Looking for 5Th and 6Th Grade Curriculum Materials That Are Low Cost or Free

Updated on April 09, 2013
J.S. asks from Spring Hill, FL
7 answers

Hey Mamas! I was wondering if anyone knew of any good curriculum or academic planning materials and supplies for a 5th to 6th grade student, (a boy not that the gender really matters all that much). It would be great if the products were free or very low cost as money is quite tight right now. I am needing to basically keep him engaged academically through the end of this school year, (he is in 5th grade now), and then he will be continuing next year with either homeschooling or possibly doing our county's virtual school if I am not happy with whatever homeschool materials that I can find. I just wanted to get the advice of you Mamas ouit there because I know that there have been quite a few of you who have done homeschool with your own kids, and you are all very smart when it comes to education.
I DID do the K12 virtual school a couple years ago with both my son and daughter, in grades 3 and 4, however, that program is not something that our county continues past the 5th grade, and it is too late into the year now to enroll him in the end of his 5th grade year to complete this year. I LOVED their curriculum and products, and the style of learning was so fun for both of my kids. I wish that I never even sent them back to the traditional schools this year. :( Oh well, live and learn. You can't change the past, so I am moving forward now. I have withdrawn my son from the public schools, and he is now being home educated again, and will be for the duration of his education. (well, unless there is some MAJOR change or development in his future closer to high school age) At least for now and through middle school, he will be a homeschool/ virtual school student.
WEll, thanks for any assistance that you may have. He is a much more "hands on" or tactile learner, so if that helps it would be great to have a curriculum that allowed for more project type of assignments. I can always adapt any curriculum to fit his needs. Thanks again!

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So What Happened?

THANKS SO MUCH for all of the awesome info and websites Mamas!!! I knew that I could count on everyone here to help me out!! :) I have checked out most of the sites quickly, and it looks like I will have enough to keep my son busy for the remainder of this year, (probably next year as well, but I haven't looked that hard yet) I will check them out again a lot more carefully today. I was just so thrilled to get him home and out of the "traditional" school after what we have been through this year. (LONG story that could have ended very tragically, but thankfully it did not)
Ok, to answer a couple questions, Michelle G - I did virtual school last year with both of my younger kids, (this son and a 9 yr old daughter), and we used the K12 curriculum that we signed up for through our county's public school's virtual school program. Our county uses the K12 program (K12 is not just a grade as you know, but in this case, it is a brand or name of the program). Anyway, our county uses the K12 virtual school curriculum / program for free to all public school kids who want to do virtual school and are in grades kindergarten through FIVE. Once you enter 6th grade, they NO LONGER use that program. They use a different virtual school program. It's a major bummer because we LOVED the K12 curriculum, program, and the way they set up their website, etc. It was very easy to keep up with. Plus, all of the materials were sent to you for free and there were SO many materials!! SO, we are needing to find a new virtual or home education program. (even though my son is in 5th grade now, he will be in 6th grade next year, and it's too late in the year to start a 5th grade program) I could BUY the K12 program myself for him for 6th grade, but it is VERY expensive, so I am choosing to look for another program. Our county does offer eschool, and one other virtual school choice for grades 6 to 8, but I am not really impressed with it. I will either need to find another one, or add some other cool and fun material to make it more diverse and fun for my son. (which is why these suggestions are awesome!)
Laura - Thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to send me all of the great info and websites! I thought it was so sweet of you to do that especially since you don't home school and your kids go to the "regular" public school. I appreciate it very much!
Peg M. - I can't wait for my son to check out the science website. He LOVES science!
I REALLY, REALLY appreciate ALL of the input and help / suggestions from everyone. If you all think of anything new, please let me know. I will be checking into all of these and will use as many of these great resources as possible. Again, thanks! This website is the BEST when you need good advice or help with something like this! :))

More Answers

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G.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Check out Khan Academy, a free online school. I am currently using the K12 curriculum independently and supplementing our math through Khan Academy, and I really like what I've seen there. One of my friends uses Khan Academy almost exclusively with her sixth grader, and has gotten positive results.

