Planning Middle School for a Visual-Spatial Learner

Middle school is upon us and I’ve attempted to put together a plan that will suit my strongly visual-spatial learner. This highly creative kid has dreams of a future working with computers in some way. Math and art are areas of strength. Language arts subjects have been a weaker area, but he has shown great maturation of skills in the past year.

Unit studies have worked well for him and he will continue to use unit studies for geography and history. I’m going to attempt to use a textbook for science, but if things don’t go well I will switch to using the textbook as a spine.

Math is currently being done buddy-style. Art of Problem Solving’s book is full of words and devoid of pictures, but the discovery approach is right up my son’s alley. I often go through the pages with him explaining things, asking Socratic-style questions, and challenging him to complete a problem before I do. I suspect that my son will be mostly independent with his math in a year or two.

Computer studies are based on his current interest. This past year he has enjoyed learning to use Blender. He started learning C++, but decided to put all his attention into Blender. I know he has three programming languages on the list of ones he wants to learn so I will carve out time in the school day and have him set a goal for what he wants to learn.

Math

Art of Problem Solving Pre-Algebra – 5th and 6th
Art of Problem Solving Introduction to Algebra – 6th and 7th
Art of Problem Solving Introduction to Counting and Probability – 7th
Art of Problem Solving Introduction to Number Theory – 8th
Art of Problem Solving Geometry – 8th – 9th

Science

CPO Physical, Earth and Space Science -6th-7th
Conceptual Physics – 8th
Possibly add classes of interest from here http://ocw.mit.edu/high-school/engineering/

History/Geography

Modern World History Patterns of Interaction, A People’s History of Poverty in America – 6th
Geography – Central and South America unit studies – 6th
Geography – Apps to learn the locations of all countries, capitals, US states and Canadian provinces (with their capitals), bodies of water, major rivers and landforms around the globe – 6th
Geography – Arctic and North America unit studies – 7th
American History project-based studies – 7th
Current Events – Read news online and watch Democracy Now broadcasts – 7th-8th
Geography – Europe unit studies – 8th
Canada: A People’s History video series – 8th
Economics – Living Mathematically – Living Within Your Means and Living Mathematically – Financing Your Future – 8th

English

Writing

Classical Writing Aesop/Homer for Older Beginners (Homer section only)- 6th
Classical Writing Poetry for Older Beginners – 7th
Nanowrimo and report writing – 7th
Classical Writing Diogenes Maxim – 8th (Expository Essays)

Vocabulary/Spelling/Handwriting

Megawords – Book 3 and 4 – 6th grade
Megawords – Book 5 and 6 – 7th grade
Megawords – Book 7 and 8 – 8th grade
Handwriting – Startwrite software and in everyday writing – 6th-7th grade
Red Hot Root Words Book 1 (finish) and Book 2 – 6th grade
Vocabulary Vine and Science Roots – 7th – 8th grade

Grammar

Rod and Staff English 6 – 6th-7th grade
Rod and Staff English 7 – 7th-8th grade

Literature

Movies as Literature – 5th grade – 6th grade
Figuratively Speaking – 7th -8th grade
Excellence in Literature series (primarily as literature/discussion guides) – 6th grade – 12th grade
Read Call it Courage, Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Little Princess, Sounder, My Friend Flicka, Neverending Story, The Railway Children, Peter Pan, Black Beauty, Roll of Thunder Hear Me Cry, Wizard of Oz, I am David, Rifles for Watie, and North to Freedom before starting on this list: Literature choices for 6th grade – 12th grade