Through the assessment process your advisor will help you...

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Choose a Historical Cycle

Cycle selection based on your child's composition and reading skills, and aligning your family's studies.

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Choose a Science

Science selection based on aligning your family's studies.

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Choose a Math Program

Program selection based on math skills mastered and learning style.

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Select English Mechanics

Personalize the study of skills that complement composition instruction: reading skill, grammar, spelling, and penmanship.

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Select a Language

We prefer students study Latin, but gladly accept German, Italian, French, or Spanish.

Typical course of study for Grade 4. Appropriate for Grades 4 - 8.

The following lists our core recommendations for students in Grade 4. You will not be buying every book or only the books listed. Students have a wide variety of abilities and aptitudes; schooling — especially homeschooling — needs to be adapted to different children in different ways. Your advisor will work with you to (a) match each child’s strengths and weaknesses to specific materials; (b) combine your students in texts and subjects as often as possible; (c) choose a religion, history and science focus for the family for the year; and (d) weave materials you may already have or would prefer to use into your family’s course plan.

 

LANGUAGE ARTS

Classical Language Arts IV [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Writing Tales Level ONE: Student Book, Amy Hastings Olsen
  • Writing Tales Level ONE: Teacher’s Guide, Amy Hastings Olsen
 

Penmanship E [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Handwriting 4 for Young Catholics, Seton Staff
 

Reading Skill [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Catholic National Reader Volume 3

 

Spelling [Semester 1 and 2]

  • My Catholic Speller C, Nancy Nicholson
 

MATHEMATICS

Thumbnail example of the packet of recommendations prepared for each student by the planning advisor.

Math Facts Remediation [Semester 1 and 2]

  • CalcuPak 1 on CD-ROM, Edwin C. Myers, Ph.D.
  • Math in a Flash Multiplication flashcards,
  • Math in a Flash Addition flashcards,
  • Math-It, Weimar Institute
 

Mathematics V [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Saxon Math 54: Home School Kit (3rd Edition), Stephen Hake and John Saxon
  • CalcuPak 1 on CD-ROM, Edwin C. Myers, Ph.D.
  • Math in a Flash Multiplication flashcards,
 

RELIGION

Religion [Semester 1 and 2]

  • My Path to Heaven: A Young Person’s Guide to the Faith, Geoffrey Bliss, S.J.; illustrated by Caryll Houselander
 

SOCIAL STUDIES / WORLD HISTORY

Greek History [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Greenleaf Guide to Famous Men of Greece, Cynthia A. Shearer
  • Famous Men of Greece, John Haaren; A.B. Poland
  • Ancient Greece (Cultural Atlas for Young People), Anton Powell
 

LITERATURE

Greek Literature [Quarters 2 - 4]

  • D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths, Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
  • Children’s Homer, The: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy, Padraic Colum
  • Archimedes and the Door of Science, Jeanne Bendick
  • Aesop for Children, The [ORDER USED], Mia Winter; illustrated by Milo Winter
 

FINE ARTS

Music Appreciation [Quarter 4]

  • Classical Kids CDs
 

Art Practice [Quarters 1 - 3]

  • Draw Squad, Mark Kistler
 

Picture Study Intermed [Quarters 2 - 3]

  • No text required.
 

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Astronomy [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Exploring Creation with Astronomy, Jeannie K. Fulbright
 

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Latin Chant [Quarters 2 - 3]

  • Minimum Repertoire of Plain Chant, Julia Fogassy
 

What questions can we answer for you?

We would love to hear from you!  Please reach out with your questions by phone or email, schedule a courtesy telephone consultation with an advisor, or submit an enrollment application if you are ready to start planning for the upcoming school year.

 

We have all enjoyed the way STAA ties the courses together for the whole family.

Alyse M.

California

Thanks for all you do on your end to help make our homeschooling academically, intellectually, spiritually, and morally enriching!!

Denise

Michigan

My advisor helps me to understand what needs to be done and how to make it really fun for the kids. What I really like are the tips she gives me for dealing with the little ones while trying to school the older ones.

Amber

Texas

This is our first year homeschooling. STAA and [our advisor] have made this a very easy transition. We have had a great year!

Gwen H.

Kansas

I really don't know what I would do without your kindness, and very helpful advice. You are a blessing to our family.

Pat

Idaho

The assessment testing was quick and easy to do, so I didn't expect much valuable feedback. Boy was I wrong!!! It was like my advisor had met my kids and spent hours/days with them.

Mary Ellen

Maryland

We have been so very happy with our first year with STAA! Thank you for walking me through it and for all the fantastic resources and materials we are using. There is not one we don't like!

Elizabeth

California

Our family so enjoyed our wonderful relationship with STAA as our [son] worked his way through high school. It was a wonderful and outstanding experience for him and we continue to suggest your program to all those who are looking for an excellent homeschool experience.

Debra S.

Colorado

Since I am writing, I will also sing more praises of the Greek Studies plan. [My daughter] moaned over the timed-essay and then did very well. So easy to implement with the choose one reflection topic from each subject and then get ready, get set, go! Apparently the school also gave suggestions for the process essay in "Format Writing." Thank you! For a mom of many this is real time saver.

Alisa from Indiana

mother of 9th grade daughter and several STAA graduates

The academy works as a team to accomplish for your family specific ideas or needs for education, but more importantly, what each individual in your family needs, even Mom.

Anne

Illinois

God bless you for the job you are doing -- the peace you have helped us find as a family is priceless!

Cerita

Texas

We can’t imagine going without these wonderful, enhanced lesson plans! Thank you!

On the STAA Study Guides

Anonymous

I especially appreciate the advice and wise counsel I receive from the St. Thomas Aquinas Academy staff during our phone appointments and their understanding of my children's needs.

Stephen T.

Illinois

It is a thrill to receive the delightfully arranged weekly guidelines from STAA that keep us on track but allow for flexibility.

Dee Dee C.

Florida

I can honestly say that our children have blossomed into well rounded individuals because of your program.

Diane B.

California