Bill can you give me a list of K-8 mat you feel is not cookbook approach? Dd10 is using CLE and I would like to supplement or possibly switch. However, Singapore was a bust here. One of the main reasons, I never learned math this way.

My girls, dd13 and dd10, would like to learn how to paint with watercolors. I am looking for an instructional video component that will start with the basics. Any suggestions?

Dd13 used the Abeka Biology this year. She really enjoyed it and learned a ton! However, she is a huge science buff as well. we just completed the fetal pig dissection last week and I have to say I was completely grossed out but she loved it. It is a textbook but is very thorough and colorful. The BJU is definitely more advanced but Dd13 did not like the layout and busy feeling of the pages. We also looked at Apologia and she did not like the chattiness of it. She is a very get to the point and let me learn it type of kiddo. You will want the lab book with the Abeka as well. We bought the kit from Homescience tools and have been able to complete all labs. Since she did Abeka Biology theis year before highschool, our plan is for her to do an AP Biology in highschool.

I would go with WRTR. I did cave and go with SWR but ended up switching back to WRTR. It really is easy as Ellie stated. Read it through, then read it again making notes and then make your own notebook, if that helps, and stay a lesson ahead of your kiddos. I do use the rule cards from SWR not sure if they have those with WRTR as well. My kiddos are very visual and hands on so having them use the rule card seem to really work.

For the ages of your kiddos, I would have to say FIAR.

Thank you. Since your dd is in the same place as mine, do you see BJU 4th will be alot of repeat of topics we covered this year in CLE 300?

I am looking specifically at the math for the 4th grade level. Dd9 has completed CLE through 310 and is just a bit bored with it. Can I get the good and bad of BJU and any comparison of the two? Thanks!

My dd13 is alot like this. We tried and failed at several different programs including LOF. She loved it but just didn't get it. Then we did a year with Systematic Mathematics. I can not tell you the difference it made. Some may have been her age, this was 6th grade, but she finally began to actually GET concepts. After completing SM level 6 we moved to Lial's Pre-Algebra which she has excelled at. The only reason we switched was because watching the videos on the laptop was not working for her. I can't recommend this program enough, especially to someone who is struggling to understand things.

So can someone give a comparison on CLE and BJU? My dd9 has been using CLE since the beginning. She just finished CLE 300 and while it is going good, she is very bored with it. I was looking at BJU but when i pulled up the TOC alot of the 4th grade looked like review.

This is one of the last topics on our history schedule this year. I am hoping to find a good documentary that will show my girls what happened that day. I have been searching online for a while and everything is about conspiracy theories, this is not what I am looking for. I just want the history of that day. My girls can handle this and I want them to understand how this country felt at the moment and afterwards. So, can anyone please recommend a good documentary for this?? Thanks!

:lurk5:

That's it! :) Thanks a ton!!

One of the ladies on her wrote a literature program that corresponded to the 4 year cycle. I cant not remember it can someone point me in the right direction? Thank you!

My dd12 did Abeka Biology this year in 7th grade. I was shocked how much she learned and how well she did. We made this decision after planning on doing BJU Life Science. A friend of hers was doing the Abeka Biology and after looking at the book, she liked it better. You could definitely have your dd do it in 8th grade. My future plan for science is this: 8th - a mixture of basic physics and Chemistry 9th - Marin Biology or an AP Biology 10th - Chemistry 11th - Physics 12th - Whatever she chooses She is moving towards a medical career at this moment but that could always change. She loved science and I was very impressed with the amount of Human Anatomy in the Abeka book. However, it was on a simple enough level for her to understand. All I have heard all year is "Mom did you know...". BTW, she has completed Pre-Algebra this year and not having Algebra 1, was not an issue for her. We also studied alot of Zoology and Earth and Space science through the grammar years.

:lurk5:

This was the other one I was looking at. Much better price!

This is driving me insane. I remember reading a preview of a book on this subject. The book was written by a gentleman who, I think, was a science teacher and was an evolutionist. I believe, he had been invited to a bible study with friends and ended up accepted creation. It was not too long of a book but I can not for the life of me remember it or find it!!! Any ideas??? Thanks for the other suggestions I am looking at each of them.

