Thanks for the suggestions so far (and feel free to keep them coming)! I will start looking into all of these.

For K-2, we have tried to just read lots of good books, and I did some phonics until dd couldn't stand it any more, and spelling. For third grade this fall, I think it might be time to add in some grammar study and some writing. And I'm wondering if there's any advantages to a formal literature program rather than just the "read lots of good books" plan that I've been following. What are your favorite resources for language arts? Are there good all-in-one programs, or do you use separate programs for grammar, writing, literature, etc.? I like the idea of progymnasmata-based programs -- have you had success with these?

I can't really compare the two options, because I've always used a variety of publishers rather than all from one. My feeling is that Joan Cotter is an amazing math educator, so I want HER math curriculum. SWB is a great history teacher, so I want HER history program. It might not necessarily be true, but I guess my feeling is that a jack of all trades is a master of none.

Personally the only things I've ever edited were those that I knew would frighten my very sensitive 8yo girl. Other than that, even if it's something that I disagree with or find uncomfortable, I just view it as a starting point for a discussion. My parents way over-edited what I was able to see or read, and I'm pretty determined not to do that with her.

I appreciate these suggestions. I'll definitely look into all of them. Thanks a bunch.

I thought so but thanks for confirming! :)

Thanks, that is good to know. I agree that I really like the way RightStart introduces concepts and teaches strategies, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. But which level of Singapore corresponds with Level C of RightStart?

You did explain well, Kathy. Thanks! :)

We've always used RightStart and really love it. But I've seen samples of the Singapore word problems and they seem really great. I'm thinking of buying just a word problem book to supplement RightStart. We're about 1/3 of the way into Level C, but moving pretty quickly. Any idea which level of Singapore would correspond to this best?

I'm going to start Lively Latin with my daughter (8yo) this fall, and I want to get at least a little bit of Latin study accomplished before I begin. I have Henle, but I find it a bit dry. Should I keep slogging through it? Or is there another program that's a bit more engaging and still very effective?

April, thanks again for your input and help! If I could, I'd like to bug you with one more question . . . You mentioned something about Dr. Nebel's email list. Could you point me in the direction of that list? TIA!

Thanks April! My daughter will be in third grade this fall. Do you think the K - 2 book will keep us busy until the next one comes out, or will it be too simple for her? Well, I guess I'll be able to answer my own question soon, because I'm ordering the book. And Cheryl, just wanted to say hi to a fellow New Mexican! :) I'm in Albuquerque.

April, thanks so much for posting this! Science is "my baby" since it's what my degree is in. I am very picky about science resources and haven't found anything yet that I'm 100% happy with. But this book sounds really great. I am excited to give it a try. And it's actually affordable too, yay! :001_smile: You wouldn't happen to know how long it will be until the 3 -5 book gets published would you?

I just wanted to second the recommendation for RightStart. This program teaches strategies. So rather than drilling and memorizing a list of facts, my daughter knows how to approach a problem, even if it's one she's never seen before. We LOVE RightStart!! Math and science are her favorite subjects, and I know the excellent quality of RightStart is a big part of that.

Wow, thanks for all the help ladies! DD will be very happy to have some new material.

Wow, lots to choose from! Thanks for the leads!

We do have a couple of the Eyewitness readers and those are great. I'll look for more. I am not familiar with the other two -- thanks for the suggestions!

My daughter (2nd grade) informed me yesterday that she's tired of reading silly fiction stories and wants to read more science books. The tricky part is that she's right on grade level in her reading skills, but further ahead in her understanding of science. For "science class", I read aloud books to her that are above her reading level. But for reading practice, I need something that she can read but that won't bore her in terms of content. Any suggestions? (Oh, and I'm only looking for secular resources. Thanks!) :001_smile:

I wouldn't be surprised if it did, but then again, I live in a city where most of the high schools have drop-out rates over 40%, and some have drop-out rates over 60%. Thoroughly depressing, isn't it?

I just finished the Primer with my daughter and absolutely loved it. We'll be starting Book One today. Maybe this sounds funny, but in all seriousness, she felt very insulted by other leveled readers. Most of them really are "dumbed down" and she picked up on this, and felt very frustrated and disappointed because of it. But she did not feel that way about the Elson Primer at all. She really loved the sweet stories. Usually I sell our curriculum as soon as we're done with it, but she asked me if we could keep it. That's quite a testimony, IMO! :)