Check out
http://coreknowledge.org/CK/index.htm Hirsch's core knowledge website. Especially look at "Lesson Plans" on the left side of the screen. The list of books for 4th graders fit what GS9 read this year on his own, honestly I can't imagine many other 4th graders reading them on their own, unless they are abridged versions. But I really like his approach to education.
Thanks for the link.
The 4th grade lesson plans seem solid, especially history and geography, with the possible exception of math. Most of the math and science lesson titles throughout the grade levels strike me as overly cutesy. Since you are such a fan, I�m sure they have more substance than the titles imply.
The literature requirements are better then the grammar intense English lessons from our kids� grade school. My ds doesn�t remember having to read any novels in fourth grade other than AR and excerpts from his literature book although, like your grandson, he has always read a lot on his own. In 5th grade he was required to read two novels,
Loser and
Island of the Blue Dolphins.
