Planning the Academic Year for Grades K-8
for The 5-Minute Homeschool Time
STEP 0: Understand the organization of your state's standards of learning and testing requirements.
I print out all of my state's standards of learning for the 4 primary academic subjects for grades K-8th and keep them in a binder: language arts, math, social studies, and science. Let's see how these objectives are developed from year to year in each subject.
I print out all of my state's standards of learning for the 4 primary academic subjects for grades K-8th and keep them in a binder: language arts, math, social studies, and science. Let's see how these objectives are developed from year to year in each subject.
- Language Arts and Math are sequential subjects -- the skills keep piling on, but not at the same pace.
- In Math, new skills are added each year. It is the most intense subject academically, and the one you cannot afford to get behind in. BUT, it does not mean you need to approach it in a cycling manner (little bit of addition, little bit of subtraction, little bit of fractions, little bit of geometry, etc.) which can be non-conducive to mastery.
- In Language Arts new skills are not introduced every year. In fact, there is a 3 year cycle, in which the first year, the skill is introduced. The next year, the skill is applied with help. But, by the 3rd year, the skill should be mastered. The cycles are grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8.
- Social Studies and Science cycle in a similar manner. In my state, there is a certain amount of content that is developed between grades K and 2. Then in 3rd through 5th grades, the content is revisited with more detail. Then in 6th through 8th, it builds up again with even more detail. But, it is all the same content. Up through 8th grade, the primary purpose in Science is vocabulary acquisition. There are lots and lots of terms in science to learn.
STEP 1: For each subject, I reorganize the Standards of Learning, showing how each topic is developed over the 3-year cycle.
At the start of Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 6th grade, I review my standards of learning again and make a list of each topic's progression over that 3 years. For example, here is Science grades K-2 organized by topic.
At the start of Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 6th grade, I review my standards of learning again and make a list of each topic's progression over that 3 years. For example, here is Science grades K-2 organized by topic.
Force Motion Energy
Matter
Life Processes
Living Systems
Space
Earth
Nat. Resources
Force Motion Energy
Force Motion Energy
K. Effects of magnetism, characteristics of magnetic materials, attractants, useful and 2. important applications, iron, magnetic vs. Nonmagnetic, poles
1. Straight, circular, back and forth Motion, motion vibrate and make sound, push or pull can change movement
K. Effects of magnetism, characteristics of magnetic materials, attractants, useful and 2. important applications, iron, magnetic vs. Nonmagnetic, poles
1. Straight, circular, back and forth Motion, motion vibrate and make sound, push or pull can change movement
Matter
Matter
K. Matter can be described by color, shape or form, texture, relative size and weight, relative position and speed; 2. phases of matter, mass and volume, change of phase b/c of energy transfer
Water - K. different phases, flows down, float/sink; 1. How materials interact with water (separate vs. Mix, dissolve or not, dissolve easier in hot water)
K. Matter can be described by color, shape or form, texture, relative size and weight, relative position and speed; 2. phases of matter, mass and volume, change of phase b/c of energy transfer
Water - K. different phases, flows down, float/sink; 1. How materials interact with water (separate vs. Mix, dissolve or not, dissolve easier in hot water)
Life Processes
Life Processes
K. Living vs. Nonliving are growth, movement, respond, offspring, need food air water, death
K. Plants need...; 1. basic parts, classification; 2. Life cycles
K. Animals need...; 1. Classification, physical characteristics; 2. Life cycles
K. Living vs. Nonliving are growth, movement, respond, offspring, need food air water, death
K. Plants need...; 1. basic parts, classification; 2. Life cycles
K. Animals need...; 1. Classification, physical characteristics; 2. Life cycles
Living Systems
Living Systems
2. Interdependence, habitat, fossils
2. Interdependence, habitat, fossils
Space
Earth/Space
K. How Shadows are made; 1. Sun helps earth, east/west sun travel
2. ID common storms and weather phenomena, use and importance of measuring recording and interpreting weather data over time
K. How Shadows are made; 1. Sun helps earth, east/west sun travel
2. ID common storms and weather phenomena, use and importance of measuring recording and interpreting weather data over time
Earth
Earth
K. Patterns in Basic weather observations, shape and form of natural objects, animal plant growth;
K. change over time can be measured; 1. Weather and seasons change over time and affect plants and animals (2. Growth and behavior) and land. Changes include temp, light, precipitation.
