I was limited on my budget and just purchased the Usborne encyclopedia. My 7yr old really enjoys it. It seems at a level she understands well and likes the pictures. I got an older copy it's not internet linked. I asked this question a while back and a few responses stated the Kingfisher was for older kids I believe they stated middle school age. You can try a thread search if you don't get the response you were hoping for.

I just ordered WWW2 my dd likes to write but needs help in organizing ideas. She also has choppy sentences. She is not creating paragraphs but just telling/writing ideas. She knows what a sentence is, know the parts, and how to write a simple complete sentence. I thought this was an appropriate level. I read the Scope and Sequence and thought this was the best for her she is 2nd grade. Lots of WWW1 seems like what we have already learned with FLL1, GWG2 and WWE2 so I chose WWW2. http://www.growingwithgrammar.com/files/WWW_NEW_SCOPE_AND_SEQUENCE2.pdf

:iagree: IMO, I also find its had to find one curriculum that has all I want. I have to combine a few to get what I want.

I have ordered WWW too. I see WWE as a reading comprehension/grammer/copywork lesson. We do it everday because dd likes WWE2 but I wanted more direction in writing organization. So I ordered WWW. My dd likes to write on occasion and makes up stories on her own. Her stories are cute and creative but I see she needs more writing direction and that is where I hope WWW will help.

We have been doing GWG2 quite fast and I see GWG3 is more expensive... I will have to order in a few month and just wondering if anyone ever get emails on sales from them? or if anyone knows if there is a time when they have sales? I am also interested in buying WWW to include with our WWE2. Thanks

I used Alpha omega Horizons math for first grade and my dd liked it and was doing well. I also bought MM because of the reviews and dd did not like parts of it at first. She really disliked the the way they make you group to 10 first then you get your answer in 2nd grade workbook. Exp 9 + 4 = 10 + ___ = Answer 9+4= 13 same as 10+3=13 It was really confusing for her. I then just told her to ignore the 10 +3 part and write her answer, then fill in the second problem after she already completed the first part. This has helped her and she is doing well now. In AOH she had to learn flash cards for all the addition to number 20 so she knows then fairly well and the grouping to ten is confusing for her. It has taken time but I think the grouping ten is meant to help with future caring problems. So far we are sticking with it.

:bigear:

When my dd was 6 we used Horizons Phonics and Reading. Every lesson required a short story 2-3 pages with fairly large font. The story would include words from the phonics lesson. It required us to read the story slowly once decoding any words unknown and then go back and reread the story faster a second time to get her confident in reading. This seemed to help my dd. She is reading faster sometimes too fast that she tends to skip words but ....that is another thread. I am not familiar with your programs but in anything you read you may try this it may help. I hope this helps.

I just saw the other$10 discount posting and went online to look and banner said Dollar days for one week. I thought I would share. I have never linked a site on a post so hope this is correct. http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/dollardeals?product_type=269&view=all

I learn so much here. I have just the following : WWE 1,2 Writing Strands 1, 2 Spectrum Writing 1 I have been thinking of getting something else on paragraphs but felt I needed to work with what I had. I am getting good ideas on what to possibly get in the future. I just wanted to add I like WWE I think it helps with gathering thoughts and reading comprehension. Dd really likes Writing Strands she likes the building on sentences. I combine a few exercises from both on days I just do copywork and dictation in WWE. I did not like Spectrum it was not detailed enough for me and they give very little space for writing. Which are your favorites and why?

I use the Sonlight reading list for approriate grade and we check those out at the library. I also let her choose a few at the library that she wants. Some are simple readers but since the Sonlight list is more advanced I don't see any harm in it. She has 30 min of the required reading and then in the afternoon while I cook dinner she has time to read on her own whatever she likes. I just want her to read and enjoy what she is reading. I do ask her what was going on in the chapter today like for instance she's reading Ralph S. Mouse right now and I ask what is he up to this chapter so she summarizes what happened. I know sometimes she does not get the meaning and we go over it. I usually glance over book so I know.

:iagree: I bought MM after it when on sale but we had a bit of a struggle beginning. My dd loved Horizons and would do it mostly on her own with MM it has required a lot more of my teaching and explaining to her. We are still trying it and I am doing all I can to help her understand it but if after a few more months it does not get better. I will definetly go back to Horizons Math. This is my first lesson learned ..just because everyone else loves it doesn't mean you will. I am fairly new to this site and homeschooling so live and learn. I still really love this site but as some one told me on anothe thread the grass is not always greener on the other side.

