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Sweet Home Alabama

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Posts posted by Sweet Home Alabama

  1. TOO MUCH. Probably WAY too much.

     

    If you want to do HO with the older two, I would just do HO. You can add in extra reading, but I would not combine HO with another full program. HO Ancients 2 is plenty of work on its own, as is MFW, even for a 7th grader. And IMO, HO would not make a good supplement to another program. You could add in whatever component of HO you like to MFW without buying HO for a lot less money and aggravation.

     

    We really like HO, but there is no way I would try to combine it with something and expect to keep my sanity.

     

    MFW would honestly be a full program for all three kids, and it would probably be overkill for just a second grader. Part of the appeal of MFW is the ability to combine all your children, so using it for just the youngest one and having the others do something else would be a lot more work than it was worth.

     

    If it were me, I would either a) do MFW with all three children; b) do HO with the oldest two and just do SOTW with the AG for the youngest, without worrying about how/whether the time periods line up; or c) put them all in Biblioplan Ancients and add in outlining and maybe IEW for the oldest two.

     

    If you really want a balanced and enjoyable plan, you really need to simplify here.

     

    Best wishes!

     

     

    Thank you so much! You confirmed what I expected, and I'm sure now that without HO we'll have a smoother year! :001_smile:

  2. I'd love to get your opinion about using History Odyssey Level 2 Ancients with a 7th and a 6th grader.

     

    I'm thinking about using that along with My Father's World Creation to Greeks for my 2nd grader and use SOTW to complement everyone.

     

    I'm also planning to use IEW's ancient history themed writing because we've had so much success using early American history themed writing this year.

     

    Pros: All children cover the same history.

    All enjoy the perks of MFW.

    My older kids work on the logic level with HO.

     

    Cons: HO Level 2 Ancients doesn't look quite like 7th grade level history

    just looking at the sample, so I cna't decide if this plan is too much

    or just right. (HO Level 2 Modern is what they say is written for

    7th grade.)

     

    There might be too much writing. In that case, I think I would just

    stick with IEW and use only the HO writing that would be beneficial.

     

    Ok. Good plan or too much? I don't want to struggle through history. I really want a balanced plan that is enjoyable and do-able.

     

    If I don't use HO, I'm planning to follow WTM suggestions to use a spine for listing a few facts followed by researching something from that list of facts and outlining from a different source. We haven't done a lot of outlining except from our IEW early American history this year. My goal is to have them ready for high school, of course. And I'm hoping these curriculua choices will help them to think and write logically.

     

    One more question.... Given that I would use both HO and MFW, would I need all recommended resources for HO or could I leave something out that would be redundant or just not necessary???

     

    If I could come to a decision about this particular point, I think I'll be set for history for next year. If you can help, I'd be so thankful!:001_smile:

  3. We used History Odyssey 2 Middle Ages last year (for my then 7th grade, 12-turning-13 son). This was my son's first encounter with plenty of outlining, so we took it slow and steady, talked through the outlining, and for the first few months significantly adapted and reduced the amount. We also played a little with webs and mindmaps to help him see what outlining is doing in terms of organizing/seeing the structure of the content.

     

    There are small and moderate writing projects throughout, and we expanded or adapted them as well, according to what I thought he needed at the time. By the time he finished HO2MA, he was comfortable with outlining and reasonable writing projects (summaries, biographies, comparisons). It was March, so we started HO2 Early Modern right away, and a few months later he did pretty well with a three-level outline from which he wrote a short analysis paper even while in the throes of an early teen hormonal tailspin (ack).

     

    I always choose related reading to assign, both "read 'til you're done" books and some books to read CM style -- small bits daily or weekly so he works through it slowly and it sinks in. Also, we continue to keep a book basket of enrichment books from the library and our shelves. We have an open reading time for subject areas on various weekdays (so, history today, or church history, or science/nature, etc.).

     

    As for Shakespeare, in January we started working through a play of his choice, A Midsummer Night's Dream. I haven't done this in years, so I'm still figuring out what to do, but I got two nice little volumes of the play with notes at a used book store so we can set aside my humongous Collected Works!

