I have just discovered the Foundations curriculum and it is exactly what you describe! http://foundationspress.com/our-homeschool-curriculum/foundations-bible-foundations/ I am planning to use the Foundations Bible Year 1 along with Foundations World History 1, which covers only Creation through Assyria so they are a good fit for one another. The author does schedule "some" extra reading, but certainly not enough for a Lit credit. I would imagine you could do the SMARR Ancients for high school. I plan to add in Diana Waring's What in the World CD's (b/c she is fabulous!), some MapTrek maps, possibly SWBs History of the Ancient World for my 8th grader. I was so excited to find it! FWIW…my daughter thoroughly enjoyed MFW AHL when she used it for 9th. ;)

Have you looked at MFW World History and Literature? It uses Notgrass World History text but does not use their literature. I agree with the PP who said that the Notgtrass Lit all on its own is just not enough. My 11th grader will be using MFW WHL next year (my senior used it in her sophomore year). The program includes a credit in History, Bible and Literature (British Literature mainly). HOD is also releasing its new World History Guide in August (hopefully) and it looks fabulous, too. But that includes much, much more than just history so if you are looking for just world history, Notgrass would work but I personally wouldn't use it for Lit. Bob Jones has an Intro to Lit text that HOD scheduled in their World Geography Guide that looks very good and gets good reviews, FWIW.

Oh, and BTW, I saw that Carrie did schedule EIW's Level 11 in the upcoming World History guide. ;) She must really like EIW!

HOD's World Geography high school guide schedules EIW level 10. I don't think it will be a "trend" in future guides, though. You know how Carrie likes to "mix things up" in the writing dept. ;) Ok, so to save in the $ department, I will probably go with Level 10 for the 9th and 11th grader and I have no clue for the 6th and 8th grader. Maybe drop them both down a level to 5th and 7th…decisions, decisions…lol. Thanks so much for your advice.

Merry, thank you! My 9th grader will be using it with the new HOD high school guide. Carrie schedules Level 10 (even for 9th grade) b/c of the topics. Do you think a 9th grader who hasn't had a ton of formal writing instruction (other than copy work, dictation, narrations, etc.) would have difficulty with this level? I am also planning to use it for my 11th grader. About the younger levels…if I have a rising 6th grader who has difficulty with basic paragraph structure would I drop him down a level or 2 or can he jump in at level 6? Same with a rising 8th grader who has difficulty putting thoughts down on paper. Thanks so much, Merry!

I know the high school levels are fairly new. Just curious if anyone uses them and could review for me? It seems that each level is nearly a copy of the previous (same topics covered, but with different assignments). My 11th and 9th graders could use some review and hand-held instruction in this area and I don't want to spend a ton of $$ on a writing class like Bravewriter (though I would love it if I could!) or even Time4Writing (which is cheaper and I heard good things about). Thanks for any reviews you might have!

Essentials in Writing. I feel like writing is falling by the wayside in our homeschool. For my natural writers, this isn't such a problem. They just write…and write well. But I have some who really need the hand-holding and though I, myself, am a decent writer I do not feel competent to walk them through the process. It is a combination of that and their willingness to be taught by Mom, kwim? So anyway, I am looking at a few options and trying to work with our dwindling budget (funny how the homeschool budget shrinks every year…). In a perfect world, I wanted all my kids to to the Bravewriter classes. Hah. But I do not have $2000 laying around ($200 x 5 for each class, lol). Then I looked at Time4Writing b/c a friend's son uses it and she RAVES about it. $99. Better. But then there is EIW. $50. Also DVD. Also not taught by Mom. So, if anyone has used this at the high school level, could you give me some feedback please? Is it thorough? Is it relatively on "grade level"? HOD has chosen it for the writing portion in the World Geography Guide and Carrie said that the grade levels don't matter very much. She chose Level 10 and said it was appropriate for 9th, 10th. She chose it for the topics covered. I will have an 11th grader, a 9th grader, a very challenged 8th grader, 6th grader and 4th grader. I want writing for all except the 4th grader who doesn't seem challenged in that area. She loves to write. The 6th and 8th graders need help with the very basics of writing starting with strong sentences and paragraph structure. The 8th grader has had very little practice writing a basic essay on his own. The 11th grader has written several essays and is familiar with the process but could use extra help. Thanks.

