Notebooks
Since middle-grade students are doing significantly more writing than elementary students, you will probably need to use a new notebook each year for each subject.
Science:
Make four divisions in the notebook.
1. Definitions
2. Scientific Principles
3. Scientific Classifications
4. Scientific Descriptions
(Optional: Add “Technology” as a separate division.)
History:
The History notebook contains nine divisions.
1. Facts
2. Great Men and Women
3. Wars, Conflicts, and Political Events
4. Inventions, Science, and Discoveries
5. Daily Life, Beliefs, and Customs
6. Literature and the Arts
7. Cities and Settlements 8. Primary Sources 9. Outlines
Writing:
Divide the Writing notebook into four sections.
1. Spelling
2. Word Study
3. Grammar
4. Compositions
Literature:
The Literature notebook has two divisions.
1. Reading
2. Memory Work
Science:
Make four divisions in the notebook.
1. Definitions
2. Scientific Principles
3. Scientific Classifications
4. Scientific Descriptions
(Optional: Add “Technology” as a separate division.)
History:
The History notebook contains nine divisions.
1. Facts
2. Great Men and Women
3. Wars, Conflicts, and Political Events
4. Inventions, Science, and Discoveries
5. Daily Life, Beliefs, and Customs
6. Literature and the Arts
7. Cities and Settlements 8. Primary Sources 9. Outlines
Writing:
Divide the Writing notebook into four sections.
1. Spelling
2. Word Study
3. Grammar
4. Compositions
Literature:
The Literature notebook has two divisions.
1. Reading
2. Memory Work
Fifth Year
Religion
Varies per family; learn the basics of personal faith; learn about world religions through the study of history.
Foreign Language
3 or more hours per week, depending on pace: study Latin and/or begin a modern foreign language.
Grammar
40–60 minutes, 4 days per week; formal grammar program.
History
60 minutes, 3 days per week, or 1 ½ hours, 2 times per week: study ancient times (5000 B.C.–A.D. 400), using selected history resources, including primary sources (four over the course of the year); do at least one outline (one sentence per paragraph) of five to six paragraphs; prepare at least one written summary; mark dates on the time line; do map work.
Literature
45–60 minutes, 3 days per week; read ancient myths and legends, epics, versions of classics, books about ancient writers; write brief narrative summaries, ending with a short evaluation; begin to discuss critical issues orally; memorize and recite poems or passages, three to five for the year.
Logic
2 hours per week of “casual” informal logic each week, or delay until next year.
Mathematics
45–60 minutes, 5 days per week: use one day for real-life math project or activity.
Reading
1 hour, at least 4 days per week; student’s choice.
Science
60 minutes, 3 days per week; aim for two to three notebook entries per week; study life science, divide the year between life science and earth science, or do 5–6-week rotations through all major scientific topics.
Spelling/Word Study
15–20 minutes, 3–4 days per week; begin or continue formal spelling program.
Writing
Daily, time will vary; two narrative summaries per week (overlaps with literature, history, and science assignments); at least one one-level outline per week of a nonfiction source (overlaps with history); work toward two-level outlines; adjust as necessary if also completing a formal writing program.
Art
1–2 hours, once per week: alternate art projects with studying ancient art.
Music
1–2 hours, once per week: study the instruments of the orchestra.
Varies per family; learn the basics of personal faith; learn about world religions through the study of history.
Foreign Language
3 or more hours per week, depending on pace: study Latin and/or begin a modern foreign language.
Grammar
40–60 minutes, 4 days per week; formal grammar program.
History
60 minutes, 3 days per week, or 1 ½ hours, 2 times per week: study ancient times (5000 B.C.–A.D. 400), using selected history resources, including primary sources (four over the course of the year); do at least one outline (one sentence per paragraph) of five to six paragraphs; prepare at least one written summary; mark dates on the time line; do map work.
