Are you trying to make some grade 8 learn at home curriculum choices? Choosing a homeschool curriculum can be challenging. That’s why I’m sharing our grade 8 curriculum choices with you!
OUR GRADE 8 LEARN AT HOME CURRICULUM CHOICES
I can’t believe the years have gone by so fast! Grade 8? How did that happen?
This year my daughter is taking three online, teacher-directed classes. I’ll share the curriculum the school is using as well as our curriculum and book selections for the year.
Check out these curriculum selections made for grade 8! #homeschool #curriculum Click To TweetMORNING TIME
As I’ve mentioned before, our morning time routine brings such peace and beauty into our day. It sets the stage for learning and inspires us. I’m definitely continuing the morning time basket.
Our Morning Time activities consist of things like: Bible, scripture memorization, prayer, nature study, SQUILT / music appreciation, poetry, history, geography, and art.
Some of the curriculum we use during our morning time routine, while others we use during the more structured part of our homeschool day.
I’m often asked how often we study each of our subjects, so I’ve included a section on frequency as well.
LANGUAGE ARTS
This year my daughter is taking her Language Arts classes online through our homeschool association. As a result, I don’t have a choice in the curriculum used in this subject. However, I enrich her language arts curriculum with a spelling curriculum and literature that I select for her.
Language – My daughter is taking an online Language Arts Class. This is the curriculum they are using the year: Resourcelines 7/8 and Sightlines 8
Sequential Spelling – A couple years ago we started using Sequential Spelling in our homeschool. After trying a lot of spelling programs, we’ve finally found one that my daughter enjoys! So we’ll continue with Sequential Spelling this year.
FREQUENCY OF LANGUAGE ARTS: Daily (online classes are three times per week but she does two extra days of language arts work every week).
FREQUENCY OF SPELLING: Weekly
MATH
Math Makes Sense 8 – My daughter is taking math online this year. She is using Math Makes Sense 8 as her textbook.
Bedtime Math – This is an extra bit of math fun. I read from the Bedtime Math book twice a week and the girls answer the questions. I’ve shared our love of Bedtime Math on Instagram and I can’t say enough good things about it! What I love about this book is it tells an interesting story/fact and then there are several questions for different age and skill levels which are tied into the story. It’s a wonderful resource and we love it!
Prodigy – I discovered this online math program at the end of last year. My daughter adores this program! She has a character that goes on an adventure. Then she practices math along the way to unlock certain elements of the story. I can even set goals for her and send her character “gifts” when she reaches those goals!
FREQUENCY OF MATH: Daily (online classes are three times per week but she does two extra days of math work every week).
SCIENCE
For years I have been following a delight-filled method of schooling my children. When I can, I follow and incorporate their interests into our curriculum.
Last year we decided to focus on human anatomy and physiology. The curriculum we chose was so comprehensive that we only completed half of it. So this year we are finishing off our studies of human anatomy and physiology.
The curriculum we’re using is, Exploring Creation With Human Anatomy and Physiology.
I LOVE this curriculum! I purchased the lab kit as well, that way we have most of the materials to carry out the science experiments in the book.
In addition to studying the human body, we regularly do nature studies during our morning time. Many of my nature study ideas come from the NaturExplorers books. They’re packed with activity ideas, as well as journalling sheets, and more!
FREQUENCY OF SCIENCE: Human Anatomy Curriculum is done two times per week. Nature studies are done twice a week. Experiments are done approximately once a week.
SOCIAL STUDIES
My daughter is taking social studies online. Her textbook for this course is: Our Worldviews
FREQUENCY OF SOCIAL STUDIES: Online classes are three times per week.
BIBLE
This year I decided to do a loop schedule of Bible activities. We are doing the following activities:
- Reading from the Golden’s Children Bible.
- A devotional reading from: Indescribable (100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science)
- Prayer Journalling in our Prayer Map for Girls journals
- Worship songs (singing and dancing to worship music and videos)
This rotation of Bible study activities keeps my children engaged, fresh, and excited to spend time with Jesus!
We are also memorizing a Bible verse every week this year.
FREQUENCY OF BIBLE STUDIES: Daily
ART
Our art lessons are the best! I include various forms of art in our program. Watercolour paintings, collages, sculpting with clay, and drawing are just some of our regular art activities.
Our favourite art curriculum is the chalk pastel art video lessons from You ARE An Artist. My girls LOVE these video lessons! We have a monthly clubhouse membership which we can access at any time! There are so many lessons available, I can always find something that relates to the topic we’re studying.
FREQUENCY OF ART LESSONS: Two times per week
HEALTH
I recently discovered The Good and The Beautiful Health Curriculum and I decided to incorporate it into our homeschool this year. We are using the following resources:
We are also studying financial management and goal setting this year.
FREQUENCY OF HEALTH LESSONS: Two times per week
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
My wonderful husband has taken up the torch to teach physical education this year. I’m hoping sometime soon I will be able to share more details of his program. However, his approach is as follows:
- 30 minutes physical activity every day (yoga DVDs, WiiFit, Zumba, etc.
- On Wednesdays he teaches them a sport (the rules, language, terms, etc.) and they also practice that particular sport.
- On Thursdays they do KungFu with him (he has a Black Belt in Wing Chun KungFu)
- Fridays they have a dance lesson (everything from the Waltz, to the Cha Cha, to The Running Man)
FREQUENCY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Daily
SECOND LANGUAGE
This is the third year that I’ve included a second language in our program. We use DuoLingo and my daughter loves it! I especially like that DuoLingo has the option for an online “classroom”. By signing up for this feature, I get notifications of their progress through the lessons.
FREQUENCY OF FRENCH LESSONS: Daily
MUSIC
We love SQUILT (Super Quiet Uninterrupted Listening Time). With this curriculum my children get exposed to notable pieces of music. SQUILT also allows us the opportunity to include a peaceful ritual of music appreciation in our days.
My husband also teaches the girls ukulele.
FREQUENCY OF MUSIC LESSONS: One – two times per week
SKILLS & HANDICRAFTS
One of my favourite aspects of homeschooling is that I can teach my children special skills and handicrafts. This year we are incorporating the following activities into our homeschool on a regular basis:
- finger knitting
- cross stitch
- latch hook rug making
- cooking
- sewing
- woodworking
- metalworking
FREQUENCY OF SKILLS & HANDICRAFTS: Two – three times per week
REFLECT
Is there a particular curriculum you love that you’re using this year? Feel free to comment below and then share this post with your homeschool communities.
SHARE WITH OTHERS
