Changing curriculum and looking for some guidance

[Guest bhatfield]

Hello all, I'm not just changing curriculum for my daughter (7th grade) but we are going from a traditional (and packaged) type of schooling to classical education.  I'm a little lost.  I have the well trained mind and an idea of everything I'm supposed to be teaching for the logic stage but I've only gotten a packaged curriculum so trying to pick and choose is a bit overwhelming.

 

Here is what I have right now.

 

Math - Saxon Algebra 1/2

Language - English 7 for Young Catholics (Seton), Spelling Workout E (definitely still needs work on this), Writing Strands, Roots of English

History - Kingfisher History Encyclopedia (planning on the first two years of history in 7th)

Science - Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia (biology this year)

Logic - Mindbenders

Literature - Follow the reading for History and the book list in the Well-Trained Mind.

 

I pretty followed of the suggestions in the Well-Trained Mind but if anyone has any experience with any of these and has some better options I would love to hear about them.  I'm especially looking for a good grammar program. I would prefer it to be Catholic or secular unless the book listed above is the best for this age group.

 

Thank you very much in advance for any advice you can give me.

[Momling]

I think you could certainly use a science or history encyclopedias as a spine and have a fine education, but I think my kids and I would be bored by the format unless we supplemented heavilywith movies, museums, fun readings, songs, games, labs, etc...

 

For us, a standard textbook (we like OUP and K12) for readings and outlining along with a History Portfolio and lots of supplementation has really worked well. Also, the most fun science materials we've ever used have been from Ellen McHenry. Definitely check her stuff out.

[Guest bhatfield]

Yes that was my plan.  To supplement with other items according to her interests.  We will be focusing on biology for science as I'm studying it right now and she has a desire to learn more herself.

[fourcornersacademy]

I have two seventh graders and a sixth grader.  We are newer to classical/WTM too and I have found my kids really enjoy Elemental Science (which utilizes Kingfisher Encyclopedia as it's spine) and Beautiful Feet Books history which makes for much more fun and interactive history lessons.  My kids were thoroughly lost in Kingfisher History.  Sure, they could glean information from the one page spread but to see how all the events in history were connected were lost on them.  BFB history really brings history to life and we usually read a corresponding page from KHE when it correlates. HTH!

[5Wizards]

I have two seventh graders and a sixth grader.  We are newer to classical/WTM too and I have found my kids really enjoy Elemental Science (which utilizes Kingfisher Encyclopedia as it's spine)

 

My oldest used Elemental Science Biology level 2 in 6th grade I believe it was, and she enjoyed the program as well. 

 

I also find reading from an encyclopedia to be boring for History.  We used the K12 Human Odyssey book, which I feel is well-written and an enjoyable read.  It can be found used for a pretty decent price.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Human-Odyssey-Vol-Prehistory-Through/dp/1931728534/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416363929&sr=8-1&keywords=k12+human+odyssey