Another year at Layton Academy! I’m down to one homeschool student. It will be interesting come January to see which curriculum I love and which I hate. It never fails every year I have such high hopes for something and usually end up hating it quickly switching it out by Christmas.
5th Grade Curriculum Choices
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Math:
Teaching Textbooks 5 – online. I am over-the-moon happy TT has finally gone subscription online. I am so sick of loosing discs, changing discs, scratching discs, authenticating discs over the phone … no more discs! Since we keep going with Math through the summer Henry is well into this curriculum already. He is happy for new backgrounds and characters – I’m just happy he’s naturally good at math. My oldest was not and that was a pain. I don’t have to beg, plead, bribe, or threaten to get math done.
History:
Story of the World, Book 3 Modern. I chose the cd’s this year instead of reading the book like last year. I’m enjoying the break! I still picked up the Activities Book and Tests. Henry really wants to be ‘quizzed’ – he enjoys tests.
Geography:
I realize we’re doing 2 “social studies” subjects, but since History is a lighter curriculum I wanted to continue mapping work. I picked Trail Guide to World Geography. This is not a “full curriculum” and I had to pick up a few other pieces. Like the Know Geography World Atlas. But I do like all of the maps on the disc and how easy I can print them out!
I’m hoping to turn one night a week into a Geography Cooking opportunity. Henry really wants to cook and I’d like for us to try different meals. This should be interesting for both of us!!
Language Arts:
IEW Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales. We really enjoy myths and Aesop’s Fables, so this should be a great fit. My oldest wasn’t fond of the Robin Hood curriculum – so I’m hoping for a better experience this year.
Word Up. I loved this product from Compass Classroom years ago. I’m still super bummed they never made a part 2. I can not rave about this product enough. It’s fun, smart, and well done.
All About Spelling 5&6. We’re finishing book 5 (from last year) and moving into book 6 before the end of the year. This has been the best spelling curriculum both my boys greatly enjoyed.
Reading:
Who Was Series. I’ve picked 30 books and he will work on a timeline and autobiography notebooking pages. I want him to be able to see where these people line up with each other and other subjects we’re studying.
Spanish:
I’m still on the hunt for something wonderful, but right now we’re using Teach Them Spanish Grade 5. We’re making flash cards and playing games. I’m teaching this more hands-on just like the way I taught my Latin classes. Henry is loving it so far.
Science:
I’m “outsourcing” science through our co-op, Keystone Academy, so he’ll be going there for an hour & half Wednesday afternoons. The curriculum is Science in the Age of Reason, we’ve liked this curriculum for the last two years. I bought the book to do review and tests at home too.
I have decided this year – for the 1st time in 10 years – I am not counting “bible” as a subject. I noticed in my oldest his disregard for reading the Word outside of “assigned bible time”. It has broken my heart that I turned it into a school subject which stole his enjoyment and curiosity. I’m hoping to avoid the same mistake with my youngest. We will be in the Word but not counting it as a subject. This will be his last year of AWANA.
Fine Arts
To fill in my creative arts holes … Henry will go back to Keystone Academy’s Fine Arts Enrichment Classes. He is taking Art, Set Design, and Theater on Tuesdays. This is an amazing opportunity. His teacher has a degree in theater and puts on some of the funniest well made original plays. Besides, the students actually learn about acting – not just line memorization!! He has really enjoyed musical theater. Last year he was in 2 plays at 2 different places with performances the same week …. both with lead roles. He never got a line wrong.
Field Trips
We usually renew our Orlando Science Center membership, but this year I needed a change. I purchased an annual membership for just Henry and me at the The Florida Aquarium. It’s a little over an hour drive from here, but it’s the best in the state. I’ve heard great things about their science classes and exhibits.
P.E.
I noticed such positive things from his time in a yoga class last year, thru the youngyogiprogram, I hope we can replicate some of that at home. I purchased 2 books, 100 Yoga Activities for Children: Easy-to-Follow Poses and Meditation for the Whole Family and Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children: Teaching Yoga to Children Through Poses, Breathing Exercises, Games, and Stories.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find another place that offers homeschool kids yoga classes that are more than just poses and games. I really want to help him focus on meditation and handling tough situations, anger, and disappointment better. As well as positive body image and listening to your body. My goal this year is to work towards my own yoga certification and then focus on being a certified kid instructor.
Also, Henry takes weekly tennis lessons and plays in a fall & spring tennis tournament in our community.
I am looking forward to this last year of elementary! I have some goals for myself and I’m looking forward to homeschooling only one child. He has never had my undivided attention before.
You can follow our homeschool posts on Instagram at @stefmlayton or #laytonacademy .