Custom Creating Home School Activity Packets

Dewey Decimal System Grade 4-5

One of the assignments in our lesson plans called for studying the Dewey Decimal System. Without books or worksheets, we were left to our own devices in creating an activity.

Obviously, the first place to start was our local library. The librarian was more than happy to give a tour of the library and explain how books and materials were catalogued and stored. The card catalogue was demonstrated by using the computer instead of all the drawers upon drawers of indexed cards that use to store all that information. The marvels of technology has generally replaced all those little drawers but it is a possibility there are a few smaller libraries still using this method.

After checking out books on the subject it was decided that there had to be more than reading a few books. An activity packet with information, games, and worksheets would be an ideal way to give hands-on knowledge and practice usage.

Our source was the internet site on Melvil Dewey. Here we found information on the man Melvil Dewey, word search games, crossword puzzles, stories, illustrated explanations, cryptograms, reviews and a test to access comprehension. Either print the pages, keep the pages in a binder or folder or simply print only the worksheets and work directly from the computer.

After finishing the activities, develop a list of fiction and nonfiction titles with space next to each title for your child to record the call numbers on. Then, head off to the library and let your child look up the titles on the library's computers. See how many titles your child can locate on the shelves without aid from you or the librarian.

Determining What Books to Use in a Custom Created Curriculum

When we started researching curriculum and how, exactly, to home school we saw boxed curriculum as too rigid with little flexibility. Plus, there was concern whether there was enough instruction for a parent to aid in explanations. The deciding factor was the cost of these boxed curriculum and if all the material supplied was actually necessary or there would be a need to invest in supplemental materials as well. Therefore, the decision to custom create a curriculum seemed a far better choice. A Custom Created Curriculum gave the ability to control what we needed and how much we wanted to invest in materials.

First, we checked our state's home school laws in what was required. In deciding on books, some of our research started online but with limited information and ability to review the materials. It was during a visit to a local bookstore that we stumbled upon a curriculum guide to teach your child at home. What a wonderful discovery! It contained lesson plans for a full school year along with reading lists and activities. What more could we have asked for? It was all there laid out in front of us and all we had to do was follow along. There was plenty of room for flexibility and inclusion of other activities.

The "Learn at Home" series for grades K-4 was designed by experts in elementary education. It provides for 36 weeks of lesson plans in six curriculum areas--Reading, Language Skills, Spelling, Math, Science and Social Studies. It also includes Art, Music and movement activities into the curriculum and other activities outside of the classroom. Each 36 weeks is divided into three sections: Lesson Plans, Teaching Suggestions and Activities, and Activity Sheets. Each lesson contains detailed directions and suggestions. Worksheets are shown in bold print that coincides with the lesson and perforated for easy removal for scanning and copying.

The "Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills" for grades PreK-6, also designed by elementary education experts, is organized by subject area with lessons in reading, writing, spelling, math, citizenship, and science. The series contains an entire curriculum of basic skill activities. Lessons are organized by subject areas and in sequential order for ease of use. Along with teaching suggestions the series contains review and assessment tools and includes an answer key and bibliography. Perfect as a home schooling resource helps to insure success across key curriculum areas.

With a curriculum guide we chose supplemental workbooks that matched with the teaching suggestions and activities section of each week. When a suggestion did not contain a worksheet included for that week, a workbook page or worksheet on that subject was used. For example: a suggested reading assignment was on dictionary skills and how to use the dictionary. A worksheet was not included and knowing that this would be a continuous subject on and off throughout the schoolyear we invested in a workbook on dictionary skills. Since it came with perforated pages, scanning and copying made the pages reusable.

By following along with the weekly lesson plans laid out by the curriculum guide and supplementing with workbooks and worksheets there was enough material for the entire week. The workbooks chosen were selected for ease of instructions and explanations. As an added bonus, workbooks provided extra material when concepts seemed difficult and more instruction was needed.

This is a partial list of the workbooks we chose to supplement the curriculum guide:

"Spectrum Language Arts" by McGraw-Hill covers the use of appropriate words, parts of speech, understanding the different types of sentences, capitalization, and punctuation. A writer's handbook gives your child the ability to practice their knowledge.



"Spectrum Writing" by McGraw-Hill for PreK-6 helps learners improve and strengthen their writing skills as they learn. As they build skills and comprehension, children will gain confidence by making writing fun. The directions are easy to use and the perforated pages are easy to remove.

"Math: Master Skills Series" by McGraw-Hill is a reproducible workbook for PreK-6 that ensures the mastery of basic skills critical to a child's academic success. With complete directions and examples, the series encourages independent study. An answer key measures your child's progress and guides in instruction. With vivid illustrations, challenging lesson content and real-life application of essential basic skills insures your child's academic success.

"The Learning Library Series: Reading, Spelling, & Grammar" is from America's #1 Teacher magazine "The Mailbox". Selected skills from the national language arts standards gives your child skills that lead to mastery. With easy instructions, word lists, literature selections, answer keys, and Parent Pages makes learning activities quick, easy, and fun. Boxes at the bottom of the practice pages gives activities that children will enjoy to boost learning fun!