Looking for any input about this. Dd in the 5th grade wants to learn a third language and is interested in French (I think Madeline has something to do with it!). Please share away before I plunk down the money for this. Thanks!! Blessings, Libby in Texas :)

Thanks so much ladies! Hey two Tammy(i)s answered! I love this board!! Blessings, Libby in Texas :)

Anyone, please? I just need one person who knows to please answer. I'd really appreciate it (and it'd save me $41!!). Blessings, Libby in Texas :)

Will someone please let me know if this is necessary? I'm about to order everything for 9th literature and the TE alone is $41.75 (yikes)! Tired of looking for a good current used set so time is up. Anyone, por favor? TIA Blessings, Libby in Texas :)

Kids were walking by and saw your post. For some reason they turned it into a game. Here's what they came up with for your brother... moonglade moonlighter moonsails moonscapes moonset moonshots moonlight moonbow mooneyed moonflower moonlit And a few phrases... to moon over once in a blue moon shoot for the moon HTH Blessings, Libby in Texas :) ~~~~~~~ Mama to 4 dc aged 17, 15, 14, and my wee one 10!!!

For an independent learner Has always done great in math Can start using right away (no time for placement tests) Must be a strong program without a doubt (sorry no TT...so I hear :) Must have cds or dvds Instruction in cds or dvds and in book must be clear since Mom isn't strong in this subject (prefer that instruction follow book) Must have solutions manual Must be easy to implement (lessons plans or some other recommended schedule) I have about $150 maybe $200 I can spend I seriously considered Chalkdust but I've heard it includes a gabillion problems and that the book pages are "distracting" with color and illustrations. Also, the cost! Earlier today I read from this forum the awful reviews about BJU Geometry (that was someone else's adjective). I'm not sold on TT ony because if it is true that it's slow, my dd15 would get quickly--I mean very quickly--bored. I considered Saxon Geometry but haven't had time to read up on the verdict of how good or bad it may be. Jacobs has me intrigued so why am I hesitating? What kind of student would it not work for? Also, what is Lial's? What about other Geometry programs not often mentioned like A Beka or SOS? I mostly need the program to be able to provide the needed instruction and direction. Even though dd is great in math I never have been so I also need it to have a solutions manual and online support would be the icing. Someone please share your much valued and highly desired 2 cents. Blessings, ~Libby in Texas :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mama to 4 dc 17, 15, 14, and my little wee one 10! BJU, A Beka, CLE, SOS, AO, R&S, Smarr, Notgrass, Progeny Press, MOH

Hi, I'm interested in CLE 9th Lit also. I was wondering if you could share how it worked out for you (if you finally got to use it). I'd really appreciate it. Thanks! Blessings, ~Libby in Texas :)

I like your idea about not feeling like you have to do all the exercises, but rather turning your focus to more discussion. Do you mind if I ask what kind of writing materials worked for your ds? I'm curious because my 9th grade ds might do Progeny. We can afford either one. Not concerned about cost. I am concerned about writing where I have to watch a lot of dvds (IEW). Just don't have time for that. Sounds like you did a great job with your ds :). Libby in Texas :)

Wow, thanks Alyce! Thinking about what you said, I guess using Progeny would mean I'd have to supplement or have my kiddos do a full vocabulary & writing program separately, but alongside. Right? I think we should Smarr but for some reason there's something about Progeny that I really like. I guess maybe their reading selections. Looking at their online samples the questions seem more involved. Just wondering what your dd thought of Progeny. Thanks again! Blessings, ~Libby in Texas :)

Denise Allen, it's ok! I understand, believe me :). I too had wanted this answered for a while and I kept waiting and waiting so I finally just asked! Great discussion ladies! Yippee!! Colleen thank you so much for your input. Everyone's posts are helping me more than you realize. So sweet!! I'm taking anything and everything everyone says into consideration so please, purty please post away! (Yeah I know that's not how to spell pretty. See? LOL) Blessings, ~Libby in Texas :)

Someone, pretty please with a cherry on top? I just need one good review or a few second-hand reviews. I need to place an order this week. TIA! Blessings, ~Libby in Texas :)

Gosh thanks everyone for jumping in! So far though only one person directly answered my question about whether or not R&S alone is enough for writing instruction/practice in hs. My dc are planning on going to college so I definitely want them to be more than up-to-par on their writing. So any more want to answer, please? What would be a good way to round out the writing if more is needed? Joan in Geneva, yes you are correct that my freshman is on schedule to do the 7th grade level, and my sophomore is on schedule to do the 8th grade level this year. I have never heard of the Bravewriter course your son took but I'll look into it. Would that be a good course to bring in on the side to beef up the writing? I guess I could have the kiddos do both R&S and Bravewriter (or something else) alongside each other. Do you think it would work? Thanks everyone for your input. As usual someone always comes through on this board! And yes I am definitely also looking into SWB audio lectures. Anyone know if her suggestions are easy to implement? Sorry. I don't mean to sound ignorant or stupid but all I have so far is her book. Thanks again everyone! Blessings, ~Libby in Texas :)

If I follow the WTM recommendation of using Rod & Staff 7 for 9th, R&S 8 for 10th, and so on, would my dc get enough writing instruction & practice? Or do I have this wrong? We've used R&S since the 3rd grade level and my children are thriving. This year they are in 9th & 10th grades and happen to be in the same levels as WTM recommends. I'm just wondering if I need to bring in more instruction, practice, or both from somewhere else (like maybe Wordsmith). Both my kids are strong in their grammar & writing having used just R&S. I'm using something else for literature & vocabulary, but somehow the writing/grammar part doesn't seem enough. I'm running errands all day today. I'm hoping that when I check in later today someone will please be kind and have mercy on this confused mother. KWIM? TIA Blessings, Libby in Texas :) Mama to ~ ~ ~ 3 lovely, delightful daughters and 1 sweet, chivalrous son!!

