Homeschooling is an ever-growing popular method of education, offering control and flexibility over your child’s education. For many parents, homeschooling is the ideal way to ensure their children receive a quality, personalized education that best suits their academic needs and goals. But how do you know what should be included in a 3rd grader homeschool curriculum?
What Are the Basics That Should Be Included?
The basics that need to be included in any home school curriculum for children in the third grade are reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. You may also choose to include components of a foreign language, health, and physical education if you are attempting to teach the Common Core State Standards or follow the framework of a particular curriculum. Reading includes phonics, word recognition, and reading for fluency and comprehension.
To teach reading, you can use teaching materials such as books and worksheets, or you can combo reading instruction with activities such as read-alouds, games and library visits. Writing also involves teaching grammar and mechanics, as well as encouraging creative writing.
Writing lessons should include play with words, creative writing exercises, and proper formatting of written expression. In mathematics, teach the basics of problem solving, computation and money skills.
As your child progresses, concepts involving measurements, fractions, and basic algebra can be included in the curriculum to advance their learning. In science, questions focused around your child’s interests should be asked to encourage enthusiasm. For example, if your child is fascinated by the different planets and stars, you may focus on learning about astronomy or space exploration.
Finally, social studies lessons involve teaching students about history, geography, civics/government and economics. Consider seeing if there are any local historical societies or parks with educational days or lecture series that can be visited to supplement the home school curriculum.
What Is The Value of Including Extracurricular Topics?
Including extracurricular topics such as art and music has several benefits. First, it provides opportunities for creativity, which can help children think outside the box.
Art and music can also improve problem-solving skills and give children an outlet to express themselves. In addition, art and music are often heavily connected with history and certain countries and cultures, providing a valuable learning experience that can help children become more aware of their surroundings. Providing your child with a comprehensive 3rd grade homeschool curriculum that includes extracurricular topics can be very beneficial for their development, self-esteem and overall academic performance.
How Can I Incorporate Fun Learning Activities?
Many parents turn to educational games and activities to help reinforce a 3rd grade homeschool curriculum. There are many resources available online that offer activities that can be used to make learning more enjoyable, while still providing valuable content. Incorporating educational games into a home school classroom can spark the imagination and motivate a child to learn.
Games can be tailored to any subject matter and can fill downtime within a lesson plan, or keep a child’s mind engaged while taking a break from book work.
Conclusion
When creating a 3rd grade homeschool curriculum, it is important to provide your child with a balanced mix of content. Ensure that basic topics such as reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies are covered. Then, add extracurricular options and educational games to reinforce the information and keep the learning environment engaging.
With a comprehensive 3rd grade homeschool curriculum, your child can be set up to excel in their future education.