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Welcome to the second 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 grades three and four. 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.
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The library will be an important resource for you this year as your child expands her reading abilities. Continue providing loads of books to read and look through. Remember to make time to read to your child in addition to allowing your child to read 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...mostly because if you are like me, the printer is always​ out of ink.

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. 

Below are the subjects and the resources covered this year. The print versions are what we use in our house and can be purchased. The downloads are completely free and are often the PDF version of the print copies. If I couldn't source the PDF version, I have located a comparable text/workbook that will work for you. This is the easiest way to make it free for your family. You can choose to download it onto your computer and either print it out or simply read it like an ebook.  

Subjects & Books


Geography

A lot gets covered in this year, but all of it is so much fun. Use the workbook, but also use your world to talk about geography. Talk about where you live. For example, by the end of this year, your child should know what town, state, and country the live in AND be able to locate them on appropriate maps. I also like to turn geography into art during this year by making all sort of maps together. We make maps of kingdoms and islands and planets. More practical maps develop too. For example, when my daughter went through this year, I had her make a map from our house to gymnastics (FOUR MILES AWAY) as we walked there. This proved to her the importance of knowing how to describe, in both images and words, how to get somewhere. Some of the topics covered this year are:
  • Floor Plans
  • Map Keys
  • Compass Rose
  • Intro to US Geography
  • Intro to Global Geography
  • Time Zones
  • Longitude and Latitude

Print Version
  • The Complete Book of Maps & Geography

​Download
  • Geography Workbook

History

In Year Two, we focus on introducing American history, the regions of the United States, U.S. topography, U.S. regional cultures and economies, and the U.S. government.
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Print Version
  • Social Studies, Level 4: States and Regions

Downloads
  • Social Studies Level 4 Workbook
  • Social Studies Level 4: Unit 1
  • Social Studies Level 4: Unit 2
  • Social Studies Level 4: Unit 3
  • Social Studies Level 4: Unit 4
  • Social Studies Level 4: Unit 5
  • Social Studies Level 4: Unit 6

Language Arts

This year we continue to reinforce previous reading skills and strive to advance literacy skills. Language arts serves as the umbrella for several integrated topics including spelling, reading, writing, and grammar. 

Spelling
  • Year Two

Grammar
We continue building on the skills we learned in year one, including: sentences, combining sentences, compound sentences, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, combining subjects, future tense, past tense, pronoun-verb contractions, run-on sentences, complex sentences, comparison words, and prepositions.

​Print Versions
  • Treasures Grammar Practice Book, 3
  • Treasures Grammar Practice Book, 4

Downloads
  • Grade 3 Grammar 
  • Grade 4 Grammar 

​Reading
Here are the concepts we will cover in Year One and that should aim to have your child master:
  • Words with Short Vowels
  • Words with CVCe Pattern
  • Homographs
  • Story Maps
  • Fact vs. Opinion
  • Words with /ch/, /th/,/ph/,/wh/,/sh/
  • Parts of a Book
  • Summarizing
  • Anatomy of a Story
  • Cause and Effect
  • Words with /oi.
  • Idioms
  • Analogies
  • Long vowel sounds
  • Authorial Purpose
  • Base Words
  • Prefixes

Print Versions
  • Treasures Reading Level 3, Book 1
  • Treasures Reading Level 3, Book 2
  • Audio CD for Level 3, all stories
  • Treasures Reading Level 4

Downloads
  • Treasures Reading Level 3
  • Treasures Reading Level 4

 Suggested Literature/Book List 
  • Leveled readers (fiction and nonfiction)
  • The One and Only Ivan
  • Amelia Bedelia (any of them)
  • Junie B. Jones
  • Mercy Watson
  • Alvin Ho
  • Claude in the City
  • Humphrey's Tiny Tales
  • Roald Dahl Books
  • The Boxcar Children
  • Geronimo Stilton

Writing
Continue having your child(ren) writing in a journal and doing both structured and free writing activities.  Here are some things we will cover:
  • Writing narratives, opinion pieces, short reports, and creative works.
  • Start on cursive
  • Work on penmanship​

Print Version
  • 180 Days of Writing for Second Grade

Year Two
  • Level 2/3 Writing Lesson Plan
  • Beginning Cursive Workbook
  • Penmanship Worksheets

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 my Art page to figure out how to incorporate it.

Music

  • Rhythm, melody, etc…
  • Memorize songs
  • Listen to music from around the world
  • Continue learning instrument
  • Play other simple instruments

Science​

Science! It's all about exploration and understanding how each branch works together. This year we will explore:
  • Plant and Animal Life Cycles
  • Fossils
  • Soil and Earth's Composition
  • Objects in Motion
  • Forces
  • Machines
  • Weather
  • Human Anatomy
  • Nutrition

Print Versions
  • Science Grades 4
  • The Complete Book of Science, Grades 3-4

Downloads
  • Science Level 2 Text
  • Science Level 2 Workbook
  • Science Level 2 Activity Lab Book

Math

For Year Two, we use Saxon Math 5/4. 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. Saxon Math 5/4 has 120 lessons and most students complete this text in one year. 

Printed Version
  • ​Saxon 5/4

Download
  • Saxon Math 5/4
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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