cin Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 I'm starting to plan for 4th grade and am feeling a little overwhelmed. We are currently doing math, grammar, problem solving, & vocabulary. I'm still struggling with Science. We're slowly reading through SOTWI and we tried The Big Book of Latin, but that's way too much. Conjugating verbs is just way too much for all of us! We're going to just do the basic vocabulary. I think that's the important thing. But what else. Is something missing? What worked for you guys in 4th grade? thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 What we are using or going to use: Saxon 6/5 Rod and Staff Grammar 3 (she went to public school last year and I didn't want to skip 3)--contains writing, too SOTW 3 Positive Action For Christ Bible series, 4th grade McHenry's The Elements (Haven't started this, but it is GREAT--science is always my nemisis--check it out)--I can also recommend Home Science Adventures--birds and microscope are good, and would get you thru the rest of the year painlessly Prima Latina (restarting this after doing about 11 lessons in second grade--it's a great introduction, and we like the prayers, too) Geography by doing some of the Geography Songs and learning about Africa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Are you doing any handwriting, composition, spelling, and literature? How about art, music, and P.E. or a sport? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyWifeandMommy Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I am using Rod and Staff Spelling and A Reason For Handwriting for handwriting. I don't enforce the handwriting because she gets lots of writing during the day but she likes the verses and to color the pages at the back of the book and send them off to the grandparents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I have started planning for 4th grade (wow...that is scary!) and here is what I have so far: Math...Right Start and possibly some Math Mammoth Grammar/Vocabulary/Writing/Poetry...MCT Writing...CW Spelling...Phonetic Zoo History...American History piecing together my own using the Time Traveler CDs as a starting point Science...NOEO Physics I or piecing together my own thing and following our interests Latin...Latin for Children Art Instruction...Atelier and Artistic Pursuits Picture/Artist Study Composer Study Nature Study Also Mind Benders, Keyboarding, ETC (he doesn't need these, but he likes doing them) I know I am forgetting something...:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 This is what I am planning for 4th grade (blows me away too that I'm going to have a 4th grader!): -WWE 4 -MCT Island level -AAS -finishing Miquon/starting Singapore/supplementing Life of Fred -SOTW 3/4 (we're kind of on the half-year here) -Singapore MPH 3/4 science -Latin for Children A -Meet the Masters -Spanish (I think we're going to get Discovery Streaming and do Elementary Spanish) -P.E. class (plus baseball and swimming) -hopefully continue nature study and picture/artist study -I have no idea what to do for music I think that's it. I like the feel of the Singapore MPH for science as I'm very bad at making sure I plan science. There's experiments in it, but it is also already written and I don't have to create anything. ;) Art is easier now, too, because we do MtM once a month with friends. I try, once a week during non-MtM weeks to do an artist/picture study where I try and teach them small techniques for recreating the artist's work (with my limited art knowledge :)). Oh, and I have Mavis Beacon to start him on keyboarding skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland_Mom Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 If you are able, try to find a way to do science consistently. Find something that's easy to use. You probably just forgot to list it, but have your ds read lots of great books. Your SOTW activity guide has many wonderful suggestions. Planning can be hard!! Best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveBaby Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 This is what we have been or are starting to use for our 4th grade year. Simply Spelling Intermediate Langauge Lessons We are picking Writing Tales back up...we took a break to concentrate on spelling for a bit. I have Latin 4 Children sitting on the shelf but somehow it never gets done! MUS + Math Mammoth Just started Biblioplan Ancients and I'm having her read Kingfisher and give me narrations. She's an avid reader, but I'm working on an assigned reading list for the rest of the year! We also use Home Educator's Tutor for our nature study, hymn, poetry, folk song, composer and artist study. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patchfire Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 We are in the throes of fourth grade. Here's what we've used this year :) Spelling - All About Spelling Grammar - Editor in Chief & Junior Analytical Grammar, then switched to MCT Vocab - Vocab from Classical Roots 4, switched to MCT Writing - Writing Tales 2, Classical Writing Homer A, then, well - you guessed it - switched to MCT. Plus cross-curricular writing a la WTM. Reading - books I pulled together from various lists Math - Life of Fred & Key to... books Science - various physics kits (Science in a Nutshell, Thames & Kosmos) plus various living books (see my signature) History - SOTW 4 + AG mapwork + summaries + LOTS of extra reading - overview books, history books, and biographies Latin - Lively Latin I farm out the fine arts. