I have a kindle fire and a free app called Note Anytime Free. I can write on the pages and they are saved. I plan on using that so I don't have to print at all.

I haven't used the history or science but know those who have. The general consensus has been that its a little slow/boring. I used the first three math books in an accelerated schedule. Like silver said, they were ok but not great. I did the first book really fast over the summer to introduce the characters to both my daughters. My more mathy daughter went through the second book fairly fast. She was a first grader at the time. My less mathy daughter (third grader at the time) did the third book pretty fast until it started introduing the multiplication facts. Then it went a bit fast for her and we switched to something else to really work on those. The story was nice - and not as weird as Fred - but only one day a week. Occasionally there was a craft that wasn't as math related as I would have liked. I think the amount of work was fine for an average kid but slow if yours picks up on math quickly. It was easy to skip porblems though when needed. One major beef I had was that the whole book was consumable but 1/3 of it was the story, so a lot wasted for the next child. We did a lot orally or I rewrote problems so that we could reuse them (but ended up selling). You have no permission to copy the pages even for your own family. In general I found them fine but not exceptional. But I could see how they would be great for a math reluctant child.

I need a "no buying curriculum unless I plan on using it tomorrow" challenge. I tend to buy things I think will be useful for next year or later and then change my mind when we actually get there.

If you want longer verses don't bother with R&S. Many of the verses are just partial ones in the early years and then repeated later in a longer section.

We have had both (and several other reader sets), we still have the pathway readers. They are the only ones my children enjoyed to just read for fun. The pathways have more sight words at the beginning than say the revised McGuffey readers. Not sure if that fully answers your question, but hope it is helpful.

I have used them in the past. I found them good but each one had a wide range of difficulty. It seemed a couple would be really easy, a couple right on the level of my daughter, and some would be too hard. So we didn't make extensive use of them at the time and then they got forgotten on my hard drive. My daughter was an average student and slightly math phobic, if that helps.

Anybody have any other ideas for easily-transportable math? Math Dice You can Google lots of games but in one game you roll two 9-12 sided dice and three regular dice. Multiply the multi sided dice together then use three regular numbers to try and reach the same number. You can use any combination of adding, subtracting ,multiplying or dividing to do so. It's an easy way to to drill addition or multiplication too. No bulky flashcards just two ten or twelve sided dice.

For something similar but cheaper try looking at Kitchen Table Math by Dr Wright. You could use the books to present the material then use what you already have for the occasional review. I have not actually used either programs. But since you described yourself as a "scrooge" (I am right there with you), I thought I would mention the books.

I used the Spectrum Test Prep for a few years. I actually found that Spectrum was harder than the test. At least for grades 3 and 5, we stopped practicing after those grades. You can also find old versions of the Texas state exams if you just want something to practice on.

I have two matching shelves in the living room. One has fiction . They are roughly organized by age with easier books lower down and older ones at the top. I keep sets together. The other shelf is non fiction. History, science, biographies all have their own shelf (or shelves). A couple shelves are various topics. I only buy, store books that are favorites or difficult to get at the library (ie science books from our particular world view). I don't have complete sets of the cotton candy variety but might keep say the first of the Boxcar Children. We can get the rest of them at the library. Although we do have a complete set of Nancy Drew and Tom Swift and are working on Hardy Boys but those are on different shelves. I like knowing roughly where a book I want is. I also like looking at neatly organized shelves. It's a calming affect within the chaos (at times) of six children. :party:

Thank you for the heads up. There are so many options out there. I appreciate the honest description.

Does Thinkwell actually use the books? I am guessing it's a solid program then? Thank you!

Thank you for the link and the reminder about the library! I will let dd take a look at it and see what she thinks.   :thumbup1:

I agree that sometimes the cutesy pictures and color is over the top. I am leaning toward the Dolciani texts. They are colorful but also not crammed. It can be scary to see 70 problems (that all look the same) packed on to the end of every topic. I want to physically hold the Jacobs Algebra before I buy so I am hoping that I can find one at our local used sale. Thank you everyone for the suggestions and information!

I have considered Jacob's, but I will admit that it kills me to pay $50 or more for a text that is 35 years old. :confused1: I do like that the Dolciani texts (the ones quark mentioned) go up to Algebra 2, so I won't have to search next year..again....hopefully. I understand that some children get distracted by extra colors/pictures, but it is frustrating that it seems you have to choose between a solid text OR a nicely laid out/visually interesting text. I think in the last 10 years companies have switched to adding multimedia elements instead of designing a good textbook layout with a variety of interesting problems.

That looks promising. Thank you for sharing!

I am looking for a visually interesting (colorful) Algebra text. It doesn't have to be of any particular worldview. I picked up an older copy by Lial but am more interested in something not so overwhelming. Her texts are written to college students and the material just seems packed in. My daughter did like the style of writing though. My daughter is average - doesn't want an advanced text that is like AOPS but doesn't need a "gentle" approach either. Is there anything out there like this? We want a physical text, with an engaging layout and the instruction in the text. I don't really want to *have* to have a teacher's manual to be able to teach it. I understand algebra and don't need a lot of hand holding. I can find online videos for free all over the internet, so don't need a multimedia component either. Thanks!

