Welcome to the Hive!!! From what you have told us about your time constraints and your child's personality, I think LHFHG would be perfect for her K year! It is very open and go and as the pp said, does not take a lot of time to complete. My children were also not very fond of the motions and make-believe games so we skipped most of those. Cute...but just not their cup of tea. More "down to business" kind of kids...I'll play my way, thank you very much, lol. (so much like their mother, poor kids!). I don't think the readings will be over her head at all. Honestly, I do think it is a bit "babyish" for a 1st grader (at least it was for my 1st grader when we tried it). HOD is a bit more open and go, IMHO, than MFW and I have used MFW K and 1st. The new MFW K teacher guide would probably have helped some (more organized) but the 1st edition gave me a headache! LOVE the program though. Really love it! If your daughter still needs practice recognizing letter and forming letter and such, MFW K might be a good fit. But honestly, time-wise...HOD will def. win out for you. ;)

Have you looked at Galloping the Globe or Cantering the County? Both are unit study type geography programs geared toward the elementary aged child. We used these this year with our co-op and also used the lapbooks that go along with each. So much fun!

My neighbor let me borrow MC 4+ and I'm looking through it. I'm not very impressed, but I have to use the resources I have b/c of our budget. If you read my post about writing woes and trying to find a good curriculum for all my kids so we could focus more on writing from now on...you will know that I have looked at a TON and used a TON. :) So, anyone who has used MC, would you care to review it for me? At first glance, I wasn't impressed but I'm keeping an open mind. Thanks!

:lurk5: I am also looking for a "spine" for this age group. Our co-op is doing a year survey of American History from Exploration to present day. Obviously we are not going in depth. My challenge is finding material that is not heavily biased or slanted one way or another. We are likely going to use A Child's Story of America, but there are so many parts that make me want to scream it is so heavily slanted in the uber-conservative direction and contains so many historical inaccuracies I had to put it down. And I'm fairly conservative, lol! Anyway, we also looked at The American Story (a bit less slanted but still some major inaccuracies. There is DK's Children's American History book but it is a bit too slanted in the liberal direction for my taste. Sigh. Why can't there be a book out there that just lists the facts and doesn't have so much of the author's opinion? I'm realizing more and more why most packaged curriculums use a variety of texts for studying American History instead of just 1! Anyway, I'm sorry I'm not much help, but I, too, am in a desperate search for an adequate text to use as our spine. *Sorry for the double post...computer froze! Ack.

:lurk5: I am also looking for a "spine" for this age group. Our co-op is doing a year survey of American History from Exploration to present day. Obviously we are not going in depth. My challenge is finding material that is not heavily biased or slanted one way or another. We are likely going to use A Child's Story of America, but there are so many parts that make me want to scream it is so heavily slanted in the uber-conservative direction and contains so many historical inaccuracies I had to put it down. And I'm fairly conservative, lol! Anyway, we also looked at The American Story (a bit less slanted but still some major inaccuracies. There is DK's Children's American History book but it is a bit too slanted in the liberal direction for my taste. Sigh. Why can't there be a book out there that just lists the facts and doesn't have so much of the author's opinion? I'm realizing more and more why most packaged curriculums use a variety of texts for studying American History instead of just 1! Anyway, I'm sorry I'm not much help, but I, too, am in a desperate search for an adequate text to use as our spine.

Yes, this is a good plan. I do plan to read through the WJ and also the High School book (which I also have). I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed at my choices and anxious about my children's writing abilities. Thanks!

When my now 7th grader was using Preparing in 5th, we skipped him ahead to RtR for 6th. His older brother was in 8th and also used that guide with extensions. It was a very good year for both of them. :) My 8th grader did grade-level work in Math and LA. The science was a bit "light" but you could easily add in another program if your dd is ready for more advanced work (Apologia General comes to mind). You could use RtR, go right into RevtoRev for 8th and then skip MtMM and use the Geography on grade level for 9th.

