Finishing early...too early

[adavis1138]

I have a 3rd grader and 5th grader this year.  We will be done with all of our curriculum by mid April.  We have been done with history and science for a while now.  I have been adding in additional things here and there but I am not a creative person.  I plan on doing a couple days a week during the summer but have not decided what or how.   What would you do? Go ahead and order everything for the next school year and start it as soon as we are finished with what is left or something else?  I feel that we are finishing too early and feel that we need to do something else but am not sure where to start.  My girls are advanced for their ages and are quick learners.  They naturally move quicker than their peers (which was one reason for homeschooling).. but I am concerned that they move too fast and certainly don't want them graduating at 15 either. 

[Job121]

If your students are willing, why hold them back? I'd say to start the next level when they are done what they are doing now. Besides, you never know what will happen in the future. I was glad my DS was ahead of his grade level when I had to take big chuck of time out of his schedule due to family issues- you know, sickness, unexpected travels, etc-. Also they will have luxury of spending more time if they'd encounter any challenging subjects or their own choice of studies on the way, possibly in high school. 

[ealp2009]

My kids are younger but I would order the next year/level and start working on it. Especially with things like math and reading/ writing. You are not going to get too far ahead and if you get ahead it will open up opportunities later. For science or history you could just do some special projects or special interest activists. Maybe outdoor nature stuff since it will be spring. Field trips to historical places of interest. Math curriculums often have a built in review at the beginning of a level because they assume the child had a summer vacation in between levels so yes, you could get ahead but it will give you more time later to go deeper or, when things get more challenging, you will have extra time to spend getting the material solid.

 

 

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[Jean in Newcastle]

You can either order the next level up (but be prepared that even advanced students can run into plateaus where they need to catch up developmentally to new skills) or you could go more in depth.  There are different approaches to science and history at a 3rd and 5th grade level and it can be enjoyable to do things from a different perspective. 

[adavis1138]

What have you been using? Maybe we can help you come up with ways to go deeper with the materials or take this opportunity to do some fun trips.

 

You could work up a couple of unit studies on the girls' areas of interest. Have them do some research and then create a project about it.

 

For some of my kids I added a second math program so they could see the concepts from a different perspective. Life of Fred is fun for this.

 

There are all kinds of things you can do.

 

Around here we continue with just math and Latin (phonics when they were little) in the Summer. These skill building subjects we just keep going with because I don't want to deal with a ton of review. If they need to slow down eventually, we slow down, we add more resources. (Like LoF) But, I do not hold them back.

 

For history and science there is no "done". There are so many wonderful programs and activities out there you will always find more they can do and explore.

 

~ Christina

ds 20 - university

dd16 - High School

dd 11 - homeschool 5th grade

 

This was our first year homeschooling. I was unsure of myself and ordered complete grade kits from Abeka (that's what they used in their previous private school). My plans for the next school year is to use Bookshark for history/reading and science and Bju for math (videos) and English/language with a few other things like wordly wise, handwriting w/o tears for my youngest. We also do typing and piano during each school day.

Edited March 11, 2017 by adavis1138

[SanDiegoMom]

When we had extra time I did an Ellen Mchenry Unit (they are very crafty, so good for spring time, but are also deceptively deep).   And maybe some documentaries, creative writing (i use unjournaling and rip the page for prompts and do a supplement of math or math games.  So keep working, but maybe make it the fun stuff!

[Critterfixer]

I'd probably take afternoons off to go play and explore if the weather is good where you live. And use any free time to allow ample opportunity to read whatever they want and write whatever they want. Take extra time to play the piano. Paint pictures. Draw. Sculpt things. Plant a garden. Enjoy your freedom.

[Hunter]

Do the gIrls have tablets or eReaders?

 

For science, I would schedule vintage narrative science, nature study, and geography books. I'd get them wherever I got them, but use the Yesterdays Classics lists for inspiration.

http://www.yesterdaysclassics.com/catalog/displaycatalog.php?catalog=nature

 

http://www.yesterdaysclassics.com/o/treasury2/offer.php

 

http://www.yesterdaysclassics.com/o/treasury3/offer.php

 

And I would use the free Mr Q Blank ESP Lab Sheets

http://www.eequalsmcq.com/BlankLabSheets.htm

With the ESP lab instructions and labs in his free life science book.

http://eequalsmcq.com/ClassicScienceLife.htm

 

Newspapers in Education science

http://www.nieteacher.org/#math

and

http://www.nieteacher.org/#elmsmulti

 

As the weather warms up you might want to do some nature study and journaling and drawing

http://www.cnps.org/cnps/education/curriculum/owtj_dl/cnps_curriculum-otwtnj.pdf

Dover has nature coloring books if drawing feels too overwhelming.

http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject-coloring-books-nature-coloring.html

[KrissiK]

I'd go more in depth on something. Or do a unit study. Study the history of your town or state. Read biographies about people in your area. Plant a garden and research all the plants you plant, keep track of when they germinate, which germinates first, graph how fast they grow....

