Anyone have success using this curriculum? Is there actually a lesson being taught via DVD or is it just for extension purposes? Is there a working link for ordering the Home Study Companion because when I click "purchase" on the MWB website to find out about pricing, I get a faulty link screen. Thanks, Melissa

I am curious if the One Stop Planner cd will work if my computer is now on the Windows 8 system? Some of the older software is not compatible with Windows 8. Thanks, Melissa

What are you looking for in a history program? I am using Notgrass with an 8th grader and will definitely consider sticking with it in high school. ~Melissa

Thank you so much for the wonderful replies. I knew I could count on the hive!! ~Melissa

I think I have finally narrowed my choices down to these two texts and have a few final questions about each one: 1) Lial's Introductory Algebra 8th edition paperback --- a friend pointed out it doesn't include naming polynomials using the words "Linear, Quadratic, Cubic, etc..." Is it ok if that topic isn't in an Algebra I book? Any other topics that you know are not in Lial's that should be added in using an extra resource? I've never taught Algebra so I wouldn't know if a topic is missing or if there is a topic that could be saved for Algebra II. I've read that a positive thing about Foerster's book is that the Quadratic Formula is taught early on; Lial's book presents it in the last chapter. Are there major pros or cons to either sequence? 2) Foerster's Classic Edition Expressions, Equations, Applications (1999) --- one thing I like about Lial's book is that there is obvious review of previously taught material in between the chapters. Do the exercises in Foerster's include review of past material and maybe just not as obvious as the review sections in Lial's? I really appreciate any advice that would help me finally make a decision. Why is this soooo tough? :confused1: ~Melissa

I'm not sure how to properly link the thread I was referring to in my original post but here is a cut/paste of the title of the thread: "Having Lial's Algebra 1 struggles---considering a change---need help" Thanks, Jann, for once again providing a thorough and reassuring response. Thanks also to everyone else for responding! ~Melissa

Just when I think I've picked an Algebra I book for my ds, I see a thread that says Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6 in Lial's Introductory Algebra may cause some issues. How big are the issues in these chapters? Thanks, Melissa

Thank you so much for all the helpful replies. Jann-- When you say that "Lial shows the 'proof' (rule used) next to each step in the text examples" are you referring to the words in blue next to each step of the examples? Thanks again, Melissa

Kiana, Out of the four texts I listed in the original post, the only one that I could find proofs in was the McDougal Littell Concepts and Skills book. ~Melissa

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I am comparing four Algebra I textbooks for my ds for this school year (Foerster's, Lial's, Prentice Hall, and McDougal Littell). I was going down a CYT Mathematics Sequence Checklist that was suggested on this forum in another thread and I noticed that "proofs" are mentioned in a few places in this checklist. For instance: "use number properties in proofs," "prove theorems related to slope, and "prove theorems involving multiplication and division." I can't find the word "proof" in the index of Foerster's or Lial's. Are proofs necessary? Could it be listed as something else in the index? Thanks, Melissa

I will be using a Foerster's Algebra 1 student book ISBN# 020132458x and am looking for the solution manual. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

Just when you think you have it all figured out you start second guessing yourself. My children will be entering 7th grade and 6th grade. They have each completed 2 years of Latin (Prima Latina and Latina Christiana I). If I have them do two more years of Latin, the 7th grader would be ready to do 2 years of Spanish in his 9th and 10th grade years. However, Latin wouldn't show on his transcript. I'm not as concerned for him as I am for the child who is in 6th grade now who has 3 more years before high school to start earning language credits. She potentially wants to enter the medical field so maybe she should only do Latin (might look better on her transcript). I had planned on doing Memoria Press' First Form through Fourth Form Latin program. It would take four years though which would leave my eldest his 11th, 12th grade years to take Spanish but by then he may not want to take a language in his senior year? So now I'm considering Henle Latin and debating as to how far to stretch it out. Any suggestions? I would like for them to get recognition for doing Latin but also see the benefits of learning Spanish. Thanks, Melissa

