This giveaway has now ended. Thanks for entering!
Thanks for joining me for this year’s back to school week! I hope this week’s posts encourage you in your school and life planning as the start of the traditional school year grows nearer.
I discovered Oak Meadow through the magic of the blogosphere, and found it to be just what I needed for my kids at the time. The curriculum and the philosophy behind it have become a steady part of our home learning experience since then.
What first drew me to Oak Meadow was the heart behind it–is it possible for a curriculum company to have heart? Yes, it totally is! And I found that Oak Meadow’s connected with much of my own–their gentle approach, their slow introduction to academics, their focus on nature, free play, and stories.
Oak Meadow began over 35 years ago. The company offers complete curriculum packages from PreK through 12th Grade, which you can purchase and use at home with your children.
They also offer an enrollment option in their accredited distance learning school. This allows students to receive full academic credit and transcripts for their work at home–as well as the support of an experienced teacher.
For this giveaway, the generous folks at Oak Meadow sent me their 3rd grade curriculum to review (pictured below). If you’re interested in finding out more about other grade levels, I have previously reviewed the Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade packages as well.
The bulk of the 3rd grade material is presented in the syllabus. Like the ones I’ve seen before, this book is easy to use and lovely in its layout and design. Printed in full color, it is divided into three trimesters of 12 weeks each. Each trimester includes introductory material for the teacher to read, which explains the skills to be covered during that time period.
Each weekly lesson plan covers assignments in depth. Subjects included in each weekly plan: circle time, language arts, math, social studies, science, art, music, crafts, and health. I have always appreciated the fact that in these early years (K-3) all subjects are here together–no multiple binders or separate curricula to keep track of and juggle.
Plenty of ideas are provided for each week, and it can appear overwhelming initially. Just remember: There’s no law saying you have to do everything in any curriculum–I have written before about the unique way we use Oak Meadow in our homeschool, and I’ve learned over time to make the material my own as we go along. Oak Meadow provides plenty of room to adapt to meet your unique needs, and emphasizes that home teachers should do so.
Here is an overview of the 3rd grade package from an Oak Meadow teacher, citing the projects and studies that many of her students enjoy the most:
Language Arts
- form drawing exercises in correlation with learning how to cursive write
Math
- creating multiplication designs in conjunction with learning the times tables
- reciting rhymes for each of the times tables and engaging in rhythmic activities associated with the times tables (catching and tossing a ball or beanbag, jump roping, etc.)
Social Studies
- making a model of a sukkah (Lesson 2)
- reading Native American creation stories and making a corn husk doll (Lesson 6) and a dream catcher (Lesson 7)
- creating a folk art scrapbook of the student’s family heritage (Lesson 9)
Science
- making Chinese, Greek and Roman water clocks (Lesson 3)
- composing a story of “The Day There Was No Gravity” (Lesson 4)
- observing the clouds and creating a cloud booklet (Lesson 10)
- illustrating the four season cycle of a plant or tree (Lesson 19)
- growing an avocado seed (Lesson 20)
- constructing a terrarium to observe the natural process of the water cycle (Lesson 24)
- making a collage of the student’s local natural resources (Lesson 28)
Art
- cooking projects (First Trimester)
- paper marbling and bookbinding (Second Trimester)
- and engaging in carpentry projects (Third Trimester)
One Simple Homeschool reader will receive a curriculum package in the grade of your choice (grades K-8) from Oak Meadow!
How to Win
Everyone has two chances to win. Here’s how:
1. Comment on this post, answering this question: Do you prefer one curriculum that covers all subjects or would you rather choose separate curricula for different subjects? (If you are reading this in an email, you must click over to enter your comment!)
2. ‘Like’ Oak Meadow and Simple Homeschool on Facebook. Then — this is important — you need to come back and leave an additional comment here, telling me you have done so.
This giveaway has now ended. Thanks for entering!
I’ve only ever used separate curricula, it would be interesting to try one that was more complete. Thanks.
I prefer to use one curriculum for all subjects. Just makes things easier for me. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
I liked Oak Meadow & Simple Homeschool on Facebook. Thanks again!
I’ve done both over the years, but I think it is definitely easier to have it all in one place. The book selections for the level you reviewed are great, and the projects are very enticing. My youngest is starting 3rd grade, and he would love this.
I like you both on FB.
I would love to have one solid curriculum to form the base of our studies and then supplement as desired. Oak Meadow has caught my attention for years.
as a former teacher and beginning homeschooler (starting kinder this fall with my five year old), i think i would prefer a curriculum that covers all subjects instead of having separate curricula for each. it is a wonderful way to learn when things cross over from one subject to another and as a teacher this can be an efficient and enriching way to approach learning.
i liked simple homeschooling and oak meadow on fb. thank you! would really love this for my first year homeschooling! i’ve been reading about oak meadow for years!
I “liked” both simple homeschool and Oak Meadow on fb. Excited to receive your updates.
Here at the beginning of our homeschool career, I am leaning towards trying a more complete program at first and supplementing it with my own resources and ideas. Later on, that might change, but for now, this plan seems to be good for us!
Thanks for this great giveaway! I keep reading about Oak Meadow and would love to give it a try.
I usually prefer one curriculum to cover all subjects, however I’m open to being flexible. Always flexible! Thanks!
I’m looking for a complete program, that I can ‘add to’ or ‘tweak’ but have a syllabus laid out so I can fall back on it when the seasons of life are busy.
Already liked both on FB! 🙂
I started out using just one curriculum, but have gravitated toward using separate companies for various subjects as time has passed and I’ve learned better what works and doesn’t work for my kids.
i’ve always pieced my own curriculum together. i’d love to try oak meadows curriculum for my youngest son. i like the idea of OM’s gentle approach.
I have used Oak Meadow for 6 years now and LOVE having everything right at my fingertips. It’s such a blessing to my often weary mama brain not to have to hunt down various materials.
I have “liked” both pages on Facebook as well 🙂
Thanks!
I am just starting out on this homeschool adventure and would love to win this for our kindergarten curriculum. I tend towards simplicity, so sticking with one curriculum appeals to me, but I may change my mind as I go along.
Separate curricula for different subjects allows me to better meet the individual needs of my children, but sometimes the simplicity of one curriculum that covers all subjects is preferable for ease of use during more challenging seasons. I appreciate that a common curriculum can still be supplemented with additional resources if needed for the child’s sake.
I also liked Simple Homeschool and Oak Meadow on Facebook.
Just starting out like we are I would love an all around curriculum
My oldest just turned 4; right now i think one curriculum is easiest, since i am just a beginner 🙂
Liked you on facebook!
I’ve used the big box curricula with all the guides. Frustrating! Having everything in one book sounds very convenient.
I like Simple Homeschool & Oak Meadow on Facebook.
I have been wanting to do an all in one package, but at present have only done a little bit of this and that.