Here are some very appealing notebook pages: http://www.holdthatthought.com/hist1.php?PHPSESSID=893808276104634ce2b3718ce7529174 I would never encourage anyone to buy Amer Story for the notebooking. I think the Quest and Adventures in Sea and Sky notebooks are more inviting, but the Amer Story notebook pages are like a textbook with a blank space for the kids to illustrate. Most of ours have stayed blank. Good luck with MFW Adventures!

Not so far, Lovedtodeath. AW had God Made Everything Weird and Wacky, which was all about cool aspects of animals and how God designed them that way, so they would survive/thrive. It also made character parallels for kiddos to put into practice. Glow in the Dark Fish looks similar. 5 Minute Devotionals is a sweet little young child's character devotional with facts about animals applying the character trait you're studying. AS1 has a Bible story book which is GORGEOUS. Then there is a Bible memory verse devotional with CD, which the music is not to my taste (a little contemporary for me) and the verses aren't KJV, but the little stories are very apt (God protects us, We follow Jesus, simple stuff like that). I conveniently "forget" to do that one most of the time but I am sure we will do it on our own time later because the kids think it is all that. It's just not my cup of tea. The Animal Kingdom book seemed to have enough factual stuff in it that the young earth preachy intro didn't throw me. We're definitely not completely old earth or evolutionary, so I can get past that if it's not "in my face."

We eat early and our whole family typically has a snack later in the evening. I could lie and say it's always popcorn, but sometimes it's cookies or ice cream! ;)

I am using WinterPromise Amer Story 1 this year with my second grader, and we love it. The only things included in Amer Story 1 that you can't resell are the Instructor Guide (which they give you for free if you buy their package... or, you could say that it's included in the price since their mark-up is higher as a small family business than say Amazon or Rainbow Resources) and the Make Your Own History Notebook and Make Your Own Native American Notebook. Then if you buy their timeline, it's also "exclusive" not to be resold (I didn't, I created my own because I wanted to include JUST early Amer history, not the entire history of the world, in this year's timeline)... You can find my timeline here: http://jennilynn9.blogspot.com/2008/05/ive-been-doing-prep-work.html And here's another page showing how it "came together": http://jennilynn9.blogspot.com/2008/07/file-folder-timeline.html I did buy their figures, another "exclusive", but they're all cut up and pasted on my timeline so it would be hard to resell them anyway, LOL. I did buy the Instructor Guide, and buy my books second hand. However, I won't do that again, I don't believe, unless I can find the entire she-bang package to buy at once. You wind up paying so much for shipping (which is free with a theme purchase from WP), that it's hard to make up for the "free" $70 instructor guide. I was much happier buying a whole package of Animals and Their Worlds materials from a lady last year. The price was "ppd" and it was a bargain. Keep your eyes peeled, as you can often pick up WP packages of books (just not instructor guides sometimes) here on the FS boards and also at WP on their forum fs boards. Yes, it's a fairly costly program if you are thinking, "just history"? but at our house, it feels worth it. Here are some reasons why: 1) It also includes Bible 2) It also includes crafts 3) It also includes good literature 4) You can resell the books or add them to your library if you're building a family library. 5) It gives our homeschool a "feel" that I love. Instead of having ds complete Workbook page 27, we are reading beautiful books together and discussing them, and occasionally doing an activity. 6) I don't have to use the library!!!! (I have one overdue book in the bedroom now that is going to cost me a buck by the time I get it back to the library and then I won't have the book to show for it! Ds didn't even read it!)

Actually, BJU and Singapore are identical in structure. I have heard it called a "wide spiral", but only when compared to MUS. Compared to Saxon, Abeka, Horizons and CLE they're both mastery.

I like BJU, but it's also expensive (not sure exactly HOW expensive compared with MUS). The structure is mastery like Singapore, and it comes with a great Teacher's manual. You get to choose which hands-on activities you do depending on how quickly your dd catches on. They are *there* when you feel the need to slow down and use them, but you can also go ahead with the program without using them also. This has been our first very satisfied year of math, and we've tried MCP, CLE, and Singapore.

My opinion of their Statement of Faith was that it was "canned", probably copied word-for-word from some of their church literature. I have not found *any* theological axe grinding away in any of the three themes I have used (or the LA or science program either). I haven't joined in on this thread at all because the OP asked for people who DON'T like WP and I've established that I do. I just don't want anyone like me to think that the curriculum isn't appropriate for Pentecostals or those of us who believe in a Pentecostal experience. My family's theological persuasion is pretty far away from the mainstream (while still embracing many of the commonalities of Protestantism), so for us it's more of a "best fit" type choice. We like to provide our *own* religious instruction, so the fact that WP uses mainly devotionals and Bible story books, and Answers in Genesis materials and MOH (which I am wanting to preread before I decide we're using it) for their Christian component makes it very appealing to me.