Literature
45–60 minutes, 3 days per week; read ancient myths and legends, epics, versions of classics, books about ancient writers; write brief narrative summaries, ending with a short evaluation; begin to discuss critical issues orally; memorize and recite poems or passages, three to five for the year.
Logic
2 hours per week of “casual” informal logic each week, or delay until next year.
Mathematics
45–60 minutes, 5 days per week: use one day for real-life math project or activity.
Reading
1 hour, at least 4 days per week; student’s choice.
Science
60 minutes, 3 days per week; aim for two to three notebook entries per week; study life science, divide the year between life science and earth science, or do 5–6-week rotations through all major scientific topics.
Spelling/Word Study
15–20 minutes, 3–4 days per week; begin or continue formal spelling program.
Writing
Daily, time will vary; two narrative summaries per week (overlaps with literature, history, and science assignments); at least one one-level outline per week of a nonfiction source (overlaps with history); work toward two-level outlines; adjust as necessary if also completing a formal writing program.
Art
1–2 hours, once per week: alternate art projects with studying ancient art.
Music
1–2 hours, once per week: study the instruments of the orchestra.
Sixth Year
Religion
Varies per family; learn the basics of personal faith; learn about world religions through the study of history.
Foreign Language
3 or more hours per week, depending on pace: study Latin and/or begin a modern foreign language.
Grammar
40–60 minutes, 4 days per week; formal grammar program.
History
60 minutes, 3 days per week, or 1 ½ hours, 2 times per week: study medieval–early Renaissance times (400–1600), using selected history resources, including primary sources (four to six over the course of the year); do at least one two-level outline of a five- to ten-paragraph selection; prepare at least one written summary; mark dates on the time line; do map work.
Literature
45–60 minutes, 3 days per week; read stories of the Middle Ages and Renaissance; begin to read some original writings; alternate writing brief narrative summaries with writing answers to two or more discussion questions; memorize and recite poems or passages, three to five for the year.
Logic
2 hours of “casual” informal logic or 3 hours of informal logic I each week.
Mathematics
45–60 minutes, 5 days per week: use one day for real-life math project or activity; aim to move toward pre-algebra if not already begun.
Reading
1 hour, at least 4 days per week; student’s choice.
Science
60 minutes, 3 days per week; aim for three to four notebook entries per week; study life science, divide the year between life science and earth science, or do 5–6-week rotations through all major scientific topics.
Spelling/Word Study
15–20 minutes, 3–4 days per week; continue formal spelling program.
Writing
Daily, time will vary; two narrative summaries per week (overlaps with literature, history, and science assignments); at least one two-level outline per week of a nonfiction source (overlaps with history and science); work toward three-level outlines; adjust as necessary if also completing a formal writing program.
Music
1–2 hours, once per week: listen to medieval and early Renaissance music; read biographies of the composers; make biographical pages for musicians; enter dates on time line.
Art
1–2 hours, once per week: alternate art projects with making biographical pages about medieval and early Renaissance artists and studying medieval and early Renaissance art; enter dates on time line.
Varies per family; learn the basics of personal faith; learn about world religions through the study of history.
Foreign Language
3 or more hours per week, depending on pace: study Latin and/or begin a modern foreign language.
Grammar
40–60 minutes, 4 days per week; formal grammar program.
History
60 minutes, 3 days per week, or 1 ½ hours, 2 times per week: study medieval–early Renaissance times (400–1600), using selected history resources, including primary sources (four to six over the course of the year); do at least one two-level outline of a five- to ten-paragraph selection; prepare at least one written summary; mark dates on the time line; do map work.
Literature
45–60 minutes, 3 days per week; read stories of the Middle Ages and Renaissance; begin to read some original writings; alternate writing brief narrative summaries with writing answers to two or more discussion questions; memorize and recite poems or passages, three to five for the year.
Logic
2 hours of “casual” informal logic or 3 hours of informal logic I each week.
Mathematics
45–60 minutes, 5 days per week: use one day for real-life math project or activity; aim to move toward pre-algebra if not already begun.
