Complete list of books needed for the fifth grade homeschool curriculum
Complete list of books for the fifth grade homeschool curriculum
This comprehensive book list includes all the literature and reference materials needed for our fifth grade homeschool curriculum. Books are organized by quarter, with information about when they are used, what subject they support, and direct links to purchase them if needed.
We recommend accessing these books through your local library when possible. Many can also be found as e-books or audiobooks through services like Libby, Hoopla, or Epic! If purchasing, consider used book options to save on cost.
Note: The Core Knowledge Science (CKSci) and Core Knowledge History and Geography (CKHG) materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website at coreknowledge.org.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A comprehensive review of United States geography, focusing on regions, states, capitals, major physical features, and economic resources.
by National Geographic
A comprehensive atlas featuring detailed maps, photos, and facts about the geography, history, and culture of the United States, providing essential reference for the study of the Western Hemisphere.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A comprehensive exploration of the physical and political geography of the United States, examining landforms, waterways, and regional characteristics that inform the study of the Western Hemisphere.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An exploration of the properties and states of matter, introducing students to the concept that matter is made of particles too small to be seen, with hands-on experiments and activities.
by Kate Snow
A comprehensive math curriculum with short, hands-on, and engaging lessons that build deep conceptual understanding of fifth-grade math concepts, including operations with fractions and decimals.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A comprehensive exploration of the three major pre-Columbian civilizations, examining their achievements in architecture, mathematics, agriculture, and governance.
by DK
A visually engaging introduction to the ancient civilizations of the Americas, with clear explanations, colorful illustrations, and interesting facts about daily life, religion, and accomplishments.
by Rick Riordan
A modern fantasy novel that draws on mythology, providing an engaging way to understand how ancient beliefs shape storytelling while developing reading comprehension and literary analysis skills.
by Chris Eboch
A historical fiction novel set in ninth-century Guatemala that follows a young Maya girl who must save her people from a ruler's madness, providing insight into Maya culture and beliefs.
by Tanya Landman
A historical fiction novel set during the final days of the Aztec empire, following a young girl with a gift for goldsmithing as she navigates the tumultuous period of Spanish conquest.
Writing Curriculum
A structured writing curriculum that guides students through the writing process, focusing on grammar, sentence structure, and multi-paragraph compositions across various genres.
by CKSci
An exploration of how matter is conserved during physical and chemical changes, with hands-on experiments that demonstrate this fundamental principle of physical science.
Core Knowledge Foundation
Includes CKSci Unit 1: Investigating Matter and CKHG Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations, with materials on physical and chemical properties of matter, ancient American civilizations, and their achievements. These materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A comprehensive look at the European explorers who traveled to the Americas, their motivations, voyages, and the technologies that made their journeys possible.
edited by Peter and Connie Roop
A adaptation of Columbus's actual journal from his first voyage to the Americas, providing a primary source perspective on this pivotal moment in history.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An exploration of how energy and matter move through ecosystems, beginning with plants and photosynthesis and extending to food webs and decomposition.
by Tim Cooke
A engaging biography of Magellan that recounts his daring circumnavigation of the globe, the challenges his crew faced, and the significant geographical discoveries that resulted from his voyage.
by Jane Yolen
A powerful picture book that tells the story of Columbus's arrival in the Bahamas from the perspective of a Taino boy, offering an important counternarrative to traditional accounts.
by Patricia Lauber
An exploration of how energy flows through ecosystems via food webs, providing a scientific foundation for understanding the ecological impacts of the Columbian Exchange.
by Hadley Dyer
A modern look at urban agriculture that connects to the Columbian Exchange by featuring foods that were transferred between hemispheres, like potatoes from the Andes to Europe and beyond.
Core Knowledge Foundation
Includes CKSci Unit 2: Energy and Matter in Ecosystems, CKHG The Age of Exploration, and additional resources on the Columbian Exchange. These materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An exploration of how Earth's four major systems—the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere—interact with each other through various processes and cycles.
by Various Authors
A comparative study of the governmental systems of the United States and Canada, examining structures, leadership roles, and democratic processes in these neighboring nations.
by Rebecca Olien
A clear explanation of the water cycle, one of Earth's most important processes, showing how water moves between the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere in a continuous cycle.
by Josh Gregory
An engaging look at the U.S. presidency and White House through a child's perspective, connecting to the study of government systems in North America.
by Various Authors
A comparative study of market economies (USA) and command economies (Cuba), examining how different economic systems operate, allocate resources, and impact daily life.
by CKSci
An exploration of how human activities like deforestation, pollution, and resource extraction affect Earth's interconnected systems, with a focus on both problems and solutions.
by Lynne Cherry
A beautifully illustrated story about the importance of the Amazon rainforest and the interconnectedness of all living things, connecting to the study of human impact on Earth's systems.
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
A powerful historical fiction novel set during the Great Depression that follows a wealthy Mexican girl who must flee to California and work as a farm laborer, providing insight into Mexican culture and immigration experiences.
by Rebecca L. Johnson
An exploration of biodiversity in different ecosystems, with a special focus on the remarkable diversity found in rainforest and ocean ecosystems throughout Latin America.
by Mary Turck
A cultural exploration of Mexico and Central American countries, featuring information about history, traditions, daily life, and hands-on activities that bring the cultures to life.
Core Knowledge Foundation
Includes CKSci Unit 3: Modeling Earth's Systems and materials on comparative government and economic systems in the Americas. These materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An exploration of Earth's place in the solar system, explaining concepts like gravity, planetary motion, and the apparent brightness of stars based on their distance from Earth.
by Joanna Cole
A fun and informative story that takes readers on a journey through the solar system, providing accurate scientific information in an engaging narrative format.
by Various Authors
A collection of current news articles, essays, and resources examining environmental, economic, and social issues facing countries throughout the Western Hemisphere.
by Ali Benjamin
A contemporary novel that explores themes of community, leadership, and finding one's place, connecting to discussions about contemporary issues and democratic values.
by CKSci
An explanation of how Earth's rotation causes day and night and how its revolution around the sun causes seasons, with activities for observing shadow patterns and seasonal changes.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A comprehensive review of United States geography, focusing on regions, states, capitals, major physical features, and economic resources.
by Michael Driscoll
An illustrated guide to astronomy that explains moon phases, eclipses, and the seasonal appearance of stars in the night sky, with activities for stargazing and constellation identification.
by Trisha Sue Speed Shaskan
A guide to the book creation process that supports students in planning, drafting, revising, and publishing their own books as part of the culminating capstone project.
by CKSci
A hands-on engineering unit that guides students through the process of designing, building, and testing a model rover or other space-related technology, applying science concepts learned throughout the year.
by Various Authors
A guide to civic engagement that helps students understand how to address local issues by connecting them to broader hemispheric themes studied throughout the year.
Standardized Assessment
A standardized achievement test, as required by NYS regulations for fifth-grade homeschoolers, used to evaluate progress and document completion of the school year's educational requirements.
by Various
Materials for organizing and presenting the year's accomplishments, including portfolio binder, sheet protectors, and dividers for creating a professional-quality showcase of student work.
Core Knowledge Foundation
Includes CKSci Unit 5: Astronomy: Space Systems, review materials for U.S. Geography, and resources for the capstone project and engineering design challenge. These materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an Amazon link on this page and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. These affiliate links help support the continued development of free educational resources on GeneralDiploma.com.