     

    It helps a lot to do some advance work: research and discuss the setting, the overall arc of the story, and the various characters before tackling the play itself. We read the play aloud, taking parts, and try not to stop to discuss words or phrases except when truly needed. I point out interesting or well-known bits and ask some open-ended questions.

     

    I'm thinking about looking for an audio version we could listen to, to help us out. I plan to watch a movie version when we're done, and then maybe something else that is based on or incorporates it... but I haven't done that research yet for this play.

     

    Barbara,

    I've been trying to put something together for ancients for next year. I'll have children in grades 2,6, and 7. We're coming from a Sonlight background, but I'd like for my kids to do more than just reading. I think I want to use MFW (Creation to Greeks) for my youngest knowing that my older kids could use it with us since many others have used MFW for older kids too.

     

    I am trying to transition my older kids to the logic stage, and, I've been looking at History Odyssey Level 2 Ancients which will give them outlining experience. (I've read a lot about HO looking like WTM history since they offer a plan for outlining.) We will also be using IEW ancients themed writing.

     

    I have a couple of concerns. First, HO2 ancients doesn't look like 7th grade material. (Pandia Press wrote Moderns for 7th grade which looks "harder" than Ancients.) Also, is it too much to try to combine MFW with HO and IEW?

     

    What are your thoughts?

  4. How would it be to combine these two?

     

    This way MFW caters more to the grammar stage learner and History Odyssey offers more for the logic learner. HO would also beef up the notebooking while adding outlining. I've read where HO is like using pre-planned WTM suggestions.

     

    I'm considering this for grades 2,6, and 7 studying ancient history. We would also use IEW's ancient history themed writing and maybe Diana Warings cds just for fun.

     

    I do have a couple of concerns: first, would this plan actually work or is it too much. Second, is HO level 2 ancients enough for a 7th grader?

  5. I will have children in grades 2,6, and 7 next year (2010-2011) and I'm trying to plan for them for ancients.

     

    I'm considering using MFW as our history together while using History Odyssey Level 2 Ancients for my older children. This is the componant that might help with notebooking.

     

    I'm think we would also use IEW's Ancient themed writing since we're using the early American history themed writing this year with success.

     

    And.... just for fun, maybe the cd's from Diana Waring would be a way to tie these things together.

     

    I'd LOVE to hear responses for combining MFW and HO. Is this too much or could these blendwell for combining grammar and logic levels together? Is HO Ancients level 2 enough for 7th grade?

  6. Not Crystal, but I've also used MFW for the past 5 years (and done all the programs - MFW K, 1st, ECC, CTG, RTR, Ex1850, and 1850-modern), and my oldest is 8th grade this year, so I thought I could help a little.

     

    About the writing...honestly, if you are using IEW and happy with it, I'd just continue it, and use the appropriate one to coordinate with the time period you are using in MFW. There really isn't any "graded" writing until you get the high school with MFW.

     

    You would be fine jumping in at CTG, and then moving on to RTR. This would put you in a perfect spot to start with MFW high school. If you are used to Sonlight, you might feel the need to add in some additional books (maybe from one of the Cores reading lists? I dunno, I've never done Sonlight, but this is what I hear from former Sonlighters who switch to MFW). Or the great balance that MFW has between reading/narrating/activities, etc. might feel like a breath of fresh air and you won't *want* to add anything else!

     

    Hope this helps,

    Amanda

     

    Hi Amanda,

     

    Are you trying to make life easier?:lol: We've been reading so many SL books that MFW just "seems" too light, and I feel like I must add more to it especially for the logic stage. (i.e. outlining, analytical questions, etc...) That's primairily my concern about MFW. Otherwise, I've only heard wonderful things about them.

