Do you find that she is retaining what she has learned?

I am Shurley-tired, and have looked around a little. Can anyone that has used GWG tell me more about it? Is it like ABeka? Is there diagramming? I liked the look of the worksheets...which is one of my issues with Shurley...not enough practice. My other thought is to keep Shurley and add Daily Grams. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Does anyone know the best place to purchase all of the lab equipment for this science? Is there a pre-made lab kit? Can I use one kit with more that one student? Does anyone have a favorite microscope that won't blow my budget? I am facilitating this science for a group this coming year, I would like to do all of the experiments without having to buy one of everything for everyone. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Some of these issues may have already been addressed, but here is my 2 cents... We did MUS and then added Horizons bc MUS did not have a wide array of topics. I had liked the mastery approach, but the kids were becoming bored, or overwhelmed at staying on that same topic all the time. And when it came to testing, they did well in that one topic, but had little to no experience in other topics. Finally, I dropped MUS...even sold it! in the middle of the year and decided to finish out Horizons for the year. They were much more comfortable with this, felt as though they could actually get their math done, and were better prepared for the tests. My one that struggles with math actually thanked me for dropping MUS and said how fun Horizons is! I then thought I should go back to Saxon, where I had started years ago, but, then, why change a good thing? They all enjoy it, they are all doing well in it, and it's scope and sequence is what I wanted and is condsidered advanced if you work on their grade level. So, Horizons it is, and although I may still be tempted to look for greener grass, I need to stick with what is working for my kids, all of whom have very different learning styles. hth.

I have not used either of these, but looked at GWG and really liked it, couldn't see much about RandS online....so can anyone tell me strengths and weaknesses of these 2? I have used Shurley, but I think we need more practice. Someone in another post mentioned about the Shurley lists and lists of rules for puntuation....I don't quite see the point of that and it overwhelmed my dds. BJU is too pricey, and I have heard R&S is time consuming....and I can't do either of those. Thanks!

Thanks. I grew up on Abeka and could probably still diagram standing on my head....maybe we will skip Shurley 6 and try R&S or Abeka for a change of scenery.

I have done FLL in K/1 then Shurley 2,3,4, and then onto 6.....but I am not sure it is really the best choice. My 2 dd, who are very different in their learning styles, both struggle with things that I think should be already very easy..silly things such as homonyms,punctuation, and capitalization..am I expecting too much from them or should I try something else? My oldest dd just finished 4 and my next dd just finished 3.

I have used TOG WA this past year but have needed more help on the how to write, so I am using TWSS now, and I "think" I will use this as a prep course from now til next year, then back to WA. I love the WA assignments, the variety, but I think the TWSS shows one where to begin, and the how and whys, and then the WA tells one where to go with it...if that makes any sense!

We have used 100 ez lessons, but then went to Phonics Pathways to work or more phonics and harder words. We did not use it for spelling. We would do 10 minutes in PP, then use easy readers. After that, I have used CLP's phonics workbooks just to make sure I haven't missed anything.

and if you want videos, try Magic school bus, there is one on plants, one on the rainforest, probly more. I can't handle the books, they are too busy for me to try to ral.

My absolute favorite...How the Forest Grew by William Jaspersohn...I looked on Amazon and you can buy it used very cheaply. It is about the "life cycle" of a forest. I think it is out of print. Miss Rumphius is another favorite...true story about a lady who lived in Maine who spread lupine seeds. The Tree in the Trail by Holling...very long, but good, not sure what age to say, depends on your children Some Plants have Funny Names...maybe out of print, I found mine used. About plants like Jack-in-the-Pulpit, has pictures and tells how they got their names. We also liked books by Bobbie Kalman about plants, found these at the library. I second the Gail Gibbons recommendation, we have one now from the library called Nature's Green Umbrella, about the tropical rainforest. If you'd like more, let me know, we did Botany last year and I have a long list, but it is in the attic. Somewhere. hth

any others?

Any suggestions for science? The goal is for the parents to oversee the reading, writing, and research, but for the kids to meet weekly with a "facilitator" to take tests and do lab or project related things in a group. It needs to be non-evolutionary, and ideally, Christian. Thanks!!

can someone tell me what MEP is? Thanks.

