Another vote for Megawords here! It has been a good switch from AAS for my struggling speller.

Math: MM6 Science: General Science or Anatomy/Physiology at co-op + interest led at home Language Arts: Megawords Igniting Your Writing II + Jump In (slowly) Analytical Grammar Mechanics Reading wonderful books independently and as a family, and continuing 'audiobooks over lunch' Spanish: Spanish tutor, Rocket Languages, immersion every Sunday at our Spanish-speaking church History: Ancients using Beautiful Feet + Human Odyssey, Oxford University Press books as spines Geography: Visits to Africa - SCM Art: Classes with Grandma over ZOOM - she is an artist and retired art teacher Extras: STEM class at co-op, PE, Piano lessons, ukulele, Trail Life, leatherworking classes at a local leather supply store

I would love to hear from anyone who has utilized Vita Beata discussion groups with their middle school/high school age students. I'm specifically interested in the literature groups. What was your experience? Did you feel that the groups (or MP guides, for that matter) added to your student's understanding or enthusiasm for the books? How much of the group time is directed by the moderator vs. student discussion? I have never used anything from Memoria Press, but am considering using some MP literature guides + Teaching the Classics with some of our history lit selections this year. Experience with either of these?? Thank you!

I would love to hear from anyone who has utilized Vita Beata discussion groups with their middle school/high school age students. I'm specifically interested in the literature groups. What was your experience? Did you feel that the groups (or MP guides, for that matter) added to your student's understanding or enthusiasm for the books? How much of the group time is directed by the moderator vs. student discussion? I have never used anything from Memoria Press, but am considering using some MP literature guides + Teaching the Classics with some of our history lit selections this year. Experience with either of these?? Thank you!

Thank you for the recommendation! I really like the looks of Mrs. Cook's class! Any specific teachers from Excelsior? I'm wondering now if a full English class will be too much on top of history reading/literature discussions... We are planning to (loosely) join a sibling in TOG Dialectic level history. I still feel like he needs to grow in literary analysis and writing skills, though, and I need him to be getting strong outside feedback on his work.

Thank you. Which teacher did you register for?

I feel overwhelmed with 9th grade English options and need input! Ds will be 13, a STEM kid who also has a true love for literature, and who is a willing, but weak writer. In past years, in addition to grammar and vocabulary, we have interwoven some writing with our history studies. He also completed Wordsmith Apprentice, took Lost Tools of Writing 1 at our co-op, and is finishing up Cover Story now. At this point, I need him to be responsible to someone else for his writing who can give strong feedback and help him grow as a thinker and communicator. What I’m looking for: Online, preferably live class with discussion Strong teacher feedback, clear instruction and assignments and easily accessible Lit & Comp or just writing Not interested in IEW or Bravewriter So far I’ve looked at: Excelsior Classes Aim Academy (Debra Bell) The Potter’s School Center for Lit Any experience with these or others you’ve loved?

My son is 12 (Dec birthday) and will be in 8th grade in the fall. Since 1st grade he has taken science classes through our co-op using Apologia's Exploring Creation series (Zoology 1,2,3; Astronomy; Chemistry & Physics). He also does electronics, bushcraft and gardening independently and loves reading all of David Macaulay's books. We're planning to study science at home this year, and I need direction! What is your favorite curriculum for this age? What should we cover before the highschool years? *A big plus if younger sibling (4th grade) can tag along! Christian or secular, leaning towards Life or Earth science, hopefully something with good pictures and a few experiments.

We have had a lot of success with this program. It is well structured, easy to track their progress, and it is linked to some fun games. Our oldest is also enjoying the beginning programming lessons.

Would you mind listing some of the documentaries about children around the world? I'm having trouble finding these.

Wow! This sounds like such a fun, well rounded study! I like so many of your ideas. I had not thought of adding in local stories and music.

We used their American history with some tweaks 2 years ago and absolutely loved history that year! Good reminder! I'll go through this list for sure.

I have never looked at these before. I'm liking what I see. Have you used these before successfully?

This sounds fascinating! How are you incorporating cartography into your studies?

I was planning on doing Berean Builders 'Science in the Beginning' for science this year with my 1st and 4th graders, and having geography as a separate subject (maybe using SCM 'Visits to...' series). But, today I started thinking that it would be a better fit for me and our family if I could find something that combined science with geography. Is there any curriculum out there that introduces continents/countries around the world while studying the habitats, climate, animals, vegetation, bodies of water, etc. within those geographical areas? I may end up piecing my own together, but I would love some suggestions.

Here is my plan for our youngest Reading: Pathway Readers Spelling: AAS 1 Writing: ZB grade 1, writing games with 'Any Child Can Write' Math: Right Start B Bible: Old Story New, selected scripture memory as a family Science: Nature study, Science in the Beginning + lots of library books with brother History: Co-op TOG Year 2 Spanish: Georgia Salsa episodes, knowitall.org 'Next Step Espanol', 'Espanol para Chicos y Grandes' with brother Art: Co-op + drawing and projects at home Geography: EM Beginning Geography, Stack the States, Stack the Countries Music: piano lessons with mom Morning basket (only one of these per day): Poetry, picture study, composer study, singing hymns together PE: soccer, archery

Math: Singapore Standards 5 Grammar: BJU English 4 Spelling: AAS 6 or maybe switch to Spelling Wisdom Writing: Some of BJU English 4, Jump In History/Literature: TOG Year 2 at co-op Science: Nature study, Science in the Beginning + lots of library books Spanish: Duolingo, Espanol para Chicos y Grandes, Knowitall.org 'Next Step Espanol' videos Bible: Old Story New + personal reading, scripture memory as a family Geography: Not sure about this... Stack the States, Stack the Countries, SCM 'Visits to..." ? Art: co-op Music: Piano lessons, choir PE: co-op, rock climbing, biking and jogging with dad, tennis? Morning basket (only one of these/day): poetry, picture study/artist study, hymns, composer studies