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The Best Eighth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Are you looking for a solid eighth grade homeschool curriculum to finish out the middle school years? Not to worry, I have you covered for this and all the other grade levels. Also, you’ll love my pages Homeschool Curriculum for more ideas and grade level curriculum. And my other page How to Successfully Homeschool Middle School.

I have assembled a collection of curriculum that covers all learning styles and of course have some tips to help you both have a great year.

The Best Eighth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

Eighth grade is a transition year and is a time to help fill in learning gaps for your child before they make the move to high school.

And you can do this by pulling together curriculum choices from different places to meet them where they are in every subject.

I have found that while they become more independent it doesn’t mean they don’t need you at all.

In fact in some ways, they need you more though it seems from a distance.

This is the perfect time to start planning together.

The last year of middle school is a foray into word study and literature, composition, spelling, and time to get the prerequisite of Pre-Algebra before high school.

You can start other electives like foreign language early as well if you like to give credits toward high school.

Eighth Grade Homeschool Tips and Recommendations

  • Adjust as needed in the curriculum to help your child wherever they may be struggling, enhance where they excel, and challenge them a little more.
  • Consider using a variety of teaching methods like textbooks, online, board games, field trips, worksheets, hands on experiments, etc.
  • This year, start looking together at next year’s possible classes and courses. Based on your child’s interest and possible future career choice. you may stick with the curriculum you’ve been using for years, or you may decide this year requires a change in a class, too, or all of them.

In addition, within the next year, your child will be old enough for a part-time job.

With that on the horizon, it’s a wonderful time to role-play going to job interviews, practicing filling out applications, which includes learning all their own personal information.

The Best Eighth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

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8th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

Add these fun curriculum recommendations to your 8th grader's homeschool day.

The Best Seventh Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have the best seventh grade homeschool curriculum recommendations. Also, you’ll love my pages Homeschool Curriculum for more ideas and grade level curriculum. And my other page How to Successfully Homeschool Middle School.

Whether this is your 8th year of homeschooling your child or you are brand new this year – congratulations! 

You have made it to the second year of middle school with your child.

I want to help you find your groove for this year to continue going strong no matter what kind of homeschooler you are.

The Best Seventh Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

There are many different approaches.

For example, there are classical, unit study families, out of the box curriculum users, and unschoolers.

So, I have curriculum recommendations and tips.

There is still time before high school.

But we want to make sure that we are on the right track with learning, focusing on interests as well as subject requirements.

If you have been more lax you might consider tightening up the requirements a bit.

Your student will probably be spending a lot more time online in these years going forward, not only with video games and chat but research, classes, and online learning.

We are living in a society that is going more and more that way every day.

Make the most of their time with solid online programs from math classes to electives by choosing ones that fit into their learning style.

Homeschool 7th Grade Tips and Recommendations

  • Increase learning time as needed to allow about 3 to 4 hours of schooling, which is typically plenty of time to complete a full day of homeschool subjects at this age.
  • So much of your child’s reading comes through all their subjects-history, science, and language arts, be sure to keep a good thorough record of their independent reading. I like to let them choose much of their own reading by this age with a few required reading selections I add in.
  • I think it’s important in these transitioning middle school years to keep a flexible but consistent schedule for wake up, schooling, chores, etc.
  • Consider giving your child a standardized test to see where they are and what they need extra support or more challenge in. Tests like Iowa or Stanford can help you identify this and better help your child.
  • Encourage your child to use a planner independently to schedule their own assignments for the upcoming week(s). High school is not too far off and it’s a good time to implement more good habits like this.
  • Change the plan as you need to. Remember that just because you have been using a curriculum for years you don’t have to stick to it. You can choose and change your mind with your method or homeschooling style even based on what works best for you and your child at this point in life.
  • Encourage those interests that may become future careers be it in trade school or college track.
The Best Seventh Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

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The Best Sixth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have the best sixth grade homeschool curriculum recommendations. Also, you’ll love my pages Homeschool Curriculum for more ideas and grade level curriculum. And my other pages How to Successfully Homeschool Middle School and How To Homeschool Elementary Students Like A Pro.

And I have a list for you breaking down each subject so that you can put together.

In public school, sixth grade is a major time of transition.

Your child is moving from elementary school to middle school.

The Best Sixth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

The workload is harder.

Too, the social pressures are more difficult, and sports and other activities may be amped up.

The beauty of homeschool is that you can make this a much smoother transition for your child.

For example, one way to do this is through choosing a curriculum that is just right for their needs.

What I have learned in my many years of homeschooling is that there is not a one-size-fits-all-all curriculum.

Sometimes the whole thing is a great fit but other times they need a different method of math, science, history, and etc.

What I want to do is give you the tools to help your child succeed with the sixth-grade level of homeschool.

And giving you options that are the right fit for your learner, not mine or Holly homeschooler down the street.

I don’t need to remind you that there are plenty of opportunities for socializing your tweens and teens.