K. Patterns in Basic weather observations, shape and form of natural objects, animal plant growth;
K. change over time can be measured; 1. Weather and seasons change over time and affect plants and animals (2. Growth and behavior) and land. Changes include temp, light, precipitation.
Nat. Resources
Earth resources
K. Reuse, recycle, conserve and benefits; 1. Natural resources are limited, factors affecting air and water quality;
2. Plants make oxygen and food, plant products, plants determine geographical development, plants provide home, food, oxygen for animals, they reduce erosion
K. Reuse, recycle, conserve and benefits; 1. Natural resources are limited, factors affecting air and water quality;
2. Plants make oxygen and food, plant products, plants determine geographical development, plants provide home, food, oxygen for animals, they reduce erosion
In grades 6 to 8, science starts to be taught like in high school, a complete independent subject each year: earth science, physical science (chemistry and physics), and life science, so no need to reorganize topics to see progression.
Topics for Language Arts include Penmanship (Script K-2nd, Cursive 3rd), Reading Fluency (K-2nd), Reading Comprehension (K-8th), Grammar (1st-8th), Writing (K-8th). For my homeschool, I consider Typing (3rd-5th) and Drawing (K-5th) essential academic skills, so I add them in.
Topics for Social Studies include US History (K-3rd, then 5th-7th), State History (grade 4), World History (elementary, then middle), Geography, Civics and Economics. I like to organize US History by time periods which will take you through AP US History: 1491-1607 - A New World; 1607-1754 - Colonial America; 1754-1800 - American Revolution; 1800-1848 - American Expansion; 1844-1877 - Civil War; 1865-1898 - Industrial Revolution; 1890-1945 - The World Wars; 1945-1980 - World Super Power; 1980-Present - Internet Revolution.
Topics for math include: Counting and Place Value, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Decimals, Geometry and Time, Pre-Algebra topics (PEMDAS, positive and negative operations, variables and equations). I do make sure my children are taking Algebra in 8th grade, so they finish 12th with Calculus!
Topics for Language Arts include Penmanship (Script K-2nd, Cursive 3rd), Reading Fluency (K-2nd), Reading Comprehension (K-8th), Grammar (1st-8th), Writing (K-8th). For my homeschool, I consider Typing (3rd-5th) and Drawing (K-5th) essential academic skills, so I add them in.
Topics for Social Studies include US History (K-3rd, then 5th-7th), State History (grade 4), World History (elementary, then middle), Geography, Civics and Economics. I like to organize US History by time periods which will take you through AP US History: 1491-1607 - A New World; 1607-1754 - Colonial America; 1754-1800 - American Revolution; 1800-1848 - American Expansion; 1844-1877 - Civil War; 1865-1898 - Industrial Revolution; 1890-1945 - The World Wars; 1945-1980 - World Super Power; 1980-Present - Internet Revolution.
Topics for math include: Counting and Place Value, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Decimals, Geometry and Time, Pre-Algebra topics (PEMDAS, positive and negative operations, variables and equations). I do make sure my children are taking Algebra in 8th grade, so they finish 12th with Calculus!
STEP 2: I personalize and restructure the standards into my own learning objectives and loosely assign grades for coverage.
This is especially true for math, which is presented in such a cyclic fashion, that I have to reorganize the presentation of material to reflect a mastery approach. For example in math, instead of Kindergarten being spent dabbling in geometry, addition, subtraction, etc. After counting forwards and backwards from 0 to 100 and learning how to read a digital clock, I am laser focused on addition and make sure my student can add 2-digit plus single digit numbers using my dice pattern technique. Then, we do subtraction that way. Then, we learn addition math facts. Then, we learn their corresponding subtraction math facts using the triangle technique. I don't touch fractions. I don't touch geometry. But, by 2nd grade, my student will have covered all the learning objectives for K-2nd. I just make sure my student masters a well-developed topic before moving on. This is the exact same thing I do in Science. I organize and structure by topic and teach all the way to the highest level in the cycle before moving on to another topic.
