Supplementing Fifth Grade with a Geography Workbook

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from Timberdoodle in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

We added an additional workbook into our homeschool routine to supplement our fifth grader's lessons. We used Skill Sharpeners Geography - Grade 5, courtesy of Timberdoodle, to study the world in spatial terms, places and regions, physical systems, and human systems. 

Concepts and Lessons 

Unlike the second-grade workbook, I didn't assign all the lessons to our son out of the fifth-grade workbook. Some lessons didn't fit into our studies or our worldview. And we also skipped several hands-on activities. 

There were quite a few lessons that were great supplements to our regular social studies and history lessons. For example, both hands-on activities from The World in Spatial Terms allowed our son to work on real-world skills. He had to map a route and plan a vacation in Europe using trains. These were great activities that focused on skills he may someday need. We don't just rely upon GPS or Google maps for directions. Physical maps are key to getting where you need to go. 

Another lesson in the Human Sytems unit allowed us to talk about farming, crops, and ingredients. From reading about terrace farming to examining food in our pantry for wheat, corn, or rice, our son explored food and farms.

We still have three experiments or hands-on activities saved to supplement our science and geography lessons. We will be making a rain gauge, making mountains with graham crackers, and an igloo. 

Units We Skipped 

There were more than a few pages, lessons, and units we skipped. Some were a little too complicated to do at this time (dinosaur dig hands-on activity using bones of a whole chicken) and the solar oven. Others discussed ideas we don't necessarily agree with, while many of the application activities did not supplement our lessons. But that is the great thing about homeschooling. You can pick and choose what to use and teach.  

My Final Thoughts 

Skill Sharpeners Geography – Grade 5 provided many supplemental lessons for our fifth grader. While I don't think I would purchase the grade 6 workbook, I am very happy we were able to review grade 5. If you are looking to add additional geography lessons to your homeschool day, check out the Evan-Moor series of Skills Sharpeners at Timberdoodle. 

Interested in More Resources from Timberdoodle? 

Art 

Including Art in Your Homeschool: A Review of Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh

Art History for All Ages: A Review of Have I Got a Story For You! Downloadable Art History Video Series (Renaissance)

Puzzles 

Puzzles in Our Homeschool: A Review of  Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Thorax

Finding The Fun in Homeschooling: Adding a Puzzle into your Chemistry Course

Social Studies 

Critical Thinking and Supporting History: A Review of U.S. History Detective® Book Two

Including Geography in Your Homeschool: A Review of Skill Sharpeners Geography - Grade 2

Homeschooling with a Dinosaur Puzzle

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this puzzle in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review and was not compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you!

During December, it is fun to incorporate learning activities that are educational and fun. There are many ways in which you can do this, including games, baking, music, and puzzles! We had the opportunity to review the Tyrannosaurus Rex Floor Puzzle courtesy of Genius Games. Working on this puzzle allowed us to focus on cooperation, critical thinking skills, and a quick introduction to a future homeschool science course. 

Homeschool Fun 

Working on puzzles such as the Tyrannosaurus Rex Floor Puzzle is great fun for our children. Our third grader and fifth grader enjoy challenging floor puzzles. This Turn N Learn Puzzle is quite challenging, as it is a 2-in-1 reversible floor puzzle. One side depicts the skeleton of the T-Rex, while the other features the T-Rex with his brown and green scales. This brings an added challenge as children must figure out which side they need to complete the puzzle. 

About the Dinosaur Puzzle 

This 100-piece puzzle is over four feet long when fully assembled. And the skeleton side glows in the dark! The pieces are rather thick and sturdy. 

The box contains a velcro closure for easy storage. And inside, you will also find a fun fact sheet about the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Please keep in mind that the information may not align with your worldview if you are a Creationist or believe in a young Earth. 

Future Homeschool Science Course 

In the New Year, our fifth grader will be taking Dinosaurs and the Bible Homeschool Course with SchoolhouseTeachers.com. This course looks at the exciting world of dinosaurs and paleontology from a Biblical perspective. Our son will be taking the new interactive course which will allow him to learn about dinosaurs and how they fit in with a young-earth creationist worldview. 

Completing this dinosaur puzzle in advance of his coursework has allowed him to ask questions about what different people believe in regard to dinosaurs, their place in science and history, and their extinction. We have even talked about how opinions regarding dinosaurs have changed from when I was a child to the publication of the novel Jurassic Park to the remakes of the books and movies. 

Our Thoughts 

This dinosaur puzzle was a hit with our children. It allowed us to work together and take a slower approach to homeschooling during December. I would recommend the Tyrannosaurus Rex Floor Puzzle to any family or school that wants to learn more about this famous terrible lizard. 

Love Puzzles 

If you love puzzles, don't forget to check out my other reviews featuring puzzles from Genius Games, including a Turn N Learn Owl puzzle and a Human Heart Floor Puzzle.

Wordless Wednesday: Snoopy Ornaments

 

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Learning Year Round: Christmas Homeschool Plans

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

The month of December affords homeschool families with a lot of wonderful opportunities for holiday homeschooling. Learning year-round takes on a special meaning for the Christian homeschooler at Christmas time. We can set aside our normal routine and books and spend time focusing on Jesus and Christmas. 