Reading
1 hour, at least 4 days per week; student’s choice.
Science
60 minutes, 3 days per week; aim for three to four notebook entries per week; study life science, divide the year between life science and earth science, or do 5–6-week rotations through all major scientific topics.
Spelling/Word Study
15–20 minutes, 3–4 days per week; continue formal spelling program.
Writing
Daily, time will vary; two narrative summaries per week (overlaps with literature, history, and science assignments); at least one two-level outline per week of a nonfiction source (overlaps with history and science); work toward three-level outlines; adjust as necessary if also completing a formal writing program.
Music
1–2 hours, once per week: listen to medieval and early Renaissance music; read biographies of the composers; make biographical pages for musicians; enter dates on time line.
Art
1–2 hours, once per week: alternate art projects with making biographical pages about medieval and early Renaissance artists and studying medieval and early Renaissance art; enter dates on time line.
Sevenenth Year
Religion
Varies per family; learn the basics of personal faith; learn about world religions through the study of history.
Foreign Language
3 or more hours per week, depending on pace: study Latin and/or begin a modern foreign language.
Grammar
40–60 minutes, 4 days per week; formal grammar program.
History
60 minutes, 3 days per week, or 1 ½ hours, 2 times per week: study late Renaissance–early-modern times (1600–1850), using selected history resources, including primary sources (six to eight over the course of the year); do at least one two-level or three-level outline of a two- to three-page selection; prepare at least one written summary; mark dates on the time line; do map work.
Literature
45–60 minutes, 3 days per week; read late Renaissance through early modern literature; answer four or more critical questions about literature in writing; memorize and recite poems or passages, three to five for the year.
Logic
3 hours per week of informal logic II or informal logic I.
Mathematics
45–60 minutes, 5 days per week: use 1 day for real-life math project or activity. Aim for pre-algebra or algebra I.
Reading
1 hour, at least 4 days per week; student’s choice.
Science
60 minutes, 3 days per week; aim for five to seven notebook entries per week; study life science, divide the year between life science and earth science, or do 5–6-week rotations through all major scientific topics.
Spelling/Word Study
15–20 minutes, 3–4 days per week; continue or finish formal spelling curriculum; transition into word study.
Writing
Daily, time will vary; one narrative summary per week (overlaps with literature, history, and science assignments); at least two three-level outlines per week of nonfiction sources (overlaps with history and science); rewrite one selection from an outline each week; adjust as necessary if also completing a formal writing program.
Music
1–2 hours, once per week: listen to Renaissance, baroque, and classical music; read biographies of the composers; make biographical pages for musicians; enter dates on time line.
Art
1–2 hours, once per week: alternate art projects with making biographical pages and studying the works of artists from the late Renaissance through the early modern periods; enter dates on time line.
Varies per family; learn the basics of personal faith; learn about world religions through the study of history.
Foreign Language
3 or more hours per week, depending on pace: study Latin and/or begin a modern foreign language.
Grammar
40–60 minutes, 4 days per week; formal grammar program.
History
60 minutes, 3 days per week, or 1 ½ hours, 2 times per week: study late Renaissance–early-modern times (1600–1850), using selected history resources, including primary sources (six to eight over the course of the year); do at least one two-level or three-level outline of a two- to three-page selection; prepare at least one written summary; mark dates on the time line; do map work.
Literature
45–60 minutes, 3 days per week; read late Renaissance through early modern literature; answer four or more critical questions about literature in writing; memorize and recite poems or passages, three to five for the year.
Logic
3 hours per week of informal logic II or informal logic I.
Mathematics
45–60 minutes, 5 days per week: use 1 day for real-life math project or activity. Aim for pre-algebra or algebra I.
Reading
1 hour, at least 4 days per week; student’s choice.
Science
60 minutes, 3 days per week; aim for five to seven notebook entries per week; study life science, divide the year between life science and earth science, or do 5–6-week rotations through all major scientific topics.
Spelling/Word Study
15–20 minutes, 3–4 days per week; continue or finish formal spelling curriculum; transition into word study.
