So does K12s Human Odyssey coincide with SOTW Level 1 fairly well? I am curious as to why that over the Ancients Level 2 for the older, as I just assumed most people using SOTW stayed with it through the levels? That is certainly one option I hadn't thought of though, and I will definitely look at the Human Odyssey curriculum.

Hi, I have an upcoming 1st & 4th grader and since this is my first year of homeschooling, I had thought to do a year of US History then start a full rotation of Ancients in 2nd & 5th grades. I had thought that I would start the 2nd grader in Level 1 and the 5th grader in Level 2, but am questioning the successfulness of that idea. Wondering if it might be hard to integrate two different levels of the same time period together. If I chose to do Level 1 SOTW Ancients next year with the 1st & 4th grader instead of US History, where would I go with the older child as they enter the logic stage of Classical Education. Do I just stick with Level 1 until it's done, or start her in level 2 in 5th grade?? Just not sure what to do with the older one and where to start her for the longer haul.

Hi, next year I would like to do a year of US History then start with a 2nd grader and a 5th grader at the beginning of a full rotation with SOTW Ancients. I was thinking at that point the younger would be on the Level 1 book and the older child would begin in the Logic stage with level 2? Is there anyone who has done this? Does it work to combine both books and still make sense as a whole unit of study? Are there any mom's or blogs showing how someone has done this successfully?

I'm having a hard time deciding on Winter's Promise All American 1 for my 4th grader next year. She is a very proficient reader, and my 1st grader will tag along and do the activities and be read to. He also reads well independently. That being said, it is an expensive curriculum to buy. How would one compare it to SOTW 3 with Time Traveler's activities & maybe some Sonlight Core 3/4 books brought in? Is there a reason, other than perhaps the cost, to want to use the SOTW 3 over Winter's Promise AA1? My only concern is that I am a bit out of WTM sequence as we are just getting started in HS this coming fall, so I am choosing to start with US History, then begin a 4 year rotation starting with Ancients in the 5th grade for my daughter (the 4th grader). So, I didn't want to use too much SOTW for the 1st grader, if he was going to be repeating it in a few years time. Just not sure here.. both kids LOVE activities and crafts & lapbooking. They also like to read with the 4th grader reading large chapter books.. so I have to have access to both things. Does HO 3 use SOTW3 with TT??

Has anyone used the Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading books. You can view them at http://www.seedsofscience.org It is a curriculum based on literature, and generally used for the classroom. However; they do have complete books sets & Strategy Guides for using them in the homeschool environment. When I viewed the complete curriculum, it was everything that I would want for my upcoming 1st & 4th graders, except it was geared to classroom sizes. I am wondering if anyone has possibly integrated the literature, strategy guides with GEM experiments before to teach at home?

Can I ask why you wouldn't use the Elemental Science with a 4th grader? Is it just the Biology course being too easy... or is it just Elemental Science in general?

I've never even heard of Madlibs.. I will be checking into that. Thanks! And IrishMommy... I can only wish I had a teaching degree.. lol..

By no means am I an expert, as this upcoming year will be my first for HSing my going to be 1st & 4th graders. I did look extensively into studying US History with them both next year though as if my 4th was still in school that would be what she would be going into, and not knowing where this next year will lead us, I decided to stay with that sequence. I have searched hi and low for a good curriculum that I felt would be challenging, but also interesting to them both. I felt like SOTW was "alright".. a good read I suppose. I thought "History Odyssey" did a better job of using SOTW as well as a few other things to put together a more well rounded study. That being said, I still searched through Sonlight Core 3, Core 4 and the 3+4 combo.. wondering since she liked to read so much maybe that would be good. But, I have heard that those literature selections can be a bit heavy and emotional.. and so far STILL not a good fit for bringing in my 1st grader. Then I ran up on Winter Promise. I am currently looking into The American Story 1... or possibly the All American 1 set as it includes aspects of "The American Story" along with "The American Crossing"... you can search all of them at their website. http://www.winterpromise.net I liked the hands on aspects of it, as they both really enjoy being creative and MAKING something, plus I felt like it would reinforce whatever they were reading. It had good literature for both ages, and I liked that they pulled in Evan Moor history pockets as well. There are quite a few mom blogger too that you can search and find where they have added their own extras into the Winter Promise American Story 1 curriculum. I think I might have searched "Winter Promise American Story 1 mom blog" or something like that and found one mom who chronicled their entire year. I still MAY bring in SOTW and even Joy Hakim's "Story of US" volumes along with either the PBS "Freedom: the story of Us" or The History Channels free dvd set of America: the story of us that you can order on their website for your homeschool. Just because she likes extra reading and they both like watching history come alive on tv. Good luck!

Irish Mommy, wondering is MCT going to be THE LA curric. for your family, or have you done others before to ingrain grammar before starting MCT? That is what I am wondering about. Is it a stand alone program that WILL go over grammar (Sentence structure, types of sentences, pronouns, nouns, verbs.. etc?) I know they have a grammar island, so I am assuming I could just start there if both my kids are reading well? Does anyone who uses MCT also use another writing or grammar curric at the same time? Or do you feel it covers all the bases? Also, what books in MCT did you start out with? Do you get ALL the island books and do them together or start with grammar, THEN language, then music of the hemisphere, then practice, etc?

