7th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

So, what do you call a 7th grader who is doing high school level math, reading, and vocabulary, 7th grade level grammar and 6th grade level spelling?

A homeschooler.

Since the very beginning, I have determined to toss out the pre-scripted plans of the traditional scope and sequence and just write the story of our homeschool based on my children. This year will be no different.

While the number that I've slapped onto her state-required school district letter says SEVEN, any number I assign to my daughter is really just a loose suggestion...something to tell the cashier at the checkout counter or the nurse at the doctor's office when they ask, "What grade are you in?"


If truth be told, she's suppose to be in sixth grade. But, trying to explain why my 11-year-old is doing a hodgepodge assortment of junior high and high school level work is a bit too complicated for the average 30 second inquiry of random strangers. So, "seventh grade" will be our go-to answer this year.

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Here's what she'll be learning...
(All subjects will be completed four times a week unless otherwise noted.)

Content-rich Subject

As in the past, she will do content rich subjects like morning time, history, science, and art with her brothers. I have designed history and science to include some junior high level resources that she will do independently in addition to what she will do alongside everyone else. You can find all those GROUP subjects here>>>

Personal Devotions

While she has several devotional studies to choose from, she much prefers to use her time to just read larger passages from her Bible each morning. And who can argue with that? On days when she'd like a more concrete plan or reading schedule, she'll continue to work her way through her Discipleship Guide.

Language

• BJU Writing and Grammar 7
• read through Spilling Ink and The Writer's Notebook
• Word Roots Level 1 (This is a new-to-us vocabulary course that will carry her through the next few years. I tend to be more of a learn-vocabulary-organically kind of girl. But as the redesigned SAT (set to roll out in 2016) is apparently going to consist mainly of vocabulary and math, I thought that some gentle but intentional vocabulary instruction might be in order.)
• All About Spelling Level 6 and 7 (In case you're curious why she will be doing two levels of spelling, here's a little back story>>)
• continue adding the final drafts of her BJU English writing assignments to her writer's notebook (every few weeks)
• continue writing to the penpal that she has had for the last seven years (1x a month)
• read for pleasure (every day)
• read a Mom-Assigned book...classics, biographies, and exceptional fiction that I assign her to read each month

Math

She was slotted to take Teaching Textbooks Algebra I this year. But, due to some tentative plans I have made for her future high school years, I have decided to pause Teaching Textbooks for one year. Because she has hopes of a rigorous college path and will need certain math scores on her SAT and because she plans to take some higher level, dual-enrollment math courses online through a Christian college her 11th and 12th grade years, I think it will be best for her to complete Algebra I & II and Geometry in 8th, 9th, and 10th.

This year, she will be focusing on practical consumer math.

• Dave Ramsey's Foundations in Personal Finance for homeschoolers

Critical Thinking

• Who Am I? And What Am I Doing Here?-This is the second in an absolutely fabulous World View series put out by Apologia Press. She completed the first book last year and loved it! (3x a week)
• Mind Benders Level 5 (1x a week)

Life Skills

• Simplified Dinners for New Cooks-She will continue to be my side kick in the kitchen one day a week, but will use this ebook to guide her as she takes over a more independent roll in the day-to-day kitchen duties.
• Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends-This is a book written by three siblings for siblings. My daughter and I had the privilege of hearing all three of the authors speak at a mother/daughter conference a couple of years ago and were greatly inspired by their love and care for one another. She looks forward to reading their book. 

Extra Curriculars

• piano (practice 5x a week, lessons 1x a week for a half hour)
• Typing Instructor (1x a week)
• project-based learning projects 

It's shaping up to be a full year. But, also a fun one!