Thank you! :thumbup:

Thank you! My 4 year old wants to learn to read, and these look like a great addition to our Bob books :)

Lol :lol:

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! These suggestions are very helpful :D I'd like my dd to do a short context paper for some of her literature assignments this year, but I was drawing a blank as to how to go about getting her started!

I am hoping to find a book, or novel guides that expand on the historical context of a novel. We already own Invitation to the Classics, and I am looking at the Excellence in Literature guides. What are my other options? Thanks!

We are also doing Government in 10th grade to coincide with the elections. Seems like a great opportunity to me! Our plan is: 9th: World Geography 10th: US History & Government 11th and 12th: World History (Plus Economics & Philosophy)

Has anyone used these math texts? http://www.actionmathematics.com/ Thanks!

We used the Freshman TTG book last year and liked it a lot. I saw a definite improvement in my dd's writing! There are exercises, but no tests in the student book. It is a worktext, but I had my dd write on a separate piece of paper, because I plan to re-sell to help fund next year's books :) You have to contact the publisher to buy a Teacher's Manual. Honestly, I didn't get one for the Freshman book, and never needed it. When I first started the program, I thought it was too easy -- no tests, very gentle. *But* my dd's writing improved, and her end of grade test scores this year were awesome! We will be continuing with this series next year :D

This is so helpful! So, it sounds like we can do geometry and then advanced algebra without too much trouble. I understand (and mostly agree!) with the suggested sequence of LOF, but my dd really wants/needs an algebra break! Thank you!

Thanks everyone!

I see on the Life of Fred website that the author reccomends doing Advanced Algebra before Geometry. Would there be a problem with switching those books and doing Geometry first? My dd completed the Beginning Algebra book this year, and would love an algebra break. But, are there going to be topics in Geometry she doesn't understand because she needs the background of Advanced Algebra first? Or, is Geometry more of a stand alone course? Thank you :)

We use her curriculum, but my oldest won't start high school until July. Have you joined her yahoogroup (sharingdwaring)? Diana is active on it, and I am sure she could answer your question :)

Thank you for the suggestions! I had forgotten about the Portraits of American Girlhood. I think I owned an old version of that one years and years ago! LLLoTR is also definitely going on the list. See, this is what I would love to do - but I think you must be a lot smarter than I am! Those sound like wonderful unit studies :)

I do like Ruth Beechick :) I like how this program combines so many subjects, but I wonder if the books are incorporated as springboards for the activities, or just as read alouds. Definitely something to look into - thank you for your suggestion! These guides sound interesting: http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/phonics_reading/literature-units.htm The review says "Activities for each grouping range across the curriculum (whole language approach) including writing, vocabulary, geography, art, music, math, science, and social studies." These might be a possibility :)

I have not been able to find what I am looking for, but please direct me in the right direction if this question has already been asked :) What is available in the way of unit studies based on literature? I am thinking specifically of guides that cover the historical context of a book, and suggest projects or topics for further research (& rabbit trails) in art, science etc. Literary analysis (figurative language, plot etc.) and writing ideas would be a plus. I am not necessarily looking for a year long program - individual novel guides would be great :) There seem to be quite a few programs that take a topic (say history) and use multiple pieces of literature to research that topic, but what about programs that start with a book and branch out? Is there a list that already exists? These are the programs I've come up with: Beyond FIAR Prairie Primer Further Up and Further In Where the Brook and River Meet TIA!!

We will also have our first high school student this year! My oldest dd will be turning 14 soon (Wow!) and has already started the first units of her geography and science courses. I wanted her to gently get her feet wet before we jump in full steam at the end of July. She'll be doing a World Geography/World Lit/World Religion course, Integrated Science (which will give her a 1/2 credit for physical science, and full credits for conceptual chemistry, intro to physics, and honors biology at the end of three years - then she'll take an advanced chemistry course), Geometry (assuming she can finish algebra 1 soon!), Spanish 1, and she's finishing up a Child Development elective that will count towards next year's credits. I've gone from *very* nervous to *very* excited about high school!

Congratulations!! :party:

Thank you! There have been several programs suggested that I have never looked at before :)

This is exactly what I mean :) In my ideal world, my children would do their grammar (well, actually all of their language arts!) lessons from books they were reading, or we were reading as a family. Thank you all so much for the wonderful suggestions!

I am looking for a grammar program (can cover other parts of language arts, but doesn't have to) that uses excerpts from "living" books in their examples. I know of LLATL and KISS. Any others I haven't stumbled upon yet? This would be for my 6th grader who has not had *formal* grammar yet. I've been trying to point out grammar in his copywork and dictation paragraphs, but I would really like a program that is all laid out for me! TIA!

How wonderful! Congratulations to you both :)

Adding another :bigear: !

Thank you all *so* much! I am getting excited about next year! Thank you my sweet friend :grouphug:

Thank you both for responding! Can I get the Khan videos on dvd or cd-rom? Those look great :) So do the GPB videos! They are pretty pricey to buy, but on the thread you linked, some people were able to download them. I couldn't do that with my home computer, but maybe dh could do it at work. Thank you :)

Hi :) I am creating a two year integrated science course for my daughter. I have textbook, lab, and living book components chosen, but I would like to add some videos as well. I am not looking for a "complete" course necessarily, but I don't mind picking and choosing what segments we watch. I'd love videos that are interesting, maybe funny, show demonstrations and/or experiments - like Billy Nye but for older children. I researched the DIVE cds, and while the right price, they aren't the engaging media I am looking for. Physics in Your Life (TTC) looks promising. My daughter will be doing an upper level chemistry course at the community college in a few years, and she'll be taking geometry, so I am not looking for heavy math based videos. The other requirement is that these be actual hard copy videos or cd-roms. We use a broadband card with limited downloading space per month. Most online videos are too large for us to use on a regular basis. Any other options I should look into? TIA!!