  7. Sonlight is definately enough for jr high. I know it uses Story of the World but look how fast the dc read through them, all 4 in 2 years. Also add in the Foster books included in these two cores like Augustus Caesars World, definately jr high or even high school level. Don't forget you also have all the great literature to top it off. Core 6 and 7 are awesome and my ds loved almost all the books. I would also like to add that their are some really good writing asignments in these cores, I think you will be just fine using them.

     

    I have used sonlight for 6 years, although I did add in MFW Creation to the Greeks when we did core 6. I felt it was really good and loved the Biblical history, however, I do not feel it would have been nearly enough for my ds by itself after using sonlight and being used to so much literature. MFW is a great company though and we definately learned alot about the Old Testament.;) Ds learned the books of the Bible, 10 comandments, all sorts of memory work. We also thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the feasts.

     

    Blessings

    Paula

     

    Thanks, Paula. You've hit upon my problem. I think I need to choose the best of Core 6 (and eventually 7) and do more specific analysis with just a few books. I don't think I could do both of these together. Yet it seems a great combination!

  8. I've used most of the programs you mention for at least a short while. Here's why I've stayed with MFW these past years (starting year 6).

     

    Story of the World - N/A, it's already included in MFW

     

    Mystery of History - bought but didn't use. we don't prefer summaries of Bible instead of Bible itself. a little too detail-oriented in the review for my taste (memorizing dates & such).

     

    Veritas Press - had one set of cards & didn't know how to use them.

     

    My Father's World - love it. Bible is front & center, starts at the beginning, doesn't jump around, and gives two complete years to study Old Testament times & the time of Jesus separately. Is very conducive to doing your own thing, but is 100% planned if my family needs to do *no* planning for a while.

     

    Beautiful Feet - liked ancients because there isn't as much reading available. realized later it didn't start with creation, so the whole point of history seemed to be a little lost. By Rome, the reading was too much & not enough gleaned from it by my child.

     

    Sonlight - used American History with older dd but skipped all the books that had nothing to do with history & then basically many of the history books, ending up just using the spine (Hakim), schedule & questions. questions were basically just worksheet type stuff, but it was something. I felt the need to add the Oxford quizzes & some activities with more depth. the student notes were interesting but way more than my child needed & zeroed in on a very few points over hundreds of pages. I never figured out the mapping, even after discussing extensively on their message boards.

     

    Traditional Text (ABeka, Bob Jones, etc.) - didn't really give them a chance, since learning for my kids seemed to be worksheet-and-forget for the most part. motel sales are very shiny & pretty :)

     

    Other - Diana Waring has cool connections but I never knew when to quit. Greenleaf guides, I didn't know enough to teach with; loved their Old Testament. The Teaching Company covered too few topics to be complete. Konos elementary jumps around too much for me, and their high school was unfinished & led me to do too much, although it was good stuff. Lessons from History was good stuff but not quite enough info for me, since I didn't know much history at all before I started homeschooling. Probably more :tongue_smilie:

     

    Julie,

     

    I'm researching for next year's history. We'll do ancients with kids in grades 2,6, and 7.

     

    If I use MFW with the youngest, I thought I'd use something like History Odyssey ancients or Beautiful Feet ancients or Sonlight with the older ones.

     

    Is it possible, however, to use MFW with all of them? I want to begin the logic stage, and didn't think MFW would be enough.

  9. Very curious to read your compare/contrast of BF ancients and History Odyssey. I'm trying to decide which one I like best.

     

    Next year, I'll have kids in grades 2,6, and 7. If I use My Father's World for the youngest, I want to know which one (BF or HO) would mesh the best.

     

    Also, just overall, which is more interesting, do-able, effective, etc...

     

    Thanks!

  10. I have not considered SL Core 5. I have planned to study ancients and medieval history (from the 4 year history cycle) before my oldest begins high school. We will have gone from MOH (used 2007-2008) to Core 3 (used 2008-2009) to Core 4 used this year (2009-2010). We missed the medieval year, but I'm trying to start with year 1 again. My kids did not enjoy MOH, that's why I'm trying to find something like SL but also with more than just reading.

