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4th Grade
When our kids were in grades 1, 4, and 7 we began using
a curriculum called Tapestry of Grace. TOG follows the “classical method”
using a 4-year rotating cycle of Ancients, Middle Ages/Reformation, Early
Modern and Modern. Based on a Christian worldview, this is the BEST
curriculum I have ever used. Having all three of my girls using the same
curriculum means that they all cover the same topics and subjects, but
each grade level has age appropriate activities and expectations. Each
Year Plan can be purchased in digital format (DE) as well as in print. You
purchase the lesson plans (instructions) for Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and
Year 4 and then use them over again as you go through each cycle. If you
began this curriculum with your child in 1st grade you would go through
the 4 year cycle 3 times before he graduates (going through Ancients in
grades 1, 5, and 9). The reading books and reference materials will
change with each grade level as you go through the curriculum, but you
only have to purchase the lesson plans once. You can purchase additional
pieces to go along with the curriculum for subjects like writing/grammar,
map work, etc. We added our own math and science for the older students
and the Tapestry lesson plans provided instructions for everything
else...including hands on projects!
At first glance, it can be intimidating. I
honestly looked at it for 3 years and didn’t think I could do it, but I
eventually figured out that each Year Plan has everything in it for
grades 1-12 and I would never “do it all” in one
year. We have now worked with Year Plans 1, 2, and 3 and
I can honestly say that 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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