3rd and 5th Grade Home School Curriculum
Here are my TOP 3rd Grade Home School Curriculum picks and my TOP 5th Grade Home School Curriculum picks. Homeschooling 3rd grade students and homeschooling 5th grade students is all about gearing up for a bit more school work and always adding in some fun and arts!
Whether you have made the decision to homeschool or are still considering the final decision to actually homeschool or home educate your children, one of the most major decisions is which curriculum will be used. The choices can be a bit overwhelming and I have highlighted what I have used over the years. Here are my selections for Grade 3 and Grade 5.
Each August I write a post on what curriculum we will use for the coming school year. Here are my 2013-2014 home school curriculum, 2012-2013 school curriculum and 2011-2012 school curriculum posts.
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This summer I was really relaxed in regards to 'summer schooling'. We schooled full time the entire month of June. Then, I just let it go, I am pretty strict when it it "school time" and I felt that my kids had a REALLY good school year. We finished everything I wanted to and actually were ahead in Math!! So, I gave my kids the rest of the summer off. Mind you, it was only six weeks.
This school year begins in three short weeks. My middle child is fully prepared for what to expect at the academy. My little one will be attending academy with her sister this year for the first time and I know she will have a great time. She is a bit scared and wonders what to expect, but I know she will sail through her days there. My son has made the decision to no longer home school and will we attending a private school in four weeks.
Math: Saxon Math (Level 5/4 and Level 6/5)
Does it work? Yes
Will I continue to use it for 2014-15? Yes.
If you are unsure of the level of Math to place your child, Saxon Math has placement tests you can download and give to your own child to test their levels.
Saxon Math 5/4: Placement Test (PDF) and Scope and Sequence (PDF)
Saxon Math 6/5: Placement Test (PDF) and Scope and Sequence (PDF)
Saxon Math 7/6: Placement Test (PDF) and Scope and Sequence (PDF)
Saxon Algebra 1/2 (Pre-Algebra): Placement Test (PDF) and Scope and Sequence (PDF)
We are heavy on Math in this house! {As you can see} This is the second summer we have not tutored during the summer or completed daily work to remain fresh. The reason is that my little one is so far ahead in Math that I needed to slow her down a bit. She literally flew through Saxon 2 & 3 this year - BOTH BOOKS!! My oldest daughter excelled in Math this year - she finally grasped major concepts and we were able to get through a Math book in one school year! Yeah for her! I'm hoping we can dive right in and pick up where we left off. I will continue to use Saxon Math as I really like this curriculum, the children are familiar with it and it works!
My 3rd grader will begin Saxon Math 5/4 and my 5th grader will continue (we did a bit during the month of June) Saxon Math 6/5.
Grammar: Shurley Grammar Level 3 & Shurley Grammar (Level 6)
Does it work? Yes
Will I continue to use? YES
This will be my fourth year using Shurley Grammar. I have to say it is one of the best Grammar curricula out there, for us. Both of my girls love these books and are very familiar with them.
Spelling: Spelling Power
Does it work? Sort of
Will I continue to use it? Yes
I have been using this curriculum o and off for a couple of years. I can't find a Spelling curriculum that I love and adore, so I continue with this one. My girls like it and they know what to expect. I have a great speller and an average speller, so there is my question of whether it works or not. I really think, you can either spell or you can't or you simply don't care (I have one of these) The Spelling Power book is for all levels, so I will use it for both of the girls.
Handwriting/Penmanship: Classically Cursive
Does it work? Sort of
Will I continue to use it? Yes
My daughters have wonderful fine motor skills, but their handwriting is not the best. The girls are both lefties and I think they struggle more with where to place their paper in relation to their writing utensils. My 3rd grader will continue Classically Cursive for cursive writing. My 5th grader will continue to improve on cursive.
Literature/Composition: Introduction to Composition Student
Guide (Grade 3) AND Classical Composition I: Fable, Classical Composition II: Narrative(Grade 5)
Does it work? YES
Will I continue to use it? Yes
Grade 3: Hittite Warrior, Alexander the Great, Archimedes and the Door to Science, D’Aulaires Greek Myths, Detectives in Togas, Bronze Bow
Grade 5: Hittite Warrior, Alexander the Great, Archimedes and the Door to Science, D’Aulaires Greek Myths, Detectives in Togas, Bronze Bow, The Golden Goblet
Omnibus: Mystery of History Volume I - Creation to the Resurrection
Does it work? YES
Will I continue to use it? Yes
We are so excited to use this again this year. We so missed it last year!! My son, who will no longer be homeschooled, even told me not to read any pages unless he is home. This is GOOD stuff!!
English/Vocabulary/Language: I feel this is covered well with Shurley Grammar and Lit/Comp work
Does it work? yes
Will I continue to use it? yes
Science: Exploring Creation with Zoology I
Does it work? YES
Will I continue to use it? Yes, We love Apologia!
My children adore Science and I'm happy to fill their brains up with whatever they want. We all adore Science and I will continue to be Science heavy in this house. This will be an exciting year as we will be hosting/hatching baby quail eggs for the academy - can't wait!! This will be our first year using the Exploring Creation with Zoology with the Notebook Journal and my animal adoring children are over the moon.
Biblical Studies/Religion/Memory: God's Great Covenant, OT 1: A Bible Course for Children
Does It Work? GGC - yes
Will I continue to use? yes
Bot girls will be using GGC this year . . . oddly enough the academy selected the same book I used last year for my little one. SO - she will be using the same book again this year. It is okay, bible stories never get old. My oldest daughter is excited to be back to GCC after a year break. I love GGC books!
Foreign Language: Pre Via Latina (Grade 3), Via Latina II (Grade 5)
Does it work? yes
Will I continue to use? Yes
Latin is always a struggle, and I know we will have many hours of studying this year! But, we shall persevere!
Art & Music: Violin, Symphony Orchestra for my 5th grader, Chamber Orchestra for my 3rd & 5th graders. Art Classes at the academy, Study of Art Through the Masters - Drawing (Grade 3) & Study of Art Through the Masters - Color (5th Grade)
Does it work? Yes
Will I continue to use? Yes
Field Trips/Extra Activities:
We have many, many field trips since we live in a great city with numerous museums. Field Trip day will always be the favorite.
Here’s a post on our workboxes and how we use them in our homeschool classroom! I also have some printable workbox tags.
I really hope this helps in planning your homeschool curriculum for 5th grade and 7th grade homeschooled students! Make sure to check out my other homeschool grade curriculum picks.