     

    As for writing the responses to questions.... that's what we're doing this year. It is working better, but there is an imbalance towards reading. I think something that balances reading and writing more equally might work better.

     

    Thanks for your response!:)

  11. In another thread, I asked if Sonlight was enough for jr. high, and the posts gave a resounding, "Yes!"

     

    My kids love SL. We've used Cores 3-4 (finishing 4 this year), and I'm planning what to do for next year. My only concern is that SL is only reading. The way SL asks questions and assigns map activities just isn't working well for us. I need to find a history curriculum for logic stage for my 7th grader that will also merge with 6th grade and 2nd grade.

     

    TOG and Trisms are out for various reasons. I'm currently considering Beautiful Feet Ancients and History Odyssey Ancients (level 2). How do you like these? Are they good for grades 6-7? Do you have any other recommendations? I'm not trying to find too many cutsy,crafty things..... a few, maybe. I really just want a way for my kids to do more than just read.

     

    I'm hoping I could use MFW with my youngest in mind and work the olders in but then let them work on grade level history more independently. I would also have them use IEW ancient theme writing.

     

    What spine do you all like the most? I want to teach from a Christian perspective.

     

    Thanks so much for your help!

  12. Choice #2

     

    Adding TtC and IEW will add depth to your SL history/lit core studies. Consider using Windows to the World for grades 8/9. Look at Jill Pike's syllabus on the IEW families yahoo group (lesson share files) for WttW.

     

    This will help too: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/mshaw/Revised_Analysis_Sheets%5B.pdf

     

    Pass LA has some good free material you could use with all your dc: look at LA units 6 - this is just one part of many: http://www.pass.leon.k12.fl.us/All%20Books/6a%20LA1%20SB%20Unit%206%20413-425.pdf

     

    Michelle,

    This might be a silly question. Adding TtC/WEM will necessarily add time to SL. It seems like I would want to choose the best of the Core for the in-depth discussion and not try to cover all of the books. Do you agree?

     

    This is why I love pre-planned material.....:) Then I just follow all the lovely directions!

     

    Thanks so much for the links!

  13. Thanks, ladies!

     

    After a lot of reading on this thread and others, I think I'll try this:

     

    Pre-Alg: Lial's BCM/LoF/Keys combination

    Alg. I: Jacob's (or Foersters)

    Geometry: Jacobs

    Alg. II: Foerster's

     

    I'll have to re-visit this plan toward the end of the year to make adjustments. How does this look? I think Jacobs might be better for us for Alg. I just because I've read how user-friendly it is. (I've only read about these books; I have not seen many samples. That would be a good next step before making a final decision).

     

    I'd love to read comments about which you would choose between Jacobs Alg. I and Foerster's Alg. I.

     

    I'm just not sure about using MUS again. I feel like we came out on the short end of the stick comparing the "mastery" method (MUS) vs. the "spiral" method we're enjoying with Horizons. We've learned so much more this year with Horizons compared to the years we used MUS.

     

    Maybe algebra is different, but I'd have to have a really good reason to go back to MUS.

     

    Thanks for your help!

  14. Ok, ladies, I have been reading posts from this thread and others. Which combination would you choose?

     

    These are my goals:

    Lesson plan that accommodates grades 2,6, and 7

     

    Similar to Sonlight because this is what my kids are used to and love

     

    Similar to History Odyssey/Trisms because this is where I want to go

     

    Something that will help us transition to high school eventually

     

    The inclusion of God in history or at least a plan to inclute this perspective if the curriculum is secular

     

    Choice 1:

    My Father's World as the spine (with the idea in mind of using MFW high school),

    Include a selection of the best of Sonlight books in the book basket,

    Something like Teaching the Classics and/or TWEM to help us with more logic level thinking,

    Maybe IEW Ancients/Medieval themed writing (we're using IEW early Am history theme book this year and learning a lot.)

