We use the ILL workbooks from Living Books Curriculum, and I love them. My boys have languageartsaphobia :tongue_smilie: and they have been a huge blessing. I have a bit of a CM lean, and these meet all of our needs as well as some of the boy's preferences. (The 12yo does do a seperate grammar-only study in addition.) The workbook has a lot of white space and is spiral-bound to lay flat. I like that the daily assignments gently connect. For example, they may be reading and researching a subject one day, outlining the next, and then writing from that outline on the following. I love that it gives just the right amount of instruction as it seemed we always found one extreme or another with writing. I think I gave you more info than you asked for, but we really found a gem in these and will continue through the series.

I voted other. For fourth grade: Our eldest didn't like Saxon at all. He was successful with A Beka all the way through. MUS works very well for second ds. He needs the mastery approach and is in his fourth year with the program. CLE works best for our third ds. It's incremental like Saxon, but in a worktext format. It's also mainly self-taught and being he's highly visual, he thrives with this approach. My 12 cents, ;)

I have never used CLE, but have reviewed it. It's my understanding that you'd need to supplement with writing. We have used BJU and the writing is excellent. I did not find it teacher intensive at all. However, with writing I could never leave my boys to their own devices. ;) I also believe that the BJU TM is not necessary and have been pleased with the one produced and sold by Christian Liberty Press for homeschoolers. It is not just an answer key as the title might suggest, but does include some writing instruction for the teacher/parent.

We have used it for our 2nd ds for several years now and used it for our 3rd ds for a couple of years. Pros: The scope and sequence is so logical! Also, MUS gives you plenty of practice in a new concept yet a reasonable amount of review. It has a balance of the two I've not seen in any other program. I also like the clear black and white workbook pages. This is so helpful for an easily distracted dc. It's also very reasonably priced considering you get the DVD help. Cons: I'm not real fond of some of the unconventional methods (i.e. "Rule of Four" in fractions), but ds has been able to learn via his instruction even so. For our 3rd ds, he did well with it until he hit the last lessons of Gamma. The multi-digit multiplication was just too difficult and we switched to a more conventional approach (CLE) where he's found success. And that's one complaint I've heard before... that within each book, since it is covering one operation a year, near the end you're working at the most difficult level of whatever that operation is. Overall, it has been a literal Godsend for the one particular ds and there's nothing else I'd use for him. He appreciates that he has one new concept to master throughout the week instead of several. He was overwhelmed with the previous program he was in, but has done very well from Gamma on. My 2 cents, ;)

This is precisely why I couldn't use SOTW! I love her writing style, but there's a voice in me that gently reminds me why I can't. (Again, I love SOTW and the AG is a gem, but it's a strong personal conviction.) I just wish MOH wasn't so gigantic... that it was broken up into smaller books. That sounds so trivial, but there's just something cozy about that when you're curled up on the couch.

I was the original Simply Spelling poster on the "under-appreciated" thread. ;) Here's a copy of what I said about it in an older post of mine: We used Simply Spelling for a few years and we all liked it very much. We went with a more conventional method for last year and this, but I have been tempted to return to Simply Spelling many times. It's very rich, yet simple. It covers so much more than spelling in that the children are learning vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation within their copywork and dictation, as well as memorizing beautiful prose, poetry, and quotes. (I think I just talked myself into again. lol.) Hth, :)

I love Simply Spelling from Shoelace Books. It's a non-consumable bargain for grades 3-12 and is filled with copywork gems as well as daily exercises for spelling.

Thanks everyone! It is all most helpful. Now I just have to decide which route to take...

...could you please share a little about how you do so? A little history: DS #3 used WWE 1, but hit a brick wall with WWE 2. We are using a gentler method for a while, but may attempt it again next year. Sufficed to say, I'm somewhat familiar with the methodology. I am particularly interested in it for our DS #2 (12yo). Interestingly enough, this dc has several years of written narration under his belt via history and science, but this year he has become much more analytical and finds the written narrations frustrating. I can't put my finger completely on it, but I do believe it is at least partially due to his over-analytical mind (providing too much detail) combined with a disruptive toddler db. My questions: What ages and levels do you use it for? And do/did you complete a level faster than the 36 weeks that are laid out? Also, do you or your dc find the literature excerpts too "young"? I'm considering Level 3 for him. Thoughts appreciated,

Agreeing with the others... don't switch! Beef up Bigger with more reading and/or activities like internet research or a hands-on activity like History Pockets. When you're done with the American history, you'll be ready for a change with the Ancients and be on track for the 4-year cycle you wish to complete. My 2 cents,

It is definitely appropriate for an 8yo although that would be on the low end of the publisher's recommended grade level. And here's more info about the series from the author. And fwiw, I love RR, but I've noticed that RR has on more than one occasion listed the wrong recommended age/grade for some of it's products.

