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 world to all of our classes.  Students are never required to do anything they don't want to do, however they are all ENCOURAGED to challenge themselves to become better learners.  Usually, as students get to know each other, they do this naturally!  

Using a variety of resources, I've created a curriculum for 4th-6th graders that includes instruction in MATH, LITERACY, SCIENCE, and SOCIAL STUDIES.  Students learn in SMALL, LIVE CLASSES Mondays through Thursdays (Friday classes only on weeks with Monday holidays).  Classes are scheduled in 9-week sessions, with 1- to 3-week breaks between sessions.  This schedule allows for continuous learning yet provides enough time off that students don't get burned out and have time to pursue other interests.  (See detailed schedule below.)

Things you will enjoy when you enroll your child in my homeschooling classes:

-a consolidated schedule 
-a familiar teacher who specializes in personalized learning and homeschooling
-a discount compared to individual class tuition
-a sense of community, seeing familiar faces throughout classes
-written evaluations 
-Open Class sessions, where students have the option to ask questions if they need help with anything

Things expected of YOU when enrolling your student:

-Help your student gather supplies to be ready when the live classes begin
-Help your student log onto class at the right time
-Help your student schedule time OUTSIDE of class to complete homework
-Check your child's homework (especially math)
-Communicate any concerns, questions, or help your child may need from me

I have been teaching these classes  on Outschool for over 4 years.  I make every effort to make each student feel valued and heard, and I try to make the content they are learning relevant to their own lives.  YOUR STUDENT WILL LOVE THESE CLASSES!  The current students are amazing and welcoming.  Come join us for 2024-25!  Our school year begins JULY 29, and runs through MAY 30, but students may join at anytime throughout the year.  


Below you will find sections for  CLASS DESCRIPTIONS, WEEKLY SCHEDULES, ENROLLMENT and PAYMENT OPTIONS.  Feel free to message me with any questions!

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ENROLLMENT
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Once you enroll, you will see all of the meeting times on your student's schedule.  Classes appear as 1- to 2-hour blocks on the schedule.  Each block contains several subjects and will include 10-15 minute breaks between them.  Students will not need to log off and back on between classes that are in the same block of time.  For math, they will only attend the 30 minute class that matches the level they are in.  They DO NOT need to attend the whole math block. 

CONTENT BLOCK:  Science for 45 min, Social Studies for 45 min, with a 10-min break in between.  

LITERACY BLOCK:  Literacy for 30 min, Reading for 30 min,  and Language Arts for 30 min, with 10-min breaks in between

MATH BLOCK:  Math classes are split by levels 4-6, and your student will only attend their level (30 minutes during this block).  After enrollment, you and I will determine your student's math placement together.  

OPEN CLASS:  Students attend this class only if they need help with any homework.  Students can request 15-minute blocks of time anytime in this hour-long class. 


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CLASSES OFFERED
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Below you will find a description of all the classes included in this program.  Your student is NOT required to attend them all, but the tuition price includes everything.     

MATH: Dimensions Math, Levels 4-6
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I believe success in math depends on a child's ability to not only understand numerical concepts, but to be able to apply those strategies to problems by using mathematical thinking.  My approach in this class is to give students the tools they need to be able to solve problems, and then allow them to experiment, fail, and try again until they get the answer.  Throughout the semester, we work on developing strategies, understanding relationships, and building confidence.  As I tell my students, there is always one right answer in math, but there is not just one way to get there.  

This class uses Dimensions Math, a Singapore Math curriculum.  Singapore Math is a mastery-based approach to math, where students progress from concrete examples (real life), to pictures, and finally apply their knowledge to the abstract, using numbers and algorithms.  Students do a lot of hands-on work, as well as, mental math.  Instead of mimicking procedures, they learn how to think mathematically and apply what they know to solve problems. 
CLASSES MEET TWICE A WEEK FOR 30 MINUTES.  STUDENTS ARE PLACED IN LEVELS ACCORDING TO ABILITY.


READING: Freestyle Reading 
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In this small-group learn to read class, students not only learn reading and comprehension strategies, but also learn to LOVE READING.  How?  They will become personally involved in their own learning by choosing their books and challenges.  In doing so, they follow their own interests, are self-motivated, and learn to apply what they learn in class to their own reading material.

Just like any other reading class, students will learn comprehension, vocabulary, and literature analysis skills.  The only difference is that instead of the teacher assigning the books to read, THE STUDENT chooses their own books.  I do this through GENRE STUDIES.  Each week we learn about a different genre of literature.  As students learn about key elements of the genre, they look to their own books for examples and details.  
CLASSES MEET ONCE A WEEK FOR 30 MINUTES.

SCIENCE:  Biology
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This hands-on, interactive science classes give students in GRADES 4-6 a foundation in the basics of  biology.  Through experiments, engaging books, and fascinating, interactive science videos, students discover how science works and how to become scientific thinkers.  The classes use the R.E.A.L Science Odyssey curriculum as a base, and also incorporate other projects, activities, and experiments to deepen student understandings.  Students in this class design experiments, do research projects, and learn to think like scientists.  All while having fun!
CLASSES MEET TWICE A WEEK FOR 45 MINUTES.

