We're doing Adventures in America for 1st this year and DD is enjoying it. We've added in the Liberty's Kids videos which have been a huge hit. Here's the link to Adventures. http://www.elementalhistory.com/index.html

:iagree: We don't do anywhere near 3 hours/day in 1st grade (and didn't with my current 5th grader either - hasn't seemed to hurt her. ;))

Inside Stories books - secular - you can usually find a good price used, and each book has 10 different study guides - you can see inside one here http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Stories-Guides-Childrens-Literature/dp/1593630808/ref=pd_cp_b_2 Garlic Press teaching guides - secular

I plan to use Lightning Literature 7 for my 6th grader next year. You could probably do it with your 6th and 7th graders together if your 6th grader is a decent reader. It gets good reviews here on WTM. https://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/Materials/mLightning.aspx

Calvert Moving Beyond the Page That's off the top of my head. ETA: The Phonics Road

My 5th grader is enjoying ES Biology. We are trying to do at least some of the "Get More" ideas as they do add to the program. My DD is retaining quite a bit, but that's partially because she remembers things that she reads well. I like the sketches every week and the independence of much (but not all) of the program. I also like that the teacher's manual has discussion questions with answers. We normally don't do tests, but I've been having her review her material and take the tests at the end of the units just for practice and to reinforce the material, and my DD surprisingly really likes to do this. I give it a thumbs up.

You could try Growing with Grammar and Winning with Writing. http://www.growingwithgrammar.com/1gwg_Level_5.html

I would love to hear an update after a few months of use, as I have wondered about the material for the younger age groups. It has been such a great addition for my 10 year old, but I've been wishy-washy about whether or not I should spend the money on a lower level. I wish they had samples of their manuals, but I haven't seen any available. Anyway, good luck, and please do update later!

Hi, I haven't used Elfie, but this year my 5th grader and I (along with another 5th grader) are using Nous (by the same company), and both girls are really enjoying it. I lucked out and found the teacher manual used really cheap. We honestly don't even use the student story book (not sure if Elfie is set up the same way or not, but I think it is). Every time I get out the book, they both cheer. :001_smile: Everyone gets comfy on the couch or floor, and then we use the teacher manual to spur our discussions. It's provided a framework for us to discuss some interesting topics while exploring both their thoughts/feelings as well as my own. I will definitely use it with my other 2 kids. If you can find a friend or two who would be interested in doing it with you it can really add to the conversations. Have fun!

:iagree:

The student notebook pages are just meant for their notebook. I don't remember seeing anything that suggested narration, copywork, etc ala WTM (but maybe I missed that?). We discuss the readings, but we'd do that with whatever program we used. Most of the pages where the child does writing tie in specifically with whatever lab is being worked on that day - such as charting results, sometimes labeling a drawing, etc.... It's pretty typical stuff that I personally would not label WTM science (other than the fact that it focuses on one arm of science for the whole year).

I bought HO Ancients level 1 but didn't end up using it. To be honest, it just seemed easier to use Story of the World with the activity pages. We're secular homeschoolers and in my opinion, SOTW is easy to use in a secular fashion on its own. (I am still considering HO level 2 as it doesn't use SOTW for the future)

:iagree: We really enjoy RSO for the experiments, which is what I want out of an early elementary science program. At first I thought that I'd use the reading list, but I don't. If I want something more, I find books on the topic on my own. I haven't tried Mr. Q so can't comment on it.

Child's History of the World by Hillyer.

I'm going to bump you so that maybe you'll get some responses. I'm not familiar with most of the programs you list, but it does seem to be heavy on grammar. You say that she hasn't had much writing, so which of those programs, besides Sentence Composing, will help with that? I have seen Sentence Composing and while I think it probably can be valuable in helping with writing, I personally wouldn't use it as my only writing curriculum. Is there good writing instruction in ILL or R&S? Anyway, if nothing else, this gives you that bump. :001_smile:

Math Mammoth I'm pretty happy with almost everything we're using this year, but that's the one that really stands out for me for my oldest (we started last year). I'm not sure I'm thrilled with any math program for K-2nd, but I'm using MM with my 1st grader at this point too.

I just wanted to say thank you for all of your BTDT comments on this. I struggle every year with how much is too much/enough, and I really do think that balance is important. I am constantly reminding myself that my 10 year old is still a child and needs a lot of free time to just BE. I think I do give her that, but then I have my moments every now and then where I start stressing that I should be giving her more on the scholastic side (but really, she's doing great and is very bright......it's just me worrying). It's so hard with ones oldest child. :) Anyway, thank you again for some perspective.

Worm dissection.

I think I might go with this for Pre-algebra, but I still have 1 1/2 years to look around. After that, I'm not sure. http://www.lucideducation.com/Prealgebra.php

:iagree: I've never used NL either, but I just wanted to agree that we really like RSO. This year my 6 year old is doing Life (with 3 year old tag-along), and last year my then 4th grader did Chemistry (with tag-along younger sister). I don't have a problem getting the things together for experiments (but that may just be where I am right now in life...a few years ago my answer probably would have been different). There are also suggestions for extra reading for every unit (not just encyclopedias). If you like to buy books in advance, there's a bunch of choices and you could do that, or you could just go to the library and pick out books on the topic. My 6 year old doesn't need much more than what's provided, so if we have a book or two at home we read them, but if we don't, I don't stress about it. Life has been fun and full of giggles for her, so I'm happy.

I am considering using this for pre-algebra when we get there, but I haven't decided completely yet as I still have time. http://www.lucideducation.com/Prealgebra.php

MM is absolutely enough as a main program. My oldest has used 3-5 (currently halfway through 5) and it is really providing a wonderful base for future higher level math.

My 1st grader is enjoying RSO life this year. We did RSO Chemistry last year for my then 4th grader and she enjoyed that as well.

Although they don't "allow" resale, it wouldn't bother me to buy it used. It this point in time, there aren't too many listings on ebay, but come April or so there will be a bunch of listings. I realize that many people would have an issue with buying it used when they say not to, but it wouldn't bother me personally to do so. So to answer the question.......if I really wanted that curriculum but it would cause me serious financial hardship, I would buy it on ebay.

Can you possibly find it used on ebay or homeschoolclassifieds?