I'm hoping someone can help me with a few questions regarding AAS - I'm planning to use AAS with my dd next fall. She'll be in 3rd grade so I'm wondering what level should I buy?? Also, our youngest ds (5 yo) is starting Kindergarten, I was thinking of using OPGTR, but I read a post saying AAS could be used as a stand alone phonics program?? Is that correct?? Just wondering since I'm already buying AAS for 8 yo dd's spelling, can I also use it with ds for phonics? Or is OPGTR a more rounded reading/phonics program? Thanks so much for posting! :)

Thank you all for your help!! I'll check these favorites out!

Thanks Beth, I was wondering how do you like their science scope & sequence? I was planning on doing Earth Science with dd, but K12 (elementary grades) so a wide variety of topics (little of this & that).... Do you like the K12 science? Thanks!

dd has used various spelling curriculums - IEW Phonetic Zoo, Spelling Power, and currently Sequential Spelling. She has been using SS for two years now (started in Book 1 now in Book 3). I don't really see an improvement in her spelling and I'm wondering if we need to switch to yet another program??? Do you all have any suggestions for other spelling curriculums that are geared at struggling spellers?? Help! Thanks for any suggestions!

We've tried K12 about 5 years ago and my older kids loved it for the most part. I am considering using it again for my younger dd (3rd grade) for history, art and possibly science. But, we live in MD so I would have to purchase it independently. The prices seem rather expensive! Just wondering if they ever offer any good discounts (more than 10% off)?? I don't know if we can afford it at these prices... (also there is no re-use for her younger brother!)... Just wondering if I should stick to SOTW and save $$... Any thoughts? Thanks!

Thanks! Does CLE LA teach diagramming too?

Not to hijack your post, but I'm trying to decide on a grammar curriculum for my 3rd grader next year. We are finishing up GWG 1/2, and though it's a good program I feel she needs more review. I've looked briefly at CLE LA 3, but not sure whether to order it since I plan to use AAS, WWE and Zaner-Bloser for handwriting, so much for CLE LA will go un-used. Can you tell me what you like about CLE LA? I WAS planning to buy FLL3 thought, I'm a little hesitant, because dd is not auditory, but I like that it includes narration, dication etc... Sorry to ask so many questions, but you sound so excited about CLE I just thougtht I'd ask! Thanks so much!

WOW!! Regena! Thanks for the great list to get me going! Our homeschool convention is tomorrow and I will take this along... thanks!

Thank you all for your help. I am looking at purchasing Chalkdust used - I didn't realise I would have to pay to have technical support (I did check the FAQ and you can pay $75 for technical support) - thanks!

Realised my previous post did not include "Middle ages" in the title! We are starting SOTW2 in the fall and I'd like to know any favorite books for the Middle Ages. My dc will be in 8th, 6th, 3rd, K - All LOVE to read. Any titles would be much appreciated- Thanks for your help!!! :)

I'm considering TT Geometry & CD Geometry for next fall for 8th grade dd. I'm wondering if others feel TT is just as in-depth/thorough as CD? I'd like to find a good/independent curriculum to use for higher maths. So, I'd like to stick with one!!! dd is just finishing Lial's which was "fine", but has some problems. Anyway, I'd love to hear what others think of TT Geometry & CD Geometry for a child that plans to take math upto Calculus in hs. Thanks!!! :)

I'm considering Chalkdust Geometry next year for my 8th grade dd. I was wondering if I could get some input on those that have used the program their likes & dislikes? It is worth the $$$? dd is finishing up Lials Introductory Algebra and said it was "fine". But, she did get a little stuck in some places and DVT helped, but many times they didn't explain why they did a certain step. So, I'm thinking of using Chalkdust next year. Plus I'd like something she can do independently, but still come to me with questions... Also, can someone tell me how they used the program... do you watch the DVD first then do problems (section at a time) ? Thanks very much! :)

My 8 yo is finishing up GWG 1/2, I like that it's so straightforward w/worksheets, but I feel dd needs more review because she is not retaining. So, for 3rd grade I'm looking for something else. I already own R&S English 3 (used w/older dc), but again, I think she needs to write things down and I did R&S 3 mostly orally w/dc. I want to try FLL 3 because I've heard many good things about it (older dc used FLL 1/2 w/sucess, I used FLL 1/2 w/8 yo for a few weeks, she could recite definitions (nouns, verbs) but coudn't pick them out in a sentence. She couldn't apply the definition). Perhaps it's just her age and eventually, things will click, but I still am searching for something I can stick with. Anyway, that's why I'm on the fence w/FLL 3. All this to ask -what do you plan to use with ds since GWG didn't work? Thanks for posting!:)

