Pretty please? Opinons on 5th grade plans...

[Heather in NC]

I can't believe I may actually have the curriculum figured out for next year already and in time for the big hs conferences and book fairs! I have a rising 5th grader and this is what I am planning...what do you think?

Music= Piano, guitar lessons
Math= MUS Epsilon supplementing with Singapore CWP and Life of Fred
Latin= Henle I (MP online course)
Writing= IEW ancient history theme-based writing
History= Egypt (various materials), Greece (FMOG), Rome (FMOR)
Science= Education Exploration
Geography= A Child’s Geography (vol. 2)
Bible/church history= AIG and Peril and Peace
Greek= Alphabetarion, Hupogrammon

We lean to the LCC end of things and we will do Music, Math, Latin, Writing, and Greek everyday. History, Science, Geography, and Bible/church history are each once a week. Oh, and, of course, he reads every day!

Thanks for your help!

[jellybean]

I think it looks wonderful. I will have one in 5th next year, and we are planning away!

[hwfquilts]

Looks great! I was too ambitious with our plans for 5th grade this year and had to scale back. You have a well-balanced and realistic plan.

Heather (in TN)

[Beth in Central TX]

Hi Heather,

I think it looks very complete. Under Bible you have AIG. Is that Answers in Genesis? How are you using this?

[Heather in NC]

Hi Heather,

I think it looks very complete. Under Bible you have AIG. Is that Answers in Genesis? How are you using this?

http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Answers-for-Kids-Complete-Curriculum-Set,5177,237.aspx

This is the one I am using. I will do a lesson each week and it should last half the year. After that I plan to go with this one:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/It-All-Begins-With-Genesis-Teacher-Edition-NIVNAS,4515,238.aspx

HTH!

[Soph the vet]

Looks great. I am going to check out the AIG stuff for my 5th next year too! Thanks for the info.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Looks pretty good. Are you doing any sort of grammar? Is yours studied in Latin? (I am unfamiliar with Henle so am guessing)

Something else that I am using for next year for 5th would be some Mind Benders and beginning with thinking skills for Logic.

I don't think you have left off anything major at all. Just some fun stuff on the side that we are going to try to include if possible.

[Heather in NC]

Looks pretty good. Are you doing any sort of grammar? Is yours studied in Latin? (I am unfamiliar with Henle so am guessing)

Something else that I am using for next year for 5th would be some Mind Benders and beginning with thinking skills for Logic.

I don't think you have left off anything major at all. Just some fun stuff on the side that we are going to try to include if possible.

We have done 3 years of separate grammar study in addition to 3 years of Latin so starting next year I am dropping the separate grammar program and plan to concentrate more of our energy in Latin and the grammar therein (a la LCC).

It's interesting that you mentioned logic as that is the next area I plan to explore, figure out my options, make a plan, etc. You're planning to use mind benders? Hmmm... I'll have to check that one out. I was looking into The Fallacy Detective, too, but, to be honest, this is one area I have not researched very much and I need to. :o

[Laura Corin]

It looks good - are you managing art and PE?

Laura

[Heather in NC]

It looks good - are you managing art and PE?

Laura

Art is just not happening. :( Ds can't stand anything related to coloring, pasting, painting, etc. He has never liked it, even when he was little. I even tried doing lapbooks with him and he hated it. We do "informal" art history like museum visits and what-not but that's about it for now. For junior high I am thinking about Omnibus which includes some art history as well but I have given up on him actually creating any art.

We don't do "formal" PE either. So his PE basically consists of being a 9yo boy...riding his bike, running, climbing, playing, swimming, etc. He doesn't care for "team sports" but loves to play outside with his brother and friends.

Luckily, Art and PE aren't required subjects where I live or I would be in trouble!

[Mom2legomaniacs]

We have done 3 years of separate grammar study in addition to 3 years of Latin so starting next year I am dropping the separate grammar program and plan to concentrate more of our energy in Latin and the grammar therein (a la LCC).

It's interesting that you mentioned logic as that is the next area I plan to explore, figure out my options, make a plan, etc. You're planning to use mind benders? Hmmm... I'll have to check that one out. I was looking into The Fallacy Detective, too, but, to be honest, this is one area I have not researched very much and I need to. :o


That's what I figured for the grammar. But since I am not familiar with the texts you are using, I thought I would ask. You are farther ahead in Latin than we are :o. I am just trying to finish Prima Latina this year so we can move on!

I have not totally decided on the Logic area yet myself. I am looking at Mind Benders, Red Herrings, Fallacy Detective, and some other Critical Thinking books. I would like to see them in person to decide though. I might see if the Christian Bookstore nearby has them in their home school area.

[Lorna]

Art is just not happening. :( Ds can't stand anything related to coloring, pasting, painting, etc. He has never liked it, even when he was little. I even tried doing lapbooks with him and he hated it. We do "informal" art history like museum visits and what-not but that's about it for now. For junior high I am thinking about Omnibus which includes some art history as well but I have given up on him actually creating any art.