We've used Smarr for Intro to Lit. and American Lit. I'm just wondering the obvious things like which one does a better job of vocab build-up? Does Progeny, for instance, take it a step further and quiz on it like Smarr does? Whose vocab seems harder (better quality)? Same for the lit questions. Smarr teacher grammar and writing, does Progeny? Which one is more challenging overall? Easier to work with? I'm not necessarily looking for answers to these exact questions as much as wanting to have a thorough first-hand account/review of someone who has used both. Sometimes it can be kind of hard to glean this much just from online samples. I'd really appreciate it. Now I'm off to have lunch but I'll check in sporadically. TIA Blessings, Libby in Texas :) Mama to ~ ~ ~ 3 lovely, delightful daughters and 1 sweet, chivalrous son!!

Thanks Ellie!!!!

I totally agree with you Lori. Notgrass' website indeed states that a student can earn 3 credits of History-Bible-Literature if they do all the recommended assignments. Obviously their high school history is a complete 3 in 1 program; however, I'm still learning about it from others who have, or already are, using the program. Gaining understanding & clarity is not the same as "complaining". Geez can't anyone ask an innocent question without being labeled a "complainer"?

Wow, thanks again Lori! (Lori D, Lori D, what would we do without thee?) Sorry, I couldn't resist! Lastly, is there anywhere for me to read or find out about the different writing styles and types of papers that a student should be able to complete before starting college? TIA Sincerely, Libby in Texas :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mama to 4 dc aged 17, 15, 14, and my wee one...10

Thanks. So the students are actually taught how to write, rather than just given an assignment? Dc are strong writers. One of them is a junior and the other a freshman. I'd just like to make sure their writing stays strong via strong instruction, does that make sense? I would be ordering the Intro to Lit. and the American Lit. Which one are you doing? TIA Blessings, Libby in Texas :)

Had to get your attention, LOL! I'm deciding between Progeny & Smarr, but am leaning towards Smarr because of the writing instruction. Question: is the writing instruction in Smarr sufficient enough to be a stand alone writing/composition program? Would I need something additional? Dc in high school are independent workers and would like to remain so. I'm quite happy about that since I'm trying to return to work part time. I guess I'm hoping the writing instruction in Smarr (as well as the quality) is what we're looking for. TIA Blessings, Libby in Texas :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mama to 4 dc aged 17, 15, 14, and my wee one...10

Thanks. I haven't heard of some of the writing programs but will certainly look into them. This would be for an upcoming junior and senior. Dc in high school work really well independently and they've asked me for a writing program that would let them continue to do so. They're both excellent writers, seems it has come natural to them the whole way through. Would IEW allow them this? I'm hoping so as I'm looking to work part time. TIA Blessings, Libby in Texas :)

Thanks. From reading the other posts about Notgrass it seems the same problem exists with the writing portion. The student is not taught how to write, but instead just picks from a list of writing assignments, right? Could you please share what you did about the writing portion? Also, is your student doing both the literature from Notgrass and a separate program--like Smarr as you mentioned? Sorry just making sure I understand. TIA Blessings, Libby in Texas :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mama to 4 dc aged 17, 15, 14, and my wee one..10

I'd like to use Notgrass because I like the obvious History-Bible-Literature/Composition combination. However, I'm wondering if the literature part is just reading or will my dc actually be taught how to analyze literature (as if she were using Progeny Press, for instance)? Same concerns for the writing portion. If both the literature & composition are lacking, would it be overkill to bring in something alongside, like Smarr (for the composition benefit also)? TIA Blessings, Libby in Texas :) ~~~~~~~~~~~ Mama to 4 dc aged 17, 15, 14, and my wee one...10

By the way Deb, once dd sees that Orcas are frequent visitors to your harbor you might not have a choice but to let her move in! LOL Libby in Texas :tongue_smilie:

Dum-dee-dum still having to email from the library computer. Anyhoo, wow thanks for all the responses! I'm definitely going to let dd read all of this. Hey Deb in NZ, thanks for the point about diving. I mentioned it to dd and she said she felt she needed to think about it (even though she's a strong swimmer). She mostly just wants to help liberate killer whales from captivity (I know, that's another point--she's a fanatic about the Free Willy movies). She watched all the Whale Wars episodes on Animal Planet and I think she's Facebook friends with them. All that sort of stuff. She knows every single tank on the planet that holds whales in captivity and even the whales' names, how long they've been there, etc.. Does that paint a vivid picture? If anyone else has any other advice or anything you'd like to share please post away so she can read it. Maybe your marine biology child would like an email pen pal who's equally passionate about the cause and he/she and my dd could correspond for support or just for friends. I haven't had a chance to visit any of your links but I certainly will (AT&T comes by Thursday!). Again, so so many thanks! Blessings, Libby in Texas :) Mama to 4dc aged 17, 15, 14, and my wee one---10 yo!!

Thanks Jane. The whole thing about pursuing a marine biology degree from the get go was another thing we were still trying to figure out. She's getting conflicting advice from admissions counselors. Some have advised her to just get a strong biology background in her undergrad years and then worry about the marine part afterward, while others have advised the opposite. Marine Biology means a lot to her so since not many colleges offer the degree to undergrads (we found that out also at a college fair), she probably wouldn't mind going about it the best way possible--even if it wasn't what she'd preferred. She's been looking at Texas A&M Galveston or Corpus Christi. Not Christian or conservative but she likes that she'd be close to home as we are in Texas and the campuses are smaller than something like UT Austin. What to do! Blessings, Libby in Texas Mama to 4 dc aged 17, 15, 14, and my wee one--10 yo