So just out of curiosity, for those who have used this and responded - how are you defining “for the long haul?” Do many people use this into high school or would most be using it through middle school and then switching? Some have clarified this in their answer, others haven’t. Just curious.

I’ve been using it for two years now and love it. I’ve heard some say it’s advanced, other say it’s behind level, so I just shrug my shoulders and assume it’s somewhere in the middle..... The word problems are weak. I will be supplementing with Fan Process workbooks this summer based of recommendations forms here to help with that and critical thinking, but other than that I truly appreciate the way it’s been scaffolding learning. Mine are in 3/5 this year, started in 2nd and 4th. Or maybe even before that, can’t remember now....

Oh my goodness I am so excited for my son to do this course. So good to hear others like it so much.

Oh I am SO GLAD to hear this!!!! Makes me excited! I’ll let me daughter know she and the class have been getting rave reviews 🙂

Awesome, thanks!

I also use Everyday Minerals and like it.

I second Pentime.

I’d love to sign my DD up for multiple classes at MPOA but yikes, spendy! Do they offer any type of discount if you’re in more than one? And DD will be in MS Science 1, too. First time in an online class.

So I’m leaning heavily towards using Memoria Press Birds for DS who will be in 4th next year. He loves birds and has multiple guides already and when asked he said he’d prefer this Birds course to others I mentioned. My question is - it appears it is not normally used over a full year, but is combined with HIstory of Medicine. I’m not interested in this for him in 4th. Would it work to either: 1. Combine it with Mammals 2. Add something (? Not sure what this would be?) to stretch it out? Or 3. Use as is and just enjoy doing science once a week on something he loves and call it good. I’d love any ideas!

Following....

Hahahahaha! Love it.

Thanks for the advice on the Fan books. They look like a good possibility. Any other suggestions? I think she just needs a break from this, but a break that will hopefully move her in the right direction and solidify her skills. Sigh.

We did a year of Singapore standards that about killed us (me included) but i keep getting drawn to its periphery because i could see the wisdom in how things were taught. Looks like the samples are quite Singapore-ish. I like that there are the “ways to think like a mathematician” in the side bars - maybe this would help overcome some of her struggles we had with it previously. Would you recommend doing on grade level with CLE 5 or going back a year to do 4 as I know some people recommend with their CWP series?

So DD is in 5th and on level 5 of CLE after playing a bit of catchup switching off of Singapore. She is doing “ok” but her tests average in the mid 80s and I’d love her to be able to be in the 90s more consistently. Word problems are FOR SURE a weak point for her, even as simple as the CLE ones appear at times to be. Generally otherwise she is average in other areas, no one main point of weakness. What would be a good, lighter (maybe?) summer math review book/program/plan for her to use for the 8 weeks or so we’ll be off (mid May to mid July)? Bonus if it’s one you’ve used yourself between years of CLE and found it really complements things nicely. I prefer nothing online. Thanks so much!

Not sure if this should be here or in the other forum..... We are finishing SOTW 4 this year. DD will be in 6th next year, with SOTW looking pretty light for her (and she’s listened to it first time around). I’m considering finding a middle school level 3 year curriculum for her to go through (semi-independently?) for 6-8. I’m good with another go around of world history, but if one of the years was a US history that’s fine too. What are my options?

You are amazing! The whole set in a year - I’m in awe. What grades were you working with? Now I’m pondering.......

For the OP and myself, would you mind sharing how you used hakim? Just reading? Is there a supplement anywhere for it people like? I’m starting to look into it and wondering.... also, did I see somewhere there is a condensed version?

I love some of these!

Ok, so a few more questions..... For those who have done both theme books and SWIs, how much more teacher intensive would you say the theme books are? Really, with the DVDs, we’re only watching him once every one or two weeks, so it’s not like i’m getting the benefit of someone else doing this every.day. I still feel like with the oversight, editing, brainstorming, etc, that I’m still involved in quite a bit of the “teaching.” Not really a huge time saver (though I didn’t need it to be, thankfully). So, with this being the case, does the time taken for theme books look pretty similar to this, then? What does “teaching a lesson from the theme book” look like for you? Also, I’m leaning towards the Ancients theme book (if that’s the way we go) - any specific feedback on this one? My sister saw their Narnia book and oohed and aahed over that, so would be curious to know how people have fared with that as well. Again, this will be for a 4th and 6th grader. Regarding some of the comments from above, I fully appreciate and support the IEW method of repetition of same ideas with higher levels of literature. Makes sense to me.

Following, and off to check this Map Skills link.....

This would be for next year, a 4th and 6th grader.

I have a 5th and 3rd grader right now doing IEW SWI-A. I’d like to continue with IEW a few more years to continue to practice what they are learning. It seems I could either do SICC-A for both of them (I would definitely spread it out over 2 years) or do theme based books this next year. I would likely do All Things Fun and Fascinating for my 4th grader and Ancient History Based Writing for my 6th grader. Which path have people found to be better - go directly into the continuation course or take a break with theme books? I can teach writing, but certainly do appreciate having Pudewa teach lessons, so there’s that 🙂. The cost difference is pretty compelling..... THough I guess if i find it used and it is over two years it is actually not that different than buying something this year and then re-buying something next year..... Thanks!

Very helpful, especially those book recs. Thanks!!

So we had a brainstorming session today with local moms about making our loose homeschool group a bit more formalized. We were thinking meeting once a month with regular “class” topics (civics, music, PE among them) to be included. I’ve been tossing around in my mind for a couple weeks already how fun it might be to get a group of our kids together to have a “cross country” team/running group. There seemed to be quite an interest in this. It would be middle school ages, likely 6th to 8th or so, we don’t have many more older than that but a chunk (8?) who would maybe fall in that range who would be interested. I’m looking to see if anyone has done such a thing or if y’all have some brilliant ideas what this could look like and how it might best be organized/implemented. I am a runner (for fun) myself, and loved track in high school, but no official training. I’m open to all ideas you might have! Thanks!!!

I just checked and our library system has mostly 2005 editions. Are these the new ones recommended above or are there newer editions?