Top 10 Most Popular Homeschool Subjects: 3rd-5th Grades

Introduction

Hello there. Welcome back, NEO Homeschoolers! With summer on it's way to NE Ohio, many homeschool parents are starting to plan ahead for the coming school year. I started a post series back in March featuring the top 10 most popular homeschool subjects by grade. In my initial post, I discussed subjects for students in kindergarten to 2nd grade. Today, I want to look at our 3rd to 5th grade students. Like all homeschool students, 3rd to 5th graders studying at home are offered a unique opportunity to have their curriculum tailored to their individual needs and interests. Let's take a look at ten of the subjects that tend to be studied universally in some capacity. Oh, and bonus, I've included some lesson ideas too! 😃

"Trending" Subjects: 3rd-5th Grade

Language Arts

Reading, writing, spelling, and grammar form the foundation of any quality education, and homeschool is no different. In third to fifth grade, many homeschoolers explore classic literature, creative writing, and phonics-based programs to help strengthen their language skills.

Lesson Ideas

1. Reading: Start a family book club in which you read age-appropriate classics and discuss the themes observed within the story.
2. Writing: Encourage creative storytelling by creating comic strips or writing short plays.
3. Grammar: Play MadLibs with the family to make grammar practice fun and engaging.

Mathematics

From mastering multiplication and division to understanding fractions and decimals, math is a core subject for any student. For homeschooling families, opting for a hands-on approach to learning math concepts is common. Using manipulatives, real-world applications, and engaging online programs helps make confusing math concepts a little more relatable.

Lesson Ideas

1. Multiplication: Play a multiplication board game or create flashcard races to make learning those facts fun.
2. Fractions: Bake cookies and divide them to demonstrate fraction concepts in action.
3. Geometry: Build 3D shapes using toothpicks and marshmallows to explore angles and structures.

Science

Curious young minds love science because it's a subject focused entirely on asking questions and exploring! Popular science topics of study include biology, earth science, chemistry, and physics, often taught through nature studies, experiments, and STEM projects.

Lesson Ideas

1. Biology: Grow a small herb garden to learn about plant life cycles.
2. Chemistry: Try a simple baking soda & vinegar experiment to explore chemical reactions. Making a volcano is always a fun way to do this, and is popular with any age.
3. Physics: Build and test a homemade catapult to learn about force and motion.

History

The study of history comes alive through storytelling, documentaries, and interactive projects. Homeschoolers often focus on American history, world history, and ancient civilizations when studying history.

Lesson Ideas

1. American History: Dress up as and act out famous speeches from historical figures.
2. World History: Create a timeline of major events using index cards. Take extra time to explore and research events of interest.
3. Ancient Civilizations: Work together to build a model of a famous ancient structure such as the pyramids. Research the history behind the ancient structure as you build.

Geography

Maps, culture, and global exploration make geography a favorite subject for many homeschoolers. Families often incorporate map studies, country research, and travel-based learning as ways to bring this subject to life.

Lesson Ideas

1. Map Skills: Create a treasure map with coordinates for a fun treasure hunt that will also encourage the development of map reading skills.
2. Countries & cultures: Cook a dish from the country your family is currently studying. Make it a theme and pick a new country to make a dish from each week or month. Little Passports subscription boxes are a great hands-on way to bring the study of different countries and cultures to life!
3. Land-forms: Make a salt dough map with rivers, mountains, and valleys. Try to model the salt dough map after a specific country for an added challenge.

Art

Creativity flourishes in homeschool studies of art! Lessons often include drawing, painting, sculpture, and art history with plenty of opportunities for children to express themselves freely.

Lesson Ideas

1. Drawing: Illustrate a favorite book scene, or create and illustrate your own storybook or comic.
2. Sculpture: Use clay to create animal figures and learn about those animals as a science lesson.
3. Art History: Recreate famous paintings using everyday household materials.

Music

Whether learning an instrument, studying composers, or exploring music theory, homeschoolers often integrate music appreciation and hands-on practice into their curriculum.

Lesson Ideas

1. Instrument Practice: Try creating a homemade drum or xylophone.
2. Composer Study: Listen to a composer's work and write a short reflection.
3. Music Theory: Learn rhythm through clapping patterns or creating beats.

Physical Education

Staying active is essential for a healthy lifestyle, and homeschoolers embrace this truth with energy. Through exploring things like sports, yoga, dance, and outdoor adventures, homeschool families keep movement a regular part of their daily routine.

Lesson Ideas

1. Sports Skills: Set up a mini obstacle course at home and enjoy some friendly family competition.
2. Yoga: Practice animal-themed yoga poses and talk about the animals you pose as. Follow it up with a trip to your local zoo for a day filled with animal-themed learning.
3. Outdoor Play: Go on a scavenger hunt while taking a walk in the park. If you have littles, like me, use playing on the playground as a end-of-lesson activity.

Foreign Language

In today's diverse society, being fluent in more than just English is almost essential for success. As someone who never mastered another language, it is a priority for me to ensure my daughter, Maureen is given ample opportunity to pick up a second -and third if she wants- language. For many homeschool families, offering language lessons in Spanish, French, or Sign Language using an app, immersion techniques, and/or interactive lessons provides the desired opportunity to learn another language.

Lesson Ideas

1. Vocabulary Practice: Label household items with stick notes in the target language.
2. Conversation Skills: Practice ordering food in the new language during a restaurant role-play.
3. Sign Language: Learn basic greetings and phrases, then come up with your own sign language song.

Life Skills

Educating kids at home allows parents to incorporate real-world experiences into their child's curriculum to help them develop essential life skills. These skills often include, but are not limited to cooking, budgeting, entrepreneurship, and gardening.

Lesson Ideas

1. Cooking: Bring your child into the meal-making process to introduce them to safe & proper use of kitchen appliances like the stove as well as math skills such as measuring. For help finding kid-friendly recipes to cook up in your kitchen, check out Raddish Kids, a subscription box featuring everything from cooking to baking to learning about global cuisine in the kitchen.
2. Budgeting: Take you kiddos shopping with you when you buy groceries for the week to help them learn budgeting skills. Or, for younger kids, plan a pretend shopping trip with a set amount of money -real or pretend- for your child to spend.
3. Gardening: Grow a small vegetable garden and track the plants' growth.

Conclusion

Third to fifth grade is a time of growth and exploration for students, and providing education during these years at home allows children to explore and learn at their own pace while exploring their personal interests. Whether your family embraces a structured homeschool curriculum, or a more flexible approach, incorporating the above subjects into your third to fifth grader's education will ensure they receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in their future. Adding hands-on elements to your lessons can provide additional opportunities for exploration and learning, and help turn everyday activities into teachable moments.

Thanks for reading! If you'd like to learn more about what I'm doing with my daughter for preschool, make sure to check back next week when I'll be sharing about the curriculum choices I'm using in my home, and how I'm structuring Maureen's days. For insight on the "trending" subjects for Kindergarten to second grade, click here. And of course, if you like what you see on this page, please consider subscribing and sharing the blog with your friends. Well, that's all for today... Happy homeschooling and see you next week! 😄