Do you find that the BP Guide is enough? I'm curious because I've never used BP, and the items in the bundle look great to me. Can you get by with the Guide and reading books? That would be awesome financially! I'm still planning on buying the bundle, but I'd love to hear your perspective on this.

If you go to the BP web site and look at the three lesson plans they post, you will see one block with a Diana Waring CD listed. (On the BP homepage, click on the history period you will teach. Click on the procuct cover and scroll down until you see the box with the TOC. There are sample lesson plans there.) Really, this is all I'm going by. I have not asked to what degree Diana Waring is scheduled. I think you would buy the Diana Waring CDs and incorporate them into the BP lesson plan as they are scheduled. This is the way I understand BP works. You buy the schedule for them for $69. Then you incorporate the books, CDs, etc.... that you want your children to use. Therefore, the final cost of history would be dependent on the resources you decide to use. I have emailed BP several times for other questions, and they are VERY quick to respond! You could do that to find out more about the specifics regarding the Diana Waring CDs. I was going to buy them anyway because I've read so many good things about them. It was a bonus to find that BP uses them in their plans. My kids love stories on CD, too, so history on CD is going to enhance Ancients for us. :001_smile:

Lisa, This was a great description of FS. Can you compare it with CLE Reading? In your opinion, I'd love to know which you would choose for first-time lit study/ kid-friendly/ ease of use.

Julie, Thanks so much! This is very reassuring!:001_smile:

You know, I had not considered that, Michelle. FS is not that expensive. I guess I'd just like to know if it's worth it to have both or overkill..... Anyone else?

We have not ever had a "literary" class in our homeschool, and when I read about CLE, I felt like it would be perfect for us. My oldest two will be in 6th and 7th grades next year. CLE recommended they study together using the 6th grade Reading Light Units. Has anyone used Figuratively Speaking? I want to compare CLE Reading with Figuratively Speaking so that I have an opportunity to choose the best fit for my children. CLE: Uses stories and teaches LOTS of literary terms Uses workbooks Little to no prep work for the teacher (I think) Open and Go Christian Figuratively Speaking: I truly LIKE the use of classical works here: A plus. Uses classical works to teach about 40 literary terms. Does not use workbooks; just apply lessons to one of the suggested poems or stories. I think the teacher would have to find/choose a poem or story to go along with the lesson. Otherwise, I think it's mostly open and go Secular since it uses classical works This might be the last subject I have to choose to complete plans for next year!! :001_smile: I would be so thankful if any of you could share your experiences with these. I'm not opposed to hearing about any other literary program that has been kid friendly and easy to use. What do you think?

You know, today Rod and Staff grades 2, 6, and 7 look good to me!:lol: I hope others will chime in with more opinions. I can picture Rod and Staff being done independently. It's not expensive. It incorporates phonics/spelling rules. It teaches some vocabulary. My daughter looked at it briefly and grinned and said, "I love it!" It will be easily checked. Not bad.

You know, I looked at TQ after reading your last post, and I could see why someone would use them for teacher helps, yet still it does seem like more of a book list. That's what I thought I remembered. I am relieved to read from several now that comp questions are not critical. With the Cool History Packet and sources like Diana Waring, I think we'll be ok. Personally, I want to incorporate the Waring CDs. I've heard that they are wonderful; although, I've never heard them. My kids love stories on CD. I agree, I hope to have an enjoyable AND solid history next year. Thanks so much for your help!