[adavis1138]

Do the gIrls have tablets or eReaders?

 

For science, I would schedule vintage narrative science, nature study, and geography books. I'd get them wherever I got them, but use the Yesterdays Classics lists for inspiration.

http://www.yesterdaysclassics.com/catalog/displaycatalog.php?catalog=nature

 

http://www.yesterdaysclassics.com/o/treasury2/offer.php

 

http://www.yesterdaysclassics.com/o/treasury3/offer.php

 

And I would use the free Mr Q Blank ESP Lab Sheets

http://www.eequalsmcq.com/BlankLabSheets.htm

With the ESP lab instructions and labs in his free life science book.

http://eequalsmcq.com/ClassicScienceLife.htm

 

Newspapers in Education science

http://www.nieteacher.org/#math

and

http://www.nieteacher.org/#elmsmulti

 

As the weather warms up you might want to do some nature study and journaling and drawing

http://www.cnps.org/cnps/education/curriculum/owtj_dl/cnps_curriculum-otwtnj.pdf

Dover has nature coloring books if drawing feels too overwhelming.

http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject-coloring-books-nature-coloring.html

They do have iPads. I will definitely look into these! Thanks [emoji4]

[Hunter]

If they have eReaders, I would definitely plan some science narratives and just let them read. Their iPads will be perfect.

 

I'd use the time off from teaching for self-education and teacher training.

 

Do they know how to knit or do any handcrafts? Waldorf teaches knitting to first graders, so googling "Waldorf knitting" should lead to some good stuff.

 

For history, I'd just have them read historical fiction. Or maybe plan a geography memorization unit, such as all the countries in Africa.

 

How was math going? Do you think they are working at their developmental level? Do they need more review and drill or are they ready to move ahead. Or would you like to just do math enrichment like geometric art and math history and biographies?

[adavis1138]

If they have eReaders, I would definitely plan some science narratives and just let them read. Their iPads will be perfect.

 

I'd use the time off from teaching for self-education and teacher training.

 

Do they know how to knit or do any handcrafts? Waldorf teaches knitting to first graders, so googling "Waldorf knitting" should lead to some good stuff.

 

For history, I'd just have them read historical fiction. Or maybe plan a geography memorization unit, such as all the countries in Africa.

 

How was math going? Do you think they are working at their developmental level? Do they need more review and drill or are they ready to move ahead. Or would you like to just do math enrichment like geometric art and math history and biographies?

Thanks again!! The knitting sounds like a great idea. My 5th grader has been reading on an 11th grade level since 2nd grade and has read more than I have in my 40 years. She could probably start algebra 1 tomorrow and not skip a beat. She could easily be at least 2 years ahead of her peers. Repetition and review frustrates and sets her back because it bores her... once she's read it or done it, she's got it. My 3rd grader is probably 1 year ahead in math and 2-3 years ahead in reading. She is my history and geography wiz. These are the main reasons that I pulled them out of school. They weren't being challenged enough.

 

 

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Edited March 12, 2017 by adavis1138

[Hunter]

I just posted a ton of free Language Arts resources.

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/640244-some-of-my-favorite-free-language-arts-links/?do=findComment&comment=7490400

 

Would a focus on letter writing be good? There are some good links for letter writing in the link above. You could combine that with card making If you wanted to include some art.

 

Under the book lists section is a link to the Mensa Reading lists.

 

Does your library have Overdrive to borrow free eBooks? If it doesn't, see if you can get a free library card in your capital city. Most capital city libraries give free cards and have free Overdrive subscriptions.

 

If that isn't possible, there are so many free public domain books. The Rosegate Harbour lists are all free public domain books.

