Funny to hear several of us are using SL Core 5 right now, but are looking at TOG for next year. I used SL 3,4,5, 6, & 7 and then did TOG 1 and 2. I'd like to go back to TOG except for two things: 1) it gets pricey doing all 4 levels (I have 5 kids that would be using it) 2) I don't like how they do only 200 years in Years 3 & 4. I prefer the more typical classical division. I'm checking out this thread!

Thanks! I have been trying to figure out which level to start my 10 and 12 yos in as we are new to Writing with Ease. This helps!

Yes, it's very frustrating. Cato's has some nice stuff and they are not very expensive.

My ideas (I haven't read all the responses): 1) bring someone with you to be your personal assistant (I volunteer!); that would help you in many ways if they don't give you a room sitter/assistant 2) say at the beginning that it's your preferance as the speaker to have everyone be able to hear, live and recording listeners, so that you ask all babies that are not settled quickly to be taken out of the room AND THAT if they aren't then A) your assistant will ask you to leave or if you don't have an assistant B) you will ask them to leave in front of everyone As both a mom who has brought babies and a mom who has not brought babies, I think this is fair.

I've listened to his IEW CDs and didn't notice anything. His voice is... different. ;) I know, that seems weird to say, but well... it's just threw me off for a bit. My eldest and hubby too. Once we were used to it, it was fine.

SL does run advanced. This is what I usually do: I don't do their Bible curric. We do BSF, our own memory work, catechism, and family discussions. We plan to do the timeline, but I usually forget (just being honest). We do the read alouds together. We do the history books as read alouds together. They do their own readers. For kids reading levels apart, I buy other books on Amazon that correspond in topic. We do the maps together. I don't do SL science or LA. I think Core 5 is the easiest to combine and if you are newer to hsing, this might be the best way to go. Their Eastern Hemisphere Explorer is a lot of work, but you can make your own schedule instead of trying to do SL's. That's what I did. I'd be happy to email you the schedule I made. How old are your kiddos? I might be able to help more knowing that.

I haven't used HOD Preparing and/or Higher, but I've used SL for five cores with all kiddos. I just couldn't fathom doing two cores with them. It's just not in me. IF I let my eldest do all their work on their own, I could, but one of the things I most love about our homeschool is doing a unit of study together. Now, we don't do everything together. They do their own math, vocab, writing, Spanish. BUT we do science together (Apologia) and history/reading. I don't want her to be doing her own thing without me being a part of her school life. KWIM? I know it works for many people. I'm not judging that. It's just a personal preference. So... after using SL for Cores 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 we switched to TOG. It was a lot of work deciding what books to buy for three levels (LG, UG and D). It as also really expensive. I'm a book junkie so trying to say no to books was next to impossible. Plus, my kids love to read and like to have plenty. We went back to SL for this year, but that was always the plan. We are doing Core 5 for the second time. I absolutely love it and want each of my kids to go through it twice. IMHO, it's the easiest core to use with the whole family. Note: for all SL cores, I spent extra money for extra books for my voracious readers and for the younger kids, to make doing the core with everyone possible. Amazon was my friend. Honestly, I'm in the anxiety stage in deciding for next year. I hope you find a good plan for yourself. I might have been rambling too much. I hope it helps in some ways.