:iagree:It's good to hear most people are in the same line of thinking as myself, if the work is not done, no computer, no TV, no phone calls, no soccer practice, no youth group, no extra curricular reading(the ultimate punishment). Being it's the beginning of our school year I am trying to be a little gracious. It is hard to get a full load of work done when it's still summer outside, for me and them. I sympathize because we are right there with you with our dd12. Time management is a learned skill, I just hate teaching it because it takes so much of my time!:tongue_smilie:

We just started Gen. Sci., and I think we'll do it at the end, and probably just orally, or maybe not, depends on how much time I have. I downloaded a lesson plan from donnayoung.org that she uses to work through it independently. They also have a note sheet for the scientists of Module 1, and I have been having her do a 3 pt. outline as she goes so doing the study guide at the end should be easy for her, but we'll see next week. It seems to make more sense to me to do it at the end for review.

We made the switch to Saxon this year from Abeka, and it's been good. The only bumps have been figuring out where in Saxon 3 to put my 2nd graders because most of the first half of the book is review for them, and then making sure you have the appropriate editions of the books you want. I was so mesmerized by the $5 a book used price that I bought up all the levels up to Alg 1/2, only to find out that the Teacher CD I bought for 8/7 is only compatible with 2nd edition(I bought 1st edition) or later and I had bought the second edition TM for Saxon 3, but bought the workbooks for 1st edition. Not even similar, had to borrow someone elses TM to get myself straight:lol:. All that to say, I really do like it and I really love using the Teacher CD's for 8/7 and 7/6, it has taken a load of bricks off my shoulders with not having to teach 3 levels of math. I highly recommend reading Art Reeds website on how to use Saxon. Saxon is reliable and very easy to use. There is another thread about using LOF with Saxon, and we intend to do that too.

All my kids had done Abeka from the beginning, and we made the switch this year to other programs(see my signature). We have used our new stuff long enough that I can tell you this... I would wait to switch out of Abeka Math after the 4th grade book. We switched this year to Saxon 3 for my 2nd graders, and I may end up buying Abeka Math 2, and doing both. Abeka is more advanced in the younger grades. Though, I would definitely switch for the uppers. We did Abeka through the 6th grade book and I don't really care for that program after 4th grade. My ds did Abeka Math 4 last year and tested into Saxon 8/7...though we chose to do Saxon 7/6 so we don't miss any important concepts. My ds/dd 7 twins did Abeka Math 1 last year and tested into Saxon 3, which so far is way too easy. It may get better later on, but I don't want them to back slide on progress, so we may do both. I wished we would have waited to switch, I may even put them back in Abeka Math 4 next year then go back to Saxon for upper elementary grades. I am extremely happy with our switch to Saxon for the older dc, and I love using the Teacher CD's. For Language/Grammar, Abeka is still a great program...however there really is not enough writing. You could easily use it with WWE for younger kids, or another writing program for the older ones. We switched to Rod & Staff mostly because we were really burned out on workbooks, but it does have a little more writing, even so we are using other writing programs with it. I recommend using workbooks of anykind on a very limited basis. I think our continual use of them has lead to some problems in handwriting neatness and not writing in complete sentences. In math they really don't give you enough room to work the problems out, then you have to use a scrap paper, and keeping track of it, and no lines to keep our numbers straight....you get the idea. Hope this helps you make your decision.

You've hit it on the head. One day we know our math, and the next we don't. It leaves me throwing up my arms, wanting to yell "SERIOUSLY?!". After doing Abeka 6 we should have been able to make the transition to Saxon Algebra 1/2 (pre-algebra), however since her brain is still either under the pillow or in a book or brushing her hair...we will be doing Saxon 8/7 instead. I also got the Teacher CD, which is awesome. Art Reed feels that both Saxon 8/7 and the Algebra 1/2 will both get you to Algebra 1 the following year, with the 8/7 being the more remedial(more review) version. I am banking on it.:tongue_smilie:

I suggest listening to her Writing Without Fear lecture, as well as the Writing: The Elementary Years. They are both very encouraging. These are really helpful in gauging what reasonable expectations are at each developmental stage, and awesome advise on what exactly to do if you hit the same problem you are having. After listening to those lectures, I would recommend going back to 3-4 word sentences and see how that goes. We just started WWE4, without any WWE background and it was really rough the first day, lots of tears. Tears all week, but I can see that there is a hint of progress so we will keep on keepin' on. I know you are discouraged, but don't give up. It's like teaching your children to fall asleep on their own, or to self sooth. It is really hard in the beginning to listen to the frustration and tears, but it must be done, we must teach them how to get the words on the paper. I hope you are encouraged.