[Hunter]

Thanks again!! The knitting sounds like a great idea. My 5th grader has been reading on an 11th grade level since 2nd grade and has read more than I have in my 40 years. She could probably start algebra 1 tomorrow and not skip a beat. She could easily be at least 2 years ahead of her peers. Repetition and review frustrates and sets her back because it bores her... once she's read it or done it, she's got it. My 3rd grader is probably 1 year ahead in math and 2-3 years ahead in reading. She is my history and geography wiz. These are the main reasons that I pulled them out of school. They weren't being challenged enough.

 

 

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I'd start the next math book, then. I'd get them to their developmental level.

 

Our first year homeschooling, my little guy did Saxon Algebra 1 in 5th grade, and it was a good fit for both of us. I think many children are rushed in math, and I'm a huge advocate of slow and steady for math, but some kids thrive off of radical acceleration.

[Hunter]

The Asimov science books are really good. There is a website in India that hosts some of them.

 

http://arvindguptatoys.com

 

Click on "English"

 

Scroll about halfway down and look for the Asimov books.

 

The book on Atoms

http://arvindguptatoys.com/arvindgupta/atomspix.pdf

 

Numbers

http://arvindguptatoys.com/arvindgupta/numberspix.pdf

 

Vitamins

http://arvindguptatoys.com/arvindgupta/vitaminspix.pdf

Edited March 12, 2017 by Hunter

[Hunter]

Number Stories of Long Ago

https://archive.org/details/numberstorieslo01smitgoog

 

Hailmann Constructive Form Work

https://books.google.com/books?id=FTEAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PR3&dq=hailmann+constructive+form+work&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-m-jq9M_SAhUG0YMKHSHPCo0Q6AEIGjAA#v=onepage&q=hailmann%20constructive%20form%20work&f=false

[dragonflyer]

You don't have to graduate them at 15!

The AOPS site has several other math courses other than standard Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2 sequence.

You will never run out of excellent books your kids "should" read.

There is always deeper and wider to go in history.

There is always deeper and wider to go in science.

You can never learn all the foreign languages in the world.

Art is also an area easy to expand: drawing, painting, sculpting, making jewelry, knit, crochet, tatting, whittling, sewing, fashion design, interior design, calligraphy, art appreciation.

And our writing can always be improved.

 

You could take six weeks to explore something different from your normal schedule, or accelerate into the next grade, whichever you and your girls are more excited about.

[PeterPan]

You might go pick a TOPS kit or some art kits from Timberdoodle. DK has some fun books on Scratch they could work through. When my dd was that age, we liked to use May for what we called May Term, doing something really different that we didn't get to do the rest of the year. You could pick a continent to study, sign up for a class, take up cake decorating, whatever.

 

I would keep going with math daily, simply because people forget. I would go to something fun mode for writing, like https://www.hickorygrovepress.com/product-page/unjournaling  or  Don't Forget to Write for the Elementary Grades: 50 Enthralling and Effective Writing Lessons (Ages 5 to 12)

Edited March 12, 2017 by OhElizabeth

[lmrich]

It sounds like your kids need more of a challenge. Let them explore some of the great science suggestions above (TOPS, Ellen McHenry, etc..), and I would look into AOPS - Beast Academy or some discovery-style math. Does your older student have strong computer skills? What about foreign language? 

[adavis1138]

It sounds like your kids need more of a challenge. Let them explore some of the great science suggestions above (TOPS, Ellen McHenry, etc..), and I would look into AOPS - Beast Academy or some discovery-style math. Does your older student have strong computer skills? What about foreign language? 

 

We started Rosetta Stone for Spanish and it is not loved by any of us.  I hope to find something that works better for us.  They both have their own computers and are able to navigate both mac and PC.  The oldest plays in MS Word on a regular basis but would like for her to dig deeper into computer usage and find a way to take classes on all of MS Office.

[Hunter]

Does your library or capital city library offer subscriptions to Gale or Lynda courses?

 

https://www.lynda.com

 

http://solutions.cengage.com/GaleCourses/

 

I think I saw Microsoft Word at Lynda.

[Hunter]

Some libraries offer Mango Language courses.

 

http://mangolanguages.com/index.html

[Hunter]

If your library offers Hoopla, they have Bill Nye videos.

 

https://www.hoopladigital.com/series/1247343317

Edited March 12, 2017 by Hunter

[Acorn]

Poetry unit, art lessons, learn to play the recorder, Beast academy math or logic puzzle books, have a board game unit and make their own,

Botany study, migrating birds, bicycle maintenance and safety, hiking challenges, have them be travel agents for a day and design their own dream vacation with geography and cost summaries.

