I already see academic writing as so formulaic as it is, so I think the sentence-level nitpicking that IEW uses (again, first glance) can stifle a kid's creativity. That's good if your son likes creative writing. He can use that in his 5 paragraph essays. I worked with a student starting in 4th grade. Her writing always felt colorful and creative, but every time I would introduce a formula to her (body paragraph = topic sentence, signal phrase, quote, explanation and analysis, another quote, more explanation and analysis), she would kind of do her thing while somewhat following directions. I kept modeling and reintroducing the same ideas but I never wanted to say "you're doing it wrong" but I think that can really hurt a creative writer. Or "I need you to do it this way." Anyways, she's now in 8th grade and she is both creative and knows how to write a 5 paragraph essay the way I want her to. Just some thoughts about being too formulaic and accidentally stifling a creative voice.

I’m looking for high interest books to accompany all levels of SOTW. I’ve noticed that having the right books can mean the difference between a great year of history and a not so great one. We did SOTW 1 last year, and this year we are working through SOTW 2. We have really liked: -Adventure books by Linda Bailey (Adventures in the Middle Ages, Egypt, China, and Greece) -Ms. Frizzle Adventure books (Medieval Castles, Ancient Egypt) -The Whipping Boy (really cute) -a couple other novels I'll try to remember Beautifully illustrated books: -Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo -Arthur High King of Britain by Michael Morpurgo -Robin of Sherwood by Michael Morpurgo (this had one line that really scared my son, but otherwise we loved it) -Rosemary Sutcliff books on Odysseus and the Illiad Audiobooks: Max and the Midknights (awesome and highly entertaining but one scary section with a grave yard and zombies) There are a couple more that I can’t remember. I’ve found the suggestions in the activity book to be either hit or miss (lots of misses lately). Can anyone share their absolute favorites from all levels? I especially like the ones I can buy with colored illustrations. Love audiobooks too. I also don’t mind a little fluff (like Max and the Midknights) as long as they are highly entertaining and fun to read. I’m looking for anything grade levels 1-8. Greatly appreciated!!!! Laura

When I read the word copy I seriously said to my "oh my son is totally going to love that word" lol. Like he's half paying attention but then he likes a word I say and I can get his attention 😁

😆

Love this! I like that word copy.

Definitely going to check out that book! And I found the triangle flash cards in my garage - never used them! Definitely will bring those out. Thanks for the ideas!

Multiplication strategies - So, for 9x7, he would do 10x7 minus 7. Or he likes the hand trick. For 8x6, he might do 8x5 plus 6. Using the 5s as a base. Or 7x7 would be 7x5 plus 14 For 6x4, he might do 12+12. Those are most of the strategies he has. Any I'm missing? I'd love to know more!

My kids are young, and so I don't have any experience with middle school writing curriculum for homeschoolers. However, I am a writing tutor, have my masters in writing, and work with lots of middle schoolers. I see a lot of public school assignments that ask 7th graders to: 1) write narratives (a story with dialogue, description, character development, and usually a reflection at the end) 2) write persuasive essays (5 paragraph essay that has a thesis statement and uses some research to prove a point - focus on things like good topic sentences, staying on topic in each body paragraph, writing a good introduction and conclusion, and integrating quotes properly into a paragraph). I've seen prompts like "Should students wear uniforms?" or "Should the school week by 4 days instead of 5?" 3) Book reports or summaries - summarizing and doing it well is a super important skill 4) Literary analysis (an assignment might ask a student to choose a theme from the text and then create a thesis based off that theme, then write a 5 paragraph essay on it, integrating quotes from the text as proof) These are most of the assignments I've seen. I'm not super big on the narrative essay. I would focus on finding a curriculum that teaches the 5 paragraph essay, integrating research/quotes into a paragraph, and that teaches what a good body paragraph looks likes. This doesn't have to be completed in a year. I have plenty of 8th and 9th grade students that struggle with writing an essay. I'd make these long term goals. I bought IEW used. I have only started looking at it, but I'm not sure I'm going to like it. This is based on my first glance, but it feels very formulaic for me. I plan to watch the videos this summer. Good luck! Laura

Yes, you are right. I think I never thought of the tests and extra practices as supplements and that was a mistake (I should have read the intro!!!!!). I was working through the book as a way to finish it and that was also a mistake. Going to approach 3B much differently. I still love Singapore. Thanks so much for the help!

I think you're right. It's the tests. Those would take us super long to complete. Thanks!

Thanks Emily! I have heard great stuff about Mammoth.

