Time Requirements for teaching 5th grade year?

[Cat in the Hat]

I would like to teach my 5th and 7th graders using your suggestions...
FMoMA
Literature (Adam of the Road,...)
CS III
Latina Christiana I

First of all, would the 5th grade year be an appropriate study for a 7th grader? (I am also teaching a Kindergartener and a 3rd grader, so I must teach the two kids together.)

Secondly, how much time and how many days are we committing ourselves to for each component? (Just an educated guess based on the average student's progress would be helpful...)

While I plan to learn Latin with the children, how would you rate teacher involvement in the other courses? Independent, SemiIndependent, or Teacher Driven?

Lastly, could you suggest any supplements to enhance our studies? We have already completed the SOTW series and CHOW.

I think that does it!

Thanks.

[tanya]

The Middle Ages is an appropriate study for a 7th grader, but you could add another book to FMMA for that student; I have a book we are going to reprint that is by Dorothy Mills on the Middle Ages that would supplement your 7th grader's history. Mills wrote in the 1920s-30s, and her books are well-suited for middle school students. I would have to print and bind it for you in-house because I'm not ready to send it to a printer yet. I'm selling it right now for $19.95.

As far as time goes, I would plan to get one lesson per week completed in FMMA, and that can be easily done in 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. For literature, I'd spend an hour a day. You should be able to get through an average of 1 chapter/lesson in that time (that includes reading the chapter). I'd allow an hour a day for First Form, but you may be through before Fri. Fri. could be quiz/review day.

Because our study guides are comprehensive, I'd say your children could work pretty independently - especially since the two of them will be working together. You need to set the standards you expect in the study guides, and then monitor that those standards are being met (I say that as the parent of boys who would get away with minimal work if I didn't specify). For example, do they need practice in writing good sentences? Then make them write their answers in full sentences, good punctuation, capitalization, etc. Then, you will want to choose which activities they do each week from the study guides. They should always complete the vocabulary and comprehension questions, but we have supplemental activities that you can choose to do or not. It would be difficult to do them all, so pick the ones that you feel would benefit your children most.

Adam of the Road may be simple for your 7th grader, but it is a great introduction to the culture of the Middle Ages. And if you use the Mills book for additional reading, it should be fine. King Arthur and Robin Hood are on high school reading lists, so I'm not concerned about them. And again, I would have the 7th grader maybe do more of the writing projects in the literature guides. There is plenty of opportunity in those guides to do regular writing.

I think it's coming together! Sounds like a good year to me. And after you begin working, I'll be glad to continue helping you as questions arise.

Regards,

Tanya