Over the years, homeschool planning has been pretty simple since we use Classical Conversations as our spine. Automatically, I spend the summers, combing through online sources to add diversity and inclusion using the different learning methods: auditory, reading/writing, & kinesthetic. Here is what we have for the upcoming school year:
5TH GRADE TWINS
MATH:
Saxon 5/4
My Math Assistant. Game changer for me! Grading site created by a homeschool dad that grades their work, provides videos for extra assistance and keeps a running tally of assignments, tests, and facts practice!
ENGLISH & WRITING
Classical Conversations Grammar
Students learn how to parse the English language, focusing on all the parts of speech and how to recognize them. This includes an excellent practice of diagramming one sentence 4 days per week.
Editing
Learning how to use punctation correctly, recognize spelling and grammar mistakes is an essential part of the language process. They edit a paragraph of Scripture 4 days per week.
Writing
We use the IEW writing process that introduces structure and style to writing. Students write about historical events.
Presentations
Students do weekly presentations. Since our homeschool lacks in people of color and female contributions, my kids tend to enlighten their classmates with notable characters that enhance historical contributions.
PACES CURRICULUM
Paces is an Easy-To-Implement, Rigorous and Biblically-Centered Workbook Curriculum For Grades Prek-12. We use them for Bible Reading, Social Studies, and Science.
Bible Reading
This year focuses on the life and parables of Christ.
Social Studies
PACES Social Studies. I love these books because they are easy, informative, and keep God as the focus. Students learn about all kinds of careers.
Science
PACES Science. This year’s focus is on water, matter, and gas.
Art
Usually, I rely on the 6-weeks dedicated to the basics of art through Classical Conversations.
Health
Horizons Health
PE
Mateo – Soccer
Inez – Tennis
8TH GRADE CURRICULUM
Classical Conversations – Challenge B
Classical Conversations has been our core for over 10 years. When a student gets to the Challenge years (7th – 12th grades), the work becomes more rigorous and uses a classical Christian process for learning. Essentially subjects are used to teach a skill. For example, Math is used to teach Logic, Latin is used to teach Grammar, etc. Following is the 8th Grade curriculum for this year:
LOGIC – Math Saxon
GRAMMAR – Latin
RESEARCH
1st Semester
History of Astronomy. 15 weeks of researching different Scientists that have left on mark on modern society. We include black inventors and the origins by which Greek scholar acquired their info.
2nd Semester
10 weeks discussing the Creation/Evolution debate w/ the last 5 weeks devoted to chemistry and how to use the periodic table.
REASONING
1st Semester
Introductory Logic
2nd Semester
Intermediate Logic
EXPOSITION – Literature & Writing
1st Semester: Reading the following books, discussing w/ me, and write papers on each:
- The Phantom Tollbooth
- Little Britches
- Where the Red Fern Grows
- Hiding Place
2nd Semester:
Students transition to the adult reading level recommended in the higher Challenges by studying short stories from various famous writers they will encounter in Challenges I–IV. Students take the entire semester at home to write a short story of their own.
DEBATE:
1st Semester
The American Experience Storybook
Additional reads and discussions w/ mom and dad:
-Bible
-A People’s History of the United States
-Digging Deeper Document I created to add diversity and inclusion to the discussion
2nd Semester
Mock Trial
HEALTH: Horizon’s Health
PE: Basketball
ART: Free MOMA Class
Course: Reimagining Blackness and Architecture (FREE CLASS)
- Charles Davis on the expansive field of architecture
- Adrienne Brown on the Reconstruction era
- Kara Walker on 40 Acres of Mules, 2015
- Deana Lawson on Nation, 2017
This is the plan for the year. Our big girl is in college, so I’m down to three at home. Always make time for emotional check-ins, one-on-one time, field trips, and fun!
—
Jamia E.
Christian. Wife. Mother. Educator. Model. Actress.
Lord, give me the wisdom to navigate through this life all to your glory.
James 3:13-18
Growing Sunflowers 