( Grade 5 – Age 10-12 )
You and your child are about to embark on the first half of our American History study, using a variety of diverse non-fiction, like An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People, Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans, and A Different Mirror For Young People: A History of Multicultural America. You will learn about the many diverse Native American Nations already living on the North American continent before the Europeans arrived, discover why the first European colonists came to America, and watch those early colonies change and grow into the United States.
You will enjoy an array of captivating literature selections together. One of my goals in choosing the literature and readers for Level 5 was to tell the story of America through the eyes and voices of children of diverse backgrounds. Follow Tristan on a wild adventure into a world of African American folklore in Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia. You will meet the Tuck family, who accidentally became immortal in Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, and the enslaved children of Thomas Jefferson, in Jefferson’s Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
You will study American artists and complete a variety of art projects, memorize poetry written by great American poets such as Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson, along with the Preamble to the Constitution, and other historical works.
Over the course of both Levels 5 and 6, your child will be studying the US Presidents, as well as completing a State Study, learning the geography of the United States of America.
Your science focus this year will be biology, using Real Science Odyssey Biology 2 along with a selection of well-chosen living books
My lesson plans guide you through the school year effortlessly. Your planning is done for you so that you can spend your time on important things, like teaching your children.
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I’m excited to announce that we are collaborating with Soul Sparklettes Art! They have so many amazing art projects that blend well with Build Your Library. You can sign up for Glitterbombers membership through our affiliate link. Check the download below to see what projects align with this level!
DK American History: A Visual Encyclopedia – Spine 5/6 – Bookshop.org
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the US For Young People – Spine 5/6 – Bookshop.org
A Different Mirror For Young People: A History of Multicultural America – Spine 5/6 – Bookshop.org
Words that Built a Nation: Voices of Democracy That Have Shaped America’s History– Spine 5/6 – Bookshop.org
We Were There Too! Young People in US History – Spine 5/6 – Bookshop.org
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans – Spine 5/6 – Bookshop.org
NatGeo Our Country’s Presidents: A Complete Encyclopedia of the U.S. Presidency – Spine 5/6 – Bookshop.org
Turtle Island: The Story of North America’s First People – Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger – Bookshop.org
What the Eagle Sees: Indigenous Stories of Rebellion and Renewal – Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger – Spine 5/6 – Bookshop.org
A Kid’s Guide to Native American History – Yvonne Wakim Dennis
1607: A New Look at Jamestown – Karen E. Lange – Bookshop.org
1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving – Catherine O’Neill Grace and Margaret M. Bruchac
In the Shadow of Liberty: The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents and Five Black Lives – Kenneth C. Davis – Spine – Bookshop.org
King George: What Was His Problem? – Steve Sheinkin – Bookshop.org
Shhh! We’re Writing the Constitution – Jean Fritz – Bookshop.org
The White House is Burning – Jane Sutcliffe – Bookshop.org
Which Way to the Wild West? – Steve Sheinkin – Spine 5/6 – Bookshop.org
Children of the Longhouse – Joseph Bruchac – Bookshop.org
Trickster: Native American Tales A Graphic Collection – various authors
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus – Dusti Bowling – Bookshop.org
Blood on the River: Jamestown 1607 – Elisa Carbone – Bookshop.org
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky – Kwame Mbalia – Bookshop.org
Chains – Laurie Halse Anderson – Bookshop.org
Birchbark House – Louise Erdrich – Bookshop.org
Jefferson’s Sons – Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Tuck Everlasting – Natalie Babbitt – Bookshop.org
How I Became a Ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story– Tim Tingle – Bookshop.org
Tortilla Sun – Jennifer Cervantes – Bookshop.org
Elijah of Buxton – Christopher Paul Curtis – Bookshop.org
Midsummer’s Mayhem – Rajani LaRocca – Bookshop.org
The Earth Under Sky Bear’s Feet: Native American Poems of the Land– Joseph Bruchac – Bookshop.org
Poetry for Young People: Robert Frost – Bookshop.org
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson – Bookshop.org
Poetry for Young People: African American Poetry
The Wild Robot – Peter Brown – Bookshop.org
Sees Behind Trees – Michael Dorris – Bookshop.org
A Wolf Called Wander – Rosanne Parry – Bookshop.org
Morning Girl – Michael Dorris – Bookshop.org
Krista Kim-Bap – Angela Ahn – Bookshop.org
El Deafo – Cece Bell – Bookshop.org
A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phillis Wheatley – Kathryn Lasky – Bookshop.org
The Winter People – Joseph Bruchac – Bookshop.org
Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin By His Good Mouse Amos – Robert Lawson – Bookshop.org
Black Heroes of the American Revolution – Burke Davis – Bookshop.org
Toliver’s Secret – Esther Wood Brady – Bookshop.org
American Tall Tales – Adrien Soutenburg – Bookshop.org
Stone River Crossing – Tim Tingle – Bookshop.org
Riding Freedom – Pam Munoz Ryan – Bookshop.org
My Side of the Mountain – Jean Craighead George – Bookshop.org
Day of Tears – Julius Lester – Bookshop.org
Lyddie – Katherine Paterson – Bookshop.org
Oregon Trail: Race to Chimney Rock – Jesse Wiley – Bookshop.org
As Long as the Rivers Flow – Larry Loyie – Bookshop.org
Eliza’s Freedom Road – Jerdine Nolen – Bookshop.org
Real Science Odyssey: Biology 2: http://www.pandiapress.com/publications/real-science-odyssey/life-level-one/#level2 (Spine – you will need to purchase the student book, workbook, and teacher guide to complete the course)
Invincible Microbe – Bookshop.org
Genetics: From DNA to Designer Dogs – Bookshop.org
Blood and Guts – Bookshop.org
Evolution: The Story of Life on Earth – Bookshop.org
Aliens From Earth: When Animals and Plants Invade Other Ecosystems – Bookshop.org
Tree of Life: The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth – Bookshop.org
Literary Biology Project: (Weeks 33 – 36: Your student will choose ONE of these to read)
Geography State Study:
As a reminder, if you are going to purchase books we would greatly appreciate the use of our provided Bookshop links! Thanks!
Disclosure: This list contains affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
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