Writing has been a weakness in our homeschool. That's putting it mildly. We've been all over the place with curriculum. So, next year (actually starting now) I really need to focus on writing skills with all my dc (dd7, ds10, ds11 and ds13 and then ds15 and dd16). I'm limited as far as budget, but am allotting a large portion of our budget to writing. I have looked at EIW. It looks good and gets mostly favorable reviews from Hive folks. Then, I began reconsidering IEW (had used it in the past, but just with the theme based books, not having viewed the TWSS). I figured I might change my mind about it if I had the benefit of actually seeing how to teach the program. Make sense? I also have the Writer's Jungle downloaded and need to start reading that. From what I have read of it, the philosophy really resonates with me. And then there is WWE/WWS. Too many choices. Could anyone help me figure this all out? Here is a brief synopsis of where each of my children are: dd7 (2nd): LOVES to write. Often writes and illustrates her own books. Writes notes, letters, etc. Not a fabulous speller, but we're working on it. ;) Reading well above grade level ds10 (4th): Struggling reader. Recently tested at about a 4th grade level (he's nearing 5th grade). Hardly any experience writing. Spelling is the same. We've focused so much on reading. Can copy sentences. ds11 (6th): HATES writing. Everything from the physical ACT of putting pen to paper to thinking about what to write, etc. Has done copy work and dictation and narrations (verbal and some written). Minimal experience with original writing. ds13 (7th): Has cone copy work, diction and narrations (written and verbal). Has some experience writing paragraphs, longer papers, letters, some more creative assignments...but not a ton. Doesn't enjoy writing. I need to begin focusing on essay and formal paper writing as he approaches high school. ds15 (9th): Has written MANY essays this year and is improving. Isn't afraid of the writing process or putting thoughts on paper. Is a good creative writing...great imagination. Horrible speller. :( dd16 (11th): Has just sort of recently come into her own with writing. Much experience with essays, has written a research paper, loves to write poetry and songs. But doesn't generally enjoy writing. But it is getting easier for her. I was thinking perhaps the Elegant Essay for my high schoolers and rising 8th grader? What do you think? For the others, I have WWE2 for my 2nd and 4th graders. I was thinking about doing an IEW theme based book (US History to go with our history study next year) if I can get my hands on the TWSS cheaply. Or EIW. Or?????? I'm so overwhelmed. Just pick something for me, ok? LOL. Seriously...ready, set, discuss! Thanks. ;)

Just wanted to thank you for posting this and for all the advice that was given. I came on here to write almost the exact same post. Only referring to all 6 of my school aged children. :( I do feel like I am failing them. If we didn't have our co-op this year and the subjects that they do there, I'm not sure what our school year would look like. I'm STILL having major challenges with my ds11 (almost 12). Ds10 though reading much better this year is still "behind". Ds14 has zero interest in school, hates being homeschooled (not an option to ps in our area) and would play guitar all day if I let him. Dd16 who used to be so ahead of the game is now lagging nearly behind (I keep telling myself she is a YOUNG 11th grader due to starting school early). Ds13 couldn't care less about school either. My ds4 and dd6 are the only 2 who are somewhat "on target" in most areas. Anyway, I didn't mean to hi-jack your thread but just wanted to say thanks for all the advice here b/c I needed it, too. I feel like I need to revamp our entire schedule, curriculum, etc. And I'm not sure how to do that except a little at a time.

Jann, thanks! I will PM you. Thank you for the advice on the Lial's book..it IS Linear Equations, lol! He bombed the test for Chapter 2 and only with my help (lots of hit) did he even get a B. I'm frustrated. I will try skipping to Chapter 5 as you said.

I completely forgot about Khan Academy! Duh! Thanks for the reminder. And thanks for the info. about Jann and DO. I had heard they were pricey and that is why I haven't checked them out up until now. I'll go have a look, though. Thanks!

