Social studies involves the exploration of geography, history, culture, religion and social sciences. These various aspects of social studies can be interwoven in lessons that challenge children in different ways. Fourth grade-level students can read about important historical events and make a time line that includes both words and images highlighting relevant events; children can construct a diorama of an event that changed the course of history; they can write a song about the life of a famous historical figure; and they can give a speech pretending to be an important figure in history.
Students can learn about the scientific method and conduct experiments at home. For example, fourth grade-level kids can freeze equal amounts of different liquids in same-size plastic containers and measure how long it takes for each one to melt; they can seal four different kinds of bread in plastic bags and test how long it takes for mold to grow on each one; they can test how different variables affect the growth of plants in pots or in a backyard garden.
Language can be explored in a variety of ways: through the reading and writing of plays and books, poetry and essay writing. By homeschooling children, subject matter is virtually everywhere. Take children hiking and take a break for them to write poetry; take them to an art museum and ask them to find a favorite piece of art, research it and its artist and then write about it; study Japanese culture and history and write haikus; play language games such as Scrabble and study mythology so that students can learn to write their own fables.
Fourth grade-level students can learn math skills through cooking. Comparison-shopping for ingredients, adding money and paying, estimation, measuring ingredients and time are all concepts that can be explored by making a recipe from start to finish. Weave information about food from other cultures, environmentalism, nutrition and health into the lesson.