Day 3 - History of Holidays from Homeschool in the Woods!

Day 2 - 2 winners, 5 ebooks from Southern Hodgepodge - 3 books about chalk pastels and 2 books about homeschooling. Come by and enter!

I'm hosting a week of giveaways at my blog to celebrate Back to Homeschooling for a new year and we're kicking it off with a set from Classical Academic Press - Writing & Rhetoric 1 and a code for 20% off CAP's products. Come by and enter! There's a new giveaway every day! GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED (but others listed below are still open)

I'll have a 5th grader this year (we start Labor day week). Here's my plan... Morning Meeting starting around 9 or 9:30 (1 hour) - covering Bible, art/music/poetry/Shakespeare, read aloud Then move right into subjects I need to be directly involved in or review with her (30 min - 1 hour) - math, language arts, Latin, French. We'll go over lessons together then she'll do the written work during independent study time (we started doing this in 4th grade and it worked very well). Independent study time - for the work that she can do independently, checking in with me as needed. Then lunch, math game or French game/conversation and a bit more time to finish up independent work, if needed. 2 hour block of time in the afternoon for content subjects - we're going to alternate history and science by week, focusing on one subject each week. Finish the day with tea and free reading time. That's the plan... we'll see how it works :)

We've been following the same progression and will be doing First Form Latin this year. It looks good to me but you are correct - it's not filled with fun activities. It works for us, but if you want something more fun perhaps the Latin series from Classical Academic Press would fit your style? They have an online game area too - Headventureland. There might be a way to combine the games with First Form if you want to continue with the MP series.

Yes, I believe they are just in the pre-made bundles. I have to say I love those books, though (we own all 3).

I have no experience with Rod & Staff but we have used RightStart from A-E. I found that the last few levels of RightStart were much less teacher-intensive than previous levels. A bit of review, discuss the lesson, and then assign the written work. So, if it's time that you're looking at it doesn't take much, unless your son needs more time with hands-on portions and discussion to really understand the concepts. Either with R&S or RS you'll still have to spend some time teaching - you're just trading one format for another (I'm assuming that R&S still has the teacher discuss and teach the lesson, it's not totally independent?) And levels D&E are not long lessons (I remember having to split up lessons in level B and some in C but never had to do that with the last 2 levels).

Not necessarily a textbook but we really like The New Way Things Work.

I really like the WTM way of doing science in the younger years. We did the human body/animal study/plant study in 1st grade but did not go into cells, parts of cells, etc. I think there is so much you can read and do while focusing on natural observation that those more abstract ideas are better left until later on.

Lots of review and repetition in the early levels so you can easily begin with level 2.

Agree with the previous posters - for the lower levels, 4 days a week is perfect. I've found that the upper levels (5-7) we only need to do 3 days a week, so it does take less time as you progress through the levels.

I agree with FriedClams - find a way to do math, reading/phonics daily but the other subjects could easily be done just 3 days a week.

Just a heads up for those who are still shopping for school.... there's a really great sale going on right now with lots of great homeschool products ... Build Your Bundle Homeschool. Some of the included items - A Child's Geography series, Write from History, LLATL, Math Mammoth, etc. Some really great stuff in this sale! (Note... the link is an affiliate link.)

Finished shopping, waiting for a few more things to arrive. Need to finish planning a few things and we're set. We start the day after Labor day.

Love The Blue Castle - definitely one of my favorites!

Writing instruction? Or is that folded into the resources you're using? 4th grade is a good age to begin typing lessons.

Fable is perfect for that age. I just completed it with my 4th grade daughter. (Now we're looking forward to the next 2 books!)

I did this with a few friends. We got together once a week and did history (Story of the World) and occasionally some art or science. It was fun and nice to add a bit of socializing to our week.

If he's a strong reader than it's a great book for that age. We used it this year (4th grade girl) and loved it. My daughter still had science experiments from a variety of things (a TOPS book, Physics Experiments for Children, and Snap Circuits) and she read a 2-page spread each day. I think your plan sounds great.

Our time spent is very similar - I've found that each level takes less time. That's probably a combination of what each lesson requires and children learning to write a bit quicker as they get older. We're going into level 7 and I estimate it will take us 10-15 minutes 3 days a week. What Merry said - it isn't any more intensive than any other spelling program that requires teacher involvement. But or course there is more one-on-one time than you would find with a workbook. We've used the tiles less and less each year but use a lap-sized white board quite a bit. Here's what a general week looks like for us (10-15 minutes, 3 times a week): Day 1 - go through all review cards (or mastered cards if it's a review week) and do a few dictation sentences and one original sentence from writing section. Day 2 - new teaching, a few dictation sentences, one original sentence. Day 3 - test

I love those old posts from the old board - I have so many of them copied and saved.

I really like having both. I could probably have gotten by from just the book but the it was great to see things in action on the DVD. Not sure if it's necessary before using any other materials though.

I'm reading your posts with interest - I've been leaning to the 'less is more' approach in recent years. We also tried HOD and I lasted through 9 units in Bigger before I couldn't do it anymore. Absolutely nothing wrong with the program, but like you, the 'checking off the boxes' thing was causing lots of stress for me. My daughter loved it but I just couldn't handle it. I love the idea of Table Time and you have me seriously considering it for this fall. Missing a day of history or science throws off my week but it sounds lovely to just focus on one subject each week. Could you elaborate on your interest led week? I'm trying to picture what that could look like.

We kind of do both. Not specific and heavy-handed analysis of each chapter but I use the methods in Teaching the Classics to lightly discuss as we read. We make a quick story chart and add a bit to it every few chapters.

I honestly don't understand why so many people switch. We're moving into level 7 of AAS and it doesn't take us very long. Maybe 20 minutes 3 times a week, if that long. I would also be cautious of too much independence in the elementary years. If you just do independent work how will you be able to assess that they are internalizing the teaching and not just filling in the blanks?