We've used R&S English 3 thru' 7 (finishing it up). Here is what my oldest does- 1) I do oral review w/her 2) She reads the lesson on her own from teachers manual (so she can see the teacher notes) 3) She does Class practice on her own (orally) from teachers manual (covers up the answers), if she gets any wrong we go over them (rarely happens) 4) If there is a worksheet assigned for the lesson she completes that, otherwise I assign the written practice (sometimes all of it, sometimes less) dd starting doing the above (more independent work) in R&S English 6, since I was teaching 3 other dc and needed to free up some time for them! Also, I should add she is very good in English, I would probably have a tigher reign on her if she was not so quick with grammar/spelling/vocab etc. It works well for her, she is always scoring high on the chapter tests. HTHs What you say, may work if you know your dc are understanding the lesson. Not all lessons have worksheets though.

I just saw FLL 3 at our local homeschool curriculum fair tonight. I had a few questions- 1) Some of the later lessons looked pretty long (4-5 pgs), I believe lesson 24? or 34? (sorry don't quote me on this). How long do the later lessons take to complete w/child? 2) I'm on the fence whether to buy or not, since I don't think my daughter is an auditory learner... I guess I need some advice here... I love FLL idea, but not sure if it's a fit for dd.... Thanks for the help! :)

Thanks so much - this is a great list...

Stephanie, Thanks for the posts. I was also thinking SOC and Caesar Augustus' World would be too much for my 3rd grader. You're right, we are already using SOTW, so I may not need to purchase MFW, but it's nice for me to have a schedule, activities, science (which didn't happen this year!)... but it is more $$... more to think about!

Christina - Thanks so much for the post. I read some previous posts and most all said RTR would be too young for a 2nd grader so was assuming it might be a little too much for my young 8 yo 3rd grader?? Some of the posters said it was more for logic stage and some of the topics were heavy - what do you think?? Also, do you use the SOTW AG at all (review questions, map work?) How do you like the science for your 2nd grader and K'er?? Thanks SO much for your insight!!

We'll be starting SOTW 2 in a few weeks and I'd love to get some ideas for hands-on activites/kits/crafts for Middle Ages. I had the AG, but would really like other ideas (pre-packaged ones are a time saver for me! LOL!) Also, any favorite 4th grade reading level for the middle ages?? Thanks!

I should add my dd will be in 3rd grade. Also, K'er will be tagging along... is this too young an age?

We are starting SOTW 2 and have been considering using MFW RTR. I'd love to hear how you liked/disliked/pros/cons of the curriculum. Also, anything you added or any other hands-on activity or kits (my 8 yo dd loves crafts!) Thanks so much!

My 8 yo is finishing up SM 1B, it was a tough year for math for her. I needs more review, and more concrete examples. SM worked great with her older sisters, but she needs something else. I've decided to try CLE Math. I looked at the diagnostic tests online (rep told me to do so) for level 100, she told me if dd can do most of 100, then put her in CLE Math 2, she said "use your discretion". Well, SM has a totally different scope, so we haven't done much measurement, a little time, and fractions, but dd has forgotten, some. I'm confused as to where to place dd... Any thoughts?? Thanks!

Can you tell me the website for Latin Alive! ? I'm sort of in the same boat my 13 yo will be in 8th next year and we haven't started any Latin. We're doing Latin/Greek roots this year (VFTCR), and I have GSWL on my shelf (we just never got around to doing it!)! LOL! Thanks!

Thank you all for the posts. The reason I was planning on using Horizons K was I already own the teacher manual. So, I figured why not use it 3 times a week and RS twice a week? We already have the RS games (bought them 4 years ago). But, it is a little hard to use (perhaps the layout has changed now?). But the TOC simply lists addition, subtraction, mult, etc. Then once you go to a specific topic you have to read the objective for each game and figure out if it is for K/1 or more suited for higher grades. So, it's a little time consuming. Perhaps I'm lazy, but we haven't used the games much. Thanks!

Thank you all. I was under the impression after Algebra 1, then comes Algebra II, and then Geometry, Trig, Pre-Calc, Calc? Am I wrong? Thanks!