Here is what we are planning on using for our oldest son who will be a 5th grader next year:
Math: Teaching Textbooks Math 6
I am so glad I found this curriculum. This will be our second year using it. I love that he can do most of it independently (he does 4 days by himself, and the 5th day we go over things together) and he loves that it’s on the computer. I do agree with a lot of the reviews out there that say this math curriculum seems to be a little behind, but I just had him do the placement test and put him in the level according to that (which was one level ahead) and I think the level is appropriate for him.
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Spelling: Soaring With Spelling Level 5
This will be our 4th year using this spelling curriculum. He can do most of it independently. He needs my help to call out the words for the pretest (first day of the week) and the post test (last day of the week). In the past I have also recorded his spelling lists on the ipad so that he could do his lessons completely on his own, but I actually prefer saying the list for him and it takes less planning and time on my part overall. He will also be keeping a spelling notebook for words that give him trouble. This is also a vocabulary curriculum, but I think it’s too light and I just use it for spelling and use something else for vocabulary.
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Grammar: Growing With Grammar Level 5
This is our 3rd year using this curriculum. We used it for 2nd and 3rd grade and then I made the switch to First Language Lessons last year. My son begged me to let him use GWG again. FLL was a bit dry and it required me to do all the lessons with him. He likes working independently, so with GWG I just go over any issues or concepts with him that he is having trouble with.
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Composition: Winning With Writing Level 5
I have tried a couple different writing curriculums in the past with my son. We have used Just Write and Writing with Ease. Just Write was very simple and didn’t require a lot of parental involvement, but I just didn’t feel it was enough. That’s why I switched to WWE last year; I liked that it focused on writing from the ground up by using copy work and dictation. But, I didn’t like that it didn’t really teach much writing, as in composition. Since we have had such success with SWS and GWG, we decided to give WWW a try since it’s by the same author/publisher. I will also be incorporating copy work and dictation into our science, history and literature studies.
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Handwriting: Cursive Success by Handwriting without Tears
This will be our second year using HWT. We were happy with it’s simplicity and thoroughness last year, so we are continuing with it.
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Vocabulary: Vocabulary from Classical Roots
We have been using Wordly Wise 3000 for the past 3 years. For the most part I think it does a good job teaching vocabulary words, but over time, I got fed up with the worldly stories that they included in each lesson. It’s definitely not a Christian curriculum. I also thought it was lacking in teaching prefixes, suffixes, base words, and word origination. So, we are switching to Vocabulary from Classical Roots for next year.
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Reading: list of books that mom comes up with as well as history and science books related to our topic of study; a reading log that tracks books read and amount of time spent reading will be kept. You can check out our 5th grade reading list here.
Literature: Progeny Press guides for the following books – 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 5 – United States of America
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
Luke will be using these for his independent Bible studies. 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. He is able to do both independently. We will have family Bible and devotional time before we start our school day.