Is my 4th grader getting what he should?

[atheistboy]

ok 1st thing. i'm typing with one hand. Broken shoulder. so there may be a few typos.

any how looking for advice and some resources.

My wife and I have 6 kids. all are homeschooled. I'm not a big fan but i felt aslong as they were getting the education I was not going to have a big problem. but I'm finding they are not.
my wife was homeschooled from 3rd grade up. I was public. My wifes biggest dream in life has been to homeschool her own kids.

Our oldest is 10.5 4th grade. I'm most familiar with his work, his next brother. 8 almost 9 3rd grade is very similar education level.

the next 2 one just turned 5 and other 7 the wife is doing a combo K/1st grade with them.

I've noticed that my 2 oldest have extremely sloppy handwriting. to the point it is hard to read. I was able to find these 4th grade writing samples http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/guides/scoring/g4esamples03.pdf i'm going to assume that these are all very good samples. what I was not able to find were poor, good and excellant samples for comparision.

I found this list of things to expect a 4th grader to know. http://school.familyeducation.com/fourth-grade/standards/37558.html

# Divide by one-and two-digit numbers.

# Use calculators and computers.

# Add and subtract fractions.

# Use contextual clues to discover the meaning of words.

# Understand and use the steps of the writing process from pre-writing to the final draft.

# Write research reports.

# Locate information in the library.

# Use encyclopedias, newspapers, atlases, and magazines as resources.

# Understand the history and geography of their state.

# Recognize how science is at work in the world around them, especially through technology.



the oldest did not know how to write a report. does not know how to use encyclopedias, newspapers and such.

asked if he knew what a capital was, no, where no, capital of USA, no.

I'd say 3/4's of what is listed above he does not know.

he did start to learn cursive around x-mas. I looked at his writing journey(short stories) and this is bassicaly how one of his last stories went.

There was a blue team. There was a red team. The red team did not like the blue team. They went to war. It was a hard war. the blue team attacked the red team. the red team bombed the blue team. the war ended.

this seems more like a 2nd grade writing. this is not copied word for word but is the basic sentenace structure.

to me it is obvious he is lacking. i'm sure I will find the same with the 3rd grader.
I feel it is time for public school. my question since the year is almost over june 10th or so. do I get them in regardless, do I look into summer school, to get them caught up and enrolled next fall? Or am i going over board here?

[Virginia_Malone]

Are you in a homeschool group? There are many of these. They share techniques and even meet at museums, zoos, etc. for extended learning experiences.

Sounds like your kids are behind. If you go the public school route, I would probably do summer school first or a private tutor if I could afford one.

Tip on handwriting - practice, practice, practice

Tip on learning capitols - lots of games out there or have your kids devise their own. Get a puzzle of the US, paint over the names of the states, have the kids name the states as they put the puzzle together, even your 1st grader can do this. Once they master the states work on capitols. Visit the capitols especially DC at least on the internet. Play internet games like http://www.primarygames.com/states/start.htm

For the little kids http://pbskids.org/games/ has lots of learning games.

For addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, google one of the words plus the word "games" and you will find a plethora of games, many are free.

Find your state curriculum for each subject area and grade level. You might find them by googling state name plus curriculum standards. Or state education agency or department. Each state is different, so you will have to do some searching. The curriculum standards will tell you about where your kids stand in the state scheme of things.

[nbrecek]

Being concerned about your child's education is never "going over board". I commend you on your effort to look up comparison work & evaluate what your child should know at this grade level.

I would suggest:
1)Make sure that the curriculum you are using is state adopted.
2) Make sure that the curriculum you are using is using the state standards.
3) If there are children in the neighborhood, ask to look at their textbooks, homework, classwork, etc & compare it to the curriculum you are using.
4) Don't just use 1 curriculum. Teachers use a variety of resources to teach the information that is in the textbooks.
5) Speak to the local public school district & ask if they have a home school program. My district does.

[albertwilsonu]

I'm in 9th, and I barely use it anyway.

In elementary school you shouldn't need one, in middle school you can just use everyone else's, and then in high school it's just nice to have one.

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[hussey123]

Tip on learning capitols - lots of games out there or have your kids devise their own. Get a puzzle of the US, paint over the names of the states, have the kids name the states as they put the puzzle together, even your 1st grader can do this. Once they master the states work on capitols. Visit the capitols especially DC at least on the internet.

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