Thanks!

Ok, this is all new to me so I've been reading reviews about these 3 programs. I know IEW is not classical in theory but their reviews are pretty good. One of the reviews for Classical Writing say that they use a specific grammar style from a book that we are not using. It says that if you are not using that book (I believe is Writing Road to Reading) then you are at your own demise in how you will approach grammar. Is this true? Classical Composition, for some reason, seems intimidating to me. Has anyone used these books? I want to hear experiences, ease of use, etc. I know this subject has been talked about a lot but I will really appreciate any been there done that experiences. My DD does not mind writing but I think she needs to improve in writing better and longer sentences so she can eventually move to longer and better paragraphs. She can do all of those but at a very simple level. She is going to 4th grade this year. I was thinking about using Easy Grammar with her this year. We used Voyages last year and was extremely basic and non challenging for DD. Writing is my most challenging subject as I do not feel I am well equipped to teach it. Science and Math, any day!! Writing, not so much! Thanks in advance!

Sorry I never came back! My kids are age 4 and 8 but I need recommendations for all ages. Our home schooling group wants me to teach the older kids and I might start a class with younger kids.

Anyone has used one with success? We are bilingual but I want to reinforce Spanish in my kids and some moms are interested in me teaching their kids. I need program recommendations if possible! Thanks in advance!

La Ciudad de las Bestias by Isabel Allende is pretty good for that age group. I do not know which kind of book you are looking for. Will give you a list of some of the books I read in High School! You said Gabriel Garcia Marquez did not click with her but have you tried some of his short stories? He has a book, which was the first one I read from him while I was in High School, called Relato de un Naufrago which is very entertaining. I loved Cien Anos de Soledad but if she is not into "realismo magico" she might not like it. Also, Rosario Ferre wrote a book called The House on the Lagoon (not in High School)which is very good also for that age group. It is in English but it is the story of a family in Puerto Rico. Might be explicit in some parts. Isabel Allende also has Eva Luna, De Amor y De Sombra, and La Casa de los Espiritus. There might be some graphic scenes there if I recall correctly but it has been YEARS since I read them. They are also part of the movement called "realismo magico", just in case! Magali Garcia Ramis has a book called Felices Dias Tio Sergio which I also read in High School and it is very good. Humberto Eco - El Nombre de la Rosa is a thriller in a monastery. Esmeralda Santiago (not in High School) also has a few book about her coming of age when she moved to the States from Puerto Rico and the process of assimilation. Her personal story is quite interesting! The ones that I've read in recent years are a bit more explicit in nature but if you need more recommendations let me know! Can you tell where I am from? ;-)

If you do, could you please tell me what you like and do not like about it? Could you skip the religion part? What are their checks and balances? We are doing a program this year but I am having trouble with some of the books. To me they are kind of old and outdated. It is a great program for the older grades and I mainly picked it out because I liked their science and math program but I do not care for the grammar. Also, they really push Latin or Greek and IMHO if I am going to add a third language it would be French, Sign Language, or something else. I am considering changing for next year so I am already doing research so I can plan ahead of time! Some people have recommended Sonlight but it seems pricey and a lot of books!! Also, even when I could not see it, somebody told me they used Apologia for science and if I am not mistaken, that is creationism based. Is this correct? If you have used it please tell me what you think.

Thank you! I will look into some of these books! Keep the recommendations coming, please! :)

Hello everybody! I am new here and have been lurking for a while before I decided to register. I am planning on homeschooling my kids and I am lost. I've read many sites reviewing curriculum, have received recommendations from other homeschooling parents but I have no idea how to choose one. I am drowning with information and I am very anxious about selecting the right curriculum because I want to make sure I am selecting the right one. We are moving back to the States and we want to give home school a try. My oldest is attending school right now. She will be going to third grade next year. I also have a little one who is 3 yrs old. I am looking for a curriculum that is mostly secular based. We are religious but I do not want a curriculum based exclusively on religion, as some that I have seen. I guess my Biology/Chemistry background shows up when I am looking at the different programs out there! :-) I am also bilingual, and so are my kids. Is there a site that can guide me with pairing learning styles and teaching styles? How do I know which one is my daughter's learning style? Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide me!