This is especially true for math, which is presented in such a cyclic fashion, that I have to reorganize the presentation of material to reflect a mastery approach. For example in math, instead of Kindergarten being spent dabbling in geometry, addition, subtraction, etc. After counting forwards and backwards from 0 to 100 and learning how to read a digital clock, I am laser focused on addition and make sure my student can add 2-digit plus single digit numbers using my dice pattern technique. Then, we do subtraction that way. Then, we learn addition math facts. Then, we learn their corresponding subtraction math facts using the triangle technique. I don't touch fractions. I don't touch geometry. But, by 2nd grade, my student will have covered all the learning objectives for K-2nd. I just make sure my student masters a well-developed topic before moving on. This is the exact same thing I do in Science. I organize and structure by topic and teach all the way to the highest level in the cycle before moving on to another topic.
STEP 3: I search for mastery-based curricula or skinny review resources to help me stay focused on objectives and guide my teaching presentation for each subject.
Math
Science
Social Studies
Math
Two Plus Two is Not Five, then...
Mastery Mathematics by Letz Farmer
(Grades 1-5)
OR
TeachingTextbooks.com (start at level 3)
(Grades 2-8)
NOTE: In my house, we start Algebra 1 in 8th grade.
Mastery Mathematics by Letz Farmer
(Grades 1-5)
OR
TeachingTextbooks.com (start at level 3)
(Grades 2-8)
NOTE: In my house, we start Algebra 1 in 8th grade.
Science
GRADES K-2
Science4Us.com
(just skip earth origins module)
AND
NewPath Learning Early Childhood Science Readiness Flip Charts
GRADES 3-5
NewPath Learning Complete Set of 6 Elementary Multimedia Science Lessons (big picture overview coverage)
AND
NewPath Learning Grade 3, 4, 5 Visual Learning Guides Set (each grade has different topics)
GRADES 6-8
Everything You Need to Know to Ace Middle School Science
(Grades 6-8, obviously we skip the chapter on macro-evolution)
AND OR
NewPath Learning Middle School Earth Science Visual Learning Guides Set
NewPath Learning Middle School Life Science Visual Learning Guides Set
NewPath Learning Middle School Physical Science Visual Learning Guides Set
Science4Us.com
(just skip earth origins module)
AND
NewPath Learning Early Childhood Science Readiness Flip Charts
GRADES 3-5
NewPath Learning Complete Set of 6 Elementary Multimedia Science Lessons (big picture overview coverage)
AND
NewPath Learning Grade 3, 4, 5 Visual Learning Guides Set (each grade has different topics)
GRADES 6-8
Everything You Need to Know to Ace Middle School Science
(Grades 6-8, obviously we skip the chapter on macro-evolution)
AND OR
NewPath Learning Middle School Earth Science Visual Learning Guides Set
NewPath Learning Middle School Life Science Visual Learning Guides Set
NewPath Learning Middle School Physical Science Visual Learning Guides Set
Social Studies
GRADES K-2
NOTE: I do not worry about Social Studies until my student is fully reading (It's easy to catch up for K-2 Social Studies - the objectives can easily all be completed in 1 year)
StudiesWeekly.com Grade 2
OR BrainPopJr.com Social Studies (easy quiz level)
AND picture book biographies of main people in history
GRADES 3-5
SOLPass.org (Virginia Studies)
BrainPopJr.com Social Studies (hard quiz level)
GRADES 6-8
BrainPop.com Social Studies
AND
Everything You Need to Ace Middle School American History
AND
Everything You Need to ACE Middle School World History
NOTE: I do not worry about Social Studies until my student is fully reading (It's easy to catch up for K-2 Social Studies - the objectives can easily all be completed in 1 year)
StudiesWeekly.com Grade 2
OR BrainPopJr.com Social Studies (easy quiz level)
AND picture book biographies of main people in history