I am using REAL Science Odyssey Earth/Space by Pandia Press. This is new for us we used a Hartcourt Textbook for 1st grade but I was not impressed and thought it was a bit simple. We did Elemental Science Biology Lapbook this summer just for some review and fun and my dd really liked it. I had alread purchased R.S.O. Earth/space before doing the lapbook and I have to admit I really liked their curriculum as well. I may look into doing E.S. for next years science. I have not started R.S.O. yet I have been scheduling and gathering supplies so I don't have any experience with it yet but I purchased it because it looked very informative and my dd likes doing experiements. It also got good reviews one in particular is the satorismiles.com website she did a great layout of her R.S.O. biology experience. i dont' have the exact link hopefully she will comment on this. Hope this helps. Diana

I tried to do a search and found websites for used books in general and a few on curriculum review websites but no used curriculum websites. If someone knows of websites for used homeschool curriculum could you please list. I know of www.homeschoolclassifieds.com and this forum's sales section, ebay and occasionally Amazon any others?

I recently purchased a used older curriculum from 2001 and compared it to the new curriculum offered by the company. I think it has "dumbed down". I am glad I got a hold of the old curriculum I like the choices they had in 2001 over 2011. I can see how they have changed the books in the curriculum to much simpler books. I prefer not to say what company it is. They label it as more teacher friendly but it seems to be more about simplifying the curriculum which in turn is "dumbing down", IMO.

Thanks so much for your responses. I get great ideas on this board.

I think this is easy and it's my dd favorite. Skillet Mac and Cheese no baking required 1 cup macaroni dry 1/2 cup evaporated milk whole or 2% 2 cups shredded cheddar, or sharp cheddar or a mix I like 2 slices american cheese 1/2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp of water Boil macaroni as you like it salt as needed. Reserve about 1/2 cup water. Drain pasta set aside. In the same pot off the heat add evaporated milk & cornstarch wisk to blend cornstarch into milk. Bring to a boil for just a few seconds add cheese Keep stirring until melted. Add the pasta back to pot stir with a spoon. If it's too thick add some of the pasta water it will thicken more as it sits a bit. So don't be alarmed if its too thin. I add broccoli to this all the time to get my kid to eat it. You can add butter to mixture to make it richer the orginal recipe took 3 tablespoons. I got this from a Cook's Illustrated magazine or Cook's Country . You can google if you want their version.

:bigear: 7yr old dd does this as well. I usually make her reread the sentence if it is an important word. I also ask her if the sentence sound better with the word in it... we usually agree it does. I don't skips words when I read but dh does.

I think it depends on which method of teaching you use. I read my state requirements and they do a combination of both so I have decided to include them both but it depends on your method classical or not-so-classical method. The Classical Method according to Home Learning Year by Year by Rebecca Rupp list the following. Classical method Ancient History -- Grades 1,5, and 9 Medieval History -- Grade 2, 6, and 10 Renaissance to early modern history --Grades 3,7, and 11 Modern History --- Grades 4,8, and 12 The Not-so-classical method combines a bit of US history with every level in addition to the classical method with each year getting more informative. I hope I did not confuse you the book goes into more detail if you want to check it out or purchase it.

I was considering buying The Complete Book of US History by Carson Dellarose. Any review on this book? I am considering this for 2nd grade U.S. History. I have heard of Elemental History but since I am combining with some World history I wanted something simpler but still effective. Any thoughts on this title? Thanks,

I didn't mind the teacher involvement. I just don't see my daughter retaining the information. We finished AAS1 a few month ago and just the other day dd was writing a story and asking how to spell certain words. I kept reminding her the rules she didn't seem to remember them. Maybe I didn't implement AAS right but I think for my dd gets more out of workbook style. I am changing to Building Spelling Skills but Rod & Staff was my next pick.

Is spelling workout considered to be at grade level... I was just wondering if I should go a grade ahead ? We started with Evan Moor spelling skills this past year and it was way too easy.

I read that Building Spelling Skills by Christian Liberty Press (not Evan Moor) was very good for phonics based spelling . I just purchased and am awaiting it myself. Cathy duffy recommends it you could read her review at ther website.

I am guilty of the same with science and history especially. I am in the middle of planning things out for this coming year to avoid that. I just want to add that you can get lots of free planning ideas and worksheets off the Donna Young website www.donnayoung.com . I am always on a budget and found those and she offers a variety that you can print and write in or fill in with Word or Acrobat. I like hand writing I tend to wonder while I'm on the computer and If they get hand written its best or me. I also have found just starting with a 12 month calender and mark off how many days you plan to do school like 150 days or 160. Work with one month at a time to meet your yearly goal. Buy a cheap planner from the dollar store and make some type of plan and have your dd keep track of it with you. My dd loves to help with that. If you dd works well independently try to chose curriculum she can do alone like GWG, etc. to let you do stuff you have to do. Then set time in your day to work with her on subjects that require teaching assistance like AAS, WWE, etc . I also agree these forum can rob you of time better spent.

Thanks for your responses. I have lots to research.