Thank you. I think I must be doing too much. Every test. Every review. And tests and reviews can be super long. I think if I speed things up according to mastery, we should be fine. I'm just curious about the 4 days per week schedule. Is this only the US edition? I can't see this in the Standard Edition of 3A. If you do everything according to schedule one day at time, it adds up to much more than 18 weeks (I'm only looking at 3A). It looks like each week except maybe the first 3 weeks have at least 6 or 7 activities. Unless I'm looking at it wrong.

Thank you so much for your comments! I think the real struggle is that there is too much on the to-do list. He is understanding long division, for example, but he's slow at it, so trying to complete a test on it takes a long time. And of course I don't expect his multiplication facts to be perfect because he needs mastery which takes time. But, everything gets done slowly because of this. "Singapore is paced so that if you do one exercise or review each day, four days a week, for a standard American school year, you should get through it" --- question about this. So in my Standard Edition 3A HIG - it shows an 18 week schedule (half the year). If I look at, for example, Unit 4 Chapter 2. There are 4 days of learning about multiplying and dividing, 2 more days of practice, and two long unit tests on it (which my son usually can't finish in a day). Plus, extra practice. So, that would make at least 8 days of learning for me in a week's time. What am I missing about finishing in four days a week? As far as I can see, this is the only schedule given. Another example, Unit 4 Chapter 1 has five days of learning new skills, 1 day of practice, and two long tests again - again that is at least 8 days of learning for me that should be complete in a week. Do I need to double up on days and do two textbook lessons and two sets of workbook lessons? Thanks for the drill ideas! Laura

We've tried TGATB for Space Science. Compared to something like Apologia, it is super light. I'd say even a little fluff. I like it for like 1st or 2nd, but honestly, I think library books about space work just as good if not better. I love your description of how you want science to look: a little lighter with sticking power but not fluff. I want the same!

I used RightStart C with my son last year, and we flew through it. I decided to switch to Singapore 3A & B this year mostly because I wanted my son to be more independent with his math. I chose the Standard Edition because I read that it provides more instruction in the HIG. So, we are half way through the year. I like that Singapore feels more challenging that RS. But, at times, everything feels rushed. In order to get through reviews, tests, cumulative tests, and the daily workbook is quite a challenge. In fact, I feel like there is enough in 1 book to fill out an entire year. So, a couple of questions: 1) 3rd grade math - how long should we be working in a day? We currently work a good 20 minutes daily, maybe 30 minutes, but my son can't do much after that. It doesn't seem like that amount of time will allow us to finish both books (not that that's the most important thing). 2) I haven't found the HIG as helpful as I thought it would be. I don't particularly like teaching from the HIG and the textbook, but I also don't find the "Singapore Way" much different than anything I was taught. Yes, there are the occasional bar graph models, but that's it as far as I can tell. Am I missing something here? 3) Everything feels rushed at times. Maybe this is because we still need to fully master the multiplication and division facts, but at times it feels like we are just surviving through it. Like nothing is mastered and we are just finding our way. Can anyone relate? Lately, maybe because of the pandemic, I feel like I just need that extra affirmation like "yeah, I know exactly what you are talking about." Laura

Thank you Harriet! I really appreciate you sharing your experience and wisdom!

No, I was not prescribed anything while taking these. I initially took them for 14 days, and doctor said to keep going. I know this was the trigger to my issues - just not sure how they all connect together.

Yes, it was an endoscopy. I do think carbs contribute to my issues as well. I'll try the no food past 7.

Hopefully I can find this at my library.

So hard for me!

I will definitely do the elimination diet. I can also be better prepared this time for sure. It's relieving to hear that others had to sort of figure things out for themselves as well. And it helps to feel like I have a plan moving forward. Thank you! I will look into all the suggestions as well like probiotics and such.

Found it! This was the scan - https://creatingbalancedhealth.com/product/sensitivityscan/

It sounds like the exact same situation. I'll update you if the whole30 works for me.

Yes, this is so true for me. I can't find the link to the test I took, but my primary dr suggested it as a way of saving money. It took saliva and hair samples.

I really appreciate all the responses! I had a scan that looks for food sensitivities only. I am looking for the link but can't find it - they took samples of my saliva and hair. Sea sider too, I think you are right about the foods being bad for me because my body is inflamed and if I can get it feeling better, I can tolerate them better. I did get tested for H Pylori (negative) and the scope was of the stomach, with a follow-up stomach ultrasound. Dr said, "eat whatever you want. Everything looks good." That was over a year ago. I have seen my primary dr various times, but I don't feel most take me very seriously. I have moments where my stress is down and I'm eating good, and I have felt better. But I am not feeling good lately. I will start the elimination diet, as I think this is the only way to figure it all out. Last time I did it 17 days, and my symptoms were gone by day 14. Thank you so much! I know no one with food sensitivities around me, so this has been very helpful just to remember that I'm not making this up and that some of us really do have pain from eating certain foods. Laura