But I do want to remind you that just going out and living life provides your child with plenty of opportunities to learn to interact and that you can bring their curriculum subjects right into

My Favorite Tips for Sixth Grade Homeschool Curriculum

  • If you are new to homeschooling find your child’s learning style, use their learning style to build their curriculum in a way that they enjoy.
  •  Don’t stop going on fun adventures (field trips) just because the kids are older, they still need it and can get a lot out of it, but maybe ask for their input a bit more.
  • Work on research skills like using reference sites, books, and internet search skills.
  • Continue to do lots of fun hands-on things to keep them interested and engaged.
  • Begin to give them more input and control over their schedule, learning choices, and topics of study.
  • This is a great time to introduce a fresh teacher, whether it be through co-op classes, online via outschool, or trading off subjects with another mom.
  • Also, look at my book Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don’t Know Where to Begin.
The Best Sixth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

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Homeschool Curriculum – 6th Grade

6th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

You'll love these tips and recommendations for sixth grade curriculum for your homeschool.

12 Fun And Creative Teenager Gift Ideas For Girls

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If you need a little help with teenager gift ideas, I have the girls covered for you with this list of eclectic but popular ideas. Also, look at my pages How to Successfully Homeschool Middle School and How to Homeschool High School.

Whether you are struggling with an idea for your own teenage daughter, niece, granddaughter, or any other 12–18-year-old girl you will find something for girls of all personalities here.

12 Fun And Creative Teenager Gift Ideas For Girls

Check over my list and hopefully it helps you cross some items off your list to get your shopping done quickly.

I have researched, polled the teenage girls I know, and compared them to bring you some choices that I think you (and they of course) will really like.

Most options come in a variety of colors and are appropriate for girly girls to more neutral girlies.

12 Fun And Creative Teenager Gift Ideas For Girls

Too, you’ll find many of them budget friendly.

Next, look at some more gift guides.

Gift Guides for Families

12 Teenager Gift Ideas For Girls

Teenager Gift Ideas For Girls

Add one or two of these to your gift list for teen girls.

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you have a middle school student that you are trying to get off their tech for a bit these winter crafts for middle school are a perfect distraction from texting and video games. Also, look at my page How to Successfully Homeschool Middle School and ideas for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study with free lapbook.

Snowmen, snowflakes, and cocoa candles, oh my!

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

I have rolled up 8 adorable craft ideas to cover a lot of our favorite winter topics and will keep your teen screen-free for at least a little while.

Too, I have an easy tutorial for how to craft a snowman bead necklace as well and it is a great intermediate project for one child, a group of friends, co-op, or even the whole family to create.

You don’t have to stop with just one craft though.

Challenge your middle school child to choose another craft and learn some of these fantastic snowman facts, get outside and build their own snowman, or make a snowman-themed snack.

4 Winter Snowman Facts for Middle School

  1. In February of 2020 residents in Donnersbachwald, Austria, built a giant snowman named Riesi that towered above at 124.8 feet.
  2. According to scientists the best snow for building snowmen is moist or wet snow, which forms when the air temperature is hovering just above freezing- 0°C and 2°C.  When this happens some of the snow melts and makes water between ice crystals that acts as a glue to hold it all together.
  3.  Everyone’s an expert! There are more than 90,000 YouTube videos that teach you how to build a snowman, there is even a patent out there for the process.
  4. The classic song ‘Frosty The Snowman’ “Frosty the Snowman” was written by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson. It was first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys and later recorded by Jimmy Durante in the same year, Jimmy’s version being used in the animated movie.
8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

Then add some books for fun winter reading for your student.

I lean toward living books then like to add in some reference books too.

7 Books for Middle School Students to Read in the Winter

These books also make for a great read aloud, even older kids would enjoy piling up on the couch in the morning for a good story together.

Then, add in these other fun winter crafts for middle school.

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School

  1. Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter.
  2. With just paper, glue, and scissors you can create a winter wonderland of Curled Paper Snowflakes to decorate the whole house.
  3. Not only is it beautiful but this Snowflake Soap serves a purpose and makes a great craft to keep or gift to friends and family.
  4. Check out these 10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle.
  5. Think of the personality that can be infused into this cute DIY Wood Block Snowman tutorial. I think this is the perfect craft for everyone in the family to make together to represent themselves.
  6. I just love this Popsicle Stick Winter Bucket List idea. I have found that kids don’t need you less as they turn into teens, just in a different way. Create a list of things you would enjoy doing together throughout the winter season and let your middle schooler turn it into this fun tin pail bucket list.
  7. Sometimes a winter craft can be longing for spring, like with these Winter Craft Ideas How to Make Fun Pinecone Flowers that can bring a bright touch to a dreary winter.
  8. Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids.
8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

Okay so maybe this is less craft and more of a snack but it definitely looks like a work of art.

So maybe these Hot Chocolate Stir Sticks can do double-duty as your middle schoolers’ project.

Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

You will need:

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

The first thing you want to do is string your unfinished wood beads for the snowman on a skewer, this is the easiest method for painting.

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

Next paint the beads with a light coat all over, leaving room between each to dry.

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

Also, paint a little unfinished wood spool black to make a hat.

If you would rather you can also use a scrap of fabric to make a cloth hat instead.

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

Once your first layer is dry, paint a second thick coat on them and then sprinkle with fine glitter if desired to give the snow a dimensional and glistening effect.

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

Allow the paint to dry then hot glue the 3 pieces together, leaving the hole on the beads vertical for the bottom two and going horizontally for the head so that it can be strung on the necklace.

Add your top hat as well.

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

Use paint markers to add details like eyes, a carrot nose, buttons, etc.

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

While the details are drying begin adding beads in whatever pattern you like to one side of the necklace.

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace

Slip your snowman onto the string and repeat the bead pattern on the other side, going as far up the string as you like.

8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace