younger ds (2nd grade) will be even close to any of the stuff I'm doing with older dd when he is in 5th grade-different dc, different abilities.

 

All that being said, I'm glad 8Fill pointed it out so people aren't intimidated because the curricula in the posts were advanced. I feel the same way when I look on the high school board and I'm not familiar with the curric choices, etc.; I would love if someone like 8Fill would come along over there and say, hey, this stuff is super advanced, so don't worry if you're not there.

[nd293]

Starting in January we'll be using the following:

 

Mosdos Coral (Literature)

 

MCT Town series

 

Lively Latin 2 interspersed with Lingua Latina

 

Singapore New Syllabus Primary 5 + Problem Sums 5 (and we'll try Life of Fred later in the year)

 

R.E.A.L Science Odyssey - Earth and Space

 

Trail Guide to Geography

 

History - nothing has worked for us so far. This year we will try to read the 4 children's narrative histories I know of, and do additional reasearch. Writing will be tied into the history research.

 

Learn to Type 4

 

Meet the Masters

[catholicmommy]

This is what my fifth grader is using this year. Math, latin, grammar/writing get done consistently each day. History 2x week consistently. Everything else is rather sporadic.

 

Math: Horizons 5, Life of Fred fractions when we get around to it.

 

Latin: First Form Latin (we started with prima latina in 2 and did LC1 in gr 3/4.

 

Science: Apologia swimming creatures

 

Grammar: Junior Analytical Grammar (done already).

Writing: Classical Writing Homer A

 

Spelling: AAS (in my head LOL... we haven't done much with this yet.)

 

Logic: Mindbenders B, Bananagrams for kids, online logic printables

 

Religion: faith and life 5

 

History: History Odyssey level 2 ancients

 

Art: Artistic Pursuits book 1 gr4-6 (hmm maybe it's book 2, i can't remember)

 

Music: community girls choir

 

PE: gymnastics lessons and curling lessons (fun!)

[at the beach]

I currently have a fifth grader. She is not academically accelerated and needs a very gentle academic approach. We've been using a variety of things. I had waffled between buying a whole curriculum for this year (SL, CHC, MODG) and I decided instead of spending more $, I would try to make do. So far so good, but it is hard to resist the urge to buy.

 

Math: Teaching Textbooks (This is really a good fit for her! She really struggled with math and this program is working. She is learning a lot with it, and I am so pleased.)

 

Science: Science Lab in a Supermarket (her idea), also some nature study with Handbook of Nature Study

 

History: Our Pioneers and Patriots (Furlong), This is working fairly well. She likes it.

 

English: LLATL, I had planned to switch to CHC but never did that because I decided to just use what we have.

 

Literature: We do read-alouds and readers that go with our history. We're also using the Oxford Illustrated Book of American Children's poems. I'd like to formally add in Shakespeare study.

 

Artist/Composer study: Done informally CM style

 

Art: We have lots of resources but it's hard to get to it regularly. Sigh.

 

Religion: We add in lots of informal stuff here. We're going to finish the Picture Book of Saints and a Catholic Children's Story Bible and then I'm not sure what we will do.

 

Foreign Language: We are not doing this yet. I had planned on German but it just hasn't materialized.

 

Extracurriculars: Ballet and Jazz classes, horseback riding lessons, and piano with me at home.

 

I think that covers it.

[Capt_Uhura]

HappyGrace - Thanks for answering my question! I get it now! When I read WTM2009, I see her recs as things she has looked at and liked and fits the bill, choices out of many choices. But if there is a great curriculum out there that isn't in WTM, I don't assume it doesn't fit WTM specs or that she wouldn't recommend it. I just see WTM as a possible roadmap, recs that she has made based on what she has either used herself or really reviewed closely. I didn't know others saw it differently. Now I understand so many of the other threads! :lol:

 

I see MCT fitting in well w/ WTM recs b/c it fosters that love of language, the well chosen word, classic lit that I think SWB talks about. Yes, she might have a beef w/ no diagramming but that is so easy to add in that it's really a non-issue. She recommends using IEW but only half the program so she definitely is OK w/ tweaking and using what fits and adding on if something is missing.

 

 

As far as curricula.....I think the issue is that 5th grade is on the border between grammar stage and logic stage. As SWB says, some kids will enter logic stage much soon and some, as she mentions in one of her talks, you have to drag kicking and screaming into logic stage. So you start to see a divergence. I think it's wonderful for everyone to post as it really gives a good flavor for the various curricula out there and what the possibilities are w/out respect to grade level. I also think it's great when folks post as 8FilltheHeart for newbies who might not yet have that knowledge of grade level, content level of various curricula.

Edited December 28, 2010 by Capt_Uhura

[HappyGrace]

She recommends using IEW but only half the program so she definitely is OK w/ tweaking and using what fits and adding on if something is missing.

 

I do think SWB meant her curric choices to be a guide-a way to give specific examples so people can see what type of things could work. I think it is great and can work beautifully as written, but I don't think she ever meant it to be dogmatic (just like she said the schedules are only a guide that she herself doesn't follow exactly.) I'm sure she would encourage tweaking! ;)

 

I am enjoying seeing everyone's 5th grade choices! Thanks for sharing!

Edited December 28, 2010 by HappyGrace

[littlebug42]

I'm still working some of this out but this is what I have so far.

 

Math: Horizons supplemented with MCP.

 

LA:Jump In! writing, Abeka LA5, Vocabulary from Classical Roots, lots of reading different genres etc.

 

History: SOTW with younger sister and supplemented with additional history reading. We will also be completing a timeline project here.

 

Geography: Trail Guide to US Geography.

 

Latin: Prima Latina. My 5th grader also wants to do Song School Greek so we will do that together as well.

 

Science: I outsource this. She takes classes at our local science museum and classes for kids at a local university.

 

Religion: Not sure yet although we will be incorporating study of the saints in our history lessons. I have the Trail Guide of Bible Geography that I may use some here.

 

I am still filling this all out so I know I will tweak some things still.

[ThreeBlessings]

Dd is 10 and in 5th this year. Here's what we're using-

 

Math- Singapore supplemented with Miquon and MEP for review

 

Science- Noeo Science as a guide, I bought Physics 2, Chemistry 2, and Biology 2 and we are doing units from all three rather than a full year of each, we're also working through Scott Foresman's Science concurrently

 

History- Ancients, combining History Odyssey and using the SOTW activity guide for questions and maps. She is currently narrating, but will soon be transitioning to outlining. She will also be starting our own version of the Book of Centuries after Christmas break. This will be somewhat combining the timeline and History notebook into one. I plan to have her do summaries mostly for this and outlining will be a skill we work on the side. I bought a workbook for outlining skills for her to work through

 

LA- Simply Grammar and she will ease into FLL 3 sometime before the end of the school year and continue it into next. I also have basic workbooks for sentence diagramming for extra practice or review as needed. English from the Roots Up for vocabulary, Writing With Ease, Sentence Composing for Elementary School, and for fun she is working through the Young Novelist's workbook

 

Spelling- Sequential Spelling

 

Literature- She is to read a chapter a day from a book within our home library and I am still reading aloud to all of them. I am currently reading Redwall and A Christmas Carol aloud. She's read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Nim's Island, Ribsy, Ginger Pye, The Hundred Dresses, and more this year. She is also reading the Warriors series and has started the Seekers series on her own time. I'm content with her enjoying literature right now without requiring any analyzing or reporting.

