What's Covered in Age 12-14
The Age 12-14 curriculum level is a comprehensive, literature-based homeschool program that spans a full year of science, social studies, and language arts. It includes structured daily lesson plans, handpicked literature, and fully stocked materials kits. Usually used as an eighth-grade homeschool curriculum, this program offers an immersive, integrated learning experience that nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and well-rounded academic development. Your child will read great books, write in a wide array of genres, and learn more about chemistry, biology, and American history during this interesting year of homeschool.
This level is the second of two levels in our middle school homeschool program.
Our language arts program is founded on the belief that children learn best through stories. Each lesson immerses students in engaging narratives and characters.
- In our unit on Animal Farm, students don't just read Orwell's novella; they re-imagine scenes with animal personifications.
- In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn unit, students construct a model raft to explore themes of freedom and resilience, deepening their grasp of symbolism.
- The Elijah of Buxton unit allows students to virtually experience the Underground Railroad by making decisions that illuminate the courage and peril of escaping slaves.
- In the To Kill a Mockingbird unit, students engage in an experiential mock trial, reinforcing the powerful lessons on justice while honing their public speaking and debate skills.
Through these and other literature-based activities, our program nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and a love for learning that extends well beyond the pages of a book.
Biography, Allegory, Science Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Classic Literature, Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, and Poetry
Writing Takes Practice
Our Age 12-14 language arts program is designed to develop students' writing skills through a broad range of writing exercises. For instance, in the Abigail Adams unit, students write and perform a one-person play. In the Animal Farm unit, students participate in a letter-writing campaign. Meanwhile, in the To Kill a Mockingbird unit, students write thoughtful journal entries that draw parallels between the social issues in the novel and modern times. The House of the Scorpion unit challenges students to engage in an ethical debate on cloning, where they craft persuasive essays that explore multiple perspectives. Through these varied writing assignments, our program equips students with the tools to express themselves clearly and effectively across a range of genres and styles.
Here are some examples of the writing projects your child will complete.
- Write and perform a one person play
- Craft persuasive letters
- Engage in an ethical debate and write persuasive essays about cloning
- Write imaginative science fiction narratives
- Create an illustrate a short story
- Create a poem using magazine cutouts
- Write essays about societal issues
- Reimagine scenes from a novel into a one-act play
- Participate in debates
- Compose original poetry, such as haikus, limericks, and free verse
The Age 12-14 homeschool science program offers a comprehensive overview of chemistry and biology through ten engaging units. Students will explore atomic structure, chemical reactions, and energy transfer with hands-on experiments like building models and conducting kitchen chemistry. They will dive into biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, and living organisms, connecting science to everyday life through practical activities. The program also includes a study of Earth's geology, evolution, human body systems, and health, fostering critical thinking and creativity. This year-long curriculum equips students with a strong foundation in science while sparking curiosity and a love for learning.
11 books that investigate cells, genetics, chemistry, energy, living organisms, geology, evolution, the human body, and teen health
Your child will dive into experiments and activities that make science tangible and unforgettable. Here are a few examples:
- Extract DNA from strawberries.
- Create and uncover "fossils" in a paleontology simulation.
- Construct a working model wind turbine from everyday items.
- Craft a working battery from pennies and aluminum foil.
- Simulate the role of a medical researcher, solving disease mysteries.
- Build models to visualize atomic structure.
- Engage in kitchen chemistry by mixing baking soda and vinegar to observe CO₂ bubbles.
- Create personal wellness plans based on nutrition and fitness knowledge.
- Dissect plant and animal specimens to analyze cellular structures.
- Create detailed 3D cell models from everyday items.
Our unique materials kits, included in our curriculum packages, contain hundreds of items designed to make these hands-on activities both fun and easy. These kits are unlike anything you've ever purchased, ensuring that your child’s scientific exploration is as engaging as it is educational.
Semester 1 Science Kit
Semester 2 Science Kit
U.S. History
The Age 12-14 social studies program offers a full year of U.S. History education, covering pivotal events from the founding of the British colonies to the modern era. Students engage deeply with history through authentic documents, extensive readings, and a hands-on approach. For example, in our Revolution unit, students analyze the Declaration of Independence and participate in creative projects like crafting colonial maps and decoding secret messages. The Civics unit empowers students to explore the Constitution by simulating the legislative process and creating mini-books on government functions. Whether it’s role-playing Civil War figures, mapping westward expansion, or exploring the complexities of the Civil Rights Movement, this program provides a dynamic and engaging learning experience that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and a profound connection to America’s rich historical past.
7 books about American history and civics
To make these topics come alive, your child will participate in a variety of hands-on projects and activities, such as:
- Role-Playing as Historical Figures
- Creating Personal Timeline Cards
- Curating a Time Capsule Project
- Growing a Model "Victory Garden"
- Crafting and Performing a "Living History" Presentation
- Designing a Movie Poster for a Fictional Civil War Film
- Simulating the Legislative Process
- Role-Playing an Immigrant's Voyage
Language Arts Prerequisites
- Able to read and comprehend novels at an 8th or 9th grade reading level
- Able to write multiple paragraphs on a topic
- Can write a five-paragraph essay
- Usually used by children in the eighth grade
Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Beyond the Page integrates language arts with science and social studies from preschool through middle school.
Each day, your child will complete three lessons.
- One lesson in language arts,
- One in science, and
- One in social studies.
Language arts is presented in the form of literature units that center your child's language arts learning around interesting stories and characters. Rather than giving children a series of random, unrelated activities, all of the writing assignments, grammar lessons, and vocabulary are integrated into these unit studies. This creates a more cohesive experience, and we find that kids are more engaged when they’re writing about stories and characters that interest them.
Our curriculum is designed to integrate science and social studies topics with our literature-based language arts program. Each language arts unit is thematically aligned with either the science or social studies unit, reinforcing concepts and fostering deeper understanding. For instance, while studying Africa Today in social studies, students read A Girl Named Disaster in language arts—a novel set in Mozambique that brings to life the cultural and social issues of contemporary Africa. Similarly, when exploring The Lithosphere in science, students delve into The Hobbit, where the journey through diverse terrains and underground passages complements their scientific study of Earth's layers. This integrated approach not only enhances engagement but also helps students make meaningful connections across different subjects.
See a complete list of the units and how they line up.
Beyond Standards
Because all lessons are based on state and national standards, you can be confident your child will learn all of the necessary skills for his age. Your child will also be challenged to read and write at a higher level.
The Age 12-14 Full Year Package - S, SS, LA covers science, social studies, and language arts.
