3rd grade suggestions

[Jann in TX]

I have a neighbor/friend who will be bringing home her 2nd grade (advanced) dd. They have talked about homeschooling all year--but now is the time.

I suggested deschooling or unschooling for the remainder of the year so 'mom' can get used to her dd's learning style while she learns about what curriculum is available.

Besides reading TWTM, what are some of your favorite resources/curriculum for 3rd grade? She is very interested in learning more about classical education.

Thanks a bunch!

[Beth in Central TX]

If I pulled a 3rd grader out of school right now, I would allow for some detox time, but I would still continue math and reading at least 3-4 times a week. She doesn't need a full schedule with all of the extras right now, but the basics are always a necessity at this age in my opinion.

My favorite resource for these 2 subject is Rod & Staff, of course, but she could pick any resource from TWTM to get started. This would also give her an indication of what level her son is at, and then adjust accordingly next school year.

Saxon has a placement test to help if she really wanted him working at his level. She could also just use the reading and math workbooks at stores like Barnes & Noble to carry her to the summer break. I think these are published by Spectrum?? She won't use them long term, but they're an inexpensive option that will allow her to finish out this year as she reads and gets ready for next year.

HTH!

[mom2abcd]

I agree with Beth. It's super hard to get a kid back on track if you totally "deschool." They'll expect homeschooling to be nothing but playtime!

For 3rd this year we really liked BJU math. The lessons are short and colorful, in a workbook. The way they teach the concepts is very well done.

For English we've used Growing With Grammar, though we're taking a break and using Editing from amazon.com. He wasn't retaining what adjectives, etc. were when that was the only focus of the day. With Editing, he really has to know his stuff. Plus the little stories and poems are very interesting.

This would be a good time for some cuddling on the couch to read fun books like Homer Price or Mr. Popper's Penguins together by page or paragraph. She may be ready for the Little House books, too.

Handwriting without Tears has been a good start for cursive handwriting. (Though when we're through the book, we'll switch to a slanted font.)

The Children's Story Bible by Elizabeth Vos is such a nice book to read to your child in a big comfy chair.

SOTW or MOH would be good for history.

Science-- If she wants a textbook, BJU is good. We prefer living books and lots of science experiments of ds's choosing.

HTH.

[Heather in VA]

A 3rd recommendation not to completely unschool for the remainder of the year. Some favorite curriculum...

Math - Singapore, Shiller, BJU - depending on what she wants and her comfort level in math

English - Writing Tales, FLL3 (she wouldn't need to have done 1/2)

History - SOTW of course, Sonlight Core 1/2 if she wants something all planned, History Odyssey has things nicely laid out with grade appropriate writing expectations. If she wants more Biblical focus - MOH is great.

There are TONS of great book lists.

[Unicorn]

I agree with Beth on the de-schooling. Give her a week off, and then at least do math and "language arts". Tell your friend to use the spectrum 3 grade level lang arts/phonics if she chooses to go that way. I also love R&S for 3rd grade grammar. She could also pick up a Horizons math2, book2, to finish out the year, while deciding what to do for next year.

[mcconnellboys]

The school year is basically finished after March, anyway, so I would definitely unschool if she's bringing them home right now. Do what the school districts do (when they can afford it) during April and May: field trips.

I don't know about other classical reading suggestions, because I haven't gotten into that much. For younger children, I like all the Charlotte Mason related books (Andreola, et al). I don't think I push her into reading the originals right now, LOL.....

For good guidelines, I still like E.D. Hirsch's series: What Your ________ Grader Needs to Know. I think it helps give one an idea of what sorts of things need to get covered each year.

Regena

[TracyR]

My favorites for 3rd grade are Rod and Staff or Christian Light . They are both inexpensive , easy to implement for a 1st time homeschooler and gentle in teaching . Though I'll admit I like Christian Light just a little bit more . Their teacher manuals seem a bit better laid out then Rod and Staff .

[mcconnellboys]

For curriculum, I like different things for different subjects......

I like Spelling Workout for spelling. Also, some here are using Simply Spelling and I like the look of it, too.

I like Primary Language Lessons for grammar, and/or First Language Lessons, or Rod and Staff.

I like Singapore best for math, although Saxon and MUS have their place, too. It really depends on the child and what you want to do......

I happen to like italics style for writing and use Getty Dubay. There are other good things out there, too.... I think Susan is coming out with her new writing book this summer, and it's written to the age of your friend's child..... If one uses something like Simply Spelling and/or Primary Language Lessons, one is getting plenty of copywork and dictation, memory work, etc.

I like SOTW for history, with lots of living books. I like using just living books for science for very young children, along with nature study. If ya'll have a good library system, those things shouldn't be hard to cover.

Regena