My 9th grader is struggling through Algebra 1. He is only on Chapter 3 of Lial's Introductory Algebra. Dd16 used Lial's with no problem after crashing and burning with Saxon. I had hoped ds would also do well with Lial's. What other choices do I have? He used LOF last year and really didn't like it at all. He wanted something more straightforward (no story "fluff" to read, lol). I am supplementing him with the Keys to Algebra for topics that he needs more help with (pretty much all of them). He's really not ready for AoPS. Is TT thorough enough? Perhaps MUS? He used MUS a while back and just didn't like the DVDs. However, I think he NEEDS a teacher other than me to show him how to do the problems....i.e. DVD. KWIM? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I just ordered the workbooks. My son who will be using Grade 5 is already doing dictation with HOD and so we probably won't use that part anyway. I really just needed something like R&S that they could do fairly independently on the days that I can't be available to do our more teacher intensive spelling program. In a perfect world, I could do it all. But alas, I find myself exhausted after fighting them over math and reading and all our other subjects that spelling never gets done. Sigh. I'm hoping R&S will be the answer I'm looking for to get them up to speed.

So, if I didn't need the answers and could make up my own sentences then perhaps the TG wouldn't be necessary? Thanks for your response, Michelle!

Is the teacher guide really necessary to teach R&S Spelling? I'd like to save some $$ but don't want to miss anything or do it "wrong", lol. Thanks!

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I've had good luck here on the boards. It's tough to sell some things used b/c as most have said, you don't make a ton after shipping. For me, I'm not looking to make a ton of $, just enable others to better afford curriculum I figure there are other families who are in the same boat we are....broke, lol. :)

Another plug for HOD and MFW. I love MFW K - Adv. I prefer MFW for the younger elementary years over HOD's Guides. Starting at HOD's Preparing Hearts Guide, I don't think there is a better Christ-Centered all-in-one curriculum out there. :) The guides just keep getting better and better from Preparing on. However, as HOD doesn't have any high school guides yet (one is coming out next year...yippee!), we have used MFW for high school and LOVE it. My daughter grew spiritually by leaps and bounds her first 2 years of high school due, in part, to the Bible portion of the MFW curriculum. My husband also does amazing family devotions with the kids and we have wonderful discussions which really helps to solidify their beliefs and their faith.

does it seem to anyone else like used curriculum sales has become a big business??? I haven't found it on the WTM boards as much as on other sites but really? Trying to re-sell used curriculum for 90%-even 110% of the new cost? Am I just cheap? I feel like I'm practically giving away my curriculum in comparison to some of the prices I've seen out there! Ok, sorry...rant over. I'm just frustrated b/c I'm broke and need to find reasonable used prices and am running into prices that make me lol. Sigh. (again...not here...WTMers are mostly fair thankfully).

My Amish friends make a "whopping cough syrup" that works wonders for most coughs. All it is is one lemon, thinly sliced and 1 cup of flax seed put into a quart of water and set to simmer for 4 hours. Do NOT boil. While still hot, strain and add 4T of honey (my side note: please make sure it is RAW honey (local if possible). Most commercial honey is useless). If the liquid is less than a pint after simmering, add hot water to make a pint. Adults take 1T, 4x per day or after each coughing fit. Another Amish friend makes virtually the same mixture but drinks it all at once...half in the am and half at night before bed. Amazing stuff.

I just started a thread asking for reviews (search "Could somebody review EIW for me?...something like that, lol). Anyway, I had looked at this program earlier this year and completely forgot about it. Until a few days ago when I saw a post about it. Mr. Stephens responded to my email almost immediately and was very helpful. He said to start at grade level unless, like me, you have a child who has not been exposed to grammar or any type of writing. My child is a struggling reader and thus we have not done much with grammar or writing...b/c his reading has always been the focus. :( I'm excited to start EIW NOW...in fact I'm ordering tomorrow. :)

