Personalized Homeschool Curriculum Grade 4-6 (Full Year Classes)
Kim Musolff
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(216)
Students receive personalized homeschooling instruction in Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math from a certified teacher.
Class experience
US Grade 4 - 6
Beginner - Advanced Level
I believe that a curriculum should adapt to the child, not the other way around. In my homeschooling classes, students learn content together, but complete work based on their abilities. Each student is treated as someone who has something to contribute to our community of learning. My classroom is a safe place to share ideas, ask questions, and make mistakes--all vital aspects to learning! As we learn together, students build relationships with one another and make connections from their...
This class is taught in English.
Students who complete 36 weeks of this class will have completed a full curriculum in reading, writing, language arts, math, science, and social studies.
I am a Colorado-certified teacher with over 20 years experience teaching children in grades K-8. I homeschooled my own 4 children (ages 12-22) and taught other children in many settings, including public schools, and private schools. I own my own microschool, where I teach homeschoolers from my community. I have also been teaching all of these classes here on Outschool for over 4 years.
Homework Offered
YES! Students will be expected to work outside of class. They will have assignments in math, reading, writing, language arts on a weekly basis. Assignments in science and social studies are occasional, usually with 1 or 2 projects per session. Students may submit homework in the Outschool Classroom.2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
I continuously assess students informally as I teach, making adjustments as needed. At this age, I do not usually assign letter grades. Instead, students are assessed on progress, especially in reading and writing. Tests in math, science, and social studies will be given upon request. Written evaluations documenting student progress are also available upon request.Grades Offered
Letter grades are available by request.
HISTORY Students will be required to keep a notebook for this class. This can be any 3-ring binder where they can add and remove pages as needed. Students will also need to purchase the History Quest chapter book and the History Quest Study Guide (see below). The study guide includes pages needed for notebooking throughout the entire year. Due to copyright laws, I am unable to provide copies to students. However, when you purchase the Study Guide, you can use it for all other classes in this series. History Quest Study Guide, available in print or as a digital copy for about $30. Used for the entire year: https://www.pandiapress.com/product/history-quest-early-times-study-guide/ History Quest Chapter Book, available in print ($22), digitally ($16) or as an audio book ($30). Used for the entire year: Audio Book: https://www.pandiapress.com/product/history-quest-early-times-audiobook/ Print Book or ebook: https://www.pandiapress.com/product/history-quest-early-times/ Additionally, students will need supplies for hands-on projects. A detailed list of supplies will be provided upon enrollment. Most of the supplies needed are common things you will find around your home. These include things like, paper, colored pencils, tape, flour, mixing bowls, etc. SCIENCE Upon enrollment you will be given a fully detailed supply list. Most of the materials are items you might find around the house (coffee filter, rubber bands, etc.), but there will be some items you will need to purchase or borrow, including: -balloons -potassium chloride (salt substitute) -science thermometer -borax -hydrogen peroxide -popcorn -Alka-seltzer -yeast -red cabbage -rubbing alcohol All students will need a copy of the REAL Science Odyssey Student Pages, available here for $19 (ebook) or $$28 (print book):https://www.pandiapress.com/product/real-science-odyssey-chemistry-level-one-student-pages/ Students will also need a 3-ring binder to keep their journal pages. WRITING Spiral notebook or composition book for writing READING 2-3 books (students' choice) at the child's reading level MATH HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: Dimensions Workbook, available for about $13. Once student is placed, they will be instructed on which books to purchase: 4A/B, 5A/B, or 6A/B OPTIONAL MATERIALS: We will be using mostly virtual manipulatives, but the following can be useful for those who struggle with new concepts:
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
There are some classes (especially in science & history) where scissors or other sharp objects are used in experiments or crafts. There are other classes (history) where cooking is an optional project. Parental guidance is highly recommended in these instances. HISTORY INFORMATION History has many circumstances where we can question the perspective of the events. For example, one group of people “conquers” another group, or a group of people form a religion around a certain set of beliefs. I make every effort to include multiple perspectives or ask questions that encourage students to think about different viewpoints. I explain to students often that there are multiple ways to construct history, because there are so many people involved in any one part of it. That’s what makes it so interesting! Students are always free to ask questions and state opinions in a respectable way. If controversial topics arise, my practice is to point out that not everyone believes the same thing, and it’s our job to try to see things from everyone’s point of view if we are to create a fair picture of what happened in the past. Additionally, history is not always pretty. Death, mistreatment, and other uncomfortable concepts may disturb sensitive students. I will make every effort to give parents a heads-up to any sensitive topics like this, and welcome any parent to reach out with questions or concerns they may have about their student. During week 1 in our history class, we discuss evolution of animals and the evolution of humans. You are welcome to skip this week if you don't feel comfortable with these ideas. SCIENCE INFORMATION Some of the supplies used in this class may need adult supervision, including, but not limited to: -scissors -potassium chloride -borax -rubbing alcohol -hydrogen peroxide
HISTORY RESOURCES History Quest curriculum https://www.pandiapress.com/history-quest/ "History Quest: Early Times" Chapter Book -This book was written with the intention of offering an unbiased story-telling approach to history. The author explains that "for me, it was very important that History Quest refuse to promote a predetermined agenda. Most people understand that scientific work is best done when scientists approach data without preconceptions so that the data can determine conclusions. The same can be said about historical work. The abuse of history to advance a political ideological, or religious agenda disturbs me greatly. But despite my devotion to an accurate and unbiased presentation, I, like all history writers, have my own inevitable subjective perspective. I do try hard to mitigate that, and I worked in tandem with a wonderul publisher and editor, whose perspectives challenged and complemented my own.” “Discovery in the Cave” by Mark Dubowski -a Step-Into-Reading book about the discovery of ancient cave drawings found in France “First Drawing” by Mordicai Gerstein -a fictional story about what it might have been like in prehistoric times when the first cave drawing was made “The First Dog” by Jan Brett -A fictional account of how a boy living during the Stone Age might have befriended a young wolf. “You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Writing” -Though these books are written with a sense of humor, they offer historically accurate information In class we use the books as a discussion starter and will differentiate the facts from the fiction. “Gilgamesh the King,” “Return of Ishtar,” and “The Last Quest of Gilgamesh” are 3 books by Ludmila Zemen that tell the epic tale of Gilgamesh. The books are used to show students some of the stories used at this time in history. As the author of the History Quest chapter book notes, “History should be much more than descriptions of conflicts and battle. Art, inquiry, ideas, and invention also shaped the past dramatically and are treated as vital topics.” “A Street Though Time” by Steve Noon and DK --a wonderful picture book that displays the progression of a fictional Roman city from the Stone Age to today. The pictures depict what life may have looked like in various time periods. It is a wonderful way to look at history from a variety of perspectives as we see how the very same place can look so differently, depending on the people that live there and the things that have happened (like invasions, battles, sickness, and prosperity). SCIENCE RESOURCES REAL Science Odyssey MATH RESOURCES Dimensions Math 4A/4B, 5A/5B, 6A/6B Balance Math, by Critical Thinking Company WRITING RESOURCES Brave Writer: Building Confidence Writing Projects
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(216)
Hi! I'm a Colorado-certified elementary teacher and a veteran homeschool parent of 4 children. For over 20 years, I've taught hundreds of children in grades PreK-8 in a variety of settings. In 2016, I founded and ran a microschool for 3 years,...
Group Class
$150
weekly or $1,350 for 45 classes5x per week, 9 weeks
120 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
4-8 learners per class