I am shipping a large HOD package (Resurrection to Reformation) and was wondering if anyone could tell me what to expect for media mail shipping of such a large package? It is quite heavy…25lbs. perhaps? Thanks! I want to be fair in my pricing but not get ripped off due to high shipping costs.

Galloping the Globe/Cantering the Country? Both could easily be adapted for an older child (like your 11yo). We will be using Apologia's Around the World in 180 Days with all of our children next year (6yo-16yo) and with our co-op. It is Christian, so if that does not appeal to you this might not work…though I would think you could leave the scripture references out and use it as a general framework. However, I do think your idea is a good one! Perhaps even use the Top Secret Adventure series from Highlights. Perfect for you age group! https://store.highlights.com/puzzle-book-clubs/top-secret-adventures

Oh, I think we are talking about different books! Around the World in 80 days by Jules Verne is different than Apologia's Around the World in 180 Days Geography curriculum. Thanks for the link, though! Anyone else have experience with the curriculum Around the World in 180 Days? Thanks!

I am intrigued and impressed by the samples but was hoping somebody would have a review? We are burned out studying straight history and want to take a year off and do Geography all together as a family...mixing in some relevant history as it relates to countries/continents studies. Our co-op is very interested in using this as well. Does anyone have any first hand experience using this curriculum? Any tips? Resources that you enjoyed or found helpful? Thanks!

Thanks everyone! I found my Equations Editor function and that works very well. :) I also found a site that would generate multiple topic problems (four basic operations).

Link please? I know there are sites to create single-topic sheets like all multiplication, all addition and so on but did not know there were sites to create multiple-topic problems. I need something fairly custom…He needs daily practice with multi-digit multiplication, long division, fractions (converting back and forth from improper to mixed and also simplifying, etc.). I'd also like to throw in some basic addition and subtraction with carrying/borrowing once or twice a week. Until we can switch math programs to something with more review, I need to make my own. Thanks!

I want to make my own math drill sheets for my 11yo who needs daily review. I am creating them in Word for Mac (could use Pages if necessary). Does anyone know how to make the long division symbol in either program? Not the ÷ but the "house" symbol if you know what I mean. Anyone?

My 5th grader is currently working through SM 4A after taking most of the first semester to solidify multiplication facts and multiplication of larger numbers. He is doing "ok" with it, but I don't think it is enough review for him. He works through a concept/topic and seems to "get it" by the time he is finished the problems. But when we get to the review, he looks at a similar problem as if he's never seen it before. :( We ARE using the textbooks and the Reviews in there. I'm just wondering if perhaps he needs a program with a bit more review "built in". I'm a huge fan of Singapore, but I know that some programs just don't work for some kids, kwim? Any suggestions on where to go from here? Should we keep plugging along and supplement with something else (if so, what?) or ditch Singapore and switch to a different program? There are several programs that simply do not appeal to me for various reasons. I did not like Horizons (pages were too busy) or MM (not sure why). I've used MUS but don't want that and really don't want TT. Saxon maybe? Help?

Because of some medical/psychological issues, my 17yo Senior has missed most of the year. She is set to graduate in May but still needs most of her English credit. I'm trying to flesh out a program for her and she has expressed interest in Poetry. What resources are out there and how would I go about piecing together an English program? Honestly, she does not need grammar. That leaves Literature/Poetry and composition. We've always used a put-together program before now (MFW high school). Thanks for any suggestions you might have for me.

When I looked at the samples, I was already planning in my head how I would "tweak" it to fit my 5yo's ability level. Oral narrations, copying sentences after I had written them, etc. I'm not ditching the idea of LL1. I put it in an Evernote file (I'm loving Evernote, lol) to save it as a possibility. :) Thanks!

Thank you Crystal and Chelli! I was thinking the same thing, Chelli, after viewing the samples but wanted to review from somebody who has used it. I'll put it on my "maybe" list, along with LLTL and RTLT! He's speeding through MFW K right now, but I know his original writing will not be at the level I saw in LL grade 1. But, he could surprise me. Thanks to you both for the reviews! I just love this forum.