HISTORY:  History Quest U.S. History
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History Quest is an engaging curriculum that uses story-telling and hands-on activities to bring to life the story of humankind.  I have been using story-telling for over 20 years to spark the imaginations of children. Through this curriculum, students hear the story of our past and are able to watch as society builds itself--how one event leads to another.  This year, students will be learning US HISTORY

Each week students progress through the read-aloud chapter book.  Class is supplemented with interactive slideshows, videos, or stories related to the chapter.  Throughout the class students keep a notebook to keep track of questions they wonder about, things they’d like to learn more about, and summaries of the things they’ve learned.  In addition, most week include a History Hop, where we time travel back to an important part of history, meeting notable people or seeing what life was like.  Finally, we wrap up each chapter with a hands-on activity (like cooking, art, or writing) and a story or two.  Stories might be a biography, a myth, epic tale, or an engaging non-fiction text.  
CLASS MEETS THREE TIMES A WEEK FOR 45 MINUTES 

LANGUAGE ARTS:  Playing With Words
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Grammar can be confusing.  But sometimes when you break the rules, it can be funny and absurd!  For example, the following sentences have two very different meanings:

"I love cooking dogs and kids." (Ew!)
"I love cooking, dogs, and kids." (Much better!)

Each week in this ongoing class, students are introduced to a humorous example of what happens when you ignore a grammar rule.  Then they learn the rule and the logic behind it.  Finally, they will practice the rule in "The Language Mechanic" workbook by The Critical Thinking Company.   Students also have the option to work on spelling at their own level.  
CLASS MEETS ONCE A WEEK FOR 30 MINUTES. 

WRITING: Building Writers
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Students are encouraged to find their own voice as they learn to write.  Class includes a different writing focus each week, like catchy intros or writing in dialogue.   Through writing exercises, prompts, and free-writing students are encouraged to get creative and find their own voice as they write.  Students may choose to work on a story over multiple weeks or write a new story each week.  
CLASS MEETS ONCE A WEEK FOR 30 MINUTES. 


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2024-25 WEEKLY SCHEDULE
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MONDAY
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CONTENT BLOCK  
The block will be listed as 2 hours in the classroom, however class time may be SHORTER, depending on how classes run.  Generally science is 45 minutes and social studies is 45 minutes.  Students will NOT need to log off and back on in between classes, but will have a 10 min break between them.  

-Biology & US History (all students)
12:45-2:25 PST/3:45-5:25 EST

OPEN CLASS 
Students only attend if they need help with any work or need to speak with the teacher.
2:30-3:30 PST/5:30-6:30 EST


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TUESDAY
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MATH BLOCK 
Students only attend this block during the time of their math level.

-Math 4
12:45-1:15 PST/3:45-4:15 EST

-Math 5
1:25-1:55 PST/4:25-4:55 EST

-Math 6 
2:05-3:25 PST/5:05-5:25 EST

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WEDNESDAY
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CONTENT BLOCK  
The block will be listed as 2 hours in the classroom, however class time may be SHORTER, depending on how classes run.  Generally science is 45 minutes and social studies is 45 minutes.  Students will NOT need to log off and back on in between classes, but will have a 10 min break between them.  

-Biology & US History  (all students)
12:45-2:30 PST/3:45-5:30 EST

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THURSDAY
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OPEN CLASS 
Students only attend if they need help with any work or need to speak with the teacher.
9:00-10:00 PST/12:00-1:00 EST

LITERACY BLOCK  
The block will be listed as 2 hours in the classroom, however class time may be SHORTER, depending on how classes run.  Generally language arts, reading, and writing each run for 30 minutes. Students WILL have a 10 minute break between classes, but WILL NOT need to log off and back on again.  

-Language Arts (all students)
10:00-10:30 PST/1:00-1:30 EST

-Reading (all students)
10:40-11:10 PST/1:40-2:10 EST

-Writing (all students)
11:20-11:50 PST/2:20-2:50 EST


MATH BLOCK 
Students only attend this block during the time of their math level.

-Math 4
12:45-1:15 PST/3:45-4:15 EST

-Math 5
1:25-1:55 PST/4:25-4:55 EST

-Math 6 
2:05-2:25 PST/5:05-5:25 EST


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YEAR-LONG SCHEDULE
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My classes are scheduled into four 9-week sessions:  summer, fall, winter, and spring.  There is an 8 week summer break. In between other sessions, students have a 2-3 week break.  

SUMMER 2024:  JULY 29- SEPTEMBER 27
   (Fall Break: September 30 - October 11)

FALL 2024: OCTOBER 14 - JANUARY 10
  (Thanksgiving Break: Nov 25-29)
  (Winter Break: Dec 16 - Jan 3)

WINTER 2025:  JANUARY 13 - MARCH 14
  (Spring Break: Mar 17 - Apr 4)

SPRING 2025: APRIL 7 - MAY 30
  

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COST AND PAYMENT
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Payments can be done as a WEEKLY payment plan or you may pay BY SESSION (every 9 weeks).  You are never locked into a commitment beyond

WEEKLY PAYMENT:  $150

9-WEEK SESSION PAYMENT:  $1350

Please feel free to message me with any questions!