It’s taken me a hot minute to figure things out for my rising fourth grader. She’s hit a phase where she’s resistant to “school” work, so I’m trying to figure out a rhythm that works for us. Here are my current 4th grade plans for 2022-2023, but I know that I may end up having to tweak these… more than once.
4th Grade Plans for 2022-2023
4th Grade Math
For 4th grade math, we’ll be using a combination of flexible math lessons from CTCMath and hands on manipulatives. We’ll use CTCMath because it’s bite sized math lessons and we can do one in the morning, do three in the evening, or whenever. We’ll also be adding in a good deal of baking and real life math. We’ll also add in math manipulatives from Edx Education, like these fraction circles and math cubes.
edxeducation Fraction Circles
edxeducation Linking Cubes
Of course, we’ll keep using our math flash cards, too.
Regal Games – Variety Math Flash Cards 4 Pack
4th Grade Science
Little Miss has decided she wants to learn all about animals, too. She’ll join Sister in using the Encyclopedia of Animals, from Wide Eyed Editions, paired with the Exploring the Animal Kingdom – A Notebook Companion to learn all about the animal kingdom.
We’ll also use the National Geographic Kids Animal Encyclopedia (2nd edition), which features 2,500 species of animals and has 1,000 amazing photos. We love National Geographic resources, and this one is sure to be a fast favorite!
National Geographic Kids Animal Encyclopedia 2nd edition: 2,500 Animals with Photos, Maps, and More!
Like her sister, we’ll add Notebooking Pages from our Lifetime Membership at NotebookingPages.com. This is where I can see the two girls diverging. They have different interests in regards to animals they like. Which is fine, because there are plenty to choose from!
We’ll add videos to our science learning, including nature and ecology documentaries on Netflix, animal videos on Curiosity Stream, some life science videos from PBS Learning Media, and Wild Kratts on Prime Video.
We’ll also read some incredible animal stories in our National Geographic Kids Almanac 2023 (US edition) to go along with our lessons.
National Geographic Kids Almanac 2023 (US edition) (National Geographic Kids Almanac (Quality))
She’s also really looking forward to taking a semester long class at our co-op called Detective Science. In this class, she’ll get to explore forensic science as she and classmates search for evidence, gather clues, and discover how science can help solve a mystery. From dusting for fingerprints to analyzing handwriting making a show plaster, she’ll get a first hand look on how detectives and forensic scientists use science to solve real life crimes.
4th Grade Language Arts
For language arts this year, Little Miss will be taking a Write Your Own Story class at our co-op. In this class, she’ll learn to write her own stories, both fiction and non-fiction. This class will focus on her learning to express herself in writing and expanding her vocabulary, while exercising a little structure and skill.
At home, she’ll be using Night Zookeeper for children aged 5 to 12+ (Grades 1 to 6) focused on using gamified learning to help reading and writing skills development. Night Zookeeper offers a full language arts curriculum while transforming “boring school work” into fun and engaging games, challenges, interactive lessons and collaborative projects – children often don’t even realize they’re working! Night Zookeeper also provides a safe space for all children, including awesome community and blog pages which they’re free to explore and use to further improve their reading and writing skills. All content shared within the program is reviewed by a team of highly qualified tutors to maintain children’s online safety. Are you ready to make reading and writing fantastically fun for your child? Night Zookeeper is currently offering an exclusive, 50% discount for all new subscribers. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
4th Grade Reading Books
Little Miss and I will be reading a lot together this year. I’ve saved books from both Mister and Sister’s reading books over the years, so we have a massive stack of books to choose from, including:
- Pocahontas and the Strangers
- Phoebe the Spy
- Robert Fulton, Boy Craftsman
- Sarah, Plan and Tall
- The Courage of Sarah Noble
- Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims
- Sarah Whitcher’s Story
- The Skippack School
- The Thanksgiving Story
- Om-kas-toe
- Timmy O’Dowd and the Big Ditch
- The Great Turkey Walk
- The Great Wheel
- From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler
- A Summer of Sundays
- By the Great Horn Spoon
- Freedom Train
- Shades of Gray
- Turn Homeward, Hannalee
- Old Yeller
- Helen Keller
- All of a Kind Family
- William Wilberforce
- Hero Over Here
- Thimble Summer
- Plain Girl
- Gone Away Lake
- The Seventeenth Swap
- The Wright Brothers
- Sing Down the Moon
- Because of Winn Dixie
- Henry Reed, Inc
- George Washington Carver
- In Search of the Source
Needless to say, we will NOT make it through that stack. I’ll be happy to make it through ten of them, honestly, since we’re exploring some read alouds as a family, as well. We will pick and choose as we go, and we’ll throw in some of her favorite readers, too.
4th Grade Social Studies
For social studies, Little Miss will journey through the United States in a class at our local homeschool co-op. She’ll learn basic United States geography and fun facts about each state/region. She’ll review states and capitals each class with a goal of knowing all 50 states and capitals by the end of the year.
To complement this class, at home, we’ll be using the Exploring Handwriting Through U.S. Geography (Print Edition)
Exploring Handwriting Through U.S. Geography (Print Edition)
We’ll also pull from the shelves to learn more about our great nation, as we go through the year. We have the following to work with:
- The Story of the USA Book 1 – we have books 2, 3, and 4 as well, so we’ll use them if needed.
- Children’s Encylopedia of American History
- Exploring American History 2nd Edition
- Seaman’s Journal: On the Trail with Lewis and Clark
- North American Indians
- If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution
- Peacable Kingdom Award Winning Sticker Fun – United States Reusable Sticker Tote
I’m still developing my plan, so I’m not sure what I’ll use from each and what I’ll end up taking to resale.
4TH GRADE ELECTIVES
For the last few years, Little Miss has taken a dance class at our co-op. This year, she’s decided she wants to switch to Acrobatics, so she’s starting a level 1 Acro class at a local performing arts studio. We’ve already been told she may be bumped to level 2 quickly because she can do a backbend from standing and has a pretty good cartwheel. We were given the option to have her start at level 2, but I really want someone who knows what they’re doing to make sure she’s using proper form. I have NO idea what proper form is when it comes to that stuff, so I just want to make sure she’s not starting with bad habits that will lead to injury later. If they bump her to level 2 after a few weeks, that’s fine.
She’s also taking a class at our co-op called Art Around the World. This class is a project based art history class. She will travel all over the world and through time learning about different artists, countries, and styles of art. With each new artist she’ll use their methods to create her own work of art in her unique style. THIS is right up her alley. She’s always creating.
Little Miss will be joining Mister and Sister in using the The Boss Club Christian Homeschool Entrepreneurship Curriculum to learn about entrepreneurship. We’ll use the two one-semester courses that help students design, launch, grow, and optimize their own business. Sister and Little Miss will be using the Homemade Dog Treat Business Kit to launch their dog treat business.
As I said, I’m pretty stoked about this course. The company saw my excitement and agreed to extend some savings to my readers. You can save 10% with code TBC10.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this year pans out for her, and trying to remind myself to be flexible and shift gears when need be. Right now, she’s at a stage where she literally will not do any of her work unless she’s stapled to my side. So, this could be an interesting year.