I think I would like someone to just tell me what to do every day, but since I can't have that, I will keep asking annoying questions. Can I do FIAR for my little guys...K in the fall, while I am doing TOG with the older 3? Would I be trying to do too much in a day? I really want something more than just math and reading with them but they can't keep up with the LG of TOG. Just don't want to plan it and then find there is no way to fit it in.

I have enjoyed TOG, but you could drop the VP cards, it would be redundant, and use MOH as a spine instead of SOTW or other "spines" listed, but it would be more work on your part. I am using Year 2 this year, but only units 1 and 2...just getting to the Reformation now. Next year we will do Colonial America, etc. It was too much for one year. This way I was able to take more time on each part, and have a lot more flexibility. Plus, it was my first year doing it so it wasn't as overwhelming. I am adding IEW next year, but will use it with the TOG.

My 1st grader had Bible verses and catechism from church, grammar things from FLL...but that just comes with the book, and we work on things together as a family. We have done poetry and great speeches mainly and have only accomplished 4 this year, but longer works, like The Charge of the Light Brigade. I like to pick what I like and that is one I think my boys should learn at some point in life. We work on it 3 days a week until they have it down and then review weekly. Songs have been our best tools though, they are memorizing but don't realize it. Steve Green has Bible verse song cd's, in Lyrical Science we have learned a ton, and laugh a lot, there are geography ones too, and even my little guys have picked up a ton from listening to things put to music, "Austin, Texas. yee-haw" is often heard while a 4 year old in a cowboy hat on a stick horse gallops by. hth.

I feel as though the amount of art...as in studying great art and artists and learning art skills is not always strong in TOG....we are in Year2 Unit 2...and this one is ok, but Unit 1 was pretty much nil... music....appreciation/composers there is very little or none. How do you TOG users supplement this? Thanks. I would like a program that is not too intensive, but I can't pull it all together myself,

thanks. anyone use abeka or RS?

I would ask. My husband is a PA and my oldest son has asthma. We use his meds as needed, being thankful for them when necessary, but realizing there are side effects of long term use. Some MD's believe that people with asthma should be on meds all the time, but hopefully your provider will be open to usage only as needed. All that to say, we have had times, once a year or so, where a cold had caused enough inflammation that the inhalers are not as effective and we have gone to Urgent Care for nebulizer treatments. I would learn the signs of their asthma and treat early on...my son starts coughing fits that become more frequent if not treated....and treat sooner rather than later. hth I would add, that he has a very mild case....not as the above poster had mentioned. Some asthma will need continuous treatment or the side effects of the triggers can be deadly.

I have used Saxon 1 for my older children in K, but now have them all doing Horizons, after a few other things, on grade level, which has been a better fit. I haven't seen K, would anyone say it is like Saxon...where you use 1 for K level kids? My youngest ones know numbers to 10 by sight, count a little bit higher, know colors and basic shapes. Would I want to start K or 1? They will be 5 in July. Thanks!

I am looking for something very clear and simple, yet, of course, excellent, for what I would call language arts to start my twins in K and next son in 2nd...that would include: Phonics, Spelling, Reading comp, and Handwriting The twins know letters and letter sounds, my 1st grader can read pre-chapter books with minimal help (ie Magic Tree House). I think I have missed the boat on reading comp with my older children and don't want to do that again. It would be nice to have one subject relate to the other. Also, would anyone start a 3rd grader or 5th grader in one of these for reading comp? Thanks.

I have used FLL for K/1st, going halfway through the 2nd grade section in 1st, then switched to Shurley 2 for 2nd grade with my older 2 dd. I was wondering the pros and cons of the later grades of FLL..I know nothing about them but I really like the first book and am a little Shurley tired. I am considering using the FLL in place of Shurley for the ds's. Thanks.

Maybe, if we can get to any of it,,, Saxon 1 Reading...100 easy lessons MCP plaid phonics A they follow along in the rest...Bible, History, science....nothing formal for them lots of read-alouds and plenty of fresh air we did Rod and Staff preschool workbooks...not to hard, works on coloring, following directions, cutting, pasting, some pre-handwriting. Cheap and fun when they were begging for their own books!

I looked at your blog...looks like you are doing plenty. I don't do all that you do and I do some other things you don't, but who is the judge? Are YOU happy? Is your son happy? Looks like you are doing some pretty amazing things yourself that I am unable to do, so to quote my husband "stop reading all that stuff and just be content." You are doing great.