I am looking for a good Greek/Latin vocab program for my rising 6th grader. He isn't the best speller and could really benefit from learning "root" words. I have heard of English from the Roots Up, which seems like it would work. Please suggest others for me to consider! Thanks so much!!

Great list - thanks so much! I have Nim's Island and Hoot on my short list that I am just now putting together. I forgot to add "Because of Winn Dixie" to our list of read book/watched movie already. Thanks again!!

Last summer we read the book Hugo and later watched the movie. My boys LOVED it! I want to do the same thing again this summer..read the book and then make a family night and watch the movie. I just need some recommendations for GOOD books. Here are some books we have read and watched the movie. HUGO Charlotte's Web Mr. Poppers Penguins My boys are 7 and 11...they love all genres of books! Thanks in advance!!

My ODS was behind in reading and I used a program called "Right Track Reading Lessons". Cost is minimal...$30 for the book and then a few supplies which are inexpensive. It takes time. We did this program for one full year, but I am happy to report my son is reading above average now. Here is the website: www.righttrackreading.com Good luck!!

My ODS needs multiplication fact practice. What is the best website for him to practice? I know there are many and I don't want games necessarily, but more speed drills. TIA!

Thank you!!

Good to know! Quick question...do you supplement with anything?

Singapore didn't work because the concepts taught were easily lost when he moved on to the next topic. When is came time to build on a previous topic, he would forget how to do it so we had to go back and relearn it before he could do his current assignment. It took a lot of time and created a lot of frustration on his behalf. The spiral approach to math works perfectly, because he continually works on previous concepts that are taught. He likes Horizons math, but I want to make sure it is adequate for middle school math. HTH!

My ODS is going into 6th grade next year. He has done 2 years of Singapore math and that didn't go so well so this year he is doing 5th grade Horizons math. I want to set him up for middle/high school and I am worried Horizons isn't the best choice for 6th grade and beyond. My first reaction is to switch to Saxon Math. He needs a spiral math program because the mastery approach (Singapore) didn't work for him. Your thoughts, suggestions, ideas, etc. I will take any and all! TIA

Thank you for the advice - advice in my opinion is best by someone who has or is currently using it. My friend who told me it is a year behind has never used the program. It sounds like a great program! Do you ladies supplement with other writing or no?

This is the problem face with my DS. He just picked up reading with the simple beginning vowel/consonant sounds. I too am afraid that if I do a more structured phonics program that I could potentially mess us his ability to read - if that makes sense. I do feel it is important especially once he starts reading larger more complicated words. Good luck! I feel your pain....

Starting to curriculum plan for next year and I am thinking of using LLATL for my rising 2nd grader. He is a great reader who didn't have much phonics instruction past the beginning vowel/consonant sounds. I have looked through the 2nd grade book and it looked very easy for him although the phonics instruction was good because it went deeper. My friend told me that this program is a year behind and with my DS I should jump a grade. I am afraid to do so, because I don't want to miss anything. Can those using the program offer some advice? Thank you!

My son has been using easy grammer the past 2 years and although I like it, I don't think it is thorough enough. I would like him to diagram sentences. I am not switching him this year, but would like to switch to something different next year. I have looked at many, but Rod and Staff seems to be my front runner right now. What others do you recommend? TIA!

We listen to ours via a cd player. I didn't think about downloading audio books to an ipod...that just opens up a whole other world for me ~ thanks!!

Every day is a little different, but I would say anywhere from 4-6 hours. It depends on how motivated he is that day or what we are learning. If it is history day, he could sit there all day and learn!

Let me clarify his reading difficulties. I truly believe DS is behind in reading for two reasons. One, he never received proper phonics instruction in K and 1st grade and two, he was naturally a slow reader. After being in public school for 4 years, he quickly learned to despise reading. He didn't want to pick up a book and then complete the comprehension questions that followed. He would cry and cry and cry. We have had every test available done for learning disabilities and vision. This year he is starting to enjoy reading a tad more. I gave up on trying to make him read fictional chapter books. He enjoys non-fiction and biographies. Couple this with his reading program and he is doing great - making good strides. He isn't 3-4 years behind meaning he is on a 1st/2nd grade reading level. It just means that I have had to basically start over from the beginning with phonics instruction and such. He isn't on a true 5th grade level...more like a 4th grade level....again this is why I think holding him back a year would be good for him. My plan is not to repeat any curriculum...he would keep going at his pace, but since we have spent a lot of time on reading this year, other areas/subjects are now lacking....writing being a key one. Hope this helps to clarify things. Thanks again for your advice/input. It does help and I love to hear others viewpoints. I will also tag the thread,

