Homeschooling a Grade 4 or 5 child? Choosing the right homeschool curriculum can feel overwhelming, especially when your children are in those crucial years. These are the years where foundational skills solidify, and learning becomes more complex. But what if you had access to a seasoned expert who could walk you through the best options, tailored to Australian families?
That’s exactly what you’ll find in our latest YouTube video! I recently sat down with Neralea from The Educational Warehouse, an absolute gem in the Australian homeschooling community. Neralea, who homeschooled her own children through to Grade 12, now helps thousands of families find their perfect educational fit.
In our chat, Neralea shares invaluable insights and practical recommendations for homeschooling parents, whether you have an average learner, a child with dyslexia, or a gifted student needing extension. While our focus was on Grades 4 and 5, many of the resources discussed are fantastic for a wider range, from Grade 2 to Grade 7.
Watch the full video here for all the details and visual demonstrations!
Key Takeaways from Our Grade 4 & 5 Homeschool Curriculum Deep Dive:
Neralea emphasises that the best curriculum starts with understanding your homeschooling philosophy and, crucially, your child’s learning style. Observation is key! Are they auditory, visual, or hands-on learners? This insight will guide all your choices. (She even recommends John Holt books and Charlotte Mason resources to help you explore philosophies further!)
Here’s a snapshot of the curriculum and resources we explored:
Mastering Mathematics in the Middle Years
For Homeschooling Grade 4 and 5 maths, Neralea highly recommends:
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- Singapore Math Think Math: Praised for its metric system compatibility, focus on problem-solving, and suitability for dyslexic children.
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- Beast Academy: A graphic novel approach, perfect for gifted students who excel in math and need an extension.
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- Mammoth Maths: A budget-friendly option with free accompanying videos available (check Neralea’s website for those).
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- Life of Fred: A unique, story-based program that teaches maths in real-life contexts.
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- Don’t forget great supplementary picture books like the Circumference books and Pythagoras books!
Unpacking English & Literacy Components for Grade 4 Homeschooling
English is multifaceted, and Neralea breaks down solutions for each component:
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- All-in-One Option: The Learning Language Arts Through Literature covers punctuation, spelling, grammar, and more, all within a classical framework.
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- Spelling: For Grades 4-5, Neralea suggests Spectrum Learning workbooks or the more structured Memorial Press Spelling Program.
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- Composition & Writing: The powerhouse Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) comes highly recommended, especially for its formulaic approach which benefits dyslexic learners and provides a solid foundation right through to university-level writing. Keep an eye out for Lost Tools of Writing as a potential alternative!
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- Grammar: Fix It Grammar is a popular choice that pairs wonderfully with IEW. You can even try it out with a free four-week trial on The Educational Warehouse website!
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- Penmanship: Explore Memorial Press Cursive Writing and tips for children with fine motor challenges (think whiteboards).
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- Reading Fluency: Neralea stresses the importance of reading, reading, reading! She loves Jackie French books for their historical content and suitability for diverse learners. Also, check out Memorial Press Literature Units for classical titles.
Journeying Through History (The World & Australia)
History can be a captivating subject, some resources recommended:
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- World History: Story of the World is a widely loved, story-based program with activity books, suitable for multiple ages. History Quest is another excellent, secular alternative with a focus on living books.
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- Australian History: Neralea shows Linda Mayer’s Australia the Wide Brown Land and Our SunBurnt Country. She also points to extensive Indigenous history living books on The Educational Warehouse website. Remember, timelines and engaging living books are fantastic additions!
Exploring Science & Nature
For science, Neralea suggests focusing on different topics each year:
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- Real Science Odyssey: A comprehensive, all-in-one book with experiments.
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- Common Sense Press: Offers various topics (plants, insects, human body) and is great for multi-age use, focusing on lap books.
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- Memorial Press Book of Trees: An excellent resource for pairing with nature study.
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- Neralea shares fantastic tips for nature journaling and recommends “Keeping a Nature Journal” as a guide.
Mapping Out Geography
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- Trail Guide to World Geography Renee: An award-winning, multi-year, multi-grade program that’s easy to implement.
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- Neralea also highlights the essential tools for any homeschool classroom: a good atlas and a globe.
Embracing STEM
Instead of rigid textbooks, Neralea advocates for a natural, hands-on approach to STEM. Think Lego, building kits (like hydraulics), and exploring engineering principles through play!
Where to Find These Resources and More!
Neralea’s store, The Educational Warehouse, is a treasure trove for Australian homeschoolers. While she imports many fantastic American curricula (which she explains are often designed by homeschoolers, for homeschoolers!), she also stocks excellent local options and pre-owned books.
You can explore their vast range on their website, including dedicated sections for living books (under “Charlotte Mason”) and a new feature to browse products by grade level. If you’re on the Gold Coast (Qld), you can even visit the mini-warehouse – just remember to book an appointment first as per council regulations!
And for even more shared wisdom, don’t forget to check out the Homeschool Resource Finder directory and our community group! It’s a fantastic place to read reviews and hear shared opinions on a wide variety of homeschooling resources, helping you make informed decisions for your family.
This video is packed with so much valuable information. We encourage you to watch the full discussion to see the resources in action and gain Neralea’s full wisdom.