 

Art- Artistic Pursuits and Meet the Masters, we all look at the art from the location and period we are studying in History and Draw Write Now

 

Foreign Language- Song School Latin, I bought Minimus to use next when we finish SSL, she also wants to learn Spanish so will be starting Spanish for Children soon

[5Wizards]

Here are some of our tentative plans for next year:

 

Math: MM 5A and 5B, LoF

 

LA: (undecided) Maybe MCT, some kind of Latin root study, maybe Literature from K12, maybe Mosdos, writing across the curriculum (no formal program, although I am considering TWSS I guess) (still looking at what's out there and trying to figure out what will meet her needs); GWG

 

Science: Biology - possibly RSO or ES if either available, considering Classiquest as well

 

History: putting together my own 1 year American History but still pulling together resources. Who knows, I may end up picking someone else's program

 

Language: Spanish (probably Rosetta Stone); also looking into Lively Latin as a possibility

 

Logic: probably Mindbenders or something similar

 

PE: Soccer and dance class

 

Music: Start piano lessons, continue informal composer study

 

Art: will probably bite the bullet and buy Atelier this year; may do A Child's History of Art: Painting from Calvert.

 

As you can see, I am still very undecided. :tongue_smilie: We're in a transitional phase currently where I'm reevaluating everything we've been doing/where we're going.

Edited December 29, 2010 by 5Wizards

[Capt_Uhura]

Here's our plan for my current 5th grader (HS'd 3rd through 5th grades)

 

Math: MM 5A,5B; SM CWP3, RS Geo (He completed RS B-E some obviously done as afterschooling when he was in PS.) We may continue w/ Hands on Equations (Summer: LOF fractions and decimals/percents and some Zaccaro)

 

Vocabulary: MCT CE1

 

Grammar: MCT Grammar Town, Practice Town, diagramming using Warriner's Comp and Grammar, Rex Barks, and Diagramming workbook

 

Writing: MCT Paragraph Town, Remedia Outlining Book 2, Paragraph Writing Made Easy, Beta Testing WWS. We took another Bravewriter course this year (Foundations in Writing). I would like to incorporate more BW into our year - the boys love Tuesday Tea Time. I forgot to add WWE4.

 

Spelling: How to Teach Spelling along w/ workbook 3. I mainly use the workbook, not all the extras in the How to Teach Spelling. When we finish the workbook in about 2weeks, I'll give him the SWR spelling test for placement (we've done SWR in 3rd and 4th) and we'll pick up w/ SWR again.

 

Literature: Mostly goes along with history; Lightening Lit 7; a few picture books with Teaching the Classics; LLfLOTR (epics)

 

History: History Odyssey Ancients level 2, K12 Human Odyssey (text and student pages), World in Ancient Times, History of Science series, maybe Hakim's Story of Science if he wishes just as independent reading.

 

Science: CPO Middle School Life Science, BFSU2, dabbling in ACS Middle School Chemistry

 

Logic:Mindbenders A1-A4, Logic Countdown and Liftoff

 

Art: Art with history; pottery classes; cartooning classes

 

Music: Classical Kids CDs, and the next level up Classical Kids CDs

 

PE: Travel soccer, plyometrics, running on our treadmill

 

I also have a 2nd grader and a 4yr old so it's tough to get it all in. We also moved in August so it wasn't until late November that I felt I really had a handle on things.

Edited December 29, 2010 by Capt_Uhura
Forgot to add WWE4.

[8filltheheart]

I know you weren't speaking specifically of me, but I take everything too personally so I want to explain myself... ;)

 

 

Anyway, I understand where you are coming from, but I think that 5th grade is a spot where HSers are going to vary wildly.

 

I think the key is to not be intimidated by anyone's choices about anything, just use them as a tool.

 

 

I definitely wasn't directing my post toward anyone, nor was I even meaning to criticize anyone for their choices. As teachers, we should use materials that are appropriate for our particular child's abilities.

 

I posted b/c it seems that when the posts are skewed toward a more advanced level it can lead to a perception that that is normal or a desired goal. Apparently, it can also cause parents with perfectly normal/bright kids feel like they are not educating their children well. (there has been quite a bit of discussion about this on the high school board.)

 

MCT Voyage level, AoPS, Foersters alg 1......none of those should even be on the radar for avg or even above avg 5th grade kids. Only very accelerated 5th graders are going to benefit from those materials. They are awesome resources, but not really 5th or even 6th grade material for your avg student.

