Fifth Grade Homeschool Curriculum {2014-2015}
This year marks a big milestone for Collin. He will be completing all the remaining requirements for elementary school in our state (Pennsylvania)!
I need to make it clear that he is not skipping a year. Rather, he is “catching up” to the level in which he actually belongs. (I have thoroughly learned my lesson on lagging behind–even a little–on completing each year’s work!)
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we will receive a small commission. See our Disclosure Policy for more information.
Fifth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Plan
Math – Math-U-See Delta
As part of the whole “catching up” thing, Collin is working on math through the summer. By the end of this school year, he will hopefully have completed Math-U-See Epsilon as well.
Theoretically a sixth-grader should be doing MUS Zeta (one level higher than Epsilon). However, Collin is on track to finish MUS Zeta and Pre-Algebra during junior high, followed by Algebra I in ninth grade. With that in mind, I’m completely satisfied with his progress.
Grammar – Easy Grammar
This will be our family’s sixth year to use Easy Grammar. Yes, we love it!
Writing – Just Write
I really wanted to enroll Collin in an online writing class this year, but unfortunately the cost didn’t fit our budget. Instead, we will continue to use Just Write, with some extra emphasis on building solid paragraph-writing skills.
Spelling – School of Tomorrow Word Building PACEs
At Collin’s request, he will be switching back to Word Building PACEs this year. He felt that he learned spelling words more easily when he used PACEs previously.
Reading – Collin will be reading some excellent chapter books this year. His reading will focus on Pennsylvania history, since we need to fit that in somewhere this year. I’m sure he’ll need more books than these, but here’s what I have planned so far:
- William Penn: Liberty and Justice for All (Heroes of History)
- Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia (Landmark Books)
- The Light in the Forest
- The Cabin Faced West
- Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison
Social Studies, Science, and Bible
These resources worked so well last year that both Collin and I knew we wanted to continue with them! As you can tell, he is an independent learner with a preference for traditional learning methods.
- School of Tomorrow Social Studies PACEs
- School of Tomorrow Science PACEs
- School of Tomorrow Bible Reading PACEs
Interested in seeing last year’s curriculum choices for fourth grade? Here is our Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Plan from 2013-2014.
What are your homeschool plans for next year?
I just love ALL the information you provide. We are in PA too! Where do I find the “requirements” that all elementary students “should” have before they complete and move onto middle school? At HSLDA site? Thank you for ALWAYS being an encouragement to me.
Hi, Tracy! I can’t remember if we’ve chatted here before or not, but if not, I’m happy to meet another PA homeschool mom. 🙂
The elementary requirements are in the homeschool law, which is most easily found on the HSLDA site. However, I keep this handy checklist in my kids’ files to make it easier. I really need to get this into a handy format and publish it here on the blog, but in the meantime you can copy and paste if you want. 🙂
Math
English (includes spelling, reading, and writing)
U.S. history
PA history
Geography
Civics
Science
Health & physiology
Phys Ed
Art
Music
Safety & fire safety
Each subject needs to be taught at least once, but according to my evaluator, the district superintendents prefer that fire safety be covered every year. Hope this is helpful!
Yes, Very helpful! Thank you again. Your a blessing!!!
Ooh, I love your reading about Pennsylvania history! And I love how tailored this is to the things that help him learn the best. As always I can’t wait to see your older-grades info too – you know that’s what I’m scoping out. I can’t believe I’m entering the high school years with Sarah!
Thanks, Joan! The older grades are coming as fast as I get time to write them. 🙂
I use Just Write and recommend to many families. I find it to be gentle but very helpful and set up to provide progress in writing. MUS has been helpful for us too, but we are at the same situation as you in which level we are at. I have set this year up with the girls to be able to move as fast through Delta as they can and want, then on to Epilsilon. I have a 6th and 8th grader and keep their curriculum pretty close together for most of our school.
I enjoyed reading about your choices. Do you have any younger ones, or is this the youngest? Here’s what we are doing this year http://www.sherryssong.blogspot.com/.
Blessings.
Hi Sherry,
I do have a 6-year-old who is doing kindergarten this year, but we only do math and phonics at that age. Thanks for stopping by!