Ideally I would say CW or Writing Tales, but realisticly right now we're doing: the Language Lessons series from Queen Homeschool Writing with Ease Pathway readers (and some selections from SL)

I LOVE choosing curriculum since I've been able to do it online! When I first started out I was overseas and was flying blind with very limited options in what I'd heard about. Now that I can ask the advice of people like you all here, see online samples, read reviews, etc, plus have my own philosophy of education figured out, I really enjoy the process. We live in an age when there's so much available that it's a pleasure to me and I'm almost always satisfied with the results. No anxiety, just fun!

I've had nothing but excellent results from Rainbow. The shipping isn't the fastest ever but everything's always arrived in great condition. I like Rainbow!

Another good Charlotte Mason book (like For the Children's Sake) is A Charlotte Mason Companion by Andreola. This method helped me tremendously to put the joy and therefore love of learning back into school by enjoying nature, art, music, reading good books just because, etc, instead of just plowing through the serious stuff.

Have just googled this but am finding some confusing information. What is the best place to purchase Exploring Life and what is needed to make this a high school course? Thanks for any info.!

Have any of you used this book as a read-aloud? I'm thinking particularly for my older 3 dc. My older 2 could read it themselves but they've been asking to be included in read-aloud times more again :001_smile: so I'm looking to do a bit more than Stanley's version. I looked at a sample online at Amazon and it looked pretty good there. Opinions?

I've used them both together and think it would be fine to continue with both unless you find that it's overwhelming of confusing your ds. My dc would have been bored with just PP alone so ETC kind of broke things up a bit. I think PP overall is a more inclusive program, however, so have felt like it's good to keep on with it. So, I would think especially if your ds is moving slowly (been there with one of my dc!) that it would be a good fit to continue with him as long as you didn't move too quickly. There were times for that one particular dc where I slowed things down to reading 1/2 a PP page if there was a lot of writing on it, a page or two in ETC, plus having them read a bit in a reader each day. Worked quite well actually! The only other thing I've added are readers. We've really enjoyed both Pathway readers and readers from Sonlight. The Pathway readers were particular good for the dc who struggled since they built skills very intentionally. HTH!

Thanks for the great reply! Really appreciate it. I'm still wondering if it's possible to do using MOH as the spine but I may have to ask the authors since MOH III has just come out so probably no one has done the second level that way!

I've been reading old threads and am thinking that Biblioplan may be a fit for our family now but I have questions: First of all, I was planning on using MOH this coming year for Medieval, etc, and see that Biblio. now schedules this as well. Is anyone using that as the spine instead of SOTW? I like SOTW but my older dc have already used it. I wonder how much it would use of MOH III or if purchasing that really wouldn't be cost effective? Also, why in particular is it called BIBLIOplan? Is it because of the Biblical content of the books or does it draw from the Bible as well? Just curious! Any testimonials of how Biblio. has worked for families with multiple ages like mine?

Glad you found the one at lulu on the second thread! I have it on my computer from when she was emailing them out on the old boards. When I saw this thread I was thinking, "Gee, I've got this great resource but it's not MINE to give out!" So I'm very glad it's public. I've really enjoyed using it this last year with my younger dc!

I've been reading my ds a few books from queenhomeschool.com about American history that we've been really enjoying! They are: Boys and Girls in American History, The American History Storybook, and Short Stories from American History.

This is my first time to post here. I looked at Wordless Wednesday a few weeks ago and got inspired to FINALLY start a blog. I love looking at everyone's photos! I will try to be 'wordless' in the future but I have to explain my pictures. Some of you may remember that I was widowed a couple of years ago while living in Fiji. My dc and I have been back in the States since then. Well, on May 16th I married a wonderful guy from New Zealand that we knew from trips he made to Fiji. He was a good friend of my 1st dh, too. These pictures were taken right after we walked 'up' the asile and we didn't know the first 2 were being taken. www.poundsprogress.blogspot.com I love looking at every one else's!

What about Spectrum Language Arts workbooks? They are only $9.95 at Amazon!

I wasn't crazy about this book either. I much prefer 'Heaven's Heroes' by Shibley.

I second Sonlight as a 'packaged' program. Since there are several levels to choose from depending on what the dc is ready to do which is nice. The only problem might be that after trying it she'd be hooked on homeschooling!

You've been given excellent advice already! :iagree: What they've said is basically the approach I'm taking with my younger dc. Wish I'd had this figured out in time to benefit my older dc, too!

I tired this with Core 1 to stretch it out a bit, and we liked it for a while but eventually just dropped to CHOW. I think there at least used to be sample schedules for doing this at www.paulasarchives.com I do really like SOTW, though!

After much searching my reluctant reader (9) is really enjoying 'The Primer' by Yesterday's Classics. It's got fun stories in it like The Little Red Hen and The Gingerbread Boy, etc. He's also enjoyed: Little Bear Frog and Toad But The Primer is the first thing he's actually SAID that he likes!

That's it!!! Thanks! It looks like it's slightly too young for her but I'll get it and just let her have fun with it for now.

My 13 yo dd asked me today to add a program to her schedule where she could write things that were journalistic in style. I'm not looking for anything too heavy (this would be on top of her normal LA), but fun and would feed this current interest of hers. I remember seeing sometime a program that's actually written like the dc are reporters. But I can't remember what it's called! Does anyone know which book I'm thinking of?????? Thanks for any info. I'm open to suggestions, too!

I've got some using Math U See and one using Right Start. Plus, one more currently using Teaching Textbooks.