 

I only posted b/c I wanted to encourage teachers of typical 5th graders to share their materials.

 

FWIW.....I am also not sure that I agree that 5th grade is *the* grade of hugely varied abilities. Typically the areas of greatest variance are primary grades where some kids are solid readers and others are only beginning readers. There are always going to be discrepancies amg different families and different kids. But.....this thread was heavily skewed twd extremely advanced suggestions.

 

:iagree: with your last comment.

[rafiki]

.

[momto2Cs]

Here's what I am planning so far. I'm not sure if we'll start in fall or next winter, since we're making a fresh start in January.

 

Math

Saxon 6/5 once he finishes 5/4, and I'd like to add in LOF Fractions

 

Language Arts

This boy loves to read, so no problem there. I'd like to start him on Writing Tales 2 OR Wordsmith Apprentice once he finishes Writing Tales 1. For spelling, we'll stick with the Natural Speller and words he misses in his writing. I might add in Winston Grammar but am really not sure yet.

 

History

We're studying American History and will start the fall with the American Revolution, then move on from there. We're using a combo of Mara Pratt's American History Stories, Time Travelers cds, and good library books, a few movies here and there...

 

Science

We're starting a semester of chemistry now - using a chemistry kit alongside library books and the Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia, and may do physics in the fall, followed by earth & space science. Recommendations for good physics/earth/space resources?

 

Art and Music

I'm working slowly on putting together a study of American artists and composers.

 

Other

He's starting piano lessons in January, and will likely continue these. He also likes fencing and has talked about returning to that. I may start using Rosetta Stone Spanish with him since we have free access to it through a library system.

Edited December 29, 2010 by momto2Cs

[Moniksca]

We'll be in 5th next year this is what I have so far, I'm nervous that we'll be entering logic stage soon.

 

Math: Saxon 6/5 & LOF decimals

LA: WWE, Megawords, Abeka God's gift of language and Winston grammar

Science: Elemental Chemistry + Ellen Mchenry's Elements

History: SOTW 3

French: L'art de lire 3

Latin: Song school latin & Getting started with latin

Art: Meet the masters & Mark Kistler's drawing lessons

[Daisy]

Heart of Dakota's Creation to Rome (done completely and independently; with the author's recommendations for math & language arts). This includes history, art, science, Bible, geography, etc.

Bluedorn Greek

Harmony Fine Arts 5th grade

 

Hmmm, that's about it.

Edited December 29, 2010 by Daisy

[redsquirrel]

I am currently teaching 5th grade for the first time. We started in september. Let's see how many times I have to edit. I am not at home right now and I don't have it all in front of me.

 

Math: Singapore 5, Singapore word problems, Life of Fred

 

Language Arts: Spelling Workout, WWE4, Growing With Grammar

 

Logic: Orbiting with Logic

 

Music: Piano and Flute. He has weekly lessons and daily practice.

 

Latin: Big Book of Lively Latin

 

Science: Biology. I have sort of made my own secular science program based on the not-secular Guest Hollow science program. We have covered evolution, the cell, DNA and heritability and are begining human anatomy. We will finish the year with a botany unit and Mendel. I am also working in some critter life cycle/experimentation. We are doing some disections(not the critters), lots of drawing and memorizing, writing narrations etc. It is better than it sounds, I promise :001_smile:

 

History: Round 2 of Ancient history. We use Kingfisher Book of the Ancient World as our spine. I use Usborne internet linked as my encyclopedia. I use the K12 Human Odyssey book for other reading and outlining. We also use biographies and other sources for narration and outlining. He also reads some historical fiction.

 

I am also doing a more in depth 'mythology' unit for the year. I consider it part of history. He is studying the mythology of 4 cultures: Egypt, Judeo/Christian, Greek, and Roman. For those we use the Oxford World in Ancient Times book that corresponds to each culture. That gives him a couple weeks to get throught the books. We also do a lot of reading of mythology, biographies, etc of those specific cultures. He does narration and outlining as needed.

