I only used Sonlight for History with my 4 older children. I have to say we all loved it. I did what worked for us though. I didn't do timelines and I didn't do all the read-alouds. But to this day they all have a love for history by reading real books and not just learning names and dates. I tried a couple other subjects but found I liked other things better but I LOVE the history and will do it with my younger kids also.

Thank you so much for such an in depth evaluation :)

I haven't gotten mine yet. Any day now. I have used it in years past and found that they were cheaper than many other sites for my curriculum. Hoping that still the same. I'm coming back to HSing after 3 years off.

Here is my problem. I have a next year 5th grader. He is very artistic and loves to draw and write. I am terrible at writing. He has been in public school and I haven't had to worry as much about it. I will be HSing next year and I am afraid I won't be able to nurture this gift he has. I need something that really lays everything out for me. This is one subject that makes me afraid to HS. I know I can't prepare him very well.

No I haven't. Thanks. I'll check it out.

That helps. I really like Sonlight but TOG gets so many great reviews from Mom's. I was thinking they were similar programs but didn't know what the differences were. I like the lesson plans written out for me so I'll stick with Sonlight. Thanks :001_smile:

I have always used Sonlight History. I'm coming back to HSing and have been reading lots on this forum. So many people seem to love TOG and recommend it. Can you tell me the difference between the 2 programs? They both seem to have everything layed out for you (as in lesson plans).

I am referring to my next year 5th grader. I am going to do sonlight History as I like the idea of reading real books. I already have the Apologia Astronomy book but looking at the Sonlight Science I'm wondering if it would be more intersting to read real books on that also. But then is that too much reading with doing the history? I know Apologia is a great program but I'm also wondering if it would get boring just doing 1 subject in science? Thanks

When i was homeschooling my older kids years ago I was HSing 4. I think the hardest part for me was the morning sickess at the beginning and trying to HS. Honestly I remember not being able to get out of bed and my kids bringing me their books and stuff for me to go over. That was the hardest part. I have 8 total kids and getting ready to begin to HS again after taking a couple years off. I had 3 under 3 at the time and needed a breather. The beauty of HSing is you do things on your own time table. I don't remember noticing that having a baby was any harder.

Great idea!

:iagree:

I love Sonlight history. I used it with my 4 older kids years ago. To this day they love History. I will be using it with my younger kids as I am now beginning to HS them.

I live 30 minutes north of the one in Cincinnat. I was wondering if these are worth the time. Do you get better deals on things or is it a matter of the fact you can look over a bunch of curriculum? I would only go one day.

I could have written this same thing. I dislike experiements so much sometimes I avoid science altogether because of it. I'll definitely look into apologia. I did it with my older kids and they liked it. I didn't do experiments though.

What is HOD & CTC?

What does TT stand for?

Thanks from a Mom who is going to be doing a K and 1st next year. Gives me hope and encourgement.

I'm loving the sound of this. Thanks everyone. I'm going to head out tonight to get "Letter Facory". I have a 4, 5, & 6 yr old. 6 year old is in PS (going to HS next year) and i'm not liking the way they are teaching him to read. Alot of sight words. I'll get a head start on my little ones now :thumbup:

I've seen it mentioned on here that the Leap Frog Dvd's are good. Which ones do you like the best?

I've been out of HSing for awhile. I'm going to be HSing a 5th grader as well as 1st and K next year. My question is what do I need regarding LA for my 5th grader? I believe in the past I did some ABEKA language as well as Winston Grammar, Easy grammar and daily grams, and Wordly Wise. I don't want to over do an area just want to focus on what I really need. Any input would be appreciated. I know I need a spelling also. I liked the Winston Grammar in that they acutally used the cards (which I still have). I thought it helped them visualize things better. Anyway, thanks again :001_smile:

I HS years ago with my older kids and have had my kids in PS for 3 years. I'm going to pull them out and homeschool my youngest 4 next year (I have 8 altogether). I will have a 5th, 1st & K & pre schooler next year. I haven't liked the phonics they have used on my now K (next year 1st grader). With my older kids I used ABEKA which I still have some of the Teacher's guides. I'm looking to get input on the best phonics programs out there and why? I don't have a whole lot of money to spend as we are in progress to getting out of debt. If you could give me your choice for Math also, that would be great. ( I used ABEKA for the little ones and Saxon for the older kids).