We used DK Geography of the World: The Essential Family Guide to Geography and Culture for that purpose. It's 300 pages with about 20 pages introducting geography concepts and then 1 to 2 pages about each country and culture. Like the usual DK book, it is full of pictures and diagrams. My ds enjoyed reading this for "fun".

I used BJU 6 for my ds when I brought him home in 8th grade. The six grade level reviews all the previous levels in nice bite sized chunks. The worktext is colorful and has interesting themes. BJU has full chapter samples on their website.

It's not on your list, but my boys really enjoyed BJU Bible Truths. The TE includes Bible and application stories, memory verses, and Bible study skills. The worktext reinforces the lessons and is visually appealing. I really liked the age appropriate application emphasis. It would work well to combine your boys in one level. BJU has full chapter samples on their website.

My ds does best when I teach using the white board. We would like to study Ancients next year, and I'm looking for a Christian friendly spine that would allow me to teach without having to spend all summer studying. Perhaps, a TE or guide would work. I'm also planning on him doing a great deal of independent reading and projects, but I need something to hold this all together. I looking for "classroom" teaching, literature based, lots of interaction, and projects. Any ideas?

I think your idea of grading after each lesson should work well. For most lessons, it only takes a couple minutes to grade. If you need to free up more time, you could also teach your older children to check their own daily work.

Redwall - son #1 The Cricket in Time Square - son #2

I've used both together, and I think it works well. MUS to understand and master; TT to review so it's not forgotten.

Abeka does no grading. If you use Abeka Academy, they will give you grading requirements. Then, you do the grading, and send in the test for them to record and keep the transcripts. BJU online has automatic grading of tests and some quizes. My sons have preferred BJU's presentation. There are samples you can watch at Abeka's and BJU websites. Either option will save you time, because they do the teaching for you at that age.

My ds really enjoyed the stories in the BJU 3rd reader, and the worktext helped to introduce new skills and solidify phonics. The instruction begins with review so your ds should do fine with the 3rd grade reader.

My ds 12 benefits most from highly interactive learning with whiteboard teaching, working together, and hands on meaningful activities. He likes Shurley Grammar, MUS, and enjoys reading and discussing cultural and relational literature. He's my youngest and my only student now so I have time to direct my teaching to his style. He'll be in 7th next year and is interested in studying world history and geography. I like things planned out for me, and want to include a Christian world view. We want to keep Shurley, MUS, and use BJU Life Science. Any ideas about what would work for us?

I understand your daughter's desire to be taught "social studies." Growing up in public schools, my favorite classes were "social studies." Social studies includes history, physical and cultural geography, civics, and relational studies such as sociology and psychology. To me, adding culture and relational topics to history made it seem much more alive and relevant. Although not a textbook, Sonlight seems to include these topics. Perhaps, your daughter would enjoy Sonlight F. If BJU works for you, some of BJU's texts include these topics as BJU tries to build their curriculum based on state and national standards used by public schools (using a particular Christian world view). Also, cultural and relational studies are easy to include in a literature class.

I haven't used it, but ACE has an Old Testament Survey course. It is called a "college" level course, but I think it could provide the structure you want and easily work for a motivated 7th grader. You can see better samples at CBD, if you look at individual paces.

My ds enjoyed Nora Gaydos "Now I'm Reading" series much more then "Bob" books. He thought they were funny and enjoyed being able to read outloud to me.

I can't get there either. I heard on another forum that perhaps it's gone. If it is, I'll sure miss it.

You might what to check out BJU's online physical science class. My oldest ds really enjoyed Mr. Harmon as a teacher, and conducting the labs at home. For my youngest ds, I plan on BJU life science for 7th and BJU physical science for 8th.

BJU uses word families to teach reading.

My ds is currently using MUS Epsilon & Zeta. We started Zeta when he was half way through Epsilon. He does a 30 min. lesson in both daily with a physical fitness break in between the classes. Then he is completing one lesson of TT 7 as "homework" four days a week in the evenings. I do not try to line up the lessons. TT is providing a necessary review of topics already introduce in MUS.

BJU's DVDs have a 30 min. segment for every lesson, and the instructor, during the lesson, will assign your dc's text reading, worksheets, or experiments. The instructor will also demonstrate any experiments. In addition, BJU includes a schedule for the DVDs & related work on a CD that is included with the DVDs.

I haven't used BJU online yet, but book 2 is the second book of the teacher's edition. I imagine the worksheet is online. I hope that helps.

I've used BJU homesat & DVD science for my crew. My ds would have loved 3rd grade science with Mrs. Vick. For 3rd, I think just the textbook would work fine. The new texts include check-up questions. I'm planning to have my youngest use the 7th grade life science online next year. I would just buy the student text. The activity pages are in the back of the text so you won't need to buy those. The TE are available online, along with any needed worksheets, and chapter tests.

Children's dictionaries never seemed to have the words my ds need to look up. However, I purchased The American Heritage Student Dictionary for my ds to use this year, and so far, every word he has need to look up has been in the dictionary.

My Father's World (MFW) has a special edition of DK History of the World encylopedia.

Yes, a first grader with little prior phonics instruction can jump right into BJU Phonics and English 1. I used the phonic portion slowly for my ds K year, and then reviewed and added the English/writing assignments and Reading 1 for 1st.

We're also a BJU reading and literature users. BJU reading has been my younger DS's favorite class, and as you said, he learns so much more than reading skills. If you stick with BJU, 7th grade begins their literature series. Literature is a one semester course with Grammar and Writing being taught the other semester. My oldest son is now in 12th taking British literature by DVD. He has learned so much through the BJU literature series including a historical perspective and analysis. I suggest sticking with it. Especially sense it sounds like your DS enjoys it as much as mine.

We've have used BJU English for several years for my ds and have found that for us it works best to do both at the same time. My son watches the literature DVD's one day and then the next day does the reading and other homework for the class. For Grammar and Writing, he watches the DVD everyday while he's working on the Grammar sections and takes a break for a couple days to work on the writing assignments. We also do not watch classes on test days. You can really do the classes anyway that works for you. It doesn't matter which you do first, if you alternate, or if like us, you use some other schedule.