If he really dislikes art then this might be a fun book for him...Quentin Blake's
Drawing for the Artistically Undiscovered (Klutz)

It is by the illustrator of the Roald Dahl books. It comes with artist quality pen and pencils. It begins by doing really simple things like smudges of smoke etc. It is basically holds your hand and everything you do in the book looks great because it becomes part of a Quentin Blake drawing.

They main problem a lot of adults and older children have is that they become frightened to draw. They worry about things not being good enough. The best artists stay 'loose' and free with their drawing as long as possible. An artist learns by experimenting. In reality, this means an artist must make lots and lots of mistakes and then challenge themselves to find ways around the mistakes. An artist is someone who can make a mistake and then take a step back from it and see that it 'works' in a new way. A piece will take on a life of its own then and that it when the artist becomes hooked.
Try your son with different materials and then just leave him to get on with it. Shut him up in his room for a few hours :D
I find different materials suit different people. He might not look like he can draw but he turns out to be a painter...
Try:
chalk pastels
oil pastels
watercolours
acrylic paints (on a cheap canvas or board)
charcoal,
graphite stick
dark brown soft pencil
white soft pencil on black paper
conte crayon (terracotta red perhaps)
black and white paint on its own/ burnt umber and white
collage using newspaper
pen and ink
brush and ink

Try different approaches:
drawing only with his left hand
drawing after listening to music
a life-sized self portrait (but of his imaginary self)
a mandela
self-portrait in a mirror


Suggest something to him but tell him he doesn't need to show you the result at the end (if there even is one). Art is a very private thing. Just set time aside in the day for it. Don't worry if there isn't anything to show for hours of work. One can have a very intense time learning with art but not have anything at the end (just a very full bin). That is really great too.
If someone is dis-satisfied with their work it only indicates that they have an eye for what they want it to look like. It is an indicator of potential. Worry more if he is entirely content with his work.

[Heather in NC]

If he really dislikes art then this might be a fun book for him...Quentin Blake's
Drawing for the Artistically Undiscovered (Klutz)

It is by the illustrator of the Roald Dahl books. It comes with artist quality pen and pencils. It begins by doing really simple things like smudges of smoke etc. It is basically holds your hand and everything you do in the book looks great because it becomes part of a Quentin Blake drawing.

They main problem a lot of adults and older children have is that they become frightened to draw. They worry about things not being good enough. The best artists stay 'loose' and free with their drawing as long as possible. An artist learns by experimenting. In reality, this means an artist must make lots and lots of mistakes and then challenge themselves to find ways around the mistakes. An artist is someone who can make a mistake and then take a step back from it and see that it 'works' in a new way. A piece will take on a life of its own then and that it when the artist becomes hooked.
Try your son with different materials and then just leave him to get on with it. Shut him up in his room for a few hours :D
I find different materials suit different people. He might not look like he can draw but he turns out to be a painter...
Try:
chalk pastels
oil pastels
watercolours
acrylic paints (on a cheap canvas or board)
charcoal,
graphite stick
dark brown soft pencil
white soft pencil on black paper
conte crayon (terracotta red perhaps)
black and white paint on its own/ burnt umber and white
collage using newspaper
pen and ink
brush and ink

Try different approaches:
drawing only with his left hand
drawing after listening to music
a life-sized self portrait (but of his imaginary self)
a mandela
self-portrait in a mirror


Suggest something to him but tell him he doesn't need to show you the result at the end (if there even is one). Art is a very private thing. Just set time aside in the day for it. Don't worry if there isn't anything to show for hours of work. One can have a very intense time learning with art but not have anything at the end (just a very full bin). That is really great too.
If someone is dis-satisfied with their work it only indicates that they have an eye for what they want it to look like. It is an indicator of potential. Worry more if he is entirely content with his work.

WOW...that is a lot of awesome information!!! To be honest, I was kind of bummed that he has no interest in art of any kind...no crafts, no coloring, nothing. When I make him color the pages from our SOTW AG he basically scribbles all over it and doesn't even attempt to stay in the lines. He took an art class at co-op and CRIED over it. The only thing I have found that he likes that is art-related is pottery so he has had a few of those classes.

It's weird because he is VERY musically-inclined. He is wonderful on the piano and is picking up guitar quickly so you would think he had that right-brained creative streak in him...but in reality, I think it is the mathematics behind the music that he loves. He loves grammar and Latin and Math but loathes writing and art.

I am going to try some of your suggestions and see what happens!

