Fourth Grade Homeschool Basics

For your child’s fourth grade curriculum, I have complied a list for each subject for you to use. Each page will have a list of recommended subjects that you should cover as well as links to materials that I recommend. This list also contains information brought to you by other bloggers. In Fourth Grade Math Curriculum, I discussed the subjects that should be covered in the fourth grade year. This page also gives some suggestions for low cost programs you can use. In Fourth Grade Language Arts Part 1 and Part 2, you will find the many skills that your … Continue reading

But What am I Supposed to Teach?

This is one of the first questions new homeschoolers ask. How are we supposed to know what to teach? Some homeschoolers will turn to the public school system and some systems are very happy to lend texts and materials. Other districts are not so accommodating to homeschoolers, but I have to posit that if what the public school was doing, was working, then perhaps one wouldn’t be homeschooling. In any case, there are several places to look for information on standards and what you should be teaching. Remember that in the younger grades, it is better to look at the … Continue reading

A Response to the NEA’s 2007-2008 Homeschooling Resolution

The NEA, for those of you who don’t know, is the National Education Association. And every year, they pass a set of resolutions as the ’experts’ in education. To be fair, this is one itsy bitsy tiny piece of their entire resolution. In short, they are against home schooling and always have been. They are so against home schooling in fact, that they’re willing to tout an article, written by a janitor, as good reasons not to home educate their child. But I digress. Below is this year’s resolution, and my response. B-75. Home Schooling The National Education Association believes … Continue reading

Preparing for the Big Test

It’s the night before the big test and I mean BIG. Not only am I anxious, but my son is as well. I have to wonder if he is well prepared for what will be on this extensive Social Studies test. I have to admit that part of me is a bit perturbed at the teacher for having such a lengthy outline of what the students may expect on the test. These kids are only in fourth grade and already have to know so much information and in so little time. However, I do realize that teachers have guidelines to … Continue reading

“How Can We Ever Be Friends?” Katie and Vincent’s Story

I read an article in this weeks PEOPLE magazine that really made me smile. It’s a shining example of how peer tutoring, or mentoring, is a fabulous concept that should be promoted in every school in the nation. The article, written by Richard Jerome and Lori Rozsa (May 29, 2006), highlights a special relationship between two students: Vincent Benito, who is 15 and has autism, and his peer mentor, Katie Davis, 13. The two attend Thomas E. Weightman Middle School in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Before Katie made the decision to be a peer mentor, she thought it would be an … Continue reading