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillStanding Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 This is what I will be using: TOG year 2 (my oldest will be in 8th grade next year. TOG allows me to teach my three kids with the same curriculum)---History/ Bible/ Writing More Language Arts: Easy Grammar 3 / 4 (I have an old book, they separate them now) Write and Draw Through History for Cursive Zaner-Bloser Writing Program SpellingCity.com for Spelling Readers from the library (I use Sonlight, Winter Promise, Vertia Press for lists) Read Alouds (TOG, Sonlight, etc..) Typing--she started this year in the 3rd grade with JumpStart Typing Math Math Advantage by HartCourt Mammoth Math TimezAttack and other computer based programs Science Chemistry--not decided yet on what to use Spanish SOS Spanish Music Piano Lessons (with practice every day) Art and P.E Our enrichment group provide these Extracurricular American Heritage Girls--Christian Scouts Program Children’s Church Choir :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 My younger dd's doing 4th this year: Math: Singapore 4a/b, Math Detective, Math Mosaics, Code Breakers, Venn Perplexors, will do LOF Fractions this summer LA: WWE3, Outside writing class, some Island level MCT, Getty-Dubay Penmanship, Sequential Spelling 2, Outlining book, Editor in Chief, Word Roots, Typing Instructor for Kids Science: Mr Q. Life Science, Science Detective History: Tagging along with older sisters with homemade history curric. Geography: Map Skills book Spanish: Entre Amigos, El Español con juegos y actividades German: German Sat. School Music: Piano, chorus Art: Outside class Logic: Grid Perplexors PE: Ballet, skating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in SEVA Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 :bigear: We will be continuing with AAS, MCT, and Singapore Math, other than that I am not sure yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcara Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 You can click on the link in my sig to see what my 4th grader is doing this year. We've also added Italian and typing. For extracurricular, she does homeschool swim & gym once a week, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at church, and a couple of enrichment classes at another homeschool program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted January 25, 2010 Author Share Posted January 25, 2010 Are you doing any handwriting, composition, spelling, and literature? How about art, music, and P.E. or a sport? We are doing WWE, so we are doing some of that stuff. We do piano & violin, gymnastics and dance, but art is just like science, next to impossible for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gandpsmommy Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 We are doing WWE, so we are doing some of that stuff. We do piano & violin, gymnastics and dance, but art is just like science, next to impossible for me. I can identify with the sentiments about art. Do you have any art museums nearby that offer classes? We have a couple within 30 to 60 minutes that offer homeschool classes. Right now we're doing one that introduces the kids to the basics and exposes them to art done by great artists who have used the techniques they are learning. Also, for science have you looked at R.E.A.L. science Odyssey by Pandia Press? We're doing the Chemistry right now (in third grade) and it's been pretty good. After getting familiar with some terms and concepts, we are now learning about different groups from the Periodic Table. With each group we learn about two or three different elements (their symbols, important facts, etc.), do an experiment related to one of the elements, and make a page for our Table of Elements lapbook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in SouthGa Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Do you have a homeschool group or coop nearby that could work for that? I have found that art and science (especially the experiment portions) rarely get done here without outside help. I've tried so many different science curriculum it's scary! The one that worked best for us was Christian Kids Explore Biology. Short lessons, and you can always add more library books to it if you have time, but you still get plenty without adding anything. I will have one in 4th next year, and here is what we have planned so far: Horizons Math 4 JAG (he will finish FLL 4 this year, but I would highly recommend it if you haven't done it yet) May add Daily Grams Spelling Workout Wordly Wise Abeka Read & Think Skills copywork, dictation, and either IEW or Writing Trails new Latin program by LOGOS (can't remember the name) Perplexors age-appropriate, time-period Classic Literature with summaries trying