HappyGrace Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 That depends on the child involved, doesn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 That depends on the child involved, doesn't it? I'm afraid I have to agree. We could talk about the curriculum used in the "best" schools, but it wouldn't matter if the child wasn't ready, willing, or able to pursue a similar course. What was third grade like for this particular child? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 My oldest is in 3rd grade this year. I'm a less is more/LCC type. Here is what I have planned: Math Mammoth 4, XtraMath Rod & Staff English 4 Memoria Press Famous Men of Rome Kolbe's Literature Guide Combined with Family: Latina Christiana I Spell to Write and Read History- read alouds Science-RSO Memory work, Bible, piano, gymnastics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 I assume you mean using only materials that are designated for fourth grade? Otherwise, you could go crazy with acceleration. Anyway, I'll take a shot at it: Mosdos Ruby level with additional longer works or K12 Literature 4 WWE4 MCT Town combined with FLL4 Singapore Math level 4 with CWP SOTW 4 with activity guide R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Chemistry Now, if you wanted to move into middle school materials, the possibilities expand quite a bit. For example: K12 Literature 6 WWS MCT Town combined with Hake Grammar 5+ Singapore Math level 4+ SOTW 4 with activity guide or A History of US (concise edition) or begin the Human Odyssey series from K12 CPO science (earth or life) or R.E.A.L Science Odyssey level 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 I agree that it's so relative. There are so many elements to consider. As mentioned, there's the individual child. But there's also your educational goals. Someone who has an end goal of a child prepared for a STEM career might have a very different idea of what makes for rigor than someone who thinks that the end goal is a child who can read and think for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share Posted December 30, 2012 I left it purposely vague. :) Let's say for an average student (not gifted, w/ no disabilities, etc.) who is interested in learning and accomplishing more. And just a well-balanced curric, no major focus area. hm and EKS-yes, this is along the lines of what I'm looking for, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourisenough Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Math Mammoth 4 with SM CWP 4 and BA 4 (if available by then...) FLL 4, WWE 4, MCT Literature, Vocab from Classical Roots 4, Wheeler's Graded Studies in Great Authors for spelling (http://books.google.com/books/about/Wheeler_s_graded_studies_in_great_author.html?id=sE4XAAAAIAAJ) SOTW w/ AG & tests + MP States & Capitals ?? for science Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Calvert 4 was pretty rigorous for my son in 4th grade last year. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicMom Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 My oldest is in 3rd grade this year. I'm a less is more/LCC type. psst...What does LCC mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 psst...What does LCC mean? Last I heard, LCC stands for Latin Centered Curriculum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share Posted December 30, 2012 Wheeler's Graded Studies in Great Authors for spelling (http://books.google....id=sE4XAAAAIAAJ) LOVE the look of this! So happy to have all these ideas coming-thank you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 This is what I am currently doing with my 4th grade son: Math --Horizons 4 ---CWP3 --Will do Singapore Mental Math in summer English--R&S4 (skipping most of the composition assignments) Spelling Power Writing (I alternate between these, using one program for 1-2 weeks to produce a final draft) --IEW SWI-A (second half of the program) --WWW4 (I chose the most useful half of the lessons) --Three research reports (one for each history lapbook) --Once in a while I do a lesson from WWE3 Reading --Read aloud to me 15 minutes per day from a book I choose which is at a challenging reading level --Read a different book (one per month) for "book club" as in Deconstructing Penguins --Audio books in the car --Reading books before bedtime (Workbooks to do while the other kids are reading aloud to me:) HWOT Cursive Skills Sharpeners Reading 4 (for reading comprehension), or Building Thinking Skills (logic) Language Smarts D (for grammar review), and then Editor in Chief Beginning 2 Vocabulary Workshop 4 History (5 days per week) --Fall semester world history overview (CHOW) --Spring semester American History (The Rainbow Book of American History, then Everything You Need to Know About American Histroy ch 7-end) --Three history lapbooks Memory Work --Awana Bible verses --Various history, geography, science lists or excerpts Oral Presentations --Three times per year presentations of history lapbook and memory work Each of these once per week: Art--Meet the Masters, or Mark Kistler's online drawing lessons Science--BFSU including notebooking after each lesson, plus two science lapbooks Geography--The Complete Book of Maps and Geography, plus drawing maps as in The Core Civics/Govt/Basic Econ/State history--including two civics lapbooks Music--listen to www.classicsforkids.com, and piano lessons 10-15 minutes per day of either typing practice or audio German lessons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 These are all great ideas. We're in the middle of 4th grade, but we haven't exactly been stretching ourselves the past couple months. I'm hoping to dig in a little deeper when we re-launch! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Singapore, MEP, or possibly Art of Problem Solving Pre-Algebra for a child who is really "mathy" MCT "Town" level plus WWE4 and Killgallon Story Grammar Hexco spelling bee prep materials Ellen McHenry's chem programs Catholic Schools Textbook Project From Sea to Shining Sea: The Story of America Latin, but I don't have any personal recommendations for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Most people think of rigorous as placing expectations upon a child that are beyond the average developmental stages. You can just skip a grade or two, or you can use a curriculum designed for schools that cherry pick their students, and accelerate skills and content without giving the child the benefit of an accelerated label. If I want to challenge a child who is developmentally advanced, I tend to radically accelerate math and teach them Greek and Latin, and then because they are crispy burnt out, I unschool the rest of the subjects as much as possible. If the child is developmentally average, I guess I don't believe in rigor. If rigor means just increasing VOLUME of work, I don't believe in large volumes of academic work. I'd rather spend that time on religious/character training and chores. Mind, body and spirit need equal training and nurturing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 I wouldn't define rigor as merely increasing volume of academic work or even as accelerating. The process I use to try to make my curriculum rigorous is as follows. First, I plan my most important subjects. For elemenatary grades, they are reading, composition, English/grammar, spelling, and math. I design a curriculum that will challenge each child and push him to his potential. That may end up being accelerated or on grade level. The amount of work required is not increased merely for the purpose of increasing the amount of work. The amount of work required is a reasonable amount based on the age and abilities of the child which will help the child gain his full potential. Then if the child is doing well in the core subjects above, I add on others. I start with the Core Knowledge K-8 Sequence to help me decide on a fund of knowledge which I want my kids to learn. Important subjects at these ages are science and history (world, American, state). Then geography, art, and music. Other important subjects one can add are civics, government, basic economics, oral presentations, vocabulary, and foreign language. I am not including Bible, character training, or sports/PE in this list as I consider those separately. Most of the rigor regarding education of younger students has to do with the parents (IMO). Kids will generally do what the parent requires of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Literature Analysis Evan-Moor Poetry Guide (4th grade) Progeny Press guides (several) Guided Reading K-12 Readers, Volumes 6 & 7 McGuffey's 5th or 6th Eclectic Reader Spelling All About Spelling, Level 5 or 6 Vocabulary Vocabu-Lit, Level F Grammar First Language Lessons, Level 4 Memory Work 4th Grade Poetry Pack (choose several poems to memorize & recite at the end of the year) 4th Grade Fact Pack (choose several lists/dates/facts to memorize & recite at the end of the year; Living Memory has plenty to choose from. Edited to add: There's an e-book that's less expensive) Composition Writing with Ease 4 Creative Writing binder -- for student's own compositions, stories, and poems Speaking Recitation of poetry memory work (without fidgeting, twirling hair, picking noses, etc.) Recitation (or Question/Answer format) for factual memory work and/or catechism Presentation of a practiced speech on (1) a History topic, (2) a Science topic, (3) a Bible topic, (4) a Literature topic, and (5) an explanation of some aspect of the student's current hobby. French First Start French or something grammar-based Latin Not certain what to recommend for this, but I would work on Latin grammar and vocabulary in 4th grade Music Weekly, private instrumental music lessons (which include basic music theory and note reading) Daily instrumental music practice Possibly -- participation in a musical group, such as a choir, orchestra, or handbell choir Math Horizons 4 ?? -- but don't ask me about Math! Bible & Discipleship Establish the habit of daily Bible reading & prayer What the Bible Is All About for Young Explorers -- work through the OT chapters with the student, have student write book outlines or take notes in a notebook Literature & Poetry Develop a reasonable list of read alouds for the year Include regular reading of poetry Develop a reasonable list of assigned reading for the year Develop a large selection of audiobooks for listening History & Geography Study a period of history, including the pertinent geography Work on outlining & summarizing skills Work on research skills (utilizing more than two resources) Science Study one area in-depth all year (e.g., Birds, Insects, or Human Body) Line up a selection of science books on or above the student's reading level; assign weekly Science Reading time (student chooses books) Work on outlining & summarizing skills Work on research skills (utilizing more than two resources) Nature Study Regular hikes in the outdoors, increasing in length, variety, and complexity as the year progresses Learn to pack/prepare for a hike (locate nature preserves, get directions/hours, plan for trip/route, serve as guide for hike) Begin and maintain a nature journal Begin and maintain a nature collection Learn to use field guides, binoculars, and other field equipment Attend lectures/classes at a local nature preserve, arboretum, state park, or natural history museum Physical Fitness Develop the habit of daily exercise Develop the habit of drinking water and choosing reasonable portions of nutritious food Develop the habit of sufficient rest and sleep Hobbies Allow time, space, materials, and encouragement for explorations into several hobbies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Develop the habit of sufficient rest and sleep Getting enough sleep, in my opinion, is the single most critical element of achieving academic excellence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Getting enough sleep, in my opinion, is the single most critical element of achieving academic excellence. Yes. And most of us are chronically sleep-deprived (and dehydrated, too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Mmm, yes. The dehydration thing. What I--and many Americans--gets used to as "normal" is actually impaired. My ability to concentrate is SO much greater when I'm properly hydrated. "Rigorous" curricula should come with a warning, "Administer a large glass of water 30 minutes before each lesson." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share Posted January 1, 2013 Thank you to everyone-these are all awesome food for thought! I am trying to think it all through and figure out how to apply. Very helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OK Family Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 I'll come back later to finish reading these good ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.