I’m writing this retroactively, but based on my documentation for each of her school years.

English

In light of the pandemic, we chose to use Oak Meadow Grade 6 for English, History, and Science. They all relate nicely to one another, and a lot of the history lessons correlate to the English lessons.

History

Oak Meadow Grade 6 history includes worldwide ancient civilizations from the Stone Age through the Renaissance. The curriculum often includes choices of projects to work on and she often chose writing or art projects to compliment her learning.

Science

Oak Meadow Grade 6 studies life science such as plant cell division and reproduction, plant classification systems, invertebrates and vertebrates, animal life cycles, ecosystems, and the human body. This includes using the scientific method with observations and accurately recording data.

Math

We used Math Mammoth 6a/6b similarly to last year with the chapter reviews acting as tests. Lily consistently completed these reviews with a B average.

Art, Music, Physical Education, Etc.

Arts, crafts, painting, Oak Meadow suggestions, virtual violin, virtual choir, virtual Girl Scouts, biking, hiking, walking, an independent Silver Award project, video creation and editing for fun…

I’m writing this retroactively, but based on my documentation for each of her school years.

Literature and Writing

Middle-grades co-op continued and offered opportunities for reading assigned fiction and practicing various formal and creative writing skills including outlines and citations. Lily continued to write fiction for fun on StoryBird.com. Co-op ceased in the spring due to the pandemic. She continued to read fiction and write for fun, but we cut back on academic responsibilities when the rest of life was so stressful.

Math

We utilized Math Mammoth 5A/5B for a complete math program throughout this school year. We condensed a lot of the work as doing all of the problems on each page was superfluous. We utilized chapter reviews as graded tests, and she consistently got Bs for each topic.

Science

We used Real Science Odyssey Physics 1 and Biology 2, along with Brain Pop and some appropriate “citizen scientist” Girl Scout badge work.

Art

Prior to the pandemic, Lily participated at weekly art classes in the private Hello Art studio in Arlington Heights.

History

We continued reading Joy Hakim’s “History of US” for United States history. We completed volumes 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Music

Lily continued with private violin lessons and switched to virtual delivery during the pandemic. Suzuki book 4 got boring, so she requested to switch to fiddle-style music, and has been working through the American Fiddle Method Volume 2. The homeschool Chicago Children’s Choir was great for the first portion of the school year.

Physical Education

Climbing, ballet, hiking, roller skating, ice skating, and then lots of bike riding and walking once the pandemic hit.

Miscellaneous

The Chicago homeschool Girl Scout troop continued to a great fit and resource. Girl Scouts continued virtually after March 2020. Lily completed an independent and group Bronze Award project. We also continued to participate in another local homeschool group’s trips like going to theater performances or special parties like bowling until the pandemic.

Literature

Our local co-op has placed her in the upper elementary level which does a lot of work in preparation for moving to the much more independent intermediate (middle school) grade levels. I know she was frustrated last year by the behavior of some of the younger kids; I hope that by being on the young end of the upper elementary age group will help alleviate that this school year.

By utilizing this reading level assessment she currently misses one or two words in grade levels 7 through 11. I think that shows the room for error in that sort of assessment…but by observing my kid she eagerly reads middle grade fiction as well as enjoys reading our local newspaper when it arrives in the mail. I have no concerns for her reading or comprehension abilities.

Writing

She will also be participating in the upper elementary level writing class in our local co-op. I do not know how their structure differs from lower elementary.

Lily utilizes StoryBird.com often to write fiction, share it with friends, and read her friends’ published pieces as well. It’s been a great addition to her creative writing at home.

Math

We plan to continue using Khan Academy online for our math curriculum. She is starting the school year with 39% of 4th grade complete. We’ve been working on memorizing skip counting with different numbers…4 sung to “Dashing Through the Snow,” 7 sung to “Happy Birthday.” She can do 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 already. 9 she uses the finger trick.

Science

We are trialing a free membership to Mystery Science and plan to explore that throughout the school year, sometimes to compliment her Junior Naturalist projects, or just to dive into any subject she desires. I like keeping science inquiry-based.

Art

She crafts plentifully and participates in the hands-on art class at our local co-op.

History

We began reading Joy Hakim’s “History of US” for United States history and will continue with that this school year.

Music

She continues to take violin lessons and is toward the end of Suzuki book 2. She also just upgraded to a 1/2 size violin! She plucks around independently on guitar, ukulele, and piano sometimes as well.

The homeschool Chicago Children’s Choir is continuing this year and she will be rejoining. It was such an excellent addition to all of our lives last year and I am very excited for it to continue, as is she!

Physical Education

Her focus and technical ability with rock climbing has really increased lately. She also has continued with ballet.

Miscellaneous

We’ve found a homeschool Girl Scout troop and she is thrilled! There is a lot of overlap of girls that are also in choir and co-op so her little community of friends is feeling pretty solid.

Literature

Lily continues to read for pleasure continuously, largely while we drive (which is often). The co-op has been continuing with Jr. Great Books and using the 3rd grade level, which is still good practice for her to analyze literature in a more formal setting with peers and a teacher.

Writing

She has weekly writing homework from her co-op that includes creative writing (anything goes–fiction, poetry, etc.), as well as formal writing by creating an outline and then a paragraph from that outline.

Math

We’ve been using Khan Academy daily. She has been working the 3rd grade level quickly and is nearly done with it.

Science

We’ve been continuing to dabble in Real Science Odyssey’s Chemistry. She also continues with lots of natural science in her life–nature class with our homeschool group, as well as participating in the local nature center’s Jr. Naturalist program.

Art

Co-op includes a hands-on art class (which is a lot of craft-type projects), and she likes drawing and crafting miniature things for her toys at home.

History

We’ve been reading some historical fiction together and she occasionally still listens to her Story of the World audio books.

Music

She continues to play violin and is in the second Suzuki book. She also LOVES the homeschool Chicago Children’s Choir that she joined this year! It’s a phenomenal group lead by an amazing instructor. I feel so lucky to have found it!

Physical Education

Continuing with musical and physical–ballet! She also takes gymnastics classes through the park district. On top of that she loves to go wall climbing at the indoor gym with the whole family.

Miscellaneous

Another year of Girl Scouts continues with the local grade school troop! Plus the random extra activity thrown in with the local homeschool group–ice skating, mini golfing, field trips, etc.