Here are my 5th plans -- do they look complete

[Mom2legomaniacs]

I think I have 5th grade done (in my head anyway). Would you look to see if this seems complete or not please?

Grammar: R & S 5
Writing: IEW
Math: MCP F
Spelling: SWO F & G
Science: Singapore MPS
Latin: Latina Christiana 1
Religion: Christian Studies (Memoria Press)
Typing: continue Typing Inst.
History: SOTW 4

Reading will come from various sources of good literature and historical books with SOTW.

Piano lessons continue.

I have a book on Music Appreciation and on Art that I intend to do reading from on a weekly basis.

Any big holes here or does it look reasonably sound?

[Trivium Academy]

Logic or begin Literature studies?

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Logic or begin Literature studies?

Logic! Yes, I do have logic safari type books and was looking at some mind benders or something of that nature. I hadn't decided yet for the rest.

Literature studies -- hmmm haven't thought of that either. What did you have in mind? Maybe I have thought about it and just can't recall at the moment.

[ThelmaLou]

Yes, I was thinking logic and literature, too. I also didn't see spelling or vocabulary. Maybe you're incorporating these into other subject areas, though. And I don't know how handwriting works with most publishers. I know with GD Italics, my kids do handwriting through 6th grade. But you are probably already past that point. Everything else looks pretty thorough.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Yes, I was thinking logic and literature, too. I also didn't see spelling or vocabulary. Maybe you're incorporating these into other subject areas, though. And I don't know how handwriting works with most publishers. I know with GD Italics, my kids do handwriting through 6th grade. But you are probably already past that point. Everything else looks pretty thorough.

I do have the spelling : Spelling Workout. I think in the upper levels, it transitions over to more of a vocabulary study as well.

He still practices handwriting with copy work too -- we just aren't terribly scheduled with it.

[8FillTheHeart]

I wouldn't change a thing. Looks great to me. FWIW.....I think lit at that age is highly over-rated. ;)

[ThelmaLou]

With regards to literature studies, I don't know what Jessica recommends, but I would use something like the Progeny Press literature guides. Perhaps you can find some of their guides that fit in with the time period you're studying in history. That way, you can kill two birds with one stone. I would assign the bulk of your 5th grader's reading without any guides, though. I remember SWB saying too many of those things takes the joy out of reading. But one or two per semester is tolerable and even fun for some kids.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

I wouldn't change a thing. Looks great to me. FWIW.....I think lit at that age is highly over-rated. ;)

thanks! I don't know that it would be a good choice for us now anyway. I will start looking for ideas for me to learn how to discuss things with him though. Those kinds of things do not come naturally for me (as with the writing instruction). I know a lot of it is common sense for a lot of people, but not for me. I truly need that crutch of a book to keep it in my head.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

With regards to literature studies, I don't know what Jessica recommends, but I would use something like the Progeny Press literature guides. Perhaps you can find some of their guides that fit in with the time period you're studying in history. That way, you can kill two birds with one stone. I would assign the bulk of your 5th grader's reading without any guides, though. I remember SWB saying too many of those things takes the joy out of reading. But one or two per semester is tolerable and even fun for some kids.

Makes sense. I don't want to go overboard. I do want to learn how to go about that. Maybe something small and easy would help transition us (mainly me) into that pattern of naturally discussing the readings.
thanks

[Beth in Central TX]

Subject wise this looks like what I did with my 5th grader this year, but we used a different program here or there. I didn't do any formal literature program, but I did assign 12 literature books that coordinate with the ancient history he is studying this year. He will do a book report on some of them, and some of them we will discuss using the socratic dialogue questions in the appendix of Teaching the Classics. I also stopped the pre-logic work that we were doing once a week. I found no benefit in the sporadic nature of the assignments, and in the end, it felt like busywork. This is just our experience though...

[partyof5]

Your plans are similar to my 5th grade plans with a couple different programs here and there.

