Mid-Year Review 3rd grade
Mid-Year Homeschool Update: What’s Working, What’s Changing
As we reach the halfway mark of our homeschool year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what has been working well, what we’re shifting away from, and the new additions we are making to better support our rhythm and learning journey. January flew by in the blink of an eye, and I didn’t even get around to writing a monthly update—so this mid-year check-in feels even more timely.
Math: Loving Beast Academy
One of the biggest successes in our homeschool this year has been Beast Academy for math. It has been an absolute joy to work with. The comic-style format engages my child while the challenges stretch thinking in just the right way. We’ve also been balancing our math learning with workbooks that provide structured practice, and this combination is really clicking for us. Math feels both engaging and effective, which is exactly what I was hoping for!
Language Arts: Stories, Poems, and Copywork with Heart
Reading and writing have always been at the heart of our homeschool, and this year has been no exception. We read so much—living books, poetry, classic tales, and stories that spark curiosity and wonder. Beyond just reading, we have been writing our own little stories and poems, nurturing creativity and confidence with words.
A new and very special addition to our language arts routine has been a copywork book I created for my daughter. Instead of using a pre-made resource, I filled it with affirmations and love declarations—sweet, meaningful words that she copies daily while also adding her own drawings. It has become such a cherished practice, blending handwriting, art, and a little moment of emotional connection each day.
Science: Learning Through Unit Studies and Beast Academy
Science has been mostly explored through unit studies, that I honestly love to create — to make them myself is allowing us to dive into topics that capture Mathilde’s curiosity and wonder. Recently, we’ve also started incorporating Beast Academy’s new science curriculum as a supplement, and it has been a great addition. It introduces concepts in an engaging and challenging way while complementing our hands-on and literature-based approach. This blend is working beautifully to keep science both structured and exploratory, and I get a true sense of where a 3rd grader needs to be science wise.
Language Learning: Adjusting Our Approach
French online classes didn’t quite work for us—Mathilde had a wonderful year in 2nd grade but this year the students had very different levels, and since I don’t know the language myself, I found it difficult to support the learning process. She is so motivated that I so want her to continue. For now, we are using The Complete French Workbook for Kids by Jacy Corral as our main resource, but I am still looking for something more structured that we can study together. However, most classes in french are either for kids or adult - there might be a market for parent-&-me language classes!
In the meantime, we have decided to focus on Danish as a second language, as it feels more natural and allows for more direct engagement in our homeschool. A sweet friend of mine is shipping over some work books and I can’t wait to teach Mathilde more of my first language!
Geography: A Shift in Focus
Geography is one of the areas where we’re making a shift. The approach we started with just wasn’t resonating the way I had hoped. Instead of sticking with something that wasn’t feeling aligned, we are letting go and exploring new ways to bring geography to life. I am still figuring out what our new direction will be, but I know I want it to be more integrated and meaningful rather than just checking off a subject box.
Returning to My Waldorf Roots
The past few months have also brought a renewed love for Waldorf-inspired learning. While I’ve always incorporated aspects of Waldorf, I feel like I am leaning even more into it now—allowing space for rhythm, beauty, storytelling, and hands-on engagement to guide our days. I am embracing the gentle, soulful pace that makes our homeschool feel both magical and nourishing.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the second half of our year, I am excited to refine our homeschool rhythm even more. We are continuing with the elements that bring joy and depth—rich stories, creative writing, hands-on math, and meaningful learning moments. We are letting go of what isn’t working and making space for fresh inspiration.
This journey is always evolving, and I love that I get to adapt and shape it alongside my child. Here’s to a second half of the year filled with more discovery, connection, and learning that feels truly alive!
Have you made any mid-year homeschool changes? I’d love to hear how your homeschool journey is unfolding!
