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Welcome to the fifth year of homeschooling! This homeschooling curriculum is more advanced than public school; if you didn't begin homeschooling from the start with our program, then this year is approximately grade seven. You can learn more about deciding what level to place your child in by reading my 'Welcome" post.

This homeschooling program operates on a quarter system and teaches all subjects. You can learn about the system and schedule HERE. Since everyone has different lives, we will provide the resources to use and leave it to you to build the schedule - -this is important because every child works at a different pace. We recommend buying a teacher's planner and taking a few weeks before the school year to pencil in (please use a pencil...you will regret it if you use a pen and need to adjust it down the road) the lessons. Use the books' tables of contents and natural stopping points to schedule the lessons. Don't cram too much into each week, but use what we suggest should be completed in one school year to help you decide how much and when.

The library will be an important resource; continue providing loads of books, whether they are at, above, or below her reading level. Many kids like to re-read easy books once they gotten the hang of things, and that's okay. Remember, that you need to be spending time daily reading to your child in addition to your child reading to you.

​We aim to make this program as free as possible by providing links to sites, free books, and worksheets, but many times you might find it easier to buy the textbooks we use.

Art and music should be very free flowing subjects. Many times you will find ways to incorporate art into the other subjects. For music, we recommend selecting an instrument and teaching your child how to play (or hire somebody or take classes, etc…). For art, you can supplement with lessons at your community center or just follow what we do.  

Subjects & Books


Geography

Geography at this stage is continuing to know where countries are around the world as well as discussing localized geography. Some of the concepts we touch on this year are: U.S. regions, using maps, climate regions, landforms, branches of geography, natural resources, and the relationship between weather and physical geography.

Print Versions
  • Geography Warm-Ups
  • 180 Days of Social Studies: Grade 6
  • DK Workbooks: Geography, Sixth Grade: Learn and Explore

Downloads
  • Geography Unit 1
  • Geography Unit 2
  • Geography Unit 3
  • Geography Unit 4
  • Geography Unit 5
  • Geography Unit 6

History

Starting in Year Five, we do a two-year rotation on American History. It's a nice change from the world history we've been doing and allows us to hone in on the framework of America. Now, my family doesn't follow the "Praise the Colonists" mentality that many textbooks would have us believe, so we integrate first-person sources from people of color, natives, women, as well as read books with a slanted perspective on American history. 

Printed Versions
  • The American Republic to 1877
  • A Young People's History of the United States: Columbus to the War on Terror

Downloads
  • ​The American Republic to 1877
  • Building the American Republic, Volume 1 ;A Narrative History to 1877

Language Arts

Language arts serves as the umbrella for several integrated topics including spelling, reading, writing, and grammar. Starting in Year Four, we switch to a book that covers writing, grammar, and reading comprehension in one text. This year we write full-length essays, reports, speeches, and creative stories. In grammar, we continue to build on previous skills.

Spelling
  • Year Five

Grammar/ Reading Comprehension/Writing
Print Versions
  • Houghton Mifflin English: Student Book, Grade 7; covers writing, reading, and grammar
  • ​English, Level 7 Work Book

Downloads
  • Level 7 Grammar Workbook
  • Reading Level 7
  • Level 6 Writing Workbook
 
Suggested Literature/Book List 
  • Robinson Crusoe
  • The Time Machine
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • The Giver
  • The Eragon Series
  • Touching Spirit Bear
  • Omnivore's Dilemma, The Young Reader's Edition
  • Lord of the Flies
  • Science Verse
  • Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor
  • Zen Shorts

Art

Art is such an important part of education and life that I insist that you include it in your education program. Art is liberating, creative, and gives humans a feeling of accomplishment. Art should be both instructive and it should also allow budding art students the freedom to create as they wish – so it’s important that all criticism is constructive, not demeaning. Check out the art page to get started.

Music

  • Rhythm, melody, etc…
  • Memorize songs
  • Listen to rock, hip hop, and jazz
  • Continue learning instrument
  • Try other instruments

Science​

Here’s what we explore:
  • Cells to Organisms
  • Structure and function of plants
  • Human Anatomy
  • Water
  • The Solar System
  • Matter (types and changes)

Printed Versions
  • Science: Grade 7
  • Science Warm-Ups

Downloads
  • Science Level 5 Text
  • Science Level 5 Workbook
  • Science Level 5 Activity Lab Book

Math

For Year Five, we use Saxon Algebra 1/2. Not the homeschool edition (beware of those homeschool editions and packets – they are a total waste of your time and money), just the good ole fashioned textbooks. This book covers fractions, decimals, percents, mixed numbers, signed numbers, order of operations, evaluation of algebraic expressions, and solutions for linear equations in one unknown.

Print Version
  • Saxon Algebra 1/2​

Download
  • Prealgebra​
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  • Home
  • Educate
    • Oregon Homeschool Laws
    • The Schedule
    • Early Years
    • Year One
    • Year Two
    • Year Three
    • Year Four
    • Year Five
    • Year Six
  • Subjects
    • Grammar
    • Writing
    • Spelling
    • Reading
    • Science
    • Geography
    • History
    • Math
    • Art
  • Homeschooler Meals