Making Small Changes 

If you aren't ready to put away all the homeschool books during December, you can start adding in small changes. Swap out the books in your morning basket or at read-aloud time with Christmas ones like A Christmas Carol, Christmas in the Manger, or Bear Stays Up. 

In addition to books, change out the music you play during the week. We often listen to music during art or while working on independent projects. During this time of year, we listen to my different Christmas playlists. 

What do you do during lunchtime? Our children watch either Minno or RightNow Media or listen to me read aloud. During December, I break out our box of Christmas-themed holiday DVDs for lunchtime. Some of our favorites include: 

• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• VeggieTales: The Toy That Saved Christmas
• The Year Without a Santa Claus
• White Christmas

Fun Activities 

If you are looking to incorporate more Christmas activities while learning year-round, you can look at art lessons from SchoolhouseTeachers.com that focus on Christmas themes. Or you can work on crafts, cards, and gifts. 

Another feature of SchoolhouseTeachers.com that I enjoy is the holiday-themed worksheets. This year, I printed out one about Advent, where our children will write a poem and some coloring sheets, but there are more options, including ones for math! 

Switching Up the Entire Day 

There are a couple of options left to you if you want to holiday homeschool the entire month. You can keep working on normal subjects but with a Christmas twist from unit studies. For example, Homeschool Complete offers a Christmas Unit Study (K-6). Lessons include reading, mathematics, arts and crafts, and more. Another option would be the White House Holiday Unit Studies offered by Silverdale Press LLC, which includes a Christmas-themed one.

You can also ditch all the subjects and work on relationships. Prepare the house for Christmas by cleaning and decorating. Bake Christmas cookies and prepare yummy treats and treasures as gifts. Go ice skating, skiing, or participate in other winter sports. Learn Christmas hymns or carols and sing or play them for others. There are many options available. 

As a family, select from things to do in your area. Go see Christmas lights, drink hot chocolate, or choose a new hobby (or return to an old one). Spending time together during December is a wonderful way to learn during the Christmas season. 

What are some of your favorite ways to homeschool during December? 

Teaching Homeschool Science: A Review of Owl Anatomy Floor Puzzle

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this puzzle in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Teaching homeschool science is such a daily joy! When we look at homeschool science curriculum and resources, there are so many great options and approaches available to us. From fun science experiments to interesting books, we can bring our homeschool science lessons to life. Another great option is floor puzzles. The Owl Anatomy Floor Puzzle lets our children see both the anatomical structure of a great horned owl and the feathered view of one, as the puzzle is 2-in-1 reversible. 

About the Puzzle 

This puzzle is from Genius Games Junior, featuring 100 pieces in a unique "turn-n-learn" approach. The puzzle pieces are very sturdy. As it is reversible, you will need to look at the pieces closely to pick the right side to match up. It is over 3 feet long when completed, definitely making it suited to completion on the floor.

The box itself is sturdy with a velcro closure. Inside, there is a laminated fact sheet which provides information about the great horned owl, allowing you to easily teach homeschool science. The anatomy side is drawn by a certified medical illustrator and shows the muscles, heart, crop, and more. 

Learning About the Great Horned Owl 

This large predator is native to the Americas. We are fortunate that we can hear one from our living room on many evenings. We haven't spotted it yet, though!  Share these facts with your child as you complete the puzzle together. 

• Life span of 20-30 years.
• 19 to 35 inches big.
• Over four feet wing span. 
• Large ear-like tufts give it the name great horned owl 
• Actual ears are holes under the feathers on its head. 
• Its call is one long hoot followed by two or three shorter hoots. Listen to different calls of the great horned owl at the Audubon Guide to North American Birds. 
• They eat mostly mammals such as mice, rats, and rabbits but will eat birds and reptiles, too. 
• Both parents take care of the young.

Science Fun 

Our children and I had a lot of fun putting together the Owl Anatomy Floor Puzzle. I made sure we had all the puzzle pieces flipped the correct way, and then we got started! We completed the anatomy side first, which was a bit easier because of the break up in color with the internal organs. 

It took less than an hour to put the puzzle together. The side showing the downy exterior did take a little longer. We tested pieces based on color, shape, and size. When the entire puzzle was put together, it was beautiful. The pieces fit together so well that it didn't really look like a puzzle. 

Our daughter really loved the puzzle. She has asked to complete it again almost every day since it arrived. So, not only is it educational, but it is fun and a winner. 

I highly recommend this series of puzzles from Genius Games Junior. The company has also produced a shark and a tiger. These are perfect for teaching homeschool science or just as a fun activity. They would make great gifts for the holiday season or a birthday. 

Interested in More Puzzles 

Please check out my review of other puzzles from Genius Games! 

Puzzles as Science Resources—a look at the Doctor Livingston JR. Human Brain floor puzzle

Puzzles are Great Fun! A Review of the Human Heart Floor Puzzle—a review of the Doctor Livingston JR. Human Heart Floor Puzzle

Anatomy Puzzle for Kids: A Review of the Dr. Livingston JR Human Body Floor Puzzle—a review of the Dr. Livingston JR Human Body Floor Puzzle

Puzzles in Our Homeschool—a review of the Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Thorax