[PeterPan]

Oh man, I totally forgot! I think there was a May Term we did board games. That would be SO cool with those ages and SO worthwhile. You could play Ticket to Ride, Forbidden Island or Forbidden Dessert (cooperative games), etc. 

[PeterPan]

We started Rosetta Stone for Spanish and it is not loved by any of us.  I hope to find something that works better for us.  They both have their own computers and are able to navigate both mac and PC.  The oldest plays in MS Word on a regular basis but would like for her to dig deeper into computer usage and find a way to take classes on all of MS Office.

 

TCR (Teacher Created Resources) sells ebooks of computer projects geared to different grades. They also have them for *apps*. I got the books for my ds. They were sort of a stretch for him (he has a lot of SLDs), but then he started using things. I think it just needed to click in his mind. 

 

Anyways, I think your gap is not access but what actually to DO. So something like those ebooks could work. https://www.teachercreated.com/books/technology

[Hunter]

Poetry unit, art lessons, learn to play the recorder, Beast academy math or logic puzzle books, have a board game unit and make their own,

Botany study, migrating birds, bicycle maintenance and safety, hiking challenges, have them be travel agents for a day and design their own dream vacation with geography and cost summaries.

For Acorn's recorder idea, goggle "recorder karate". There are SO many free resources available, as well as stuff you can buy.

 

YouTube has videos

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Q9MMEtuJo

[Ellie]

I have a 3rd grader and 5th grader this year.  We will be done with all of our curriculum by mid April.  We have been done with history and science for a while now.  I have been adding in additional things here and there but I am not a creative person.  I plan on doing a couple days a week during the summer but have not decided what or how.   What would you do? Go ahead and order everything for the next school year and start it as soon as we are finished with what is left or something else?  I feel that we are finishing too early and feel that we need to do something else but am not sure where to start.  My girls are advanced for their ages and are quick learners.  They naturally move quicker than their peers (which was one reason for homeschooling).. but I am concerned that they move too fast and certainly don't want them graduating at 15 either. 

 

There's no really good reason to wait. :-)

 

You don't have to graduate them when they are 15. You can keep them at their Official Grade on paper; IOW, just because you're using a higher grade level of instructional materials does not mean they are actually IN that higher grade. Start your new stuff when you get it, and "promote" them in the fall. When they're, oh, 16, then you can decide whether you wan to graduate them early.

[8Arrows4theLord]

Congrats on your 1st year of homeschooling!   :thumbup:   Sounds like you have 2 amazing girls!

I agree with the posts above that say to start the next level even if it is not the new school year. You never know what will happen later. Let them fly now and have that cushion later to slow down if they need. Take some breaks as needed, but keep going. Let them explore their favorite subjects in depth and work through the core subjects as able. Have you invested in a microscope, telescope, or a chemistry set to supplement  your science? 

I agree with what Job, Dragonflier, and Ellie posted.

We also have promoted to new grade levels at different times of the year, much to the confusion of our poor school district officials!   :001_smile:  

There are many options for advanced students in middle school and high school. They will have so many more opportunities open to them later!

Let them spread their wings wide and soar!

[Tawlas]

I think if it were me, I'd do something completely different.  For us, that would mean much more child led learning.  I love these kind of books.  I picked the one I thought might suit your girls, but click on the author's name, she's created a ton of varied journals and workbooks for homeschooled kids and moms!

 

I have one of these for each of my kids but haven't used them so far!  My two eldest have dyslexia, so I always feel like not enough is getting done and my third, while advanced, is such a dreamer who'd way rather play, that I'm just not sure it's right for him.  But maybe it would be perfect for you?

 

[Jean in Newcastle]

I think if it were me, I'd do something completely different.  For us, that would mean much more child led learning.  I love these kind of books.  I picked the one I thought might suit your girls, but click on the author's name, she's created a ton of varied journals and workbooks for homeschooled kids and moms!

 

I have one of these for each of my kids but haven't used them so far!  My two eldest have dyslexia, so I always feel like not enough is getting done and my third, while advanced, is such a dreamer who'd way rather play, that I'm just not sure it's right for him.  But maybe it would be perfect for you?

 

Dd would have loved these when she was younger!