[Hoggirl]

My ds is just not into art either. He is a music guy, and just hates to draw. However, I did want him to have some working knowledge re: art. I have finally ended up with a series of three books from Calvert. One is on painting, one is on architecture, and one is on sculpture. There are actual art lessons included in the lesson planning book, but we just do the ones related to art appreciation. There is a short chapter to read, some art cards to peruse, and a few questions to discuss orally. There are also internet links listed. This has been "just right" for us in terms of getting some sort of art instruction done, even though it isn't doing art...at least it is learning about art. We just do it one day a week for about 30 minutes.

[Beth in Central TX]

I was doing some pre-Logic material with my boys this year, but I dropped it. We'll do the Mindbenders CD this summer though. If you decide to include Logic, I would recommend Thinking Toolbox before Fallacy Detective. Each book has 36 lessons, and we were doing 1 lesson a week.

I've been trying to tweak our schedule and get rid of the little things that take up time and seem like busy work. The one day a week Fallacy Detective fell in that category, so I stopped it. A very wise High School poster on the old WTM boards kept saying that pre-logic work wasn't really necessary. It took me almost 2 years, but I finally agree. I'm only doing the Mindbenders this summer because (1) we have the cds now and (2) the boys like computer time, but we don't have many games. This is just our experience though.

You said your son has had 3 years of Latin, so I'm assuming he's had LCI & II in order to be in the on-line MP Henle class. With such a strong Latin background going into the 5th grade, grammar shouldn't be a problem. However, I would suggest English Grammar for Students of Latin as a resource to have on hand as he works through Henle.

Thank you for the Answers in Genesis link. It's given me something new to think about; not that I needed another option though! There's too many good programs and not enough time...

[Lux Et Veritas Academy]

Looks great- I have a future 5th grader too! This is a good post to get my wheels turning:)

[Heather in NC]

If you decide to include Logic, I would recommend Thinking Toolbox before Fallacy Detective. Each book has 36 lessons, and we were doing 1 lesson a week.


You said your son has had 3 years of Latin, so I'm assuming he's had LCI & II in order to be in the on-line MP Henle class. With such a strong Latin background going into the 5th grade, grammar shouldn't be a problem. However, I would suggest English Grammar for Students of Latin as a resource to have on hand as he works through Henle.

Thank you for the Answers in Genesis link. It's given me something new to think about; not that I needed another option though! There's too many good programs and not enough time...


I was looking at both of those logic programs. Do you plan to go further afterwards? I was looking at the MP logic classes for high school and thought the Fallacy Detective and Thinking Toolbox might be a good start to those.

Yes, my ds has had Prima Latina, LCI and we are finishing up LCII this year. I have no Latin background and have relied heavily on the DVDs from the LC program to teach ds and myself. This is why I am considering the online course for Henle...it makes me feel better! :D I will look into that grammar guide...thanks!

I really like the AIG products and I have lots of them! We went to the creation museum last summer and it was awesome!

[Beth in Central TX]

For Logic, I do plan to use TLI and TLII, but I might wait and just do them both in one year in 9th grade. If not, then I'll do TLI in 8th grade when we start Algebra and TLII in 9th grade.

Thinking Toolbox and Fallacy Detective are good books to introduce Logic, I just don't think you need to take a whole school year to do them. We'll probably read through both books the summer before we begin TLI.

[Beth in SW WA]

Looks like an awesome schedule. My kids might be in your online Henle 1 class. We will finish up LC 2 this summer.

Doesn't it feel good to have a "plan" for next year?

Fun, fun :)

[Karen in CO]

You plan looks wonderful. Since you are leaning LCC, I don't think you need to do logic unless you want to. The logic is part of the complex process of translating.

For art, my ds at that age used the Mark Kisler (sp) Draw Squad. It was simple progressive drawing and he learned to draw and still sketches. Another thing to try is perhaps Manga drawing. That was another one that was a hit with him.

[Heather in NC]

Looks like an awesome schedule. My kids might be in your online Henle 1 class. We will finish up LC 2 this summer.

Doesn't it feel good to have a "plan" for next year?

Fun, fun :)

That would be fun!!! I am so excited to have this planned out. I've never been ready this early on!

[Beth in SW WA]

You plan looks wonderful. Since you are leaning LCC, I don't think you need to do logic unless you want to. The logic is part of the complex process of translating.

AMEN! My kids are only in LC 2 but they love the mental gymnastics of translating. So many levels of thinking to get it right. You mean we could skip the formal study of logic? Did Drew really say that in his book? I'll have to look that up.

I also read on these boards that logic is helpful for geometry (or vice versa)...

[Laura Corin]

We don't do "formal" PE either. So his PE basically consists of being a 9yo boy...riding his bike, running, climbing, playing, swimming, etc. He doesn't care for "team sports" but loves to play outside with his brother and friends.


My rule of thumb is an hour a day of exercise that brings colour to the cheeks/raises the breathing rate. Right now my boys spend at least an hour a day on their roller blades. They come in thirsty and pink in the face.

Best wishes

Laura