Thanks for this great thread. My 7th is going to be starting Mavis Beacon within the week and I was asking myself the same questions. I think after reading the posts, I will base her grade on improvement and effort. I can't imagine a seventh grader being able to type 45 wpm unless they had been doing it already for a while.

We are celebrating by going camping next week while everyone else is at school. Even though we started school this week to make up for the time...it will be quiet there with all the regular families back to their weekly routines. Celebrate the freedom. It takes a while to get the kids on board with being on a different schedule as their friends...but they will come around. This is the start of our second year of doing school on 'our schedule', and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Enjoy it!

www.donnayoung.org has several formats to choose from. All free!

I spent a lot of time yesterday reading more in Art Reed's newsletters. I also have decided after reading Art Reed, that I also have the wrong edition book. Super. I got really excited over a really good used price, and didn't even pay attention that I was buying 1st edition, which Art Reed doesn't recommend. Perfect:tongue_smilie:. So I will be getting the proper edition this week...and going from there. Someone else previously noted that the terminology was a bit different from her previous program, and I think that is true here also. I do think that we will need to go through all the lessons to get the new terminology, as not to create more chaos. If the roads through 8/7 and Alg 1/2 both meet at Algebra 1, we will go with 8/7 to start, if we are able to get through it early...great, then we'll just do some of the Alg.1/2 book too. Next year I will be sure to get the correct edition of Algebra 1.:001_smile:

I knew it couldn't be that easy, but I thought I might throw it out there anyway. I had a suspicion that if we tested through there might be bits and pieces that would be missed, and you all have comfirmed that to be true. Furthermore, I had not thought about whether or not the test problems would be easier or harder that the tests...good info to know. Thank you for reminding me about Art Reeds page...it has been very helpful before...it just slipped my mind. I think we will start at the beginning and assess each lesson as it comes. Some we will just review the material, some we will do a little of the homework for practice/review, then eventually we will get to the material that we will do the lesson and the homework. According to Art Reed, once you have completed 8/7(which is the more remedial version of Alg.1/2), you should be ready for Algebra 1, so I am assuming that would be the next book if we finish early in the school year rather than going to the Alg. 1/2. Thanks again for all your great advice. It's priceless to me.

So we are due to start Saxon Math on Monday. We came from Abeka, and as you would expect with any switch, the scope and sequences don't line up. It appears as if we should start 1/3 or 1/2 way into the book to find where we left off with their previous studies. Dd12 will be doing 8/7 and ds10 will be doing 7/6. So would it be a bad idea, say, if I gave them (mostly speaking of dd12 and ds10) the tests, say, one a day, until they got below an 85%, then started there in the book? OR I could just make it really easy on all of us and let them start at the beginning of the book, and call it review, let it be easy for a few months, and not look back? I would also love to hear any other ideas on how to do this. BTW, I love, love, love the teacher CD's for the older kids. This will be so helpful in having more "at the elbow" time with my ds/dd 7 twins. Next question, I am having dd12 do the 8/7 book because she needs a little more practice with percents. She does excellent with fractions, beg. geometry work, and solving for variables. I am wondering if it would be inappropriate to send her along to Alg.1/2 and work through LOF decimals for more practice. I could of course have her do LOF decimals with 8/7, but I don't want to hold her back from advancing just because of one weak area. Is it crucial to be solid in decimals before moving to Alg 1/2? I have both books on hand, so I wouldn't have to buy more to switch plans.

www.donnayoung.org has black line maps of the U.S. Look under the history tab, then maps.

With four kids, chores/housework seems endless. Starting from a young age we have had a chore chart that we made on Excel. Start by making a list of chores you think are age appropriate(or get ideas from others), then slot them into each day of the week you want chores done. If you have multiple kids, make sure they alternate days on specific chores so no one has to always be the sweeper or vacuumer. Every family will differ in what they think is appropriate chores for their kids. We have a rule of no TV, computer, wii, or visiting friends until chores are done. If a child has attitude problems about chores, lies about doing a chore, or other bad behavior pertaining to chores, they get to do more chores. Luckily we don't have to do that very often, but we usually try to make it as unpleasant as possible to get the point across that we all have to do things we don't like to do. We don't give allowances, we just expect them to do their part as part of the family. On occasion we pay them for other jobs around the house that are more uncommon like helping dad stack wood for the winter or tedious spring cleaning type tasks. I don't think I could keep up with a sticker or toy based award system, but I do make a point in giving them a lot of praise in a job well done.

My dd12 did 4H Photography this last year and it was a huge hit. Great Experience! They learned many of the technical aspects like exposure, etc, as well as composition, and practiced taking pictures of different kinds like landscapes, textures, people, etc. They get to submit up to six photos in the county fair, no more than two per category. This year my dd12 got blue ribbons on all 6(which means it meets all the technical criteria), and got 2 Grand Champion Ribbons(best in category), and 2 Reserve Grand Champion Ribbons(2nd best in category) as well. She gets to take 2 pictures to the state fair (she chose her Grand Champion pics). In our area to participate in 4H is only $30 per family per year and they can pariticipate in as many clubs as they want. The usually only meet once a month per club. I found it to be a pricless experience for my dc.

Our morning starts with Math then LA for the older, and oral reading/phonics/LA followed by Math for the younger. Not that the reading is hard, but ds7 hates it so we do it first or it doesn't get done. We get the basics done before lunch, then do either science or history after as well as music practice or art. You will have to determine via trial and error what order works best for your kids based on patience, teacher involvement, and how independantly each child can do any given subject. It is a bit of a process so don't be too hard on yourself or your kids till you figure out what works for you. I like to use Homeschool Tracker Plus to keep track of our daily/weekly lessons so I don't have to pull out every single Teacher book every day for every subject...and rescheduling something to the next day or week can be done with a click or two. I am a checklist person so it works great for me. You can schedule in any activity you want along with the traditional school subjects.

Did you use the 'complete' set or 'basic'? Just trying to save a few bucks. If it really makes a big difference then I'll spring for the complete package.

Dd12 (7th gr.) has above average reading skills, master speller/vocab, loves to write...I would say she's a B student in grammar(Abeka). I was originally thinking Voyage, but maybe Magic Lens 1? Magic Lens is listed under middle school so I started to second guess myself. We are looking forward to a different approach to grammar, and that maybe it would help her turn the corner to a solid A. We have never done MCT Language, but I think she's smart enough to jump in without having to backtrack too much. Please help...is Magic Lens 1 too hard for a 7th grader?

We have this same one, and just like all the others...it sharpens lopsidedly. Everytime you sharpen you have to pick a bit of the wood off one side at the point just to write...grrrr. I think we'll get the old fashioned hand crank style after we've gotten our money's worth out of the iPoint. I think the only difference between electric sharpeners is how quiet they are or aren't.

No workboxes here either, just sounds like another unnecessary step. I use HST+ also, which I love, because I can print out our daily to do list and it keeps us on track. It is especially helpful with the older kids who can work more independantly. I have not been a filer at all and I do regret that. I have a stack of papers about 14" tall of all our work from last year and for the older kids, they really could have benefited from the ability to look back at their previous work for review purposes, and the younger just like to look back at what they've done for fun. I will probably become a filier this year. Live and learn I guess.

:iagree:I don't think you really need to test for history or science till around 3rd ish. If you can get them to narrate back to you what you have talked about with some success...your golden. I chose R&S Art for my kids this year because it actually teaches art concepts, not just directions for a fun craft, and it's very affordable. Don't get me wrong, we love a good craft, but we are going to learn about colors, shading, perspective, etc. also. My kids are a part of a local 4H chapter that offers beginning art, which is mostly crafts, and an advanced art that is for older kids and they learn to work with oil paints, watercolors, and charcoals. It has been a real blessing to me since I have a hard time getting that done at home. Most the kids are homeschoolers and they have a great time hanging out together. I am saving the exposure to the 'great artists' till later, maybe 8th or high school, simply because I don't think they give a rip at this age, so why bother.

I talked to our local R&S distributor and he thinks that the educational content is roughly the same. I think there may be more writing involved with R&S though, which is good. My kids used Abeka from PreK thru this year (oldest is dd12) and I think it is a very good program. However, you have to consider whether or not you like the workbook scenario, and when it comes to some kids, the less color and decor on the page, the better, it can be a distraction. R&S is very black and white, Abeka is very colorful and engaging. I can tell you that R&S is far less expensive than Abeka, and even more so since it's not consumable workbooks. I have several R&S books on hand here for use in the fall and I am impressed with the quality. We are looking forward to using the R&S books. Good Luck with your decision. Either one will serve you well.

I think I have decided to get LL7, try to do it in a term, then for second term do a couple of PP guides. That way I can decide for myself if it is too "light" as some have mentioned, and we can do the PP guides that are Christian based, best of both I guess. If I like LL7, then we can start LL8 for 8th grade, and then do a few more Christian based PP guides. Now I just have to decide on which PP guides...that's why I liked the idea of LL7, I didn't have to decide what to read. Maybe I'll let dd pick, then she would feel like she has some say. OK then. That's settled.:001_smile: Ya!

OOOOOoooo! Nice thread recommendations. That is very helpful. I am on the brink of just ordering LL7 & 8 today...unless anyone else can chime in with reasons to do Progeny Press guides. Anyone?

I was actually thinking about getting both LL7 and LL8 and doing what you have mentioned because she has already read several of the books from both which would allow us to get through it more quickly, I think:)