Thanks for the replies ~ I really do appreciate it. I agree with not stressing so much on the grade he is in. I would continue with his academics as planned, but just say he is a 5th grader again next year. Most of our friends are HSers so they wouldn't even know I am calling him a 5th grader again. Our church knows we HS as well so no worries there. I guess my biggest fear is DS thinking he isn't smart, which is completely not the case. He just needs more time to mature and strengthen his reading skills.

Going to try and make this as short as possible. DS is 10 and in 5th grade. He has a July birthday and I wanted to start K at the age of 6. DH wanted to send him off to K at 5, so I went along with it after much reassurance from DH and his pre-school teacher. Well 5 years later I think I make the wrong decision. DS is a very young 10 year old...meaning maturity wise. Don't get me wrong he is a great kiddo, but he acts very young for his age. He gets along better with kids younger than him. Academically he is average with the exception of reading, he is behind. I am doing a reading program with him now and he has made great strides with it, but you can't catch up when you are 3-4 years behind. His comprehension is what suffers most. My thoughts on this is reading is the foundation for everything and if he is behind in reading, everything else kind of suffers. So with all this being said (well in this case written), I am thinking of holding him back a year. I just can't see continuing school at this rate and having him graduate HS at 17. I don't know if he will catch up maturity wise and I fear this will leave him face planting because he is young. Maybe I have read too many "boy books" telling me how boys are failing and what we need to do to fix it. This is our second year HSing. He was in public school K-3rd grade. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! My biggest fears are any consequences associated with holding him back.

Awesome, just what I needed! Thank you SO much!!!

My DS who is in 5th grade is doing Singapore Math. My question is, does Singapore continue into middle school or would next year be a good year to switch? If we were to switch what would you recommend? Some friends have suggested Saxon, but I am unsure. I want an easy transition. So if you used Singapore and switched, what did you switch too that would teach all the way through high school.

I am using a program called Right Track Reading. I am using the second book called Back on the Right Track Reading for my 5th grader. He has always struggled with phonics which lead to reading problems. We are halfway through the book and I have to say it is working! My son is reading SO much better. The books are not expensive which is nice. Here is the website with more detailed information. http://www.righttrackreading.com/index.html Here are a couple reviews on the second book...couldn't find any on the first book off Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Right-Track-Reading-Lessons-Step-/dp/0976329018/ Here is some more info on it.. http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=237560 Hope this helps!!

I am looking for an online homeschool book club for my youngest son. Upon doing my research I have come across many, but I would like to know which ones are good and valid. Kindly let me know - TIA!!

My oldest (5th grade) does listen to audio books...he loves those. Both kiddos are listening to greek mythology right now and my oldest seems to enjoy it much more than my younger one. I am reading a biography out loud to both right now. Is it the "Who was (insert name) series? I let them pick so they take turns. Both love listening to stories, but I guess I don't see the interest in picking up a book on their own and just reading it. Maybe I am expecting too much...... I would love some recommendations for my 1st and 5th grader. My 1st grader picks books own his own at the library. We usually go when my oldest is in science class so I research popular books and pick out a handful and bring them home for him to choose. My oldest loves non-fiction as he loves to learn about geography and other countries. They also love reading their Lego books about building. Typing this all out makes me realize they do love books, but just don't love reading spontaneously on their own.

While not in school they play with legos (both LOVE legos), beyblades, baseball, basketball, go to the park, ride bikes, play with friends, etc. They do watch tv at night after it gets dark, but not for extended periods of time. They watch a variety of shows..cartoons, animal planet...both love to watch movies. I have looked up popular books online in a variety of genres and let the kids decide what looks interesting to read. They can choose anything from fiction to non-fiction and everything in between.

Thanks for all the advice! Just wanted to answer some of the questions...there are no video games allowed during the week and they don't watch much tv. Vision has been checked...my oldest needed glasses in 1st grade. I don't give a quiz after reading books because I am trying to bring the love of reading back. Most of the time they both want to read at night before bed so they are in a comfy place. I did offer incentives over the summer, but didn't think about bringing it back during the school year. Maybe I should re-think that. I will definitely keep trying!!!