I am planning to do what Beth suggested with literature selections tied into history...some will be just discussed with questions, others will have writing projects tied in. Not all will be dealt with thoroughly because that just kills the joy in my opinion. :D

I've been undecided about logic as well, but I have a feeling it won't be a major part of our work for another year or so.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Subject wise this looks like what I did with my 5th grader this year, but we used a different program here or there. I didn't do any formal literature program, but I did assign 12 literature books that coordinate with the ancient history he is studying this year. He will do a book report on some of them, and some of them we will discuss using the socratic dialogue questions in the appendix of Teaching the Classics. I also stopped the pre-logic work that we were doing once a week. I found no benefit in the sporadic nature of the assignments, and in the end, it felt like busywork. This is just our experience though...

I was wondering about that as well -- the sporadic busywork. I figured that I might give something a try if he were really interested in it, otherwise let it be.
I think what you are saying about the literature is what I am leaning towards. Not a formal program, but talking about them and having him write about some of them as well. I don't really have that formulated yet, just a floating idea at this point.
thanks!

[Beth in Central TX]

My boys are interested in the pre-logic work, I just don't think it is beneficial to schedule it out during our school year. Therefore, I plan to have my boys work through the Mind Benders CD series this summer. They are always wanting more computer time, so they'll probably jump at the chance for daily computer usage.

I'm also thinking of reading through the Bluedorn books (The Thinking Toolbox and Fallacy Detective) at lunch time this summer. I think these books are well written, but they need to be talked about on a daily basis for it to make sense and sink in (in my opinion). In addition, I think discussing the topics with all of my boys will liven up the process and make it more enjoyable all around.

[Testimony]

I like what you are doing. I have to sit down and figure out my fifth grade plans, too.

I just wanted to say. My sons do piano lessons too. I cheat with music appreciation and have my children learn from the lessons. The piano teacher was teaching them a composer and even had them play a little piece by the composer.

I think your stuff looks great. By the way, my 2 cents, Latin and grammar are logic. So, I personally think you have it covered. I tend to see things as to how curricula can cover the same topic. So, that is from my perspective.

Blessings,
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony

[Laura Corin]

PE? We do an hour a day, following American Heart Association and British Heart Foundation (http://www.bhf.org.uk/keeping_your_heart_healthy/healthy_children/how_to_keep_children_healthy.aspx) recommendations. I'm linking to the British organisation just because the guidelines are more clearly stated.

Best wishes

Laura

[Heather in NC]

I think it looks great!

[Stacia]

Geography maybe? (Or maybe you're just tying it in w/ history.) I like geography, myself, so that's why I like to include it as a separate subject. We're using Trail Guide to World Geography this year, but have taken so many rabbit trails that we may be working on finishing it next year.

Sounds similar to our plans for next year w/ some different curriculum items.

Another item I jotted down for us to work on next year is scheduling/calendar skills, i.e., breaking down a larger project into smaller pieces & selecting/scheduling times/days to complete each section. I think kids in school have a lot more exposure to doing this, but we've never really done it at home. So, I'm planning/hoping to teach this skill, then hand the reins over.... (We'll see how it goes haha.):rolleyes:

[Mom2legomaniacs]

PE? We do an hour a day, following American Heart Association and British Heart Foundation (http://www.bhf.org.uk/keeping_your_heart_healthy/healthy_children/how_to_keep_children_healthy.aspx) recommendations. I'm linking to the British organisation just because the guidelines are more clearly stated.

Best wishes

Laura

Yes, they do soccer and swimming along with lots of outdoor running around. I kick them out for fresh air and such daily if possible!
thanks

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Geography maybe? (Or maybe you're just tying it in w/ history.) I like geography, myself, so that's why I like to include it as a separate subject. We're using Trail Guide to World Geography this year, but have taken so many rabbit trails that we may be working on finishing it next year.

Sounds similar to our plans for next year w/ some different curriculum items.

Another item I jotted down for us to work on next year is scheduling/calendar skills, i.e., breaking down a larger project into smaller pieces & selecting/scheduling times/days to complete each section. I think kids in school have a lot more exposure to doing this, but we've never really done it at home. So, I'm planning/hoping to teach this skill, then hand the reins over.... (We'll see how it goes haha.):rolleyes:

I tie it in with history. I have been throwing this in here and there without a real plan though. Just some memorization and map work along with some fun quizzes.
thanks