I really like simplicity. I am a minimalist in many areas and attempt the same pattern in homeschooling. I had been straying though, so I appreciate the recent threads that have reminded me of what I really want to accomplish.     I think when the child is young, it is better to set work based on lessons or pages rather than time. If something is taking too long then you need to reduce the amount of the lesson. Although I have a couple highly distracted one's that could easily waste time looking at everything except their page. I also only schedule non-fiction reading. Most of my children, even the lowest reader will read fiction on their own. So I don't really define that as they will read whatever is supplied by our bookshelves (I buy high quality books and let the library supply the cotton candy books). If I had a non reader I might require a certain amount of classics along with nonfiction reading. With older children/teens I might set a time or a deadline. Like, that book needs to be done by the end of the week or you need to be reading nonfiction for an hour. But it very much depends on the individual child.

Mastering Essential Math Skills or Arithmetic Made Simple

I think what Hunter is trying to get at is that sometimes we try and make our schooling "better" by adding all sorts of extras instead of focusing on doing a few things really well. Obviously, one size doesn't fit everyone, but giving a child time and space to really enjoy reading (not analyzing every book or dictating every title) is an important part of a well educated person. To me it is similar to not overscheduling a child so much that they never have time to explore their world on their terms. We all need space and time to contemplate on the things we have been learning/experiencing. Not every subject has to be covered every day or even every year. A year (or more) of deep reading and contemplating may accomplish more than all the fancy curricula on the market. The difference is between what the child is doing for himself versus what is being done to the child with the curricula. (Not to say that any individual piece of curricula can't be exactly what a child needs, but that we tend to put more trust in the curricula than the child.) Not sure if I am clarifying or muddling...

I never worried about covering specific topics or times of history. I just insist they read a certain amount of time on non fiction. Eldest spent a lot of time in ancient Egypt and colonial America before finally branching out to other time periods. She now knows way more about British queens and ancient mythologies than I was ever taught (let alone remember). Some non fiction topics were inspired by things mentioned in her fiction books. Yes, she has holes. Her science knowledge is basic, but she has enough to function in life and has no plans for a stem career. My second child has read tons in science and her history will be basic, but that's ok, she is a different person. I read extensively as a child but predominantly science fiction. My vocabulary was good and my reading speed and comprehension made test taking easier although I wish I had been inspired to read more broadly.

I have used the RC philosophy most of our homeschooling but not necessarily their materials. Since you are starting in high school I would suggest not bothering with the curriculum. The upper level books are not easy and can be dry. To a child who has been raised on colorful sound bite textbooks it could be quite a shock. Also, you won't get to Calculus and the sciences by 16 if you haven't been doing the math the way he suggests all the while. You can use almost any material in a RC way. Have the child read whatever books or textbooks you feel are important and keep a learning journal as part of their daily writing or discuss the material with you. So if you haven't already bought the cds I would use the money to buy quality books that your child will enjoy using the philosophy you can get from reading the web site. I have never done CC so can't comment on blending the two. But again, the underlining ideas of independent learning and using whole books to learn can be applied almost anywhere.

My eldest daughter did this very thing. She read extensively, all genres and most subjects. She started requesting to read the classics after seeing them mentioned so often in her fiction books. I had to insist on science but she read enough to get what I titled a survey curse on her transcripts (she is not going to college at this time and it would not be for a stem career if she did). Her spelling/grammar/writing developed a little later but mostly because she was trying to copy the quality literature she was reading. Second eldest has been similar but not as voracious. I have a book list that she is required to get through. Third child is not much of a reader and I am doing more direct instruction with her. Fourth child will probably follow in elders foot steps. The boys will probably be more direct instruction with projects. So in my experience it can be done but certain learning types will need more direction in the choice of books. But you also have to be patient. The knowledge base develops later because books tend to focus on a single life or event so it takes more books to cover the same ground as a textbook. But the information tends to be more in-depth and remembered.

I have considered this very thing and kind of do it each year. Actually, what I do is try and use a more typical text but then get bogged down or bored and we go back to our living books and other materials we own. I have decided to embrace diversity. :) Shorter workbooks or materials that can be accomplished without taking the whole year. This reduces the boredom factor plus they often don't cost as much if we decide we don't like it or don't want to use the whole thing. Next year I am using the core knowledge books as my check list but you might want to look at Maximum Math for a good list. We are also going to use living math books, Hands on Equations, Complete Book of Math (I have one workbook lover), Arithmetic Village, math games, Mathtacular, Success with Math from Scholastic, Math Galaxy from Currclick, and possibly the daily math sheets mentioned in the free curriculum group. Sounds like a lot but it is for three different children. We will work on something for a while and then switch when needed or when I think they have mastered the material. Most of this I bought used or on sale and so didn't spend more than I would have on one level of a "real" math set, let alone three. It's a bit scary for me because I like having a simple, complete plan for the year but I think we will enjoy this so much more. Good luck with your planning!

Pecos Pasta Cook enough pasta for your family. While cooking heat up 2 cans of chili and one can of kernal corn (drained). Add seasoning/onion/garlic to taste. Drain pasta and return to pot. Mix in chili mixture and 1-2 cups of cheese (more or less based on your tastes). Serve with fresh veggies. This is a big hit at our house and can be adjusted for less or more raelly easily.