Karen.. you literally just described my soon to be 4th grade daughter to me. ;-)

Thanks everyone. I will check into FLL for this summer perhaps. In fact, I am thinking of doing a review in LA for them both before we would start in the fall, just so I know where they are at. I've just seen so many folks combining FLL or WWE with MCT, but I didn't really know what to start the 1st grader with.

Thanks for asking. Yes, we are using CVA (Columbia Virtual Academy) in WA State, so I need to find something secular. Because I have a 1st grader (who does well on his own.. can read, write, etc. pretty well) and the 4th grader AND a two year old.. AND this is my first year, I am thinking more of finding something that is fairly well laid out. I don't mind pulling from here or there if they compliment each other. I also don't mind sitting down and having a daily reading each day. But, I want to move them in a direction where they are working more independently than not, just because I may not always be available and don't want their studies held up for that reason.

I am very much looking forward to MCT, and I will look into WWE for the writing component. So, that being said, MCT does a good job of explaining grammer (or reviewing it for my daughter and I).. as I want to make certain she understands what makes up a sentence, etc. My 1st grader is 7 and is reading early chapter books, and is also doing well in writing, but has a lot to learn about nouns, verbs, etc. I don't really know where would be a good place to start with him. He is essentially more of a first grader right now going into 2nd grade.. when would be an ideal time to start him on MCT? Any recommendations for what to use before that for him. He doesn't need phonics. But does need writing, grammar, vocab.

I also wondered how open and go MCT is? Will my 4th grader (who is a very proficient reader) be able to work through it herself while I concentrate on the 1st grader and a two year old?

I have a 1st grader and a 4th grader that I will be homeschooling for the first time this coming year. I am considering MCT Island series for my 4th grader, but am a bit concerned her public schooling has not prepared her well to even define sentence structure.. types of sentences, etc. I am uncertain of whether MCT does this.. and because of also having a 1st grader just getting started I am wondering what would be a good LA curric. for moving into MCT?

This will be my first year homeschooling my children, and I am looking for a great LA curriculum for each of them. It doesn't have to be the same one, I just want to know what has worked for others? What have you stayed with because you just love it? It it an open and go workbook, or does it require a lot of one on one doing with mom? Have you combined several different companies to get a complete LA curric. or is there a great one out there that has it all together already?

Thank you everyone. It helps answer my question about what I do not want to use and why. ;-) Now I need to figure out what TO use! I appreciate all the sound advice.

I am looking to start Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding with my 1st & 4th grader. I would like to start in the plants, body section.. as I could supplement with REAL Science Odyssey Life. Also, I like GEMS units to go along with BFSU.

Hi, I have a 7 year old and a 9 year old that I am keeping home for the first time this year as well. I too have been searching endlessly for curriculums. In my case there are a couple of things that I am intending to put together for them. Science & History. Because my daughter is moving into the 4th grade, I decided that I would study US History with both of them. So I am looking at Winter Promise for that. There is one All American 1 set that works with them both. Although, if I was choosing only for my 7 year old it would be the American Story 1 package. They have plenty of other packages though. I also have a 2 year old and need something that has both hands on activities as well as literature and is well laid out, and this is one of the best I have found. Depending of if you want to focus on the 4 year rotation that is suggested in WTM, then you would rotate through the 4 main focuses.. ancient, med, early mod, etc. .. I also liked History Odyssey, but didn't think it had enough hands on to keep my kids content. Although I may very well bring in SOTW vol 3 along with Joy Hakim's "Story of US" Volume Set. That way I know my 4th grader is also getting plenty of literature at her level. The math we have decided to go with Math-U-See also.. but supplement with Singapore Math because I liked their word problems and it allowed them to focus a little bit in all areas (like standard public school).. only I feel like singapore does a better job.. then have Math-U-See to really inforce one idea to the fullest. Like Gamma for multiplication facts. I also saw that Winters Promise had a Language Arts program that was the 7 year olds level and geared towards the US History curriculum they were already doing which included Explode the Code in it. I have been looking at Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding as a good science spine to have.. then branch off with GEMS units and possibity REAL Science Odyssey Life .. Earth.. etc when we get to those sections in the BFSU. I want them to have a well rounded science background, and thought BFSU did a good job, but might require me to slow down a bit through the lessons and branch off to do more hands on work in each section for them to really get each unit. If you like SOTW.. homeschooljourney.com also offers a junior portfolio that looks nice for integrating that book as well as a lot of notebooking. Truthfully though I am really liking Winters Promise for the mixture of both. I would love to hear what you have come up with for your 7 year old. As I haven't finalized anything and it's becoming sort of like the toothpaste aisle.. TOO MANY CHOICES. lol

True Angela. I liked the approach of thinking that I could do an Intro to US History.. keeping it simple and then have the opportunity for two full rotations for my 4th grade daughter. In fact I have been thinking that it would be fun to do some basic geography (States & World mixed in).. any suggestions there for curric. One last thing. WTM mentions that the science would work by matching Ancients with Biology, Astronomy/Earth with Medieval, Chemistry with Early Modern, Physics with Modern. I had thought to start with Biology (as the Science Odyssey:Life starts there (I think).. and at this age my kids are ALL about creatures & terrarium kits, and worms, etc. etc. But that being said, it would be nice to have the science and the history overlap..at least to the point of introducing scientists during the era that you are studying in for history. Any thoughts anyone?