Just when you think you have it all figured out you start second guessing yourself. My children will be entering 7th grade and 6th grade. They have each completed 2 years of Latin (Prima Latina and Latina Christiana I). If I have them do two more years of Latin, the 7th grader would be ready to do 2 years of Spanish in his 9th and 10th grade years. However, Latin wouldn't show on his transcript. I'm not as concerned for him as I am for the child who is in 6th grade now who has 3 more years before high school to start earning language credits. She potentially wants to enter the medical field so maybe she should only do Latin (might look better on her transcript). I had planned on doing Memoria Press' First Form through Fourth Form Latin program. It would take four years though which would leave my eldest his 11th, 12th grade years to take Spanish but by then he may not want to take a language in his senior year? So now I'm considering Henle Latin and debating as to how far to stretch it out. Any suggestions? I would like for them to get recognition for doing Latin but also see the benefits of learning Spanish. Thanks, Melissa

Julia at Biblioplan's Yahoo group responded to this question when I posted it on that forum. She put me at ease and said that as author's of Biblioplan, they present a balanced account of Church history without including their own opinions as to whether someone was right or wrong for their actions. She said Church History is presented with a neutral tone. Hope that helps answer my own question that I posted here:) ~Melissa

I noticed on the Biblioplan site they have a paraphrased section of Yr 2 contents that lists John Wycliff and Jan Hus as important figures of Pre-Reformation. Luther is also listed as an "important" figure. Just curious if the actions of these people are held in high regard in this curriculum like a hero status (which) would mean that their stance against the Catholic church is praised? Or are they "important" because of the effect they had in history without the authors opinion of whether their actions were right or wrong? Thanks, Melissa

Anyone out there ever try to use IEW with another program like WriteShop 1 or Writing Strands 3? I have upcoming 6th/7th graders who have watched the videos for SWI-A and SWI-B. I'm planning to use SICC-B in the fall and have considered adding in Writeshop or Writing Strands. Any suggestions for scheduling together or any warnings?

I was all set to use Foerster's Algebra 1. I ordered it and my husband's initial reaction was that it looked good but very challenging. A friend of mine who used to teach high school math was visiting and saw the Foerster's text on my counter. She said, "That's a really good text but I would never teach from it. Use it as a supplement especially for the word problems which are great." She said it has a lot of Algebra 2 topics in it and would be more of an Algebra 1 Honors text. I'm afraid my non-mathy child will really hate math if I use this text? Any opinions? :grouphug: It takes a village...

Yes, a daily plan like MODG would be wonderful. The link that I have to the St. Jerome plan does have the curriuclum texts laid out into quarters which makes a little easier but it would be nice to see how the suggested texts are laid out so that they are completed in the time frames assigned.

We are using CC cycle 3 at home this year. The actual CC groups this year are on cycle 2 but cycle 3 worked best for us because we are studying American History which is the theme of cycle 3's history memory work. We are also doing a study of the human body and that is the science theme for cycle 3 (one of the benefits of not joining a CC group is that you get to choose which of their 3 cycles works best for your family). I follow their Instruction Guide to write the memory work each week on a large white erase board then sit on the couch and listen to the cycle 3 subject/weekly audio cd as we read the info on the white board. This cd recites the memory work verbally and offers a song for the history sentence. There are other songs on it such as the one that helps memorize the names of the presidents. I also purchased the Veritas Press history timeline cards and we memorize 8 of them each week; adding on to the ones memorized the previous weeks. We attach the 8 cards for the new week onto our white erase board so that we see them all week. We take two down each day to read the back then reattach them to the white board. I bought their suggested science experiment book (by Janice Van Cleave) but haven't used it yet. They also recommend Classical Music for Dummies and Drawing with Children. We purchased our tin whistles but haven't made it to that part in the instruction guide yet. We are using the Institute for Excellence in Writing materials (CC uses IEW in their Essentials class). As another hive member mentioned already, you can not purchase CC's English materials without being a member. You also can not purchase their mapping materials and have to pay a much higher membership fee than CC group members to have access to a web site portal that contains helpful information. My children are enjoying the pieces of CC that we are using at home. HTH, Melissa

My fourth grader spends between 3-4 hours (depends on any extra projects) each day. This year we are using IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) Student Writing Intensive Level A. She loves saying Andrew Pudewa's last name; thinks it's a very funny name. He's the creator of the program and the instructor on the DVD's that we use about every two weeks. Melissa