    Lastly, maybe CDs from Diana Waring

     

    Choice 2:

    Sonlight 6 and 7 over the next two years and then move to MFW for high school,

    Sonlight uses SOTW which I could use with my youngest (or SL 1-2),

    Also, use Teaching the Classics and/or TWEM for more logic-appropriate questions,

    Also, IEW ancients/medieval themed writing and the Diana Waring CDs.

     

    Choice 3:

    History Odyssey for the olders

    Maybe SOTW with AG for the youngest

    Include the best of Sonlight books or maybe Beautiful Feet Ancients

    (With this plan, I might not need the Teaching the Classics/TWEM as much nor IEW)

     

    Choice 4:

    Trisms History Makers with the olders for 2 years

    (concerned this is too much of a change from what we're used to in Sonlight, but I like the research aspect)

    Not sure what to use with the youngest.

  15. Thanks everyone!

     

    Crystal, thanks especially for such a complete description about MFW. I have some follow-up questions if you don't mind.

     

    We're using IEW early American history theme based writing this year, and my kids have learned a lot. As far as writing with MFW, are there any guides/rubrics that help a mom grade papers? I don't like thinking that grading is subjective only. IEW has a checklist that we're using this year, and it makes grading easy.

     

    I'll have to look the Stobaugh up on-line. Looks very helpful, yet I've not seen it.

     

    As far as MFW 2nd-8th, I didn't mention the ECC because we borrowed some of these books from a friend of mine and I organized geography for this year to go with our Apologia science Animals of the 6th day. I'm sure what we're doing isn't as good as following the MFW lessons, but I didn't want to repeat it next year either. Also, I have always considered waiting until my youngest was old enough to use ECC which will be in 2 years. At that time I could use the geography as it is intended.

     

    Just curious, though, I thought if we used MFW we would start with CtG and then RtR because this is the time period we have missed the most. We could do this in my oldest child's 7th-8th grade years and then she would be ready for MFW high school. How does this sound? (Our SL American history would generally take the place of the 4th and 5th years of MFW).

     

    Considering the enrichment and Progeny Press, maybe it would be enough. The advantage here is that MFW is more than just reading, and I like that.

  16. We used SL 3 last year, and we'll finish SL 4 this year. My kids love SL! I love that it has caused them to love to read. Now, as I look to the next few years, I want to know if SL is enough for jr. high into high school.

     

    Next year, I will have kids in grades 7,6, and 2.

     

    I want to find a curriculum similar to SL since my kids really love it. I want the Lord to be a primary component to history (how could He be left out???) I want all of my children's grades to be inculded as much as possible, and I MUST have a lesson plan.

     

    I do not want to use TOG. I know it's popular, and honestly I love the look of it. However, I become overwhelmed when I have to pick and choose from a list of choices. BTDT. This is why I MUST have a lesson plan.

     

    I like the look of Trisms, but I'm concerned that a leap from SL to a research-based curriculum might be too much. I think I would get short answers to questions and looks of frustration from my kids. Plus, Trisms would not incorporate my youngest child. Trisms, however, seems the right direction to go...... how do I get there from here?

     

    History Odyssey might do the trick. It's more research-based than SL, and it has lesson plans, but it still doesn't incorporate my youngest well. (It would be expensive and time-consuming to buy two levels).

     

    Diana Waring and Biblioplan provide the inculsion of the Lord. I haven't researched them enough yet to make any decisions. Thoughts???

     

    Story of the World: Can I really use this for older kids? HOW???? This seems very elementary for the ages of my older kids.

     

    Omnibus? It certainly covers upper-level thinking, but it certainly does not incorporate younger grades.

     

    MFW? Two concerns: 1) We haven't really been following the classical history cycle, so I'm not sure where to begin. (We've used MOH vol. 1, SL3 and SL4. That's all. And, for some strange reason, my kids did not like MOH.) 2) Is MFW "rigorous" enough? I know it has a plan for 2nd-8th, but, if we started out in Year 2, would that be too easy for my older kids? I'm trying to BEEF UP their history.

