This year Collin is entering fourth grade. Well, that’s not completely true. He actually started some of his fourth grade work last school year, so he will be finishing fourth grade and starting into fifth grade this year.
Collin is a strong independent learner who prefers to do most of his studying alone and uninterrupted. Our curriculum choices reflect this self-directed approach; however, the two of us will be spending more time together this year focusing on math and grammar.
Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Plan
Math – Math-U-See Gamma
Collin has already started MUS Gamma level, so he will be working through the rest of the book and then beginning Delta level. I really want to encourage him to gain a lot of ground in math this year, but I’m trying to remember that a solid foundation is more important, even if he is considered a bit “behind” by academic standards.
Grammar – Easy Grammar 4
We’ve been using Easy Grammar for four years now, and each year my children request to stay with it. It is the simplest method of teaching and learning grammar that I have found yet, so we’re definitely continuing with it again this year.
Writing – Just Write
This is our first time to try the Just Write curriculum. I knew I needed a very gentle approach for Collin, and this looks like it will be a good fit for us.
If you’ve used Just Write, I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations!
Spelling – Spelling Power
Spelling Power is an excellent program for teaching spelling. However, since many of my kids are “natural” spellers, we only use the word lists without any of the hands-on components of the program. If Collin experiences difficulties with spelling, we may begin implementing some of the activities as well.
Handwriting – Handwriting Skills Simplified: Learning Cursive Writing
We’ve been using this simple handwriting program ever since we began homeschooling, I think. The workbooks are plain without illustrations or distractions, and that works for us.
Reading – Collin will be reading some excellent literature this year. Since he has an inexpensive tablet with a Kindle app, I chose Kindle versions for his reading material. And of course, I’m secretly rejoicing that I won’t have to try to cram more books onto our over-crowded shelves!
- The Wind in the Willows (free for Kindle)
- The Railway Children (free for Kindle)
- Ginger Pye
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (free for Kindle)
- The Borrowers
- Johnny Tremain
- The Bronze Bow
Social Studies – School of Tomorrow Social Studies PACEs
Collin loves the independent-learning aspect of School of Tomorrow PACEs, so he is continuing with them this year. Near the end of last school year, I began allowing him to score his own work. This was working pretty well for both of us, so he’ll continue to correct his own work this year. Of course, I’ll check up on things from time to time to be sure that everything is going well.
Science – School of Tomorrow Science PACEs
Collin is continuing science PACEs as he did last year. While some students may prefer more projects and experiments, Collin is a “hands-off” learner and loves the textbook-like format of the PACEs.
These are something new for us. Every year I have high aspirations for Bible study with my kids, but I have such a hard time fitting in family-style learning with so many independent learners. Of course, we do have family devotional time, but I want them to have more Bible time than just that.
These PACEs look like a good fit for Collin, and because they are completed independently, I can be sure that Bible time will get done. The PACEs are similar in format to the social studies and science PACEs. The student reads a passage of Scripture which is printed right in the PACE in a larger, easier-to-read font than most Bibles. The reading is followed by comprehension questions which will help with understanding and retention.
So that’s our fourth grade plan for this school year–always subject to change if needed, of course! Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing this year’s plans for grades 7, 9, 10, and 12.
What are your homeschool plans for next year?