I think OhElizabeth's advice is right on track. I'd never buy Student Activity packs for Time Travelers for a 5 and 7yo. WP's set *includes* them in digital format (AND the printed text), so for those few times they pitch a fit and MUST do what the 10yo is doing, you can print them out. I *would* buy one student activity pack for the 10yo though so it will be mostly open and go. I'd also not buy each of them a State Study or Christian Character study. Let 'em all share one set. I probably wouldn't buy the Old World Style maps set either. I'm betting there are maps in the TT set (right, OE?) If you're worried there won't be enough to keep the little 5yo and 7yo hands busy while you read aloud or something, (there's like one 3D Interactive Map scheduled per week, already) it would be really easy to add the Indian Tribes of North America Dover coloring book for them and/or Colonial America (paper crafts), which are included in AS1 but not in AA1.

That's what I would do. If I wanted to do AW, I'd use an Abeka history book or a BJU history book for the 10yo. Your 5 and 7yo's do not need history now, IMO.

That's it! CATW used to be recommended for grades 1-5, and it used to include Shadow Spinner at that time. The whole "harem" scene made some moms uncomfortable.

Actually, CATW is one of the few that doesn't have a younger or older learner guide. AW, the American series, and S&S have sets or guides for older and younger, then QAW and QMA have both 4-6 and Jr/Sr. High guides.

No, they sell a combination program, All American which you can use for wide age spreads. They're encouraging people not to try to make all the littles do American Crossing, or the bigs do American Story. Instead, you buy the combo, All American, so you have enough for everyone, but with one guide. I'm pretty sure there will be another combination (for Civil War through Modern Times) American program coming out next month, because I know they are releasing American Cultures (which comes after American Crossing) and re-tooling Amer Story 2 so it will coordinate... there'd be not a lot of reason to coordinate if they didn't sell a combo program. I also want to encourage you that you could call and speak to Don or Karen Brooks (WP Authors/Owners) and get great advice about choosing if you like. They are an incredible resource that way.

Was it Ghosts of the Civil War? I can't find Ghosts of the White House listed anywhere. Have you looked at the Amazon preview of it? It does have a "ghost" in it, but as a time travel gimmick, not a "spooky ghost story" theme. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0689869924/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link I saw Ghosts of the White House by the same author, and it was a little more "spirit-worldish" than Ghosts of the Civil War. I don't think WP uses Ghosts of the White House though. We are doing American Story 1 now. We substituted Naya Nuki from WinterPromise All American 1 theme in place of Birchbark House because I didn't want the native religion featured for my second grader. (Later, not now) It's also a sad book. We substituted Meet Thomas Jefferson for Who Was Thomas Jefferson? because it had some details about Sally Hemmings I wanted to save for another Amer study in a few years. I did rephrase a story (about Jonathan Edwards) in "American Story: 100 True Tales" to make it more in line with our religion, and skip a couple better saved for later IMHO (Salem Witch Hunt and a Catholic Mission Revolt). That has been IT as far as anything close to "objectionable" here.

WP is perfect for multiple ages. With 10, 7 and 5 you could choose: American Story 1, or All American Adventures in the Sea and Sky with Younger Learner Guide Animals and Their Worlds (you'd want to do a simple textbook history/social studies for your oldest as well if you choose this theme, as 10 is old enough to *need* history, IMO) Even Hideaways in History would probably work (I don't like the looks of this one as it uses SOTW 1, 2, 3 & 4 all in one year, even though it skips parts. It seems like a heavy reading load to me).