GRADES 3-5
SOLPass.org (Virginia Studies)
BrainPopJr.com Social Studies (hard quiz level)
GRADES 6-8
BrainPop.com Social Studies
AND
Everything You Need to Ace Middle School American History
AND
Everything You Need to ACE Middle School World History
Penmanship
Reading Fluency
Spelling
Reading Comprehension
Grammar
Writing
Typing*
Drawing*
Penmanship
GRADES K-2 (Script)
Highlights Write-on Wipe-off Let's Write Numbers
Highlights Write-on Wipe-off Let's Write Letters
Highlights Write-on Wipe-off Let's Write Words
THEN
School Zone Bible Numbers Fun PK/K workbook
School Zone Bible Alphabet Fun PK/K workbook
School Zone Bible Printing Fun PK/K workbook
School Zone Bible Shapes and Colors Fun PK/K workbook
(OPTIONAL: School Zone Bible Mazes, Dot-to-Dot Numbers, Dot-to-Dot Alphabet, Hidden Pictures -- all PK/K)
GRADE 3 (Cursive)
Highlights Write-on Wipe-off Let's Write Cursive
Highlights Write-on Wipe-off Let's Write Numbers
Highlights Write-on Wipe-off Let's Write Letters
Highlights Write-on Wipe-off Let's Write Words
THEN
School Zone Bible Numbers Fun PK/K workbook
School Zone Bible Alphabet Fun PK/K workbook
School Zone Bible Printing Fun PK/K workbook
School Zone Bible Shapes and Colors Fun PK/K workbook
(OPTIONAL: School Zone Bible Mazes, Dot-to-Dot Numbers, Dot-to-Dot Alphabet, Hidden Pictures -- all PK/K)
GRADE 3 (Cursive)
Highlights Write-on Wipe-off Let's Write Cursive
Reading Fluency
GRADES K-2
The Reading Lesson by Michael Levine (phonics approach, with sight words mixed in)
OR
Bob Books series (wholistic phonics approach -- use if your child hates sounding out words)
The Reading Lesson by Michael Levine (phonics approach, with sight words mixed in)
OR
Bob Books series (wholistic phonics approach -- use if your child hates sounding out words)
Spelling
GRADES K-2
Dr. Fry's Instant Words (1 to 500) --- learn and practice on SpellingCity.com
GRADES 3-5
Dr. Fry's Instant Words (500 to 1000) --- learn and practice on SpellingCity.com
Dr. Fry's Instant Words (1 to 500) --- learn and practice on SpellingCity.com
GRADES 3-5
Dr. Fry's Instant Words (500 to 1000) --- learn and practice on SpellingCity.com
Reading Comprehension
GRADES K-2
Story Analysis*: easy reader books from library
GRADES 3-5
Story Analysis*: Primary Treasure Magazine
Information Text: StudiesWeekly.com
GRADES 6-8
Story Analysis*: Guide Magazine
The Common Core Guidebook: Informational Text Lessons, Guided Practice, Suggested Book Lists, and Reproducible Organizers, Grades 6-8 by Rozlyn Linder
*My Story Analysis Reading Comprehension Objectives by Level:
Story Analysis*: easy reader books from library
GRADES 3-5
Story Analysis*: Primary Treasure Magazine
Information Text: StudiesWeekly.com
GRADES 6-8
Story Analysis*: Guide Magazine
The Common Core Guidebook: Informational Text Lessons, Guided Practice, Suggested Book Lists, and Reproducible Organizers, Grades 6-8 by Rozlyn Linder
*My Story Analysis Reading Comprehension Objectives by Level:
| story_reading_comprehension_step_by_step.pdf |
Grammar
GRADES K-2
ABCMouse.com Grammar King videos only (Levels 7 and 8)
GRADES 3-5
GRADES 6-8
Everything You Need to Ace Middle School Language Arts (Grammar sections)
ABCMouse.com Grammar King videos only (Levels 7 and 8)
GRADES 3-5
GRADES 6-8
Everything You Need to Ace Middle School Language Arts (Grammar sections)
Writing
GRADES K-2
Four-Square Writing Method Grades 1-3
GRADES 3-5
Four-Square Writing Method Grades 4-6
Write in English from LearnAmericanEngish.com
GRADES 6-8
Four-Square Writing Method Grades 7-9
Four-Square Writing Method Grades 1-3
GRADES 3-5
Four-Square Writing Method Grades 4-6
Write in English from LearnAmericanEngish.com
GRADES 6-8
Four-Square Writing Method Grades 7-9
Typing*
Computer Literacy and Typing are essential skills that must be incorporated into the 5-Minute Homeschool.