     

    I read one post from a mom who suggested using TWEM or Teaching the Classics with SL to beef up the questions. Maybe that would work, and we would just go ahead with Cores 6-7 using Cores 1-2 with my youngest child. (Still, concerned there is ONLY reading and answering questions).

     

    I'm thinking since we will have completely covered US history with SL Cores 3-4, it would make sense to cover ancient and medievel history in the next two years and then my oldest will be ready for high school history. I like Notgrass, and MFW uses that. I'm leaning towards this plan. With that in mind, I'd love to hear from those of you who have used MFW high school. Do you feel it is rigorous enough? It's so new, I really haven't found any reviews.

     

    So, Is SL enough for jr. high? What would you recommend that is similar but is beefed-up that would make for a good transition to high school?

    There must be a perfect answer out there, right?:tongue_smilie:

  17. Thank you!

     

    I have not been able to see an example of Jacobs, and I was not sure about its complexity. I've read a lot of good about it though. Old Schoolhouse Magazine reviews say that if it had a detailed solutions manuel it would be the best textbook algebra program available.

     

    As far as pre-algebra, I've seen LoF, Lial's BCM, Aleks, MUS, (maybe a few others) the most used on this forum.

     

    I think I'm most drawn to LoF and Lial's, but I'd love some recommendations given our background of MUS for grades 1-5 and Horizons for grade 6. (I'm hesitant about LoF just because it looks too non-traditional, yet, the story form really seems to work for some. It might be just the kind of gentle approach we need.)

     

    What do you all recommend for pre-algebra?

  18. I'm researching options for algebra/geometry. My oldest used MUS for grades 1-5 and is using Horizons 6 this year. I think we'll need a pre-algebra course or maybe take 2 years to work through Alg. I. How does this progression sound?:

     

    Pre-Algebra: (grades 7-8)

    Either Jacobs Alg. I (up to 2 years) or Lial's BCM/Lof (1 year)

    (I also have Teaching Company's Basic Math, but haven't looked at that yet.)

     

    Geometry: (grade 9)

    Jacobs

     

    Alg. II (Grade 10)

    Foerster's

     

    Any thoughts? We need a gentle beginning for me and for my child. The biggest concern is the lack of a solutions manuel for Jacobs Alg. I.

     

    Does "Math Without Borders" work well with Jacobs? And, does it work to use this for 2 years instead of using a pre-algebra? Right now, I wouldn't say that we are actually ready for the abstract nature of algebra, but we are definitely making progress in Horizons.

     

    If we used LoF, I'm not sure which to use: decimals/fractions, beginning algebra, or the soon-to-be-released pre-algebra.

     

    What else would be good for pre-algebra?

     

    Can anyone advise?

  19. I'm researcing options for algebra/geometry. My oldest used MUS for grades 1-5 and is using Horizons 6 this year. I think we'll need a pre-algebra course or maybe take 2 years to work through Alg. I. How does this progression sound:

     

    Pre-Algebra: (grades 7-8)

    Either Jacobs Alg I (up to 2 years) or Lial's BCM/LoF

     

    Geometry: (grade 9)

    Jacobs

     

    Alg. II: (grade 10)

    Foersters

     

    Any thoughts? That is as far as I've gotten. We need a gentle beginning for me and for my child. The biggest concern is the lack of a solutions manuel for Jacobs alg. I.

     

    Does "Math without Boarders" work well with Jacobs?

     

    If we used LoF, I'm not sure which to use: decimals/fractions, beginning algebra, or the soon-to-be-released pre-algebra.

     

    What else would be good for pre-algebra?

     

    Can anyone advise?

  20. I feel like we'll probably need to do pre-algebra given our late switch to Horizons. We left MUS because of the mastery (vs. spiral) approach. I feel like we got behind. Maybe mastery is better with algebra, but I'm not sure I want to return to MUS. Instead, I've read that Lial's is self-explanatory and Forerster's is also "gentle". I like the idea of having dvd's available like Chalkdust offers. Life of Fred seems very popular, but I'm not sure how it compares to these other curricula.

     

    What pre-algebra do you all like the best?

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