4th Grade Curriculum Choices {2020/21}
Good morning, friends! I've noticed an uptick in the views of my curriculum recommendations posts, and I'm guessing it's in part due to all of the moms who are suddenly finding themselves homeschooling due to COVID-19. I spoke about this on my Instagram stories, but I'll say it again here. If you are in that position, please give yourself heaps and heaps of grace. Most of us had the "brick and mortar" school experience, so it's ingrained in our brains that we need to recreate that environment at home for our children to learn. We don't. When you look at the history of education, going to school is a relatively new development, beginning in the late 1800s/early 1900s. And look at how many brilliant people, who were educated at home, lived vibrant and impactful lives! Even though I'm entering my seventh year of homeschooling, I still struggle with finding myself wanting to recreate the "school" experience at home. My best advice: on busy, hectic days when you just can't (you know what I mean), read aloud to your children and give them plenty of time to play outside. Boardgames are also fabulous "curriculum," covering many subjects, providing bonding experiences, and being just plain fun!
What's changing since last year? Conner will be taking his first online course, Latin for Children - A, through Scholé Academy. He will also be starting the Classical Conversations Essentials program, so we will be dropping most of his other Language Arts curriculum. We've switched from All About Spelling to Spelling Workout; not only do I think this program is more effective for my child, but it's also a lot easier and less time-consuming for me to teach! I'm also sad that, due to an increase in price, we need to drop the boys' tennis lessons.
Let's dive into our fourth-grade curriculum choices!
Note: Classical Conversations is a wonderful program that assists me in teaching many subjects! These include Bible, math, English grammar, writing, Latin, history, fine arts (drawing, tin whistle, great artists, and orchestra), science, and geography. For the sake of avoiding repetition, I am not going to include CC in the list below.
- Bible: Sunday School, Midweek School?
- Math: Math-U-See Delta
- Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser Grade 4
- English Grammar: Essentials of the English Language (This curriculum is only available to registered members of a Classical Conversations community. I like it a lot, but if we weren't doing CC, we would continue with First Language Lessons – Level 4.)
- Writing: IEW U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons (This program has been designed specifically for Classical Conversations communities.)
- Spelling: Spelling Workout - D
- Literature: We read lots of great books! I frequently reference Read-Aloud Revival when choosing literature.
- Latin: Latin for Children - A through Scholé Academy (He uses this text.)
- Spanish: Duolingo
- Fine Arts: piano lessons, field trips to our local theaters
- History/Timeline/Social Studies: Story of the World read-alouds, CNN 10
- Typing: Typing Instructor
- P.E.: swimming
Click below to see our past curriculum choices:
[2019/2020] Kindergarten
[2019/2020] Third Grade
[2019/2020] Sixth Grade
[2018/2019] Fifth Grade
[2018/2019] Second Grade
[2017/2018] First and Fourth Grade
[2016/2017] Kindergarten and Third Grade
