Have you considered Winston Grammar? http://www.winstongrammar.com/ Reviews: http://www.homeschoolreviews.com/reviews/curriculum/reviews.aspx?id=364 Samples & Reviews: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=24681&netp_id=166187&event=PPCSRC&item_code=WW&view=covers We just started it this week, but my 5th grade ds says he loves it. It's a straight-forward, no nonsense, and visual approach.

Biblioplan doesn't incorprate hands-on activities unless you include mapping and timelines. My dc don't like lapbooks or History Pockets etc.... We did very little in that regard with the exception of cooking some foods, giving our family Roman names, and drawing - all of which I added myself. We use Draw and Write Through History ( http://www.drawandwrite.com/ ) and they've enjoyed that some. I have them do notebooking pages, but they only do written narrations as there are already illustrations on the page. We use the ones from notebookingpages.com They also read a literature book ( i.e. biography, historical fiction) related to the time period and we may watch a video from the library. It's more than enough and doesn't overwhelm them or me. :)

Sounds like you're familiar with all of them, but you didn't mention Biblioplan. http://www.biblioplan.net/ And I definitely get the ages struggle! While I have an 8 and 11yo, their abilities, interests, and understanding varies greatly. We're going to give MOH a whirl this year after using Biblioplan for Ancients. After previewing BP for the Middle Ages, it did not connect the dots for me in terms of a Christian worldview. However, we have enjoyed it for BP Ancients. The books for each grade level were very helpful and much to my surprise, our library carried a lot of them. Hope you find something that will fit you and yours,

Living Learning Books schedules SOTW 1... http://www.livinglearningbooks.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=321

HOD's Preparing Hearts... http://www.heartofdakota.com/preparing-hearts.php

Here ya go: 1: Models/Sources 2: Outlines/Compositions 3: Checklists 4: Style Charts 5: Banned Words Let me know if you need anything else. :)

I do the same thing when I'm thinking of switching to a different program. That's the beauty of the samples. You can give it a trial run and see if it's realistic, enjoyable etc.... I've only used a WP reading program for one year, but loved it. It was what one of my ds's needed that year and he learned to read as a result. The history studies have not fit the mold for us in terms of ages and materials, so we never used those.

Agreeing with Rose. WWE gives me the components of CM that I love and the structure that I need. SWB has done an amazing job of gathering the literature excerpts for narration and the sentences for copywork and dictation. We couldn't be more pleased. Fwiw, we do use FLL and (as the authors intended) they reinforce each other so well.

:iagree: We've taken nearly two years to complete SOTW 1 ala Biblioplan and I don't regret it at all. They enjoyed it and I wasn't stressed to the max. We had a family crisis and a sweet baby boy turned toddler through it all. With all your littles, I'd take it slowly and not stress. Now, we're all excited to start the Middle Ages... I just don't know what will use yet!:tongue_smilie: I only wish HOD was a year ahead of where they are now.

LOL! It's a word in my world! And thanks for the links. :)

Thanks Rose! Do you know if there is anywhere I can view samples of the guides? I definitely have some more research to do. :)

Thank you Cynthia. I didn't even realize there were guides to use with them, but the comparison is helpful. I may use them with Veritas History. I'm not sure if I'd need them??

Thanks abbeyej. The color illustrations and maps alone sway me. My very visual guys need this.

I am hoping someone might know of the differences between the two and would be willing to share?

History! The very subject I deplored in school is now my favorite. I love to see how we came to be by connecting the dots of time, if you will. Personally, it's been such a faith-affirming journey.

This is very helpful Jan... just what I needed. Thank you! :)

Would someone be so kind to tell me if they include references to Hillyer's A Child's History of the World or any other book not listed in their priority package? I seem to remember that they listed books other than just what was on the priority listing for NT/Greece & Rome and I'm particularly interested in lower grammar titles.

IEW- Institute for Excellence in Writing Components of IEW: TWSS - Teaching Writing with Structure & Style SWI- Student Writing Intensive More info: http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/ Hope this is what you were looking for.... :)

Agreeing with the other ladies. And, like you, I couldn't imagine doing IEW. However, I learned that you don't have to do the TWSS to start IEW. We just recently started with SWI A and will move to a one of the history themed lesson books that MIch elle mentioned. I couldn't be more pleased.

We like and use Dr. Fry's Spelling. It's a no-fluff, practical, affordable, and non-consumable source for several years. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=1576907503&event=AFF&p=1014683

bump :lurk5:

Oh my stars! Yet another plug for Saxon. MUS is doing the job here, but that's the one program that I lean towards if or when MUS doesn't work. But, what do the 25 pages of the science report equate to? I skimmed it, but is there a science curriculum that mimics Saxon?

:iagree: These are my favorites for buying and selling over 10+ years of homeschooling.

Thank you for this very important reminder. I will discuss this with dh and carefully consider it before deciding!

My guys do. I print a form from Donna Young's site a the beginning of each year and they are responsible for logging each book when they finish. I occasionally check to make sure they don't miss any. It has a space for the title, author, and date completed. I like you idea of a smiley or frown-face though.