My baby is doing Calvert fifth grade with 6th grade math. *sob* Where has the time gone? I want the tiny squalling pink creature back! That's not to say that my baby isn't brilliant and wonderful; of course he is (and I'm sure all of yours are, too). But the time passes too swiftly.
Included in Calvert's fifth grade course are several novels, including Shiloh (the first one we're reading), The Secret Garden, Sing Down the Moon, Sign of the Beaver and American Tall Tales. We're also studying US History and Geography. Science expands on what we've done in past years, Grammar and Composition are givens. Art History is a wonderful course. For fifth grade, it's the study of the history of painting. It's funny, but Ryan recognizes styles and many of the paintings he learned about in this course. I hope Mark enjoys it as much.
Eighth Grade will be intense. We're studying Algebra for Ryan's math course this year (I read through the tests, and am happily stunned at how much I remember). Science starts with the study of cells, and will progress through 5 books. Ryan, too, is studying US History and Geography. If we get sunshine early next week, I'm going to send the boys out to draw a US map in the driveway. If you can't have fun, what's the point of school? Grammar and composition will doubtless be increasingly intense, as is spelling. There is a separate vocabulary study course, and, of course, reading. The course starts with Johnny Tremain. Other novels include David Copperfield, the Hounds of the Baskervilles and The Prince and The Pauper. We're also reading "story" poetry this year, such as Casey at the Bat. Hopefully we'll enjoy that more than "sissified" poetry like Emily Dickenson.
Of course, the Lesson Manuals for Calvert School can't be beat. I don't have to think so much as read and talk to the kids. I couldn't do this without the manuals.
I may be crazy, but I also ordered a Civics in America course for the two boys, along with Discoveries in Art and Latin I. We've started the art course (and we'll see if I can stick with it), I want to start Civics next week, and I don't know if I'll fit Latin in this year. I've been known to take on more than is humanly possible, and this just might be such a case.
I hope you've all enjoyed your preview of my school year. Now, off to some sewing, and pie crust making (I'm trying, I'm trying!), and whatever else happens in my little corner of the world. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
7 comments:
Calvert delivers such a great program, almost has me wanting to go back to school again.... until you wrote the word "algebra"*.
Happy reading for all 3 this school year. Be sure the boys each read some from the novels out aloud to darling Thor. Would hate for Thor to miss the plots.
(*I probably need to relearn the maths I've forgotten)
Happy School Year 2009/2010 to all,
care and huggles to Thor and his student humans at home, Michelle and Zebbycat xxx and purrrrroaring
I miss eighth grade! I think Ryan will enjoy the poetry this year; David did and that says a lot (he hates English).
Good luck with the pies!
I love box day! Looks like the boys are in for a great year ... busy ... but great! You know what I like to do when I first open the boxes? I get the teachers manual, flip to a random page about half way through, and jot down today's date on the page along with what we are up to that day. Then I do the same thing in the second manual. Then, months from now, when you actually come across those pages, it's always fun to look and see how much we've accomplished since first writing on the pages. Yeah, I'm a little crazy that way.
I loved the 5th grade Art History course, and surprisingly, so did my kids! It was my favorite out of the art series, and one of the reasons that I fell in love with Calvert.
Hope that Ryan enjoys Science again this year. I really liked the way it was set up last year.
What time should I arrive for pie? :-)
Do you EVER just sit down and take a breather?
Girl, if I had your energy and enthusiasm, I could accomplish heaps more than I do!
You're one amazing - and fantastic - mother and your family is truly blessed to have you!!
Keep working on those piecrusts, and I'll bring the blueberries when I come over!
It sounds like your school year will be filled with work and fun. Your enthusiasm is contagious. I'm sure your kids will catch it and have a wonderful learning experience!
I read "home schooled" but that helped me realized how much work that must be.
I also liked the good solid classic literature selections they had for 8th grade. I'm glad you are still able to cover those with the analysis and discussion sections in Calvert's manual.
We have enjoyed many of Calvert's enrichment courses (including Discoveries in Art) and look forward to your review of the civics and Latin programs. We were considering Latin to increase appreciation of grammar and word origins.
Our oldest of three boys will be going on to the 4th grade in a few months. Did Mark have any favorite enrichments (DIR, CHOW & grammar CDs) he did for 4th grade?
The curriculum for 5th and 8th grades looks great. Thank you for the detailed reviews.
I also liked the good solid classic literature selections they had for 8th grade. I'm glad you are still able to cover those with the analysis and discussion sections in Calvert's manual.
We have enjoyed many of Calvert's enrichment courses (including Discoveries in Art) and look forward to your review of the civics and Latin programs. We were considering Latin to increase appreciation of grammar and word origins.
Our oldest of three boys will be going on to the 4th grade in a few months. Did Mark have any favorite enrichments (DIR, CHOW & grammar CDs) he did for 4th grade?
The curriculum for 5th and 8th grades looks great. Thank you for the detailed reviews.
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