Hi Crystal! Nice to "see" you. ;) Hope your year is going well. I'm not sure what I want to know, lol. I just happened upon it while looking for the high school guides and looked at the samples. I guess I'd like to know…does your child enjoy it? Do you find it age/grade appropriate (the 1st grade sample looked a bit "above" what my rising 1st grader could do as far as the writing is concerned). How does it compare to programs like say Kathy Jo's LLTL program which is more copy work, dictation, narration based on real books? Anything else you can tell me…I always enjoy your reviews! Thanks!

I was just checking out the Lightning Lit Guides for high school (thinking ahead to next hear) and noticed there are now elementary guides! They look interesting. Has anyone used them yet? Thoughts? Thanks!

I was going to suggest Math U See as well. It is a very gentle and basic Algebra 1. FWIW, I could have written your post. My 15yo is on Year 2 of Algebra 1. He STRUGGLED through the first 3 chapters (yes, only 3) of Lial's Introductory Algebra last year. It was excruciating for both of us. This year he is still struggling, though making consistent progress. It is still excruciating and math is easy for me! I would also suggest the Key to Algebra set to fulfill the requirement and move on. I am contemplating just that with my son as I cannot afford MUS at this point. One more resource would be Jann in TX's online classes using the Lial's textbook. She is very good. :)

Memoria Press looks great! I have most of those books and wouldn't need math or phonics either. But my head starting spinning looking at the schedule and thinking about trying to fit all that in while trying to keep my olders on track. :P I'm wondering if piecing together my own is the way to go. Kathy Jo's RLTL, Some ETC (he likes those books!), math (not sure if we are sticking with Miquon or moving into Singapore)…now for history and science. I thought about SOTW (Thanks, Chris!). And do I really need formal science for 1st grade? I'm pretty comfortable just doing nature study, reading books and letting his interest and curiosity lead our studies. I'm wondering about History as well. Not sure I want to start him on the cycle just yet. I've contemplated just making a list of good literature from the Sonlight Core B and reading and discussing. Thanks for all your ideas!

I'm having a tough time finding the right program for my rising 1st grader. He is a bright child, very inquisitive, a deep thinker, super memory, loves to be read to, loves learning new things, etc. We are working through MFW K very quickly. He already knows his letters/sounds, how to write them, and is easily reading CVC words and a few "sight words". His handwriting is average. He knows the basic concepts of math, numbers to 20+, how to write them, addition, subtraction (no fact memorization yet), etc. We've been working through Miquon, playing math games, doing real-life math, baking (fractions), etc. He is the youngest of 7 and so he catches on to new concepts quickly. I am looking at MFW 1st (this is the best option so far), but am not quite sold on it. I'm not sure how much time I would have to devote to it. I love HOD, but LHFHG wasn't my cup of tea. And he is well beyond most of the concepts taught in that Guide. Oak Meadow seemed a bit "easy" (covered topics he's already covered). And it is pricey. :( I have FIAR but every time I try to use it, I fizzle out, lol. I think I really WANT to love it and WANT it to work…but it hasn't. 3rd times the charm? ;) I don't *need* an all-in-one like MFW or HOD. But I am at a loss as to where to start piecing together my own. I also like Kathy Jo's new RLTL for spelling/reading. I guess I'm just looking for suggestions. I really want my little guy to have a fun and successful year. :)

Ocillococcinum is much, much better than Tamiflu and is completely natural (homeopathic) so there are ZERO side effects to worry about. If you keep your immune system in good shape, the flu shot is unnecessary. I avoid it at all costs (does more harm than good in the long run). Elderberry syrup (as mentioned above), colloidal silver (if you feel ill, take max dose of 1 tsp. 7x/day), oil of oregano (nature's antibiotic) at the max dose, Vit. C and probiotics will really help (Kefir is a good source). Lots of rest, lots of fluids if you suspect you are becoming ill. Ocillo can be found nowadays at most grocery stores/pharmacies and is over the counter. It works! I always keep a box or 2 on hand every winter. Do you make your own bone broth? Bone broth/stock from good quality chicken or turkey is full of nutrients that can help keep your immune system healthy and strong. I freeze it in mason jars and warm it up and drink a couple mugs throughout the day when I am feeling under the weather. Kids love it, too! Sorry this sounds rambling…trying to help kiddos with math while I type. ;)

I wasn't a fan of AG…but I'll go look at it again. ;) Cost was a factor, too. Thanks.