For my dc, because I really want to go ahead and dive into Ancient History when older ds is a 4th grader (I wouldn't have to, I could do Sea and Sky with Younger Learner Guide and then Children Around the World, which would put younger ds at third grade when we are in Ancients) is this: I will take parts of the Hideaways in History program to give younger ds a bit of history, but not "overkill" for me or him. Since you aren't wanting to do American History right now, I can see that WP might not appeal for your family right now. I haven't really encountered too many objectionable books (like 1-2, which weren't really *bad* per se, just more than I wanted to get into with a second grader). If you did decide to go with WinterPromise, your sequence could look something like this: 10, 7, 5: Sea and Sky with Younger Learner Guide 11, 8, 6: Children Around the World 12, 9, 7, 5: All American 1 13, 10, 8, 6: All American 2 (supposed to be released this year) 14, 11, 9, 7, 5: Quest for the Ancient World, with 1/4 of Hideaways for the littles 15, 12, 10, 8, 6: Quest for the Middle Ages, with 1/4 of Hideaways for the littles 16, 13, 11, 9, 7, 5: Quest for Royals and Revolution, with 1/4 of Hideaways for the Littles 17, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6: Quest for the Modern Age (to be released) with 1/4 of Hideaways for the littles 18, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 5?: New one-year World History Overview (to be released) You could also go ahead and do all of Hideaways this year if that program appeals to you (the history content is WAY enough for a 10yo imo). The way I plan to make it "easy" to do parts of Hideaways with the older themes is to use the audio recordings for the SOTW readings, which will free me up considerably. Or you could do Ancient and Middle after CATW, putting All American 1 and 2 after them if you're still not ready to revisit Amer history after a two year break.

I'm sorry, that's all I have. Since they told me they're revamping AS2 to correspond, I have to imagine it will be just the finish of American History (Civil War to Modern Day). I have no clue about the spine. Is Time Travelers working on Civil War and beyond now? I am certain the AS2 will complete "The American Story: 100 True Tales" which was the new spine for AS1 this year, which only covers part of the book.

The only one that has "leaked" is American Cultures, which is the second half of Amer history for grades 4-8, after American Crossing. (and was mostly expected). Then Don said, "That will be the New American Story 2" when I told him how I would be spending my discounted gift certificates last December, so that program is being revamped (again mostly expected). Last year though, Hideaways was a total surprise with zero leaks. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if there's something else released as well.

Don't feel too bad. I think part of the issue is developmental readiness. As you said, your student is still five. This happened with my ds. He was a math lover and sailed through his MCP K math program. Then when we started a first grade program (CLE), his eyes glazed over and he started having terrible trouble. We did Singapore 1A for the rest of that year, then switched back to MCP Math 1 after that. So we spent 18 months on first grade math. I wish I had started with BJU Math. I just received younger ds's BJU K Math program (we did BJU Math 2 this year), and it looks so wonderful. I wish I had never paid attention to the naysayers who think BJU is "teacher intensive" (it's not really that bad) or "too expensive". We are happy campers and I am thrilled to pieces with BJU Math.

Most parts of our WinterPromise LA1 and LA2 were "no complainers". Here they are: Explode the Code Right Into Reading 2 SpellWell A/AA Wordly Wise Success With Grammar Grammar Rock software (of COURSE!) Lots of interesting readers at the right reading level

Yes, the second volume of American history for students grades 4-8 will be called "American Cultures" and is to be released this year. The new catalog comes out in March, but I know in past years the new release programs were sometimes back ordered for a bit.

We also love WinterPromise American Story for this age.

Yes, they will likely change the schedule to accommodate the replacement books. That is their usual method of re-releasing programs when a book goes OOP. There is no way of knowing about price changes. I can tell you that it is unlikely the price of their instructor guide will change much. The new catalog comes out in March.

My reasons for choosing WinterPromise over HOD: 1) I can keep my boys on the same page for history and read-alouds with WP. We can also combine science some years. They are 3.5 years apart, so that would be tremendously difficult with HOD. 2) WP has visually appealing books. The wordy, texty feel of many of the history resources in HOD did not fit my desires for my homeschool. 3) WP uses DVDs and websites to round out their themes. Love that! 4) HOD requires the *student* to produce the timeline and notebook pages. WP's preprinted pages and figures give a bit of sparkle to our days. 5) I don't like the CLP texts chosen for Little and Beyond for science. 6) I like a more rigorous science program than that provided in the younger levels of HOD. (the newest one, the Creation to Christ one, looks plenty rigorous, but I am not sold on Apologia). 7) I like the activity books WP uses. HOD users seem particularly attached to the simple activities the author includes, but WP's choices are just more "our style". 8) I am ALWAYS out of sync with the schedule.... ahead in some books and behind in others. If I had a daily rather than weekly schedule page, I'd be going nutso flipping pages to find where we were in a given resource.

A program with a similar style to Saxon is CLE. Whoops, they don't have K though... maybe Horizons?

It's not so much a change, Heather, American Crossing is a new release program for 2008-09 (grades 4-8, with a high school supplement available). It uses Homeschool in the Woods Time Travelers as its spine.