5th grade Curriculum Choices | 2023-2024 | Secular Collab

[@EatPrayCrunch1]

100% on the same page for sex ed. It has been an ongoing conversation with my kids since they were old enough to ask any sort of question. There will not be one awkward "talk" since we have been talking about it openly since the beginning. Usually, they ask a question, we discuss it in an age appropriate way, and carry on with life. It's not a big deal at all. I actually just got Sophie Celebrating You as well, and the boys' counterpart for Alex. I love the body positive approach! Totally going to check out some of these other books too. They look great!

[@NCAWiggy]

What are your thoughts on Core Knowledge for grade 5 and above? I know you liked it in the younger grades.

[@michellegf]

I am excited to try some of the units in the future. I plan on using their civics and history for middle school. The science definitely seems rigorous and I like that it’s more independent. I haven’t looked much into the language arts components yet.

[@morganestarr]

If you have a schedule for your fifth graders work and wouldn’t mind sharing, I’d love to see it! We have very similar plans for the year 😊

[@michellegf]

Yes just finished finalizing her schedule today. I will make a video on it soon, so keep an eye out for it!

[@liljdw1]

Yay! I was just going to ask how you combine MCT and Lightning Literature with her. It's something I'm interested in doing but don't want to overwhelm my daughter.

[@michellegf]

@@liljdw1 the way we use MCT is pretty much just reading the books. I have a video on how we use it kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX7SlXysor6ZpZI

[@OdetoAbode]

I love your Sex Ed / Puberty and period-positive resources! Def will keep those in mind for next year...

[@michellegf]

It’s definitely entering new territory for us as she is my oldest but I’m excited to explore these topics with her.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Thanks for sharing!

[@palomasandoval6806]

Thank you for sharing! Your videos always inspire me. We will be trying Lightning Lit for the first time this year.

[@michellegf]

I hope it goes well for you!

[@EatPrayCrunch1]

What are you guys thinking of doing for high school? Alex will be in 5th grade too, and starting to think about this as we approach middle school when he will be able to get some high school credits. Homeschooling high school honestly freaks me out with the whole transcript thing, especially since my kids will likely be going to college and an accredited transcript will be critical. At this point we are seriously considering K12 or Connections Academy online.

[@michellegf]

High school freaked me out at first too, but the more I look into it the better prepared I feel. That’s one of the reasons I’m planning out middle school now as it leads directly into the plan for high school. It’s one of the reasons I was mapping out math to make sure my daughter was on track to take Algebra 1 in 8th grade. The more research and planning I do the better prepared I feel. I also found this video my Arlene & Company to be really helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWfUcn58p8d2gJY The transcripts are intimating at first but I’ve come across excel templates that you just plug in the information and it does the calculations for you. I do plan on utilizing dual enrollment when my oldest is 16. My plan is to prepare my kids for higher education no matter what path they end up taking. As far as college admissions I think earning college credit will look good on their applications and help with the overall cost of college. There is also a Facebook group called College Confident Homeschoolers that I’ve found helpful as well.

[@EatPrayCrunch1]

@michellegf This is really good to know, thank you! We are considering online school for the first 2 years. Then the dual enrollment program Running Start for the last 2 years. And thanks for the FB group suggestion! Just joined and friended you 😊

[@kissingerhomeschoolacademy8067]

I come to your channel consistently for secular picks thank you so much

[@michellegf]

I’m glad your finding my channel helpful! 😄

[@jschamonix]

Did you look at IEW 1B? We used 1A last year and now trying to decide what to do for next. I was worried that 2A would be too repetitive. Anyone have insights on 1B?

[@michellegf]

I’ve briefly looked at 1B. I know IEW is meant to be repetitive based on its mastery approach. From what I’ve read it’s supposed to build upon what the kids have learned in previous years. However I’m still waiting for new concepts to be introduced. I will say this year the source text seems to be longer. My daughter definitely has the structure down to the point that’s it’s quite easy and almost automatic for her, which I think is the overall goal of IEW.

[@brittanyannegarrett1869]

So happy to see these health reccs

[@TheLearningLadder]

Great to see your picks. Best wishes for the new homeschool year.

[@michellegf]

Thank you!

[@mamamatheson1889]

Can you share the link for the word ladder worksheets?

[@michellegf]

www.literacyatwork.net/uploads/8/3/5/9/8359813/word_ladders_worksheets_4-6.pdf

[@mamamatheson1889]

@@michellegf Amazing! Thank you so much!

[@HomeschoolwithMelissa]

Thank you for sharing

[@ashleym9305]

Can you explain how your daughter does Sadlier? Do you try to complete reading the story and all the pages in a week or two weeks? Does she do a few pages a day? Thank-you.

[@michellegf]

I have her read the story and do one page on Monday. The following days she completes 1 page a day. Sometimes she will do 2 on Friday depending on the length of the units. She will complete one whole unit in a week.

[@ashleym9305]

​@@michellegf Thank-you so much for explaining this breakdown.

[@klolAF]

Need to add mandatory to read the Holy Bible

[@michellegf]

My kids are exposed to plenty of scripture as they’re active members in our faith community.

[@bebespeaks7827]

Secular is the same thing as non-religious, it’s a-okay for different parents to choose different homeschooling paths for their families. Sometimes parents decide any biblical academics might be reserved for Sunday’s, and standard academics would be on the weekdays. Others decide to skip biblical material altogether.