Tree House Academy Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 (edited) And I need some ideas. The one thing I know for sure is that I am NOT doing Calvert again next year! I have just found too many cool resources that I would rather use instead and WHY pay that price when I am supplementing this much??? So, thus far, here are my "set in stone" plans. What I would like suggestions on is Geography, American History, Science (that holds to 5th grade CA standards) and anything that you may see "missing" from my plans. Thanks a bunch!! P.S. I decorate for Christmas in the middle of November. What can I say; I like to be the early bird. I like to get my head around things way in advance. Hope you don't mind! 5th Grade LLATL 5 A Reason For Handwriting MOH 1 Singapore 4A & 4B/CWP/IP/Miquon Supplement Critical Thinking - Level E Megawords 2 or 3 Calvert Spelling CD (5) and possibly "Everyday Spelling" to accompany Geography - Discovering Geography 5-6 (US focus) American History - A Child's History of America NOEO Chemistry II Calvert Spanish 1A 1st Grade LLATL 1 ETC Books 4 and 5 A Reason For Handwriting MOH 1 Singapore 2A & 2B/CWP 1/Miquon Supplement Horizons Spelling 1 Hands on Geography NOEO Chemistry I So....let me have it! Edited October 1, 2008 by Tree House Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 for your oldest. It covers chemistry, physics, and biology. It uses real scientific terms, so that the kids start to learn the actual languages of science. Chemistry is the strongest, and physics is also good. Biology is a little mixed, as it combines some easy stuff in with the age-appropriate stuff. If you decided to just use chemistry, "Exploring the World of Chemistry" and "Awesome Ocean Science" would be excellent 'fillers' to make this into a longer program. "Exploring the World of Physics" also looks good. I am trying to remember the focus in CA 5th grade standards--is it earth science? I think so. I taught earth science using field trips and science museums as well as the WTM recommendation and the Eyewitness Science earth science books. I don't remember seeing where you live in CA, but if you are close to Silicon Valley, I can give you some ideas for great field trips around here. Also, the Nevada state museum in Carson City is well worth a very long visit. They have an entire wall of the rock cycle, and the best mineral exhibit I have ever seen (although it is not all that self-explanatory. You have to notice the similarities and differences amoung the labels for the various minerals and rocks yourself.) They also have a mine to tour, and IIRC they also have some historical exhibits that we chose not to visit when we were there, since our time was a bit limited. Columbia, CA is well worth a significant field trip for gold rush history--especially during Columbia Diggins Days in May. Then you can see how the early miners lived and worked, and also how things changed in the next 10 years or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 Thanks for the suggestions - I will have a look at them! I actually don't live in CA. I live in TN! LOL But I think the CA standards are really good and I like to hold to those no matter what...just so we can be prepared incase there are any state tests in the future. I figure if you do it to CA standards, then you are more than good for a TN state test. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hmmm...good question...one I have asked myself a few times to be honest. Mostly has to do with my ex husband possibly wanting my son tested with a standardized test in order to evaluate how well I am teaching him at home. For English and math, I figure it is going to be a breeze. For History and Science - if we do a whole year of one thing then he takes the test, he won't know the information he needs for the standardized test...if his dad forces my hand and has him take it. If it weren't for my ex, I wouldn't be concerned one bit. My youngest, I have no desire to hold him to any standards but my own! :) I really don't understand tying yourself to a ps standard but if that works for you then why not use SOTW 3 and 4 for American history in the context of world history? The activity guides have maps and all sorts of cool stuff that you can use for geography and tie it into your SOTW history. You could also look at "Cantering the Country" I am pretty sure it is for younger kids but it may work well for your 1st grader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyBC Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 SOTW or MOH 1 (both kids) ??? Is this too much given that we are also doing American History? So....let me have it! There were a few years where we just read a couple chapters a week of SOTW along with doing our province's social studies; was a good compromise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Maps, Charts, Graphs level E is U.S. and its neighbors; or check out Evan Moor 5th grade geography I wouldn't suggest SOTW & MOH with Am. Hx = burn out imho Have you thought about Latin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanya in KS Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 I would recommend Simply Stated. This curriculum goes through all 50 states with fun facts, geography, cooking and whatever else you can think of. Google Simply Stated and see what you think. I am using it with my 2nd/5th graders this year and we LOVE it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 I'm up at night thinking of what I want to use next year. Calvert does take away the fun of planning! If the NJ homeschool law changes, I may have to jump through a lot of hoops which will take away some of the fun. Kelli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions!! I will look at all of them over the next few days. I did add in Spanish - my oldest really wants to take Spanish. There are so many programs out there, for now, I am considering doing Calvert for his Spanish. Ask me tomorrow and I will have changed my mind! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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