GRADES K-2
ABCMouse.com (Levels 5 and 6 - Kindergarten only for Computer Literacy)
OR
Keyboarding Without Tears (Grade 1 or 2)
GRADES 3-5
Typing.com, Beginner and Intermediate Typing Lessons (Aim for near 30 WPM speed)
Typing.com, Digital Literacy
GRADES K-2
ABCMouse.com (Levels 5 and 6 - Kindergarten only for Computer Literacy)
OR
Keyboarding Without Tears (Grade 1 or 2)
GRADES 3-5
Typing.com, Beginner and Intermediate Typing Lessons (Aim for near 30 WPM speed)
Typing.com, Digital Literacy
Drawing*
The goal in Drawing is to be able to doodle effectively and create graphic organizers. This will help in middle school and high school with note-taking.
GRADES K-2
Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make a World
GRADES 3-5
Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make a World
Laura Candler's Graphic Organizers for Reading: Teaching Tools Aligned with the Common Core
GRADES K-2
Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make a World
GRADES 3-5
Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make a World
Laura Candler's Graphic Organizers for Reading: Teaching Tools Aligned with the Common Core
* Typing (and computer literacy) and Drawing are not in the state standards of learning, but they are in my standards of learning. These two skills, if mastered, will help your student gain academic independence faster and promote good visual note-taking skills that should be mastered in the middle school years in preparation for high school.
STEP 4: For each subject, I decide what the primary presentation model (how I model/teach a new lesson) and the minimal activities we will do for the school year.
I aim as much as possible to not vary assignments. I want my students to learn a "learning routine" that helps promote their independence and focus their working memory on actually mastering information/skills than trying to figure out what is going on. Since we will only be spending 5 minutes on a subject each day, there is no need to design elaborate class periods or make entertaining exercises. Please know that we do go deeper into some topics that are very interesting to us, usually through independent study, projects, or field trips, but that is not part of our 5-Minute Homeschool time.
I aim as much as possible to not vary assignments. I want my students to learn a "learning routine" that helps promote their independence and focus their working memory on actually mastering information/skills than trying to figure out what is going on. Since we will only be spending 5 minutes on a subject each day, there is no need to design elaborate class periods or make entertaining exercises. Please know that we do go deeper into some topics that are very interesting to us, usually through independent study, projects, or field trips, but that is not part of our 5-Minute Homeschool time.
STEP 5: I set my pace for how long I think it will take to accomplish my learning objectives and overall educational goals.
We work year round since we only school for 5 minutes per subject per day, and I also look to see if I can skip grades after my kids finish 1st grade and take their first standardized test that shows them at or above 3rd grade level in everything. I make sure by the end of 1st grade, they have finished all learning objectives through 2nd grade to also justify the skip.
You may choose to stretch out one full grade to each full year, or you may choose to just school for 9 months if you are able to get through a reasonable amount of objectives. Since you are working with a longer perspective in mind academically (3-year cycles), this also allows you to slow down and simmer or speed up as needed because you have a clear vision of what your student needs to know by the end of that 3-year cycle.
We work year round since we only school for 5 minutes per subject per day, and I also look to see if I can skip grades after my kids finish 1st grade and take their first standardized test that shows them at or above 3rd grade level in everything. I make sure by the end of 1st grade, they have finished all learning objectives through 2nd grade to also justify the skip.
You may choose to stretch out one full grade to each full year, or you may choose to just school for 9 months if you are able to get through a reasonable amount of objectives. Since you are working with a longer perspective in mind academically (3-year cycles), this also allows you to slow down and simmer or speed up as needed because you have a clear vision of what your student needs to know by the end of that 3-year cycle.