Writing
Daily, time will vary; one narrative summary per week (overlaps with literature, history, and science assignments); at least two three-level outlines per week of nonfiction sources (overlaps with history and science); rewrite one selection from an outline each week; adjust as necessary if also completing a formal writing program.
Music
1–2 hours, once per week: listen to Renaissance, baroque, and classical music; read biographies of the composers; make biographical pages for musicians; enter dates on time line.
Art
1–2 hours, once per week: alternate art projects with making biographical pages and studying the works of artists from the late Renaissance through the early modern periods; enter dates on time line.
Eighth Year
Religion
Varies per family; learn the basics of personal faith; learn about world religions through the study of history.
Foreign Language
3 or more hours per week, depending on pace: study Latin and/or begin a modern foreign language.
Grammar
40–60 minutes, 4 days per week; formal grammar program.
History
60 minutes, 3 days per week, or 1½ hours, 2 times per week: study modern times (1850–present), using selected history resources, including primary sources (six to eight over the course of the year); do at least one oral history project; do at least one three-level outline of a three- to four-page selection; prepare at least one written summary; mark dates on the time line; do map work.
Literature
45–60 minutes, 3 days per week; read modern literature; answer four or more critical questions about literature in writing; memorize and recite poems or passages, three to five for the year.
Logic
3 hours per week of formal logic I or informal logic II.
Mathematics
45–60 minutes, 5 days per week: use 1 day for real-life math project or activity. Aim for algebra I if not yet begun.
Reading
1 hour, at least 4 days per week; student’s choice.
Science
60 minutes, 3 days per week; aim for five to seven notebook entries per week; study life science, divide the year between life science and earth science, or do 5–6-week rotations through all major scientific topics.
Word Study
15–20 minutes, 3–4 days per week; begin or continue with word study.
Writing
Daily, time will vary; at least two three-level outlines per week of nonfiction sources (overlaps with history and science); rewrite both selections from the outlines each week; adjust as necessary if also completing a formal writing program.
Music
1–2 hours, once per week: listen to Romantic and modern music, including musical theater and light opera; make biographical pages for musicians; enter dates on time line.
Art
1–2 hours, once per week: alternate art projects with making biographical pages and studying the works of modern artists; enter dates on time line.
Varies per family; learn the basics of personal faith; learn about world religions through the study of history.
Foreign Language
3 or more hours per week, depending on pace: study Latin and/or begin a modern foreign language.
Grammar
40–60 minutes, 4 days per week; formal grammar program.
History
60 minutes, 3 days per week, or 1½ hours, 2 times per week: study modern times (1850–present), using selected history resources, including primary sources (six to eight over the course of the year); do at least one oral history project; do at least one three-level outline of a three- to four-page selection; prepare at least one written summary; mark dates on the time line; do map work.
Literature
45–60 minutes, 3 days per week; read modern literature; answer four or more critical questions about literature in writing; memorize and recite poems or passages, three to five for the year.
Logic
3 hours per week of formal logic I or informal logic II.
Mathematics
45–60 minutes, 5 days per week: use 1 day for real-life math project or activity. Aim for algebra I if not yet begun.
Reading
1 hour, at least 4 days per week; student’s choice.
Science
60 minutes, 3 days per week; aim for five to seven notebook entries per week; study life science, divide the year between life science and earth science, or do 5–6-week rotations through all major scientific topics.
Word Study
15–20 minutes, 3–4 days per week; begin or continue with word study.
Writing
Daily, time will vary; at least two three-level outlines per week of nonfiction sources (overlaps with history and science); rewrite both selections from the outlines each week; adjust as necessary if also completing a formal writing program.
Music
1–2 hours, once per week: listen to Romantic and modern music, including musical theater and light opera; make biographical pages for musicians; enter dates on time line.
Art
1–2 hours, once per week: alternate art projects with making biographical pages and studying the works of modern artists; enter dates on time line.