Thanks for the replies. I haven't had much luck finding either of the groups mentioned online. Does anyone know about the university model school there (heritage academy), availability of enrichment programs for homeschooling?

It looks like we will be moving to Columbia in about 3 months. I hear the schools are great. I haven't been able to find out much about the homeschool community. I'd appreciate any info., links etc. Thanks!!!

We would love to do this. We are studying American history and it would be perfect. We are in Arkansas.......at least until spring. (military)

Anyone!?!?

I'm looking for a movie highlighting native Americans for my 11 and under crowd to go along with our early America Sonlight study. We just signed up for streaming Netflix. Any ideas? Documentaries or Historical fiction would be great.

Linda, It is refreshing to see someone with a positive view of SL LA. I will be HSing for the first time this year and have wound up with SL LA, CLE LA, WWE, and IEW. I thought about sending the SL LA back, but this makes me re-think. I have a 4th, 3rd, 1st, and 4 yr. Old. Do you have any advice on combining?? We have LA 1 and Core D LA.

BUMP :grouphug:

I have 3 boys and they all love video games, computer games etc. Now that we are going to homeschool, I am trying to lay down some new ground rules for leisure screen time. I feel like I have good control of what they are playing/watching, but I'm too lax on amount. What are your rules? Do you use it as a reward?

I'm new to HSing and am very excited to do US history with SL for my 11, 9,and 7 year olds. I would love some ideas for fun projects to do with them. I feel fairly confident in teaching the material, but the idea of trying to make it fun and hands-on is causing anxiety!

A quick question for all you experts. I'm new to HSing and slowly easing in with some math. My son is in 5th but we are doing the 4th grade MM cumulative reviews. The story problems are hard for him and he seems to get lost in the calculations and loses sight of the problem. Would anyone have advice on whether using a calculator for this would be wise or not? He is used to getting A's easily and I am worried he is already getting frustrated.

American girl series, boxcar children, little house series

I too am wondering if I should use this along with WWE. I don't know whether to start WWW or wait for Writing with Skill. Does anyone know if they would be similar or two totally different philosophies? And if different, oh please tell me which one to choose :)

I know WWS isn't out and WWW just came out. I am looking for my 3rd and 5th graders. Anyone have any wisdom pertaining to differences, strengths etc. I just got WWE for my 1st and 3rd and maybe 5th to work on too. I'm new to HSing and this is my latest conundrum.

Anyone have recommendations on what manipulatives might be helpful for 1st, 3rd, 5th? I'm new to HSing and don't have anything but flashcards. I think MM only says you need an abacus, but what else might be good?

I just ordered CLE for my 1st, 3rd, and 5th based on many positive reviews from this site. Hopefully this will bump your questions to an expert!

I'm going to start HSing in the fall with a 5th, 3rd, 1st, and K4er. I want to plan some long term projects for them as they are doing this in their schools and it seems effective in promoting some long range thinking and planning. Does anyone know of resources to do this in an age-appropriate way? I have planned SL for my two oldest--does anyone know if that would incorporate those types of projects? Also, I feel like I'm slowly solidifying a curriculum, but feel like I don't know where to start with adding some "fun" to the day. I'm worried I'm going to be too hard-core and burn-out the kids....we are doing American history if that helps. Thanks!

I'm new to HSing and am trying to figure out my spelling curriculum, among other things. I see that a lot of people use spelling workout. I can't seem to get much of a feel for it even by looking at the samples. Is it pattern base , rule based? It looks similar to most of the other workbooks I'm seeing at Mardell's. What am I missing?

Bumping as I am having a similar difficulty choosing....

I'm new to HS'ing starting this fall and will have a PK, 1st, 3rd, 5th grader. I keep reading about natural spellers. Does the fact that my fourth grader corrects my spelling mean he is one? They are in PS and rarely miss words on their lists...does that mean they are? Also..I think I want a straightforward, workbook style spelling curriculum that teaches the rules and can be done fairly independently....is there one out there like that?

If my kids have not done diagramming, could they still jump in at grade level for CLE? Also, do you do the CLE spelling or supplement? My grades would be 1st, 3rd, 5th. I think I'm remembering they don't have a first grade so maybe I'd do FLL with him

I guess that is part of the problem...I'm not sure what their writing skills are since they have been in school. My oldest did do IEW for two years when he was in a classical Christian school. But, we moved with the military, into public schools, and those skills didn't travel with him. My daughter 3rd loves to write, but she hasn't had much teaching. I'm not sure how I feel about SL LA. It has dictation and varied writing assignments, but I'm not really sure how to assess it. I guess I'm leaning toward a grammar book--easy grammar, CLE or rod &staff Plus WWE with some SL added in for "spice." and a spelling book which I have not decided on. But....that could all change with the next recommendations! Maybe I could do the all things fun and fascinating instead of WWE for oldest since he kind of knows that IEW system.

Thanks for all of the great advice. SL has dictation and some grammar and a lot of short writing projects. No narration or spelling. I am undecided on spelling...AAS, Sequential spelling, spelling power are ones I've considered. I just don't know whether to bag SL LA altogether or use it piecemeal with a more structured writing course and grammar. It seams to have a lot of fun writing assignments but kind of "all over the map".....I think.

Differences? Similarities? Strengths? Weaknesses? For 1st, 3rd, 5th new to HSing. I'm wanting rigorous but easy to "jump into" at multiple levels. I posted a vague LA post and got good direction but wanting to dig further. If this has already been discussed, I can't find it...Please link. I am new to forums, curriculum, and all things HSing!!!!:confused: Thanks!!

What a nice surprise to wake up with a thread of thoughtful advice.....thanks! For those that recommended WWE/FLL, I am confused on what I would do with levels. It would be easy to start my first grader in Level 1. My third grader has had some grammar but no narration or dictation. My 5th grader has had 4 years of Shurley but no narration/dictation. What do you do after FLL. he will bolt if he has to go through the def. Of a noun again. On the other side, the dictation in WWE3&4 looks very difficult. On CLE....does that teach writing too, or just grammar? The samples look appealingly (is this a word?) simple... I feel like I am looking for a rigorous, all-inclusive language arts program that is easy to join at any level.......is this a pipe dream? (maybe I should start a thread with that title!)

I have been lurking around on this forum for weeks and have enjoyed feeding my curriculum obsession with y'all. A little background: I have 4 kids that will be 11 (5th), 9 (3rd), 7 (1st), and 4 in the early fall. They had been in a classical Christian school, then moved to public school this year due to military move. I am going to start homeschooling them this fall while dh is in the desert. First off....am I crazy? :tongue_smilie: I am pretty decided on all other curriculum except Language arts. At least until I read the next five negative reviews on my choices :). I am planning SL for history, MM, Apologia, Rosetta stone for Spanish. I have order LA from SL but I have not read any rave reviews about it. So, do I supplement with something more structured...Shirley, CLE etc or add in a writing program or grammar? I might note that this year is somewhat of a trial and while I want to throw myself in, I don't want to get them totally out of a school scope and sequence. My kids are easy A students and I'm not too sure of their learning styles at this point. (one of the many reasons to HS....to know my kids better!) I would love any opinions on jumping in midstream with multiple kids, sonlight LA etc. Thanks for your help