No, I haven't been able to get my hands on one, so I am going off of reviews and online samples. It sounds like I am off on what it is like, though. I thought it was just a "get to the point" science course -- kind of attractive for my dd because she gets distracted very easily by lots of pictures and such. We used Calvert last year and the "all in one" textbook approach isn't working for her. I may just go with library books and such! Thanks for your help!

I would love to hear from you if you have used (or are familiar with) the Power Basics program by Walsh -- I am considering using the biology set for my 5th grader. Thanks!

Thanks so much! I truly am looking forward to this part of the new year as much as my daughter! I will look at those you suggested -- and maybe we just need to give LL8 a chance. :)

Thanks for all the great ideas! I do like the look of Lightnight Lit, but my daughter was not thrilled with the 8th grade reading list (she reads a LOT but likes to choose her books). Maybe I will look into trying out the high school level classes for her? Otherwise, I like the Glencoe (free!) guides and the Smarr program is one I had never heard of before. Some of the others look good, too! I have a lot of research to do! :)

We have never used Megawords, but we're looking for something to enhance vocab/spelling. We are kind of tired of Spelling Workout. Do you have to start from the beginning with the Megawords workbooks? Or can you jump in? The website says each book is suitable for grades 4+. We have been looking and debating between Megawords and Wordly Wise, but would be interested in hearing from those of you who have used either. Thanks!

I am familiar with the Lightning Lit program and am curious whether there are similar programs available. If possible, I want to compare a few -- see what books are covered, etc. -- before deciding what to use for my rising 8th grader (strong reader). Thanks!

What is this? Is it a French program?

Very impressive! :)

He does like to read science and history books, so that might work. :) Thanks!

Thanks, everyone! You have given me some great ideas of where to start!

Thanks, Rebecca!

My ds (almost 7) is a super reader and is ahead of his "grade" in all subjects except writing. I know it likely has to do with his fine motor skills -- his hands can't keep up with is mind so he gets frustrated -- but I was wondering if any of you have suggestions for an engaging writing program that would get him interested in putting thoughts down on paper. We have tried dictation, but he doesn't like it much. He is a "workbook" kind of a guy -- if he has a fun program he will do it more often (makes him feel like a big kid). Any ideas would be helpful! Thanks in advance!

After using Calvert for 2 years (chosen because of an overactive toddler, a cross-country move and one stressed out mama), I am contemplating putting things together on my own again. If some of you could share your plans for 8th grade, I would greatly appreciate it. It is easier to put together stuff for the other kids because I have btdt, but 8th grade is more difficult, and the content so important at that age! I think I can do it...but could use some help. :) Thanks in advance!

How do you get the Lab Zone planner? I just looked at the PH website and it says you need at PO or school credit card? Can you order it if you are a homeschooler? Or did you get it somewhere else? After reading all this great advice, I was thinking of getting it and using it with the older editions. I would think the content would be similar.

Just fyi -- I just bought a set of 8 of an earlier edition of the books for just under $20 on e-bay. They also had them on half.com.

Do any of you know of a good typing program that is compatible with Vista? All the ones I have found via amazon, etc. are for XP or Windows 2000. I have an old Rosetta Stone going to waste because it won't work with Vista, so I don't want to have the same problem with a typing course. Thanks!

We went from EB to 1A, which went pretty smoothly. With dd, we went straight into 1A and continued with the books in order, but she started Singapore later. My ds finished the EB books when he was not yet 5, and is now in 1B. We have had to really slow down -- the stuff in 1B gets difficult pretty quickly. I started supplementing with all kinds of other stuff, worksheets online, etc. We have actually decided to jump into MUS Alpha -- he wants to try something new and I want to cement the place value/facts. But, we may go back to Singapore later -- we really liked the program.

Two of my kids did the Early Bird Mathematics books from Singapore -- and loved them! They zoomed through them and it really gave them as sense of accomplishment to finish each book. I was on their website recently and I notice now that they have a textbook and a workbook -- when they did it, they just had 4 workbooks (1A, 1B, 2A & 2B). But they look the similar. My son liked the books so much that he did the Essential Math K books (A & B), too -- but they are not in color, so they weren't quite as fun. :)

We started using it this year, but kind of dropped off -- it is ok, just not great. My kids didn't like the audio CD -- her accent is fine, but she speaks to quickly and the audio quaility is not good. Luckily, I took French, so I can read it to them, but I had hoped they would practice with the CD. Oh -- and they found the songs to be really annoying. lol I have yet to find a French program that I really like... hth

Thanks for the info! If my dd is almost 12, doing 7th grade work, what level would you recommend? A, B or C? I noticed in some other posts I found via a search that some as young as 4th grade were using level A.

OK, I am so confused with all of the products at IEW! I have an 11yo dd who is a pretty strong writer. She just needs more practice, more complex writing. Do I need to purchase the TWS&S dvds and such, or can I just get the SWI materials? What is the difference between the dvds in the TWS&S and those that come with the SWI? Also, is it possible to just do the theme-based history programs without having done any previous IEW instruction? I am a fairly strong writer, so I think I have a pretty good grasp on what she needs to do (of course, I always worry that I am missing something...isn't that always the case?). Anyway, any info would be appreciated. As we all are these days, I am trying to stretch my dollar as far as it will go, and it adds up quickly at IEW. I am just curious if we can jump in a bit down the line and not start from the beginning. Thanks!

It seems most people here like LL a lot -- anybody out there not thrilled with it? And, if not, why? Just trying to plan out the new year and I hope not to make as many "mistakes" (purchase and then find it doesn't work) this time around. I am in "gather info" mode right now. :) Also, does LL have a lot of Christian content? Thanks!

The literature guides by Garlic Press go into a lot of the literary elements. We used one for The Giver and are using another one for The Hobbit right now. We also have Figuratively Speaking, which someone else mentioned. We just started it, but it is a good resource with activities.

And he signs the books. :)