Also look at www.openculture.com for loads of free educational resources. PBS has great online resources. Colonial Williamsburg does, too. and once a year they have special virtual field trips that are free to homeschoolers. Lots of universities host free online educational content for kids in subject areas such as classical mythology, science, and history. These can often be found by googling by subject or topic.

Go looking in your community for live resources, too. Many museums run school programs that homeschoolers can get in on if they ask. Also, local symphonies, ballets, and theaters often hold performances for school kids that homeschoolers can participate in, for reasonable prices or even for free, if they ask. Get on the phone and see what you can find out. Public libraries are also a great place to look for events and special programs.

1 mom found this helpful

C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

He might like the "Life of Fred" math curriculum. I have a friend who uses it for her kids, and the books are hilarious (and her kids REALLY know their math). It's fairly inexpensive, from what I've seen on the website:
http://www.lifeoffredmath.com

1 mom found this helpful
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P.M.

answers from Portland on

This isn't a whole curriculum, but our website www.TOPScience.org offers about 50 totally free hands-on science and math activities that run on simple, everyday materials.

These free samples are adapted from the books we offer, and your son will most likely find a bunch that light his fire!

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S.J.

answers from Des Moines on

When my dd was young I found tons of books in thrift shops. Lots of workbooks that had hardly been used.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Cleveland on

We use the K12 curriculum through the Ohio Virtual Academy. K12 has schools in many states. They are open to the state and not county based. I am not sure why you say your county doesn't use it past 5th grade. Check out the k12 website for a school in your state. www.k12.com
All of our supplies were free.

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L.H.

answers from Miami on

hi there,

while I don't homeschool (I actually work in the public school system & send my children to public school),

I love to collect information and to help others!

~L.

So here are some sites to get you started:

http://www.thedenimjumper.com/

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/weblinks/support.htm

http://parentingbeyondbelief.com/blog/?p=3709

http://www.handsonhomeschooling.com/

http://www.besthomeschooling.org/
www.mathusee.com
www.evan-moor.com
http://www.abchomepreschool.com/
http://www.starfall.com/
http://www.noeoscience.com/index.html
http://www.spellingtime.com/
http://www.unschooling.org/
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/un...ne_Studies.htm
http://www.homeedmag.com/
http://www.nhen.org/

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/ - very 'classical' approach

Enchanted Learning
First School Preschool Activities
KidZone Super-Simple Science Experiments
PreK & K Writing Practice Worksheets
Scissor Skills Practice Worksheets
Mrs. Alphabet
Online Interactive Skillbuilders from Scholastic
FunSchool
Foreign Languages for Children
The Kaboose Network for kids 4-8
The Kaboose Network for kids 8+
The Story Place: An online digital library Great reading fun for kids preschool-elementary age (offered in English and Spanish).
Primary Games
Montessori Materials

Updated

hi there,

while I don't homeschool (I actually work in the public school system & send my children to public school),

I love to collect information and to help others!

~L.

So here are some sites to get you started:

http://www.thedenimjumper.com/

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/weblinks/support.htm

http://parentingbeyondbelief.com/blog/?p=3709

http://www.handsonhomeschooling.com/

http://www.besthomeschooling.org/
www.mathusee.com
www.evan-moor.com
http://www.abchomepreschool.com/
http://www.starfall.com/
http://www.noeoscience.com/index.html
http://www.spellingtime.com/
http://www.unschooling.org/
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/un...ne_Studies.htm
http://www.homeedmag.com/
http://www.nhen.org/

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/ - very 'classical' approach

Enchanted Learning
First School Preschool Activities
KidZone Super-Simple Science Experiments
PreK & K Writing Practice Worksheets
Scissor Skills Practice Worksheets
Mrs. Alphabet
Online Interactive Skillbuilders from Scholastic
FunSchool
Foreign Languages for Children
The Kaboose Network for kids 4-8
The Kaboose Network for kids 8+
The Story Place: An online digital library Great reading fun for kids preschool-elementary age (offered in English and Spanish).
Primary Games
Montessori Materials

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