This is a basic curriculum to help 4th - 12th grade students and parents in
challenging situations. This curriculum can be used when finances are tight, and/or the
parent works, and must be away from home during part of the day.
The student:
• Will become more independent in his/her learning.
The parent-teacher:
• Will have a plan for the student's education
• Provide assignments
• Require the student to do the assignments - be consistent and committed!
I like to have a review session each morning to make sure the assignments are finished
from the previous day. Any assignments that are left undone by the end of the week must be
done on Saturday before any other activities.
The skill areas of reading, writing, math, and spelling should be the most important
emphasis. If the student is at grade level or ahead, then other subjects such as history,
science, and electives can be added as desired.
Organization:
The student needs a loose-leaf notebook with dividers. The first section should be an
outline of what he/she is to do each day.
The student keeps all written work in the notebook in it's own section. The parent should
take time during the weekend to plan the assignments for the coming week. Write down page
numbers to be read and other assignments. Each day, go over the assignments with the
student to make sure he/she is clear about what is expected. At the end of the day, or the
beginning of the next day, check each assignment and initial the assignment to show that
the assignment was finished and , if desired, given a grade.
Math - Assign a lesson in the math book each day.. The parent should mark the
incorrect math problems each evening, and require all incorrect answers to be reworked the
following day, along with the new lesson. The student should also do at least 5 -10
minutes of math-facts practice each day until he/she is in pre-algebra. These math facts
can be pages of practice problems, computer drill programs, flash cards etc.
Saxon Math 1-800-284-7019
Abeka Math 1-800-874-2352
Spelling
Use the book, Natural Speller, to assign spelling lists to be learned. When my students
misspell words in their written work, I add those words to their spelling lists. I give my
students 4 - 6 new words each day. I have the student write the words correctly several
times, dividing the words into syllables, or easily remembered fragments. They write
each word in cursive once, and printing two more times. Then they write each word in
a sentence.
Test that day's words, plus the word lists from the past two days. That way each list is
tested three times.
Natural Speller
It has lessons for students k-8. It's the only spelling book you'll need. It's organized
by grade and by spelling rule. It's worth the money (about $25.00)
Write to:
Design-A-Study
408 Victoria Ave.
Wilmington DE 19804
Grammar - Writing
Writing is important. Use the English Rules to
practice the rules over and over.
• On the first day assign the student to write a paragraph about something that
begins with the letter "a." The paragraph must show examples of rules 1-5 of the
English rules. The next day, the student needs to write a paragraph about a topic starting
with the letter "b" demonstrating knowledge of rules 1-6. Continue on in the
same format each day, adding another rule each day, or after a few days.
• Once per week write a letter to a relative.
• The student writes thoughts and activities in a journal each day.
Reading/Literature
The student should read an assigned book at least 30 minutes each day. Give a deadline for
the book to be finished. I look at how many pages are in the book, and how hard it is, and
decide on how long it would take to finish the book. After the book is read, the student
should write a book report of 1 to 2 pages about the book, following all the English rules
learned so far. You may want to use the list of historical fiction, or ask the librarian
for a good book list.
Science/Social Studies
Make it a point to get science books from the library and read them to your elementary or
junior high age children. Find books about things they love like dinosaurs, but also
find new topics to broaden their knowledge. Once or twice a week assign your older
student to read a science or social studies magazine article and present an oral report to
the family on what he/she learned. The student should try to make it interesting to
everyone in the family. Twice a year assign a research report on a science or social
studies topic using library books. Allow 4 - 6 weeks for the research project. The student
should turn in a written report, and may also do an oral presentation to the family.
Electives
Share whatever you, your family, and student are interested in. Share your hobbies and
interests.
Correspondence Courses
This is expensive, but he/she can earn credits using this option. if the
high school age student plans to homeschools for a short time then return to school,
he/she may still be able to graduate. Correspondence Courses
ISU GED Program
If your student is at least 16, you might want to also contact ISU. They have a
program to help students prepare to take the GED. The program is free, and the
classes start every two months. They provide lots of one-on-one help to students.
Remember, the skills are the most important. Put the most time and effort into reading,
writing, spelling, and math.
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Revised: June 21, 2005.