NOT OPEN FOR DEBATE - PLEASE!! :) Looking for something for dd13 to read next year. Something pleasant to read since this is a bit of a heavy subject. We believe in creation and I would like something to explain that more in depth to her. She has the basic foundation. I have looked at Ken Ham's The Lie and this seems to be my best choice so far. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

This looks really good. Do you mind sharing how you schedule it? Also, do you find you need a good grasp of writing yourself to teach it?

Thank you for the encouragement! I guess I am just unsure where she should be. I too, feel she tends to have a bit of "babyish" language but honestly, she is a bit on the immature side for her age. She is very different from most typical preteen girls. Maybe I am just expecting to much too fast. Thank you again. Other opinions welcome, I can take it!

Dd12 is coming to the end of 7th grade. We have spent this year concentrating on writing and I am afraid I do not see much improvement. We decided to use EIW so we would have the extra instruction. Below is this week's assignment to right about and embarrassing event in your life. I helped her with basic editing and this is now her final draft she has turned in for a grade. Please be honest and tell me all you see. As a side note, she really hates to write! Not just the thought of writing but the actually physical act of writing. I have to let her type most things to get anything out of her. She still seems really weak to me in the basic skills and I have no idea how to help her!! It was a warm and bright Sunday. I had already eaten breakfast and I was getting dressed. First, I put on my yellow sun dress. Then, I put on my first pair of heels. I was so nervous and shaky as I strapped on the 2 inch, yellow and pink poke-a-dotted heels. Just as I was standing up mom yelled "let's go we're late for church"! I then panicked as I took my first wobbly steps towards the door. We were so late for church that they had already started singing the hymns. I didn't care all I was worried about was sitting down and taking the heels off, they were killing my ankles! Just as I sat down in the pew and got comfortable Brother Mike said "everyone when the music starts come and bring your offering to the communion table." I was terrified! Because that meant I had to get up and take the money to the communion table which was 6 pews away! So I stood up and started to walk down the isle, when it happened. I tripped and fell in front of the whole church! I was so embarrassed, and everyone was staring at me! I then got up and returned to my seat in the pew. On the way home daddy and my sister teased me and called me clums-alot. So I made a vow right then and there that I would never wear those yellow and pink poke-a-dotted heels again. Ok final thought, this story did not actually happened. She created the story.

Dd12 will be 8th grade this next year and I want to do a good rigorous year of grammar with her. I am hoping this will be all for grammar aside from review, from time to time. I want to use the highschool years to concentrate on literature and writing. Last year she did Winston Grammar basic. She did well with it and learned alot. I have looked at the Advanced level but not sure it covers everything. I have looked at AG but not sure if she would tolerate it. She is an out of the box thinker and bores easily. What is everyone else using???

NO math is not an issue. We are doing more of an intro to each this year. Dd12 will be 8th grade and needs a year of basics to get ready for high school. Dd9 is along for the ride. I am more wondering which one applies more to the other. Is Chemistry going to make more sense if we do Physics first? I can see where it might since, as Regentrude said, Physics is the Basics of Science.

I know there have been different discussions on this subject but want to see what the overall opinion is. We are doing a year of combined Physics and Chemistry. We were looking at Physical Science but my girls have had alot of Earth and Space science so I have narrowed it down to these. We will be using Tiner's World Of Physics and World of Chemistry as spines. So my question is which should come first, Chemistry or Physics or does it even matter? Any and all opinions are welcomed and wanted! :)

My girls 9 & 12 have their own devotion books that they read on the own first thing in the morning before breakfast. Then the first class of the day we just read the Bible together and discuss. I have tried numerous curriculums and finally realized just reading it together seems to get it done. Know extras just read and discuss. Right now we are working are way through the story of David. I read as they follow along and then we stop and discuss what is going on and what has happened so far and how that applies to our lives. Little did I realize, until reading recent threads, that we are doing socratic discussions on this. Sometimes the simplest is the best!! :) ETA: just reread your post and wanted to add that I use a study Bible to help guide me with additional info. When I tried to follow a curriculum it seemed to get in the way but, like you, felt I needed more guidance. The study Bible has helped alot but not taken away from the time together.