I hope you all can give me some inspiration and perspective. I can't decide what to do for spelling. I want to change from Spelling Power Rules/phonics based QUICK: I only want to spend 15 +/- minutes/day in spelling Kid friendly:tongue_smilie: Teacher friendly Budget friendly:confused: Most of what I've considered seems so expensive. Spelling/Vocabulary together would be a bonus I've bounced back MANY times between: How to Teach Spelling (consise but not really kid/teacher friendly) Megawords (kid friendly, but expensive; takes years to finish) I've also considered: Rod and Staff for graded 6 and 7. (The roots study in gd.7 looks wonderful, but is it kid-friendly and quick?) CLE spelling because we'll be using their language arts for 6th grade only..... still leaves me hanging for 7th grade. We'll use 6th grade CLE reading for both kids. Apples and Pears (actually, for my 2nd grader; awesome comments about this spelling for young kids or for remedial help.) Apples (I've read it works well along-side Spelling Power) One child is a decent speller; the other child would benefit more from a rules-based program like HTTS. (And, yes, I'm also shopping for my 2nd grader, but not as concerned about this at the moment.) I'm not completely satisfied with any of these. Can anyone recommend a FANTASTIC spelling program? Which of the above would you most recommend? :smilielol5:

Thanks so much! I'm curious, though. Truthquest is mostly a book list. I looked at the on-line samples and I see some teacher's helps, but I would think you would want something that would give more teacher's helps than books. Have you considered anything else? How would you use TQ in conjunction with BP?

Thanks, Beth! I hate it when I leave out important information. My kids will be in grades 7, 6, and 2 next year. I am still unsure if we need to use something like SparkNotes or just read for enjoyment and casual discussion. Will the line item for 8+ readers be enough for my 6th and 7th graders with/without discussion? We have a full year planned, and I want history to be the the fun, family course we enjoy together. At the same time, I want to assign age/grade appropriate assignments. I hope more will chime in with more opinions about the need for comp questions (or not)....:bigear:

Thanks, Beth! I hate it when I leave out important information:tongue_smilie:... My kids will be in 7th, 6th, and 2nd grades next year when we study ancients. I'm still unsure if I should plan on Spark Notes (for all books or just some) or just reading more for enjoyment with casual discussion. We actually have quite a full year planned, and I want history to be the fun, enjoyable, family subject we do together. At the same time, I want to give age/grade appropriate assignments... KWIM? I hope more people will respond.:bigear:

Melissa, thank you so much for your reply! This is exactly what I need to know!:001_smile:

We've used SonLight for the last 2 years. Next year, I'm thinking about using Biblioplan since they use living books PLUS incorporate some worksheets and sources like Diana Waring CDs. (LOVE THAT!:001_smile:) In researching Biblioplan, however, I've learned that there are no comprehension questions to go along with the readers. ( SL uses comprehension questions. It's what we are used to.) I'm having trouble understanding how the readers are folded into the discussion of the history. It seems if a reader is assigned there should be some kind of follow-up. For those of you who have used Biblioplan, can you tell me if it is a problem that comprehension questions are not included? One of the authors suggested that I do an on-line search for each reader for questions. He also said to use Spark Notes. Does it work just to follow the Biblioplan lesson plan and "enjoy" the readers without comprehension questions/discussion? What do you all do? We'll be using Ancients, but this question would apply to any of the history periods.

Great! It sounds like the HomeScienceTools kit is something I can do without. I like the idea of making a list of the things we want. As far as the Mom's Minutes thing.... that comes when you order the program, right? Do you all recommend buying straight from BJU or HomeWorks? Is there a best time to buy?

I want to use BJU Life Science next year with my 7th grader, and now I'm trying to determine exactly what I need. So far, I know we want to use the DVD program, and we've decided to purchase the SonLight microscope. I know about the HomeScience Tools kit for this Life Science. It's $102.95! OUCH! Is this a necessary expense? What do we HAVE to have? I do want to do at least some experiments to use the microscope, but should I expect to do all the experiments which would justify the need to purchase this kit? Can I just pick the ones we're most interested in? Would you all tell me what I need and what is fluff? I have just emailed a consultant from HomeWorks to find out about their charges. I think I've read that I could get free shipping if I order through them. Does anyone have any experience with this company? Are they reputable? Thoughts? I REALLY want to do this science. I REALLY want to keep cost down as much as possible. Any advise?:001_huh:

Thanks, everyone! Let me ask your opinion about using it with a 7th grader in particular. Do you think Biblioplan is written so that the 7th grader will feel challenged, or is it written more for the younger ages? They do have a high-school add on. Should I consider getting that just to make sure my 7th grader has enough reading more on her level? I'm not trying to make this a rigorous course since we have a decent load already planned for next year. Yet, I want to tailor history for her appropriately.