Angela, I appreciate that. You are right. I should just look for something "ANYTHING" that will engage them and keep their interest. I have mostly been looking into US History, but wondered IF IN FACT their was any way that I could do Ancients Level one with someone her age and actually have it work anyway?

I have been reading through the WTM Faq's page about where to start your child in history.. whether at the beginning or the middle. So, my question would be this. If I choose to forgo starting US History for my 1st & 4th grader next year (to keep the 4th grader in line with what is being studied in her public school class), is there a way to start Ancients SOTW level one and have it work for a 4th grader? or could I go with Ancients level 2 for her and level 1 for 1st grader. At least that way ONE of them would be on the right schedule? (I know schedules are relative.. but just trying to generate a scenario that makes sense for the both of them). I keep trying to figure out what is the best sequence to follow where I could have them studying the same historical time... yet be able to challenge my older child. I am concerned if I just start her in Ancients level one (any any history curriculum) that it might be too easy? Not that she has had ANY of it before. And YES.. I wholeheartedly agree that I need to choose a curric. that has it laid out for me. This is not a subject I want to take on myself and try to piece together. At least not initially. Our school next year (CVA - Columbia Virtual Academy) gives us the flexibility to choose our own curric. for each subject and they fund it... while I appreciate their faith in me. It's almost more than I know how to take on. It feels like a full time job looking up curriculums. So far I have thought (Singapore Math & Math-U-See, Michael Clay Thompson's Language Arts, I also like Excellence in Writing. Then there is Science Odyssey, with GEMS activities.. and Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading science literature. GEEZ!!!! ;-) I need a professional curriculum advisor to do this. I am about at that point. LOL

I have the same issue, only next year mine will be a 1st grader and a 4th grader. They both have been in public school up until this point, so I am new to the homeschooling curriculum options and to WTM. I have been questioning whether to start the 4th grader in History Odyssey vol. 3 (Early Modern) and then supplementing in Hakims "Story of US" volume sets for the american history sections. Also, saw that PBS as well as History channel have series options for "America" series. In fact, History Channel will send you a free DVD if you ask for it online. That being said, I would need to pull in younger history pockets for 1st grader. I saw that History Portfolio (http://www.homeschooljourney.com) has a junior history series that makes it easy to put together great binders full of info that also follows along with SOTW series. Then there is always the possibility of using Sonlight Core 3 readers for older child along with SOTW. Last night I also looked into WintersPromise America series Part 1 & 2, which seems to have a lot of the same literation as SL, yet hands on activities to keep it interesting. My problem is that it's becoming like the toothpaste aisle.. way to many choices! ;-) And I still have yet to fully commit on what to teach them both. US History this year, then back up to Ancient ... or just start at the beginning with both. This being my first homeschooling year, I can't promise that at the end of it either of us will be wanting to continue. LOL. I am hopeful, yet considering going ahead with US History as that is what the teachers have told me her 4th grade class will be studying next year. Either way, I just want an order that works and makes sense for years to come... just in case. Good luck!

I will definitely get the book to read it. I think because we are just starting out, I am reluctant to venture too far from what is taught at her school. As I gain confidence in the process, hopefully that will change. ;-) I just wanted to make sure that no matter where I began in the historical timeline, it would make sense to them within the homeschool curriculum. Can I ask what history options you have done with your children? I have been leaning towards History Odyssey vol 3 (level one) and use Hakim volumes along with History Channel or PBS American series. Then try to fill in with younger history pockets and readers for 1st grader. I have also looked at History Portfolio, as they have a junior series that goes with SOTW and looks great for establishing a binder full of interesting facts. Because my daughter loves reading (with a passion), I have also considered Sonlight Core 3, except I would definitely need to pull in activities for them both to coincide. I keep searching for a blog or list somewhere that someone has written discussing the Sonlight books they pulled over to use with SOTW. Also like WintersPromise, if only for the fact that it has some of the SL readers already in it, mixed with plenty of hands on. All that said.. I have WAY too many choices, and still have yet to decide about going with Ancient History or US History first. ;-) This being my first step into the world of homeschooling I am trying to start off right. I realize that "anything" I do will most likely be way more than they were learning in school. That is very evident in the lack of what they have been learning so far. But, I just want to go the route that makes the most sense, and also keeps it interesting for them both to do the same topic. At least until the 4th grader is old enough to work more independently.

My daughter will be in 4th grade next year, and even though I am homeschooling her, I was told that the class would be studying US History next year. Initially my thought was to choose a US History curric. for her just in case she ended up going back to school the following year. As I review more and more curriculums I notice that most start with Ancient History, then Middle Ages, then more US History based. Is it alright to jump right to US History.. or should we back up as start at the beginning??