Cultivate Learning: 2020-2021 Homeschool Curriculum

As we head into August, I am eager to start our school year and dive into our homeschool curriculum. This is my eighth year of homeschooling, so we have found a routine and schedule that works for our family.

I have three girls that are in 7th grade, 5th grade, and 3rd grade this year. It makes our school time richer to have some subjects where all the girls are learning the same material together. I usually use our History curriculum as our foundational curriculum. Having a foundational curriculum, a theme to unite all other subjects around, helps give their studies more depth and meaning.

This year our foundational curriculum will be My Father’s World: Exploring Countries & Cultures. I taught this curriculum five years ago when my oldest, Adelynn, was in 2nd grade. Now that my youngest is in 3rd grade we are looping back to it again. To challenge Adelynn, I purchased the 7/8 grade supplemental materials.

The unit study Exploring Countries & Cultures includes Bible, Geography, History, Science, Reading, and Art & Music.

Using a curriculum that has a family learning cycle, encourages all the girls to learn at their own level, reinforces the family bonds, and enables discussion around the same topics. When we are studying a specific culture, each girl will have different aspects that they are interested in and yet they all benefit from one another’s interests.

This foundational home-school curriculum does not cover all academic areas, so I will break down what curriculum each of my girls will do this year in addition to Exploring Countries & Cultures. This is an overview; I do add and change the curriculum during our school year if it is too easy or is not developing the skills that I intended them to learn.

7th Grade Home-school Curriculum

Each of my children have a different learning style. Adelynn, my 7th grader, is a logical processor and is able to retain + process information gathered through reading, writing, and listening. The home-school curriculum that I chose for her uses these strengths.

• Math: Saxon Math 8/7
• Science: Apologia General Science
• Writing: Institute for Excellence in Writing Level B
• Grammar: Basics for Communicating Effectively Book 1
• Reading: My Father’s World + Ambleside Online have age-appropriate reading lists
• Dictation: The Harp and Laurel Wreath

5th Grade Home-school Curriculum

Heidi processes new material best when she is able to talk about it. Linguistic, spatial, and rhythmic intelligences are her areas of strength. I challenge her to write mnemonics to help with memorization, draw pictures so she can visualize concepts, and narrate new concepts orally to gain a deeper understanding.

• Math: Singapore Primary Mathematics Grade 6 Set
• Science: Properties of Ecosystems & Living World Encyclopedia
• Writing: Writers in Residence Vol 1
• Grammar: Language Lessons for Today Grade 6
• Reading: My Father’s World + Ambleside Online reading lists
• Copywork: Shakespeare’s sonnets

3rd Grade Home-school Curriculum

Elyse loves words. Last year, she took a writing class at our local cooperative and she told her teacher she just loves words. It is fun to see her writing books, poems, and songs without being prompted. Her home-school curriculum plays to her strengths.

• Math: Singapore Primary Mathematics Grade 3 Set
• Science: Properties of Ecosystems & Living World Encyclopedia
• Writing: Institute for Excellence in Writing Bible Heroes
• Grammar: First Language Lessons Level 3
• Reading: My Father’s World + Ambleside Online reading lists
• Spelling: Spelling You See Level C

Home-school Enrichment Program

This year all three of my girls will be attending an enrichment program one day a week. Some of the classes they will take include a foreign language, art, speech, sign language, photography, home economics, and Shakespeare Improv.

We have been part of a cooperative or home-school group each year. This builds community and enables the girls to have learning experiences outside of our home. I encourage all home-schoolers to get involved with a larger community to enhance the entire schooling experience.

Wrapping Up

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The count down to the first day of school is on. The girls and I are eager for another great year of overcoming challenges, learning new material, and mastering skills. It is rewarding as a teacher to see each of the girls excel in their own ways and lean into who they are created to be.

I hope that this overview of our school curriculum is beneficial to both new and experienced homeschoolers. This is our starting point for the year and I am sure subjects will be added to and supplemental material purchased.

STEM and computer programming are important subjects in our home and will take a whole post to expound on all that we do to challenge the girls in these areas. Stay tuned for more curriculum ideas in these content areas.

I enjoy hearing about what home-school curriculum different families use. What homeschool curriculum would you most recommend?