I just read about this over the weekend, and I like it. Would you ladies tell me if you like Biblioplan Ancients? I was all set to do Beautiful Feet Ancients with a 7th, 6th, and 2nd grader (using SOTW) next year, but Biblioplan would combine all these grades and give me a lesson plan to follow. With BF, I would have to plan it out..... much more complicated. It is also not too expensive. My 7th grader will be doing Bob Jones Life Science DVD program, BCM pre-algebra, Analytical Grammar Season 2, and CLE Reading next year. This is full enough in my opinion. I want history to be the class we all do together and ENJOY. It doesn't have to be rigorous, but I want it to be thorough. Can you help me understand Biblioplan? What do you like about it? Pros? Cons? Thanks!

Thanks so much!:001_smile: I would love to hear more. This is a great relief to hear how these are being scheduled. Is the 6th grade reading too hard for first-time use? I don't want to overwhelm my kids, but I love this combination.... grammar with diagramming and literary skills study which is something we haven't done yet.

Hi, I think we will try these next year for 6th grade (first time). I am unclear how to schedule them. Can anyone share days/week and minutes/lesson you plan for these courses? I have asked CLE, but I did not get a clear answer. It sounds like the Language Arts needs to be done M-F for 45 minutes each lesson. (Is it possible for this to be a 4-day week instead- or would that be too much?) The reading part is the one I really don't understand. I think Reading is every-other-day for about 45 minutes/lesson. It sounded like that depended on the lesson plan though. She did say some lessons take more time, but she was not clear at all about a schedule..... one that I could put into a weekly plan. I just need to know what to expect about how to implement this curricula: time, schedule, routine. Thanks!

I'll have kids in 7th, 6th, and 2nd.

I have heard so many great things about Megawords! I want to try something new for next year, and I can't decide between these two. Megawords wins the popularity contest hands down, but it takes YEARS to complete and multiple books make it an expensive choice. It is mostly done independently after the child learns how to do it..... a huge plus for me. HTTS will teach all spelling in one teachers text for grades 1-12! Workbooks can be purchased for individual grades. It's cheaper and information is completed all in ONE year (as far as I can tell). Compared to MW, it's CHEAP, but it is more time and teacher intensive. Will you all help me make a choice between these two spelling curricula?:001_smile:

I have heard so many great things about Megawords! I want to try something new for next year, and I can't decide between these two. Megawords wins the popularity contest hands down, but it takes YEARS to complete and multiple books make it an expensive choice. It is mostly done independently after the child learns how to do it..... a huge plus for me. HTTS will teach all spelling in one teachers text for grades 1-12! Workbooks can be purchased for individual grades. It's cheaper and information is completed all in ONE year (as far as I can tell). Compared to MW, it's CHEAP, but it is not done independently. Will you all help me make a choice between these two spelling curricula?:001_smile:

I only hear good things about Megawords. Can someone tell me.... Do I use the assessment book to place children, or do I just start with book 1 ? Is MW done independently? How much mom-time is needed with it? What is the youngest age/grade that is reasonable to start MW? What would work well for a 2nd grader to prep for MW once he reaches 4th grade??? I like the sound of Apples and Pears, but it is expensive and my to-be 2nd grader might not enjoy the repetition. I've been using Spelling Power, but I don't feel like we've learned effective spelling construction.... SP really does not focus on phonograms/morphemes very well. I might try MW with my up-coming 6th and 7th graders. I'm just not sure if it is appropriate for 2nd grade. Spelling should not be so expensive!:tongue_smilie:

Thank you for your help, GVA.