[TKDmom]

 

Grammar: MCT Grammar Town, Practice Town, diagramming using Warriner's Comp and Grammar, Rex Barks, and Diagramming workbook

 

Writing: MCT Paragraph Town, Remedia Outlining Book 2, Paragraph Writing Made Easy, Beta Testing WWS. We took another Bravewriter course this year (Foundations in Writing). I would like to incorporate more BW into our year - the boys love Tuesday Tea Time. I forgot to add WWE4.

 

<snipped>

 

History: History Odyssey Ancients level 2, K12 Human Odyssey (text and student pages), World in Ancient Times, History of Science series, maybe Hakim's Story of Science if he wishes just as independent reading.

 

 

Gaa!! How do you fit all that in?! Please tell me you are using bits and pieces from all those different programs?

 

I'm not listing my 5th grade plans b/c they are so up in the air. You're using all the history programs that I am considering, but I keep telling myself it would be too much to use all of them.

 

For 4th grade LA we are using MCT along with WWE3 and Spelling Power. I'd love to add a Bravewriter class, but I already feel like I am drowning in too much LA work. It's enough to make me look into using Phonics Road and TOG to streamline my life next year. Of course sending my 1yo to boarding school for the next 4 years would probably go a lot further towards streamlining my life...

[NanceXToo]

We're doing 5th grade now.

 

We use Oak Meadow 5 ("U.S. History and English" and "Environmental Science"). I love it! Interesting writing assignment choices, living books for History, lots of interesting hands on projects and activities, and discussions, etc. (If interested in more details see my livejournal- link in sig- and explore the sidebar to the left for sample schedules, book logs, photos etc).

 

We use Teaching Textbooks 5 for our math curriculum. This came about because I have an older, used version of Oak Meadow and in that version, from 5th grade on, it didn't have its own built in math curriculum and it used to use Saxon instead. I didn't want to use Saxon, so after some research, I decided on Teaching Textbooks for this year. My daughter and I really love it. It's a good fit, and we plan to continue with it. (there's a review of that in my blog as well, if you're interested).

 

Over the summers, as we have time, and for fun, we've been working our way through The Story Of The World, Volume 1, Ancient Times. My daughter enjoys many of the supplemental reading books and all of the activities. We don't really do this over the school year while focusing on Oak Meadow, though.

 

Other than that, she's working her way through a Handwriting Without Tears cursive workbook (Can Do Cursive), and after reading the post about it here and then reading more about it on the site, I decided to order the "Sentence Composing For Elementary School" book by the Killgallons and will add it on next month and see how it goes. If we like it enough and find it helpful enough, we'll order the "Story Grammar For Elementary School" book after we finish "Sentence Composing."

 

Next year for 6th grade, I plan to continue with OM6 ("Ancient Civilizations and English" and "Basic Life Science"), and will move on to the "Sentence Composing" and "Story Grammar" for Middle School books IF we liked them enough this year. I plan to continue with TT6 for math but will probably also check out Life of Fred Fractions just because I think it sounds interesting/fun and I want to see if we like it as something to do alongside TT6.

[Capt_Uhura]

Bonnie - check back with me in June! To answer your question, yes bits and pieces. We haven't done much in the diagramming workbook. When there is a new grammar topic, I look up how to diagram it in Rex Barks, Warriner's or the workbook. We diagram the sentence together. Sometimes if there is a spare 5min, I throw the diagramming workbook at them and have them work a page.

 

Remedia Outlining Book 1 and 2, Paragraph Writing Made Easy - we did it/do it almost entirely orally and not all of it. My son doesn't love the physical act of writing so I save it for the good stuff.

 

WWS beta testing...there are only a few weeks of material so far, so it's not too hard to squeeze in and is also largely dealing w/ outlining and writing narrations from outlines.

 

Our core programs we do entirely - MCT, RS, MM, WWE, CPO Life Science.

 

The Foundations in Writing course is really a course for the teacher, the kids don't have much to do in that. It was basically copywork one week, dictation the rest of the weeks.

