Math

After six years as a faithful Saxon math student, Kaylee made the switch to Math-U-See (Epsilon level) this year. I’m pleased that she is finally understanding fractions well. Even better? She recently told me that she actually likes math now!

Grammar

Kaylee is using Daily Grams 7 for grammar this year. She has been using the Easy Grammar and Daily Grams texts for three or four years now, and I believe they have helped her develop strong grammar, usage, and mechanics skills.

Writing

This year Kaylee is using Winning with Writing to develop writing skills. I personally like the format of this text, particularly the way that each part of the writing process is emphasized. However, Kaylee prefers a more free-style approach to writing, so we’ll be using a different text next year.

Literature

This year Kaylee used School of Tomorrow Literature 7 PACEs. The study booklets include basic comprehension questions, but they do not contain literary analysis or in-depth study of any kind. They have, however, been easy for her to use independently.

Vocabulary

Kaylee used Working with Words 7 for vocabulary practice this year. She commented several times about how much she enjoyed this inexpensive workbook.

Social Studies

This year Kaylee is covering Pennsylvania history. She is using Keystones 2 Pennsylvania History, a literature-based study. This approach seems to be more interesting than the typical textbook coverage of our state’s history.

Science

Kaylee is using School of Tomorrow Science PACEs this year. She is a motivated independent learner, so the PACEs have been a good fit for her. She has asked to continue with PACEs again next year.

Health

Kaylee completed the School of Tomorrow Health Elective PACEs this year. This course is designed as a high school health course. Even though Kaylee is an excellent student, this course was very challenging for her. In retrospect, I would have delayed this course until ninth grade.

Physical Education

Kaylee pursues physical fitness by participating in both group and individual activities. As a family, we try to promote individual exercise as a life-long habit.

What materials have you used and loved (or not) for seventh grade?

Math

Keaton is using School of Tomorrow Math PACEs. While he has definitely made a lot of progress in math this year, he is noticing how much fun the other children are having with Mr. Demme and Math-U-See. So it looks like he’ll be making a change for the new school year.

Grammar/Writing/Literature

This year Keaton is using School of Tomorrow English PACEs. Unfortunately these have not been a good fit for him. He loves being able to work independently, but the parts of speech and grammar rules are introduced too quickly for him to really master the material.

On the other hand, Keaton has really enjoyed the School of Tomorrow Literature and Creative Writing PACEs. Based on some recommendations that I had read, we chose to place him in the fourth grade PACEs for this subject. This year he has read and enjoyed books such as The Red Rag Riddle and Charlotte’s Web. I’ve appreciated the thorough coverage of reading comprehension and the gentle, fun approach to writing paragraphs.

Spelling/Vocabulary

Keaton’s spelling and vocabulary are both covered in the School of Tomorrow Word Building PACEs. Each PACE covers fifty spelling words. Although he would prefer to do more of the work orally, he has done very well with the PACEs.

Social Studies

Keaton is using School of Tomorrow Social Studies PACEs to study American history from its beginning until the present time. The PACEs also cover U.S. geography, focusing on learning states and capitals, and the location of each state. The new fourth edition PACEs are a big improvement over the older version, with more color and the addition of some actual photographs.

Science

The School of Tomorrow Science PACEs have been a big hit this year. Keaton loves the format of the PACEs and finds the content very interesting. Topics this year have included work and force, potential and kinetic energy, living and nonliving matter, and volcanoes. As with the Social Studies PACEs, the fourth edition is much more colorful and appealing than previous editions.

Art/Music

Art and music have been very relaxed and self-directed this year. Keaton follows his own creative interests in art, mainly drawing and doing thumbprint art. For music, he participates in group singing and children’s programs at church, and he listens to a variety of musical styles and artists at home.

Physical Education

Keaton does not participate in any team sports. Instead, we encourage him to be physically active in individual and group activities, and try to promote individual exercise as a lifelong habit.

Are you wondering why Keaton has done exclusively PACEs this year? He requested to have all PACEs because he desired to work independently as much as possible. Although we will be making several changes next year (most notably math and grammar), he is still interested in learning on his own as much as he possibly can.

What materials have you used with your fifth-grader?

Linked to Big Family Friday.