After the back-to-school season, we homeschool parents may realize our chosen curriculum isn’t working. What to do? Let me suggest you do not need to make drastic changes. Maybe all you need is a little supplementation. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
Brainquest Workbooks
In this post, I am recommending workbooks or curriculum add-ons which can address this pain point we have all felt at one time or another. Continue reading
Our daughter has reached 8th grade (2023-2024 school year). She is “the baby” in the family, so this reality hits hard. How can this be? Anyway, here are her courses this year: English, Math, US History, Bible, ASL I, Performing Arts, Personal Finance, Sewing, PE.
Our daughter wanted to learn sewing so we found a friend who was willing to teach her.
For English, Bible, and US History she is taking Notgrass US History, a wonderful curriculum which offers enough content to grant three credits. That’s not just a good deal. We are very impressed with Notgrass in general and proud that they are from Tennessee. Continue reading
Writing with Skill is a writing curriculum for grades 6-10, which follows Writing with Ease. I broadcasted a Facebook Live event about this curriculum because we use it and find it very good. Last week, I reviewed Writing with Ease.
Writing with Skill, level 1
These Facebook Live events happen every Sunday at 4pm, EST. I try to keep them under 15 minutes, because I know homeschool parents are super busy, even on a Sunday afternoon. If you cannot make it to the live events, the recording will get posted to the blog and to the Facebook page. Continue reading
My oldest will be in seventh grade this coming school year, 2020-2021. Here is what I have set aside for his school work:
Our family on a recent hike. As you can see, my 7th grader is taller than I.
Bible – Junior PowerPoints
We also read Young Disciple Magazine for our family devotional.
Language Arts – Wordly Wise 3000, Book 7 (vocabulary); Logic of English Essentials, Level C; Spelling Bee (word list and participation in our “school” level bee at a local homeschool group); Writing with Skill (Book 1); Rod and Staff Grammar; Mensa for Kids Reading List for grades 7th-8th (so not the entire list, just starting on it and pacing ourselves through it)
“Just Write,” a writing curriculum by Rachel Tolman Terry, provides 150 writing prompts for middle school. Such a book will make your life easier if you would like a no-prep writing curriculum.
My children using “Just Write” on a regular school day.
This curriculum is consumable. The pages are lined, so that it really functions as a workbook. Every two-page spread has a black-and-white picture on the left and the lined page on the right. At the end of the book, you can read briefly about the photographers.
Think about it: a school year has 180 days. We usually spend 30 days on field trips, illness, or concerts. Realistically, we can count on 150 days of active book instruction. With “Just Write,” you can plan on your child’s writing something every day. Meanwhile, you did not have to do a thing to prepare. Continue reading
You have asked, so I will answer. Which curriculum did we have actually use in third grade? Without further ado, here it is:
Reading – Mensa for Kids, K-3 book list Also, the National Spelling Bee Bookshelf titles. They change from year to year. User discretion is advised. We have had to skip some titles because of their political or occult content.
Spelling and grammar – Logic of English Foundations, C and D; once finished, we started LOE Essentials – Level A
Story of the World Volume 2
Writing – Writing with Ease, Level 1 – if your child is not yet writing well, do some more copywork. Alternatively, you can make your own sheets online. I had a book for cursive copywork with nature facts and Bible verses, titled Cursive Copywork. Continue reading