Middle School, Oh My!
Middle School is truly my favorite age to teach! It always has been. Don’t get me wrong, it certainly comes with its own unique challenges and it is truly sanctifying work, but it can be so fun too! This is the age that our kids are coming into their own. You can really see their personalities start to develop and their specific interests & passions really begin to take off. They have a very real need for connection and relationship (both within and outside of the home), but at the same time they are becoming more & more independent. This is a perfect time to start allowing them to have a say in their education. It creates a sort of “buy in” on their part. They feel a sense of responsibility and control over what they are learning and that can be a real motivator. Now, they can’t choose to only read Star Wars books (I’ll let you guess who tried that), but they do get to choose which chapter books/novels they read (from a list provided by me) or what area of science they’d like to focus on and even which time in history we learn about. The following are some of our favorite curriculum/textbook choices for Middle School.
5th Grade –
English: IEW Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level A Fix It! Grammar – Book 1, The Nose Tree Spelling – It depends on the kid. We’ve used both All About Spelling as well as a simple workbook (usually Spectrum). (All but Spectrum spelling can be found at https://iew.com)
Reading: BJU Reading 5 https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com
Math: Horizons Math 5, Books 1 & 2
6th Grade –
English: IEW Structure and Style for Students: Year 2 Level A Fix It! Grammar – Book 2, Robin Hood (Both can be found at https://iew.com) Spelling – Spectrum Grade 6
Reading: BJU Reading 6 https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com
Math: Horizon Math 6, Books 1 & 2
7th Grade –
English: IEW – Following Narnia Volume 1: The Lion’s Song Fix It! Grammar – Book 3, Frog Prince, or Just Deserts (Both can be found at https://iew.com
Literature: Their choice from a list I provide.
Math: Math Mammoth Grade 7 (Pre-Algebra) with instructional videos https://www.mathmammoth.com
8th Grade –
English: The Compass: One Year Adventure Novel by: Daniel Schwabauer (This is a set given to us from a friend. Honey Lemon has been interested in writing her own novel, so we will give a shot! I’m sure I will share how it goes at some point). Fix It! Grammar – Book 4, The Little Mermaid https://iew.com
Literature: Their choice from a list I provide.
Math: Online – Mr. D Math (Algebra 1)
All Grades Together – Our favorites throughout the years.
History: The Mystery of History Volume 1: Creation to the Resurrection by: Linda Lacour Hobar (We spread this out over 2 years and supplemented books from the library). https://themysteryofhistory.com
BJU Heritage Studies 5 https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com
One year we studied Colonial America and mostly just got books from the library but roughly followed a mini text book called “Why America is Free: A History of the Founding of the American Republic”.
This year we are hitting government and civics hard and will be studying our Constitution, the election process and using the curriculum “Uncle Sam and You” by Ray and Charlene Notgrass. https://history.notgrass.com
Science: Science in the Beginning by: Dr. Jay L. Wile I bought this book at https://www.rainbowresource.com
Exploring Creation with Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day by: Jeannie K. Fulbright (Apologia)
Exploring Creation with Zoology 3: Land Animals of the Sixth Day by: Jeannie K. Fulbright (Apologia)
Exploring Creation with General Science by: Dr. Jay L. Wile (Apologia) All Exploring Creation books can be found at http://www.apologia.com
God’s Design for Heaven and Earth by: Debbie & Richard Lawrence (Answers in Genesis) https://answersingenesis.org
Bible: Bible Study Fellowship (This is a verse-by-verse, in depth Bible study that meets once a week. They literally have classes all over the world and you can find a class near you at https://www.bsfinternational.org
Disclaimer: My middle child will be in 5th grade this year. If what I used for his sister & have planned for him doesn’t work, I will modify to something that might be a better fit. Nothing is set in stone and flexibility is key.