 

But if you notice, we probably do much less music and art than most here. And my kids only do one sport - travel soccer takes up 3 days/week during regular season. My DD does gymnastics 1day/week so we are not out of the house very much at all compared to some. But it is a long day for me jumping back and forth between the 3 of them.

 

I'm spending the rest of the week trying to flesh out a schedule. I'm finding, as 8FilltheHeart mentioned in one of her posts, that 5th grade I really need to write a schedule. There is just too much to hold in my head w/ 3 kids. And SWB recommends that 5th grade is the time to start introducing a schedule, having the student be more accountable, take more responsibility for their education.

 

I'm certainly not where I wanted to be at this point in the year in history and science. I don't know how much is due to what I have in mind or how much is due to buying a house, selling a house, and moving mid-August. IT was a HUGE disruption. My friend is definitely ALOT further along in History Odyssey than we are b/c we are also doing Human Odyssey. But Human Odyssey has 6 chapters just on Mesopotamia and we did several of the exercises in Human odyssey student pages. And my 2nd grader who is also in Ancients (SOTW) wanted to listen in so I ended up reading Human Ody to both of them which takes longer. And we are outlining it as we go, so again more time. But as Swimmermom mentioned, at this point, I'm focusing on skills so if we have to skip some content, I'm OK with that (I think). More likely, we'll be doing history and science over the summer but my boys love both so it's seen as "work" to them.

Edited December 29, 2010 by Capt_Uhura

[Capt_Uhura]

Also, some of it is pleasure reading for them. I bought two of the History of Science books, Mystery of Gravity and Miracle of Immunity, and those are just pick up and read if you're interested books. Those are the kinds of books the boys pick up when FIL is here for them all to read together.

 

As far as K12 Human Odyssey student pages, I'm definitely picking and choosing here.

[phathui5]

Right now, my 5th grader is doing:

 

Math- Saxon Math 6/5, Life of Fred: Fractions, Key to Fractions

 

Language Arts- Sentences to Paragraphs, Writing Skills 5

 

History- Story of the World 1 and lots of extra reading

 

Science- Noeo Biology 1, lots of extra study from the library

 

Latin- Latin for Children A

[SnowWhite]

I have just been thinking about this! I am amazed that I will actually have a fifth grader.

 

BJU English 5

BJU Math 5, perhaps only fronts of lessons and doing LOF Fractions, then perhaps Decimals and Percents depending on how quickly ds devours it.

World History and Geography overview of my own crafting, using materials from WinterPromise's Sea and Sky, Heart of Dakota's Preparing, MFW's Exploring Countries and Cultures, and Galloping the Globe (we're using the first two this year, but I want to broaden it to include more geography and cultures)

Reading list coordinating with the above study.

Dictation from the next level of the resource used by HOD's Preparing (the Modern Speller by Kate Wagenen): http://books.google.com/books?id=MfcAAAAAYAAJ

I may also do Spectrum Vocabulary and/or Reading. We just began Spectrum Reading for a more concentrated approach to reading comprehension and it seems to be appropriate right now.

Science is a toss-up. I have a lot available from WP's S&S and HOD's Preparing... but I'm not sure whether we'll stick with that or go to something more cohesive like BJU science with online streaming lessons.

Piano lessons, perhaps God Made Music 5.

Meet the Masters Art.

YMCA daily from 8-8:45.

[Mom0012]

Here's what my 5th grader is doing this year:

 

Math: R&S Math 5/6, Supplementing with Hands On Equations & Math Mammoth

Grammar: Saxon Grammar & Writing 5

Writing: IEW Writing Class

Typing: Type to Learn

History, Science, Bible, Reading, Literature: Sonlight 4

Spanish: La Clase Divertida

Spelling: SRA's Spelling Mastery

 

Also:

Wordsmart Vocabulary cds

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com for geography

IEW's Poetry Memorization program

Mark Kistler's Draw Squad Online

 

Lisa