Another great book regarding the abuse of entertainment (technological and otherwise) is Amusing Ourselves to Death. I saw it recommended in the Veritas catalog and then stumbled upon it at a used book sale. I've just begun to read it and it has already affected my way of thinking when one of the boys plops down in front of a screen. It's truly a bad habit and I confess I'm not the best example! This really has been an insightful thread. Although I've had many of the same thoughts, it's been one thing to have the knowledge and a whole other to actually apply it. :blushing: I need to set the bar higher for myself and my dc. Many thanks to the op and all the contributors.

Agreeing with the others. Bring her home... especially if she wants to be. :)

:iagree:This is what we've used.

That's great info. They all look to have the equivalent of FL or less in terms of requirements. Thanks so much, ladies. :)

...would you kindly brief me on the requirements? We do have an HSLDA membership, but I'd really appreciate a resident's thoughts. TIA!

There's BJU's Reading and Literature and Christian Light Education's program. They have great character building stories. Both of these do have Christian content.

We've used both of these and have found them both to be well done. I do find Easy Grammar a bit more independent though.

We used Biblioplan Ancients over a two-year period and I liked it. I will say, however, that I used it as a guide and not a manual. If you feel that you have to read everything, you will get overwhelmed. But if you choose carefully, according to your dc's needs, then it is a wonderful tool. We desired a Biblical perspective as well, and enjoyed the The Children's Illustrated Bible for the suggested Bible readings. We also used the Usborne Interent-Linked History Encyclopedia. That added a lot of wonderful visuals. I chose independent reading from the suggested lists to round it all out. The only thing that I found lacking was discussion questions and more hand-holding in the way of making text connections. When you read from SOTW one day and the Bible the next you can't assume that a young dc will make the connections. If this is not a concern of yours, then I wouldn't worry, but if it is I think it's worth pointing out. There can be a slight element of disjointedness, if you will, with Biblioplan if your looking for something that flows and has obvious connections. Since your dc are so young, Living Learning Books' Ancient History Curriculum may appeal to you in terms of adding that Biblical content along with SOTW. Imho, it does a better job of making connections with multiple texts. My 2 cents,

These are the ones I would consider as well. I'm sure all the authors would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. In the past I have spoken to Mr. Hazell (MFW) and Mrs. Austin (HOD) when questions have arose, and they were both more than gracious. :)

The Viking Quest Series is historical fiction written by a Christian author. My 6th grade ds has really liked it, but I know girls who have enjoyed it too so it seems to appeal to both genders. It's main characters throughout are a girl and a boy. It's offered in one of Heart of Dakota's programs and elsewhere. Here's Amazon's link.

We use Heart of Dakota and have used My Father's World (as Crystal already mentioned) for these purposes and have been pleased overall. Edited to say: We are using Bigger Hearts for His Glory this year and I appreciate how Carrie has interwoven history with character traits and Bible. For example, she has them studying Benjamin Franklin with the character trait of thriftiness along with appropriate Proverbs and discussion questions. It's been a real blessing. :-)

:iagree: too... especially with regard to history and science.

No flames please, but why not ditch the history cycle and let it be interest-led? We did that this past year and I'm so thankful. Now my boys proclaim that history is their favorite subject! They are retaining so much more and I know it's not just because they're a year older. They have developed a natural hunger for further knowledge and I love seeing them make connections. For the first time, our 9yo is reading beyond what is assigned and it's always history related. Yaaay! :) My 2 cents...

Absolutely! It is enough for SAT prep. And did you see the recent thread about MCT teacher intensity? While I love the samples of MCT too, that was a big reality check for me. My daily demands (including a very busy 2 1/2yo) preclude me from using anything too teacher-intensive. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. My 2 cents,