Words, words, words. Whether it is spelling words, or vocabulary words, increasing your child’s usable vocabulary is very important in fifth grade, and into middle school. There are lists in many books and workbooks that will help your child learn to spell better. Additionally, there are many resources online where you can find spelling and vocabulary lists. Recently, I mentioned math vocabulary. For fifth graders and students in middle school, learning math vocabulary will make it easier for them to understand the explanations of their increasingly more complex math. Some of the online sources also allow you to import your own lists, as well as view lists of spelling words imported by other parents and students. The more words you can expose your child to the better chance they have of becoming a good speller, and a fluent reader. It is important that you don‘t consider time spent on vocabulary or spelling words to be unproductive time. Consider that middle school is a time when your child will be building the vocabulary that he will be using for high school classes and college entrance test exams. Being able to spell many words, and being able to recognize and define many words will serve him well as he starts reading more difficult books, and as you ask him to write longer and more complex papers. You might also find that increasing the sheer number of words floating around in your child’s head increases and improves their spoken vocabulary as well. Be willing to help with pronunciation if necessary. One other way to increase your child’s vocabulary is to read to them. You might think that they are too old for this in middle school, but reading to them does several things. It allows them to be unplugged for a while, it builds memories, and it gives them something to talk to you about. I know that my child still asks to be read to, and on a regular basis she will stop me and ask to see a word that she hears read. Words, vocabulary, spelling…memories, and topics for discussions, can your child learn too many words?

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Mom, today I counted all my homeschool lesson plans I left.  That is what my daughter ran downstairs to tell me a couple of days ago.  She then asked “just how responsible do you think I am now?”   I think this all came into play because she asked for a cell phone the other day.  My answer was just wait until you are more responsible!  WOW!  Did that back fire on me.  Although, I am pretty darn proud that she is taking part in keeping track of her lessons.  It just might give her that kick in the pants to do more lessons to finish on time for us.  On that note she is having problems with her science because she can’t pronounce some of the words and she will just skip over them and keep reading.  So we are doing some 5th grade vocabulary practice games to enhance her learning on this.  With hesitation she sighed at me….I said come on you said you wanted to be more responsible!

One of the science benchmarks for fifth grade science is the study of habitats and ecosystems. This is one of those benchmarks that is easily accommodated by a little bit of hands on field trip. Part of the way that we learn about habitats, ecosystems and species interdependence is to visit a swamp that has been encircled by the city we live in. Fortunately, it was protected as an important watershed habitat and was developed to its full potential with the assistance of local businesses. Seminars are offered that teach children about the ecosystem of the swamp, tours on raised walkways allow access to the swamp in the dry season and the wet season.

You may not have a swamp in your area, but you might have parks, wildlife centers, or a wildlife refuge within easy driving distance. Many state parks and national parks have online instruction and often study guides and questions are provided. This is an inexpensive way to learn about ecosystems, especially across seasons. Being able to actually see habitats and ecosystems up close and personal is a great way to learn about the species of your area. As a home schooler, it is great to be able to take advantage of local parks or wildlife refuges to engage your child in meeting the benchmarks of their fifth grade science curriculum. Additionally, you might find that being able to see, touch, and smell nature will draw your child in, make the learning more pleasant, and encourage them to actively participate in conservation projects. Any time you can make a subject more real by using something fun, or hands on, you stand a better chance of getting your child to learn the subject matter, and be able to remember it past the chapter test.

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Now that I think (crossing my fingers) I have my oldest liking to read now and understanding what she reads, it is time to really focus on my youngest.  Reading comprehension is NOT one of her strong traits.  She can talk your ear off and tell you word for word on ashow she just watched on animals though. So I had a brilliant idea!  It took a few mistrials but I think we got it.  Taking her love for animals in thought I had to twist it where she could read about them and comprehend.  I also think there is some laziness when it comes to reading.  Her thought process is why read about it when I can watch TV and videos on the things I have passion for.  It started with her playing animal learning games until her lil’ heart”s content.  Then with all the excitement she learned from that she wanted to go to library or bookstore and get books on them.  Reading the books came a bit easier I think  cuz she learned about them auditorily first.  It was all sinking in for her.  Now I just have to put this to work for other subjects and make it just as exciting.  I love a challenge!

I never thought of myself as a particularly artsy and craftsy type of mom. Many moms are, and I admire them greatly. Despite my lack of art skills, my son loves to draw, is good at it, and has learned much from a how-to drawing book and an online art program.

Okay, when I first thought about it, online art sounded a bit strange to me; I thought, “Now that’s one subject you can’t learn online.” But then I thought about it a bit; I remember Microsoft Office WordArt and you actually could use it to draw online. My son tried it and liked it, along with learning some art basics. Now there are interactive programs that actually teach online art techniques, art history, and art theory.

When most kids think about art and drawing, it’s just a cool, fun thing for them to do. They usually aren’t concerned about art history and art theory; those interests are usually piqued later.

I wouldn’t say it’s time to throw the art books away, but I think learning art online, for some kids, might be an intro into the world of art and computers and actually lead to a career. For others, simply a fun break in the homeschooling day.