I can tell you my experience currently. We were using Henle. I was happy with it. I had to do a review of Latin Alive and was very impressed so I switched to LA this year for my 8th & 9th grader. BUT after a few weeks, I now have my 9th grader doing Wheelock's and am considering switching my 8th grader back to Henle. I really LOVE the way Latin Alive is set up, etc. BUT the answer key has many mistakes that are very frustrating. Also, it does not include all the translation answers. My son & I were just translating one of the Latin paragraphs and went to check the answers and they are not included. Very frustrating. Hard to answer your question. I think LA is great, but if you are not a Latin expert the answer key is frustrating. I have the newest edition too & it still has many mistakes. (I do think Karen is excellent on the video though)

I have only used it for the second half of this year, but LOVE it! I only have the Student Writing Intensive level C (using it for 12, 13 yr. olds). I also have the over view cd. I have not watched the teacher videos, but have been able to do perfectly fine without. It is fairly teacher intensive- but I personally wouldn't trust any writing program that wasn't. It isn't really a subject you can leave for a child to do alone. BUT it is very simple once you read through it. It is explained very well, and laid out day by day.

I just checked- I am wrong!! I do have the Solutions manual & it does have the worked out solutions for most of the problems. Sorry about that. We did only use it about 4 times. My daughter does extremely well with the Algebra though so it wasn't really necessary for me. I wouldn't purchase it for the amount of money I paid if I could do it over. But perhaps I would change my mind if my child got a lot wrong? Maybe I will find out next year when my son starts Algebra... I hope not! : ) Again, sorry for my wrong information. I should have looked at the book again as I haven't looked at it since the beginning of the school year.

I am using Foerster Algebra I with my daughter this year. We DO have the solutions manual and paid $80.00 for the book. NOT worth it! It basically just gives the answer- does not show the problems worked out step by step. I used it maybe 4 times. I just have my daughter do the odd problems only as the answers are in the back of the book. LOVE this math book, by the way. **Just a note- I ordered my manual through by way of the family- it came in a paper envelope & my book was all messed up. I emailed them about it and never received a reply. I was not happy after paying so much for it.

My son (12) likes that the application problems are real life- not made up silly things. The explanations are extremely clear. I got Lial's Basic College Math and Algebra I last year for 99 cents each off Amazon.

Completely worth it!! The activity guides are what gave my kids a love for history (they are now going into 9th & 8th). The map work is terrific, they are filled with activity ideas, further reading ideas, etc. I personally wouldn't do SOTW without them.

Can I suggest Premier Jewelry? I sold that after Mary Kay for several years (until baby #4 & I quit). You make 50 % of what you sell- always. It is easy, fun, and everyone likes jewelry. The hostess plan is great too!! Just a thought.

I sold for a few years. The inventory cost me too much money. If you don't have sales you still have to place an order within so much time. Not sure what that span is today. Also, I personally think it would be hard to market it to younger people when money is tight & you can get make up at the drugstore so cheap. Plus there are many stores that let you return make up now- if you don't like it once you purchase. But, like any direct sales, It is what you make it. If you are driven and know people- you can still do well with it.

We have used Memoria Press (Prima Latina, Latina Christiana, Henle) for years and LOVE them! They don't move too quickly- simple to understand. My kids, now 12 & 13) still love learning latin after starting in 3rd grade.

Thanks for your help. Do you like the DIVE dvd's? Going with the Bob Jones dvd's would be so expensive.

I have been looking at this too! We are currently using Latin Alive & we really love Karen!

I know Bob Jones Biology (w/ dvd's) is suggested for 10th grade. For those who have used it- do you think a 9th grader who is a good student- would do okay with this? THanks

I didn't read all the replies- My 13 yr. old daughter is doing Algebra- she did not get or like the Jacobs text (though I did). She is using Foerster's Algebra & LOVES it (well, as much as one can love algebra). She is really getting it now.

Thank you so much for the link- I will check it out right now. I appreciate it.

Anybody have any input?