Our 3rd Grade Curriculum for 2012-2013

 

Spelling:  Soaring With Spelling Level 3

 

Sam has used this curriculum for all his school years so far.  Thankfully, my boys are natural spellers, so this weekly list/worksheets method works well for us.  

 

 

Grammar:  Growing With Grammar Level 3

 

Sam used this curriculum is 1st grade and then we switched to First Language Lessons.  We are switching back to GWG because Sam seemed quite bored with FLL and he focuses better on his work when he is working independently; FLL is complete parental involvement. 

 

Composition:  Winning With Writing Level 3

 

We are trying out this curriculum this year since we have really enjoyed using SWS and GWG which is by the same author/publisher.

 

 

 

Handwriting:  Cursive Handwriting by Handwriting without Tears

 

Sam will begin learning cursive this year.  He has already tried it a little bit along with his big brother last year, so he is eager to officially start learning.

 

Vocabulary:  Spectrum Vocabulary – Grade 3

Last year Sam used Wordly Wise 3000 for vocabulary.  But like I mentioned in another post, I just wasn’t happy with the worldly views throughout.  The only reason he’s not doing the same curriculum as his older brother is because Vocabulary from Classical Roots starts in 4th grade.  So in the meantime, we are just going to use Spectrum.

 

Reading/Phonics:  Explode the Code 8

Sam will be finishing up his last ETC book.  He will also be doing independent reading and reading aloud to mom from a list of books that mom puts together.  A reading log that tracks books read and amount of time spent reading will be kept.  You can check out our 3rd grade reading list here.

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Literature:  Sam will be doing the Progeny Press guides for the following books along with his big brother – The Big Wave, Stone Fox, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and The Whipping Boy  

We have used several of these guides over the past few years.  I really love their Christian perspective and scripture references.  I think they do a very thorough job in covering many different aspects of literature study.

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Science:  a homemade study on the human body and Apologia’s book on Botany

This will be our third year using Apologia for science!  We love it!  We hit the jackpot with this one!  I love how the books are centered around God!  We will be studying Botany this year.  We won’t be starting the botany book until January because we are going to use one of the alternative schedules for colder climates.  So in the meantime, we will study the human body using Usborne books, lapbooks, hands-on projects and other fun things I find.

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History:  The Mystery of History Volume 1 – Creation to the Resurrection 

I have struggled to find a history curriculum that I like ever since we started homeschooling 5 years ago.  We have tried Story of the World, TruthQuest, WinterPromise, Christian Liberty Press, The Story of the USA and Beautiful Feet.  We are still looking for “The One” when it comes to history.  I’m really hoping we find that in MOH.  I have had my eye on it for several years, but never decided to go with it until this year. 

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Health:  Health and Safety Curriculum – Primary level

Since our state requires that we teach health each year, I wanted to find a simple, easy curriculum.  I have found this one to be just that.  It has 3 different levels, and this year we will be using the middle level.

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Geography:  Spectrum Geography – Grade 3 – Communities

Each year I get the kids a simple workbook on geography that they can do independently.  I mostly use these books to brush up on their map skills.  We do a bulk of our geography during our history studies.  This year I decided to try out the Spectrum geography books.

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Music:  World’s Greatest Composers by Confessions of a Homeschooler

In the past, the kids have taken piano lessons.  Next year, piano lessons just aren’t in the budget so we will be focusing on composers.

Art:  How to Teach Art to Children

In the past, the kids have done their art class at our church’s co-op.  This year we will not be participating in co-op, so I need to take on the task of teaching art.  I wanted something that would cover a wide age-range since I will teach all the kids together, something that teaches the elements of art, and something easy to use.

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PE:  Hockey, Lacrosse, and Gymnastics

Logic:  Mind Benders Books 3 & 4 by The Critical Thinking Company

I like to have the kids do some logic/critical thinking exercises throughout the year.  This year we will be using Mind Benders.

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Latin:  Prima Latin

This will be our first year studying Latin.  I’m hoping that the 5 years of Latin I took in high school will make teaching it a little less intimidating.  I chose this curriculum based on reviews I read and I’m hoping it will help reinforce our vocabulary, grammar, and English language studies.

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Bible:  Studying God’s Word E: Genesis – Ruth and Train Up a Child Bible studies
Sam will be using these for his Bible studies.  He will mostly work independently, but I will help him get going at the start of the year.  We have used Studying God’s Word from the beginning and I stumbled upon the Train Up a Child series a few years ago and really liked.  We will have family Bible and devotional time before we start our school day.