Hmmm...have you checked out HOD? Might be the "happy medium" btwn MFW and Notgrass. HOD Rev to Rev covers part 1 of American History w/in the context of world. That being said, lol, my 7th and 8th graders are using Notgrass next year with a co-op. My current 7th grader is using Rev to Rev this year and while I LOVE HOD (love, love, love), it was a bit too much for us this year trying to do a co-op and all the assignments that went with those classes. Next year, as sad as it makes me to skip the last guide in HOD (MtMM...which looks like the best of all!)...I think my 7th grader is ready for a bit of a break...a more streamlined, simple curriculum. Notgrass will cover History AND Lit and a little geography with the additional map activities. I have only used ECC out of the younger guides for MFW and we also found the repetition a bit irritating. :( WE LOVE the high school guides. They are fabulous. I don't think you could go wrong with either program...Notgrass OR MFW or even HOD. Good luck choosing. I'll be praying for wisdom for as you choose what is best for your kids. It's tough...I know.

I think you all have sold me on EIW. :) I'm ordering 3 and 6 now and will order 8 closer to the start of next year. Dd7 will start 3 (slowly) and ds10 will also start 3...moving more quickly if he can. Ds11 will start 6 (which is grade level for this year) and we will see how it goes. I'm excited! Not sure how WWE will fit in there. I might just keep up with the copy work, dictation and narrations from other subjects and call it done. :)

The Inventors Study is separate and has it's own notebooking pages. You could choose not to do it. Personally, I do not think the Exploration Education is "meaty" enough. But, my boys did enjoy it. It is a very hands on program, with a lot of projects. That part did appeal to me. AND, science was getting done...and w/out much help from me. That was a plus. ;) We did not end up continuing the Inventor Study though it is very good. HTH

I would have to say that there is really no comparison...except for the fact that they study the same time period. ;) I like MFW...I actually adore MFW K, 1st, Adv. and the entire high school program. :) However, for the 4 year history cycle...HOD is our favorite. Beginning with the Preparing Guide, HOD just gets better and better and better. My 7th grader is using Rev to Rev this year. It is my favorite guide so far. There is just soooo much to it and the book choices are fabulous. History: A variety of books including George Washington's World, The Story of the Great Republic, The Story of Napolean, etc. I LOVE how Carrie incorporates Diana Waring's What in the World is Going on Here? CDs. (I'm a huge Diana fan). Geography: using the MapTrek CD that corresponds to the time period, there are weekly mapping activities that really add a lot to the program Bible: Apologia's Who is God? and Hidden Treasures in Hebrews. Fabulous...what else can I say? State Study: Fifty States Under God...this was my son's favorite part of the year. Music Appreciation: Amy Pak's Hands On Composers along with the Story of Classical Music (not my son's favorite, but I love it!) Math (choose your own or use Singapore which is scheduled...a big plus for me) LA (R&S is scheduled or use your own) along with Dictation and Exciting World of Creative Writing (we did not use this) and Poetry study Science: Inventor Study (optional but a great addition) along with Exploration Education Physical Science (a good program, but not great IMO...for a 7th grader I much prefer a "meatier" science program). Literature: Wonderful book choices My favorite part of HOD is the beautiful notebook pages. Full color, gorgeous pages that are a keepsake of our year. Love them! HOD is just so full and so rich that I don't think it can really compare to MFW for the 4 year cycle. Just my opinion, of course. I'm bummed that we won't be doing the MtMM guide next year b/c my son will be doing a co-op using the Notgrass America the Beautiful. :( I like how everything is scheduled. A book basket would not get done around here unless it was scheduled in. I love the hands on history projects. I love how Carrie incorporates dictation and narration into her guides. I honestly just could go on and on...but I won't...cause I'll get more sad about next year, lol. :) Good luck with your choice. You can't go wrong with either...we just prefer HOD.

Thanks, Lisa! I had read your review before it was linked here. :) Could you tell me your thoughts about combining WWE and EIW? As I said, we are lacking in the writing department as we've jumped around from program to program and my 2 middle boys just aren't really up to speed in the la area. I see that EIW has grammar so I could ditch R&S. They weren't fond of it anyway. I'm thinking of perhaps doing EIW (which starts out with just grammar) and adding in WWE.