to decide between Easy Classical & BiblioPlan for history, geo, & Bible--we also study Catechism and will do family Bible study clueless about science, as usual:0) May just do unit studies as older ones will be getting science at coop hopefully, art at coop, music appreciation via classical composers books and cds I may splurge on Meet the Masters, but don't know when I would fit it in. plays golf, soccer, and daily exercises Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moniksca Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 (edited) I have somewhat of a plan in place for next year but knowing me, it will change several times before then. Here is what I have so far LA: WWE & imitation in writing, spelling power, ILL Literature: Ambleside year 3 Math: Saxon 54 History: SOTW 2 Science: Unit & nature studies also looking at REAL science odyssey French: N'allenart l'art de lire Ambleside art/composer study co-op Edited January 27, 2010 by Moniksca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 (edited) We are in the midst of planning 4th grade, and we are a little off cycle with the WTM, but here's my plan for ds thus far... Handwriting: Happy Scribe copybooks Grammar & Writing: Intermediate Language Lessons combined with Wordsmith Apprentice Reading: I am putting together a list of "to be read" books for ds Spelling: The Natural Speller Vocabulary: English From the Roots Up (maybe, haven't quite decided on this one) Math: Saxon Math 54 History: SOTW 2 with activity book and extra read-alouds Science: Earth and Space, using the Kingfisher Young People's Book(s) of Planet Earth and Space as spines, with hands-on activities & supplementary reading Music & Art Appreciation: Study of an artist and a composer every month. I might have ds thoroughly analyze a painting a month in Art Fraud Detective, and then we could view other works by the same artists. Language: We may do Spanish (or another language) with Rosetta Stone. Other: Homeschool 4H, which is projects-based, not animals. Tap, gymnastics, or tae kwon do lessons for P.E. For hands-on art, I haven't decided yet. We've had art classes at the charter school we're registered through, but we're registering on our own next year. I could teach them art (college certificate in that), just need to come up with a plan! Edited January 26, 2010 by momto2Cs to add Language and Other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 (edited) For our 4th grade next year: History/Literature/Reading: TOG year 4 Spelling: Megawords 1/2 Writing: Writing Aids with Wordsmith Apprentice Math: Singapore 5b/6A LA: R&S 4 Science: Sonlight Science 5 Adding mindbenders...and some Bible study...Typing? I'd like to try and add some art and music appreciation that flows with TOG suggestions, we'll see how my soon to be 3 year old is doing with the noise levels... Beth Edited January 27, 2010 by bethben . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinRTX Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 My 4th grade dd this year: Math: Saxon 65 History: finish SOTW 2 and start SOTW 3 Geography: Map Skills book Reading: BJU Reading 5 and 2 Progeny Press guides LA: Intermediate Language Lesson, Shurley Grammar 6, Winston Grammar, KISS Grammar, and a diagramming book (I basically use it all but not all of it, she gets bored easily) Science: making up my own using BJU grades 4, 5, and 6 with Considering God's Creation and TOPS Bible: AWANA Art: at a fine arts program Music: piano, choir Latin: Latina Christiana I (using derivatives for vocabulary and spelling) Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in CA Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 My 4th grader happens to be very compliant and does a lot of work pretty quickly. Here is what he does. Math: RS E; just finished RS D English: SWO D. WWE. FLL 4, Literature from WTM logic stage recommendations for Ancients, Story Elements German: Rosetta Stone, speaking with me History: SOTW 1, incl. extra reading, projects etc. Science: he picks the topic! What he has done thus far: All the experiments in the chemistry section from "How Science Works", "The Elements" and "Body Basics". He is currently completing a Volcano Kit by Elenco and we'll keep going with earth-related topics for now. Art: We read 1 page/week in Usborne Art History and do 1 project a week (whatever we feel like doing) Music: Piano Lesson once a week, daily practice; listening to "Classics for Kids" once a week; Read a double page spread in "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra". Latin: PowerGlide German Greek Alphabet Sport/PE: Competetive Soccer, HomeSchool PE Class He also does some typing, handwriting, mindbenders. Now that I wrote this all down, it seems like a lot. However, we are pretty relaxed. If we wanted to we could get everything done by noon or 1::pm at the latest. We don't ususally do that and take our time until about 3:00 with lots of time to play inbetween. Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginevra Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 I'm starting to plan for 4th grade and am feeling a little overwhelmed. We are currently doing math, grammar, problem solving, & vocabulary. I'm still struggling with Science. We're slowly reading through SOTWI and we tried The Big Book of Latin, but that's way too much. Conjugating verbs is just way too much for all of us! We're going to just do the basic vocabulary. I think that's the important thing. But what else. Is something missing? What worked for you guys in 4th grade? My son is 4th grade this year and this is what's working for us: Noeo Science; Biology Level 2. We love it! Latin for Children: love it, but we are going through it slowly because we don't always have time History Odyssey Level 2 Love it! My strange "hit" in vocabulary has been a little Scholastic vocabulary book. It is meant to be a reproduceables-type, but I just use it as a workbook. It was cheap and it's quick and effective. We use Sequential Spelling, Critical Thinking Company's Language Mechanics and WWE. We use MUS for math and when he finishes Epsilon, we'll move on to LOF Fractions. I'm super-comfy with all his materials and next year figures to be all the same materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 We are doing WWE, so we are doing some of that stuff. We do piano & violin, gymnastics and dance, but art is just like science, next to impossible for me. piano, violin and dance - those are in the fine arts. ;) My 3rd grader gets art once a week at an enrichment school and art classes at the local art museum. I'm a computer systems engineer - I just don't do art - straight lines and monochromatic are my style. I also don't do music - I know I need to, but after my older learned the recorder, cello, harmonica, and trombone I can't get enthusiastic about listening to the kids practice until they get past the point of sounding like they are killing their instrument. I've kept science very low-key for elementary school. I have a good supply of science books - both encyclopedia type and living book type. I read something about science with them weekly, we watch a science video or show (mythbusters, popular mechanics for kids, magic school bus, discovery kids ultimate guide to the awesome) , and I have science experiment kits for them to explore. We also frequent the natural science museum, aquarium, zoo, and nature parks. They have a great foundation in science and a terrific love of it. When they hit middle school age, I plan to start a more formal science sequence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 (edited) I started planning 4th grade last night. Here is what I have so far: History - Famous Men of Greece with the Sutcliff versions of the Iliad and the Odyssey and the Greek Alphabet Code Cracker. -- continue with an American History strand based on reading -- continue to supplement with Our Island Story audio because she loves it -- the younger dd will start an Egyptian history strand so I am pretty sure this dd will get some of this too. French - we'll continue with Rosetta Stone LA - planning to use MCT Town level art - continue art classes at the museum Literature - continue following her interest in classics - she's reading Little Women right now and has a list of books she wants to read. Math - we should be in Saxon 6/5 or 7/6 next year plus whatever level of Life of Fred. We are in LoF Fractions right now. I think that is all - we'll probably continue our relaxed science. Edited January 27, 2010 by Karen in CO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galtgrl Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 is doing: Saxon6/5, moved into Saxon 7/6 Biology (Apologia) with older sisters, supplement with Magic School Bus, etc. Rosetta Stone Latin 1 Story of the World Vol. 4 Maps & Geography workbook pages Typing Instructor many different English resources God and the History of Art Soccer (indoor and outdoor) piano BTW, this is pretty different from what the older girls did in 4th, but the dynamic here is ever-changing, lol. -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Here's what I'm planning so far: Math: RS D/E, CWP, and possibly LOF fractions or Key to fractions LA: WWE 3/4, MCT, AAS, continue with ABCD and REWARDS if needed Science: Singapore MPH 3/4 History: SOTW Foreign language: German and start Latin (haven't decided on Latin program) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWOB Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 I currently have a fourth grader. This is what we are doing: CLE math 4 (I L.O.V.E. CLE math. Love it.) -Math Detective as a supplement ILL Meaningful Composition 4 AAS level 2 (kinda. Dd9 is a good speller.) LfC A- This is a really fun Latin program. My kids love it. MFW ECC for Geography and Science- MFW is a fabulous program, but a little redundant for us. Dd takes Piano, Clarinet, and PE lessons. Currently, we have put aside MEF-ECC for a more Unit Study approach. We will be doing a unit study/lapbook on the Solar System, Presidents, and then the Periodic Table. Fourth grade, for me anyway, is sort of the last year to just have fun and learn random stuff before you buckle down and enter middle school. Enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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