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1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade
6th Grade 7th Grade
Extracurricular Activities
4th Grade
When our kids were in grades 1, 4, and 7 we began using a
curriculum called Tapestry of Grace. This is a 4-year rotational
classical style curriculum covering Ancients, Middle Ages, Early Modern
and Modern. Based on a Christian worldview, this is the BEST curriculum I
have ever used with something for everybody. Having all 3 girls using the
same curriculum means that they all cover the same topics and subjects,
but each grade level has different reading material and obviously age
appropriate expectations for written work and discussions. You purchase
the lesson plans for Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 and then use them
over and over again as you go through the rotation. If you began this
curriculum with your oldest child in 1st grade you would go through the 4
year cycle 3 times before he graduates. The reading books and reference
materials will change with each grade level as you go through the
curriculum in future rotations. We only had to add math and science and
the Tapestry lesson plans provided instructions for everything
else...including hands on projects!
At first glance, it can be
intimidating. But perseverance pays off in the end! Seriously, having
used this curriculum for Year 1 Ancients, we are solid in our decision to
use this curriculum until our last child graduates from high school. You
even have access to online help including other users and the authors
through the Tapestry forum on their website. Check it out by clicking
here...
 
My quick overview of the America program:
Year 1 of the America program is a literature based history program. The
school year is divided into 3 units, each unit consisting of 11 weeks of
lessons. Each unit is based on a children’s version of books written by
Peter Marshal and David Manuel. The lesson plans contain activities for
Bible, grammar, spelling, history, art, cooking, science, and MANY hands
on activities throughout the year. Written for grades 3-6,
information is included for younger and older students as well.
My thoughts on how it worked for us:
Ms. Roe did a wonderful job of presenting history in a way which got the
attention of all 3 of my kids as well as their mother (who has sadly been
heard to utter the phrase, “I don’t like history at all!”). We read the 3
Marshal and Manuel books together as a read aloud. My older daughter also
read some of the additional books for her grade level. Reading lists are
provided for additional book ideas for grades 3-4 and 5-6. All 3 of my
kids enjoyed hearing the books and doing the activities together. It
turned out to be one of our favorite subjects!
- Lapbooking
(EXCELLENT way to summarize unit studies)
Several sources are available for lapbooking materials, these are
just the two we have used.
In the Hands of a Child... www.handsofachild.com
Knowledge Box Central... www.knowledgeboxcentral.com
My quick overview of the Singapore program:
Lessons are done with your child from the Home Educator’s Manual. It
tells you what to say and do. Then parent and child go through the
Textbook examples together. Once the child demonstrates that they
understand the concepts, the Textbook points you to the correct lesson in
the workbook.
My thoughts on how it worked for us:
One word – fabulous. After printing and having my daughter take the
placement test from their website, we purchased the Home Educator’s
Guide, student text and student workbook for the 1st semester.
This was relatively inexpensive compared to some other math programs we
checked out. My oldest daughter took well to this program and we
proceeded to use it with our middle daughter when she began 1st
grade. Be aware that the program is generally considered to be a year
ahead of grade level so it is not uncommon to have a child in 4th
grade place in level 3 (especially if you are coming over from another
math program and may not have covered the same concepts covered earlier
by Singapore). We had a friend use Singapore from 1st grade
through 5th with her oldest daughter and at the end of 5th
grade the girl took an Iowa Skills Test and scored in the 10th
grade math. I think we’ll stick with it a while J.
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