Introduction

As a homeschooling parent of seven children, I understand how overwhelming curriculum planning can feel. Balancing multiple grades, keeping track of progress, and ensuring you cover all the bases is no small feat. This checklist is here to help you get organized, stay flexible, and keep your sanity intact.

Why Plan?

Planning sets you up for a smoother year. It ensures you do not miss critical topics, gives you a roadmap to follow, and allows you to adapt when life throws curveballs.

What’s Inside?

1. Grade-by-Grade Curriculum Requirements (1-8): A simple guide to typical subjects and skills for each grade.
2. Personalized Planning Page: A printable, fillable template to customize for each child.
3. Practical Tips for Parents: Useful advice for managing the chaos and celebrating small victories.

Grade-Level Curriculum Suggestions

Grade 1

• Core Subjects: Phonics, basic reading, writing, arithmetic, nature studies.
• Recommended Skills: Recognizing letters and numbers, reading short words, counting to 100, introduction to seasons and weather.

Grade 2

• Core Subjects: Reading fluency, spelling, addition/ subtraction, basic geography.
• Recommended Skills: Writing complete sentences, telling time, understanding maps, beginning science experiments.

Grade 3

• Core Subjects: Cursive writing, multiplication/ division, history basics, life sciences.
• Recommended Skills: Reading comprehension, story summarization, multiplication tables, observing and describing natural phenomena.

Grade 4

• Core Subjects: Paragraph writing, fractions, Canadian history, physical science.
• Recommended Skills: Organizing essays, solving word problems, understanding timelines, conducting simple experiments.

Grade 5

• Core Subjects: Creative writing, decimals, world history, biology basics.
• Recommended Skills: Creating outlines, problem-solving with decimals, exploring historical events, identifying plant and animal traits.

Grade 6

• Core Subjects: Essay writing, geometry, ancient civilizations, earth science.
• Recommended Skills: Writing multi-paragraph essays, measuring angles, analyzing historical texts, understanding weather systems.

Grade 7

• Core Subjects: Research writing, pre-algebra, modern history, chemistry basics.
• Recommended Skills: Writing reports, solving equations, interpreting historical documents, exploring chemical reactions.

Grade 8

• Core Subjects: Argumentative writing, algebra, global studies, physics fundamentals.
• Recommended Skills: Debating ideas, graphing equations, comparing world cultures, experimenting with basic physics principles.

Checklist for Curriculum Planning

1. Set Your Goals:
   • What skills should your child master this year?
   • Are there gaps from previous years to address?/li>
2. Review Legal Requirements:
   • Check provincial or territorial guidelines for core subjects.
3. Select Materials:
   • Textbooks: ___________________________
   • Workbooks: ___________________________
   • Online tools: ___________________________
4. Plan Your Schedule:
• Weekly hours: ___________________________
• Best time for each subject: ______________
5. Combine Learning When Possible:
• Example: Teaching history and reading through biographies.
6. Include Extracurriculars:
• Sports, arts, music, or clubs.
7. Stock Up on Supplies:
• Checklist: Pencils, paper, folders, science kits, etc.

Personalized Planning Page

(Print as needed for each child.)