Thank you so much for your explanation. I am very convinced that the $60 would be worth it :)

Can you kindly explain why? Is it too parent-intensive (as what others say)?

Thank you all for your response. It seemed like CE wins. I just have to justify that it will be worth paying $60 for the student and the implementation books. TWTM suggested Vocabulary from Classical Roots, is that one not so great? (Amazon has pretty good reviews plus it's cheaper, that's why I asked.) Thanks again!

We are using WWS now. I tried alternating it with IEW SWI-B but my daughter didn't like how long the lesson in SWI is. She said it was frustrating. She doesn't like video lessons. She preferred WWS and can do it independently (most of the time) but I still sit down to make sure I am there to guide or answer her questions. We only did WWE 2 (2 years ago) and going to WWS was not a problem.

I am liking both now which one should I start with first, MCT CE or VW for a rising 5th grader? I want her to learn root words and vocabulary. We're also using R&S spelling with HOD. Are these available at Rainbow Resource? Where did you buy these? Thank you!

If I get the student book of CE, do I need the teacher's manual too? I like the fact that it has "root words" included because we have not done any kind like this yet. Do I need to add English from the Roots up or CE can be used alone. Thank you so much!

Oh, thank you! Gosh, it's hard to choose. We're just starting with HOD CtC now and I heard that there's some vocabulary study in it. Crimson Wife, what do you use for your 4th grader going 5th?

If I am correct, Vocabulary Workshop just focuses on vocabulary and Caesar's English is more about root words, right? Is there anything that have both components? I looked at both of them and liked them but know that I should only choose one. Thank you for your help!

Wow, I would be curious to know as well. We're doing 409 now and I saw that Saxon book already teaches "coordinates" while CLE doesn't even have that yet. My dd is finally "OK" with doing Math (without tears, after Horizon flopped). We've been using CLE for 2 years and I am planning to purchase CLE 5 soon. My charter advisor suggested the Stanford EPGY for Math in case we want a change but I am not sure if dd will like online lessons. She does not like "webinar" kind of instructions.

I know many believe that vocabulary is better learned through reading and just finding the meaning to unfamiliar words. If you think a vocabulary book is necessary, what do you use with your fifth grader? I would like to start my search for one...if we should need it. Thank you.

I know a lot of people like Wordly Wise 3000. DD is entering 5th grade and we've never used a vocabulary book. Do I need it for HOD CtC? We are using Rod and Staff grammar and spelling but do not have a vocabulary book. Do you have a suggestion for 5th grade? Thank you!

We are doing R&S 5 and it has a good review of the basics.

Wow, thanks for the response. I thought of alternating WWS and IEW SWI-B is because my DD likes a bit variety and gets bored easily. She is not liking R&S English at all. I guess we could skip the writing lessons unless it's something I know she really needs to learn. I don't know if I should find another grammar program that will enable her to have good retention? As for Art, I know HOD CtC has watercolor in it. I might have to put her in some kind of art class eventually as she is my very "art-oriented" child. She is very much into origami and all kinds of crafty activities. As for foreign language, we have not decided what to do yet. We'll also be doing typing lessons online. How do you do "beginning logic?" Thank you!

Kindly let me know if this is good for fifth grade. Thank you! HOD CtC - we're going to use their Science and the History books Math - CLE 5 English - Rod and Staff English Spelling - Rod and Staff 5 Writing - WWS alternate weekly with IEW SWI-B We have Awana, piano, ballet, swimming and a book club. Thank you!

My dd used WWE 2 when she was in 3rd grade. We didn't do WWE 3 and 4 but did some IEW with our CC group. We're starting WWS now that she's in 5th. It seemed to go well.

I wished I had found this thread. Now I have SWI-B and Writing with Skill because I thought I read somewhere that WwtB is better for higher levels. We will be using HOD CtC soon. I think I might have to buy this one just to see if it's better than the other two that I already have. Whoaaa, the joy of having too many choices!

What books can you recommend that will help me educate my child about sexuality? I don't want something too detailed but something appropriate for my innocent child. (Some of her peers have had bad experiences hearing "sex" information from their friends. I want her to hear it from me first before she gets misinformed.) Thank you!

Our newest favorite http://www.justlikeyoufoundation.org/ Beautifully illustrated and beautiful story. When you purchase the book, proceed goes to charity.

bump. Anyone? thank you!

How about Essentials in Writing? It's only $40 and I heard it's like Math-U-See of writing :) I'm personally considering it for my 5th grader. They have different grade levels. http://www.essentialsinwriting.com/

I have a rising 5th grader. This year, we did CC Essentials which covered IEW Themed based writing. CC Essentials went too fast for her and we had to slow down using R&S english 4. We are currently using SWI-B and have just finished the first cd. What do I do (to have both grammar and writing) for 5th grade? Here are the choices: -Rod and Staff English 5 (because we're using HOD and that's their English recommendation, plus R&S has diagramming, though I am not sure how crucial it is to learn diagramming at 5th grade?) - Essentials in Writing (is it a complete grammar or just writing?) - IEW SWI-B - continue with that until we reach the end of the lessons? - WWS - I bought that but we only did WWE2 two years ago. WWS seemed like a big jump and seemed intimidation :) Do I need to add anything to these for a complete grammar? Can I use IEW with WWS or will it be overkill? Any kind advice is appreciated. I'm confused with my choices. Thank you!

Thank you very much! We're doing Chemistry this year and this will be fun!

I would be subscribing to this thread just to read your review. I'm considering it for my dd9; but I have R & S english, WWS and even IEW SWI B that we're using currently (the last 2 we use interchangeably.) I just wished EW has more grammar to make it complete.

We are going to do HOD CtC soon too and I can't wait. I needed a better guide and I pray HOD will be one for us :). I've bought most books used but will still to purchase the rest directly from HOD.

I spoke to the author of this product and he told me that it focuses on teaching writing because majority of the students he encountered in the public school system (when he was a teacher there) didn't know how to write a simple essay. He said that writing/composition is very important as the student go to middle and high school. It does have some grammar. You can look at their scope and sequence at his website. http://www.essentialsinwriting.com/course-catalog.php. Cathy Duffy has written a review on this too http://cathyduffyreviews.com/grammar-composition/Essentials-in-Writing.htm. He doesn't teach diagramming. I think this will be a good program for a reluctant writer because the lessons are done in short segments plus there's the worksheet that they can work on.