Okay, let’s talk about 5th grade. After our fourth grade flop, I was determined to build something better. I spent so much time on Google, digging through reviews, hunting for the right mix. Here’s where we landed:

Language Arts

We are using Lighting Literature. I wanted grammar, novel studies, and writing. Lighting Lit has everything but writing, so I picked up a separate workbook. So far, I really like it. It has grammar and novel studies built in in a workbook. With the novel studies, I add more; extra questions, vocab, little activities.

My daughter hasn’t started the workbook yet, but that’s fine. We will get there.

Math

We’re using Math Mammoth. The website suggests taking a placement test. Did I do that? Nope. Just bought the 5th-grade workbook. Guess what? Too hard.

So, I bought five worktexts from the blue series. Right now we’re working through the geometry one. I really like it. As a math teacher, I can say: it’s solid. Well explained, thorough, and flexible. She is also enjoying it.

Science

Blossom and Root. Love. Love. Love.

It’s not a hard curriculum, and you can really tailor it. My daughter does most of her work independently. Blossom and Root uses books, videos, websites, art activities, outside work, labs. Right now she’s working on Oceanography. Later, we’ll do astronomy. I also bought the nature study, but that one requires prep, and…yeah. Maybe winter or spring. Definitely not this fall.

History

History was a nightmare to find. So much of what’s out there is bullshit. I never liked history as a kid. I always felt like school only gave us half the story. Turns out, I was right. We were taught half truths and total bullshit. I didn’t want that for my kid. I wanted something real and honest. I wanted a history curriculum that taught from multiple perspectives.

Enter Build Your Library. Amazing. She’s reading so much… different perspectives, diverse voices. It’s exactly what I wanted. Honestly, I’d use BYL for language arts too if I hadn’t already bought Lighting Lit.

Extras

• Llamitas for Spanish
• Outschool for Spanish & American Sign Language
• Evan-Moor workbooks for financial literacy & spelling (easy, but decent)
• Geography workbook (not a favorite, but we’re finishing it)
• Spanish novel reading & listening
• Art: KiwiCo art boxes (we’ve done 3 and loved the books they include), some BYL art, but mostly YouTube tutorials of things she wants to draw.

We’re about a month into 5th grade. My daughter is busy and learning. I love it. This year already feels way better than 4th grade and she’s thriving.

I’m sure more tweaks are coming, but that’s the beauty of home schooling. I can tailor her education to her.