[Sonlight Science Level G....]

Based on what you've written, that your DS wants to study geology, doesn't like reading from encyclopedias, and I'm assuming also wants geology-related labs, I don't think Sonlight Science G will give you what you want.

 

It is labeled as "geology, physics and origins", and it is really just a mish-mash of different things, not specifically focused on geology at all.  I own six of the seven books (not counting the TM) used in that program, including the two TOPS lab books (and supplies).  If you look at the book list, only one of the books used is specific to the study of Earth science/geology, and it is the Usborne Encyclopedia of Planet Earth.  So, it's just an encyclopedia, which you said you don't want, and only about 150 pages, not enough to last a year.  Cool Stuff 2.0 (talks about technology) and What's Science All About (another Usborne volume, a broad summary of biology, chemistry, and physics) are neat little books, but they were below the level of my DS last year as a 5th grader; he actually scoffed at them.  :laugh:  They're both full of nifty info (for a younger kid, perhaps) but its just snippets, nothing in-depth.  Another book (and a DVD) in the program talks about evolution vs. creationism, and the last book is about life science topics like botany and ecology.  The two TOPS books are chemistry-related (Analysis and Cohesion/Adhesion) - again, not geology.  DS used both of those TOPS kits last year, and we liked them pretty well, though.  Sorry, that's probably not what you want to hear.

 

Sonlight's science programs for level G and below try to cover lots of things at a high level all in one year and the output is quite worksheet-y (fill in the blank, matching, etc.)  That appeals to some kids but not others.  The TOPS labs are usually pretty good but you don't have to get them from Sonlight, you can buy them directly from the TOPS website and I've seen them on Amazon too.

 

I can recommend the Rocks and Minerals TOPS book with kit, as a supplement.  My 6th grade DS is using it this year and he loves it so far (about 4 weeks in).  He can do it independently.  We're also using Elemental Science logic stage Earth/Astronomy (which you said you didn't want) and supplementing with CPO Earth for extra reading.

 

Hope that helps some.

I totally agree with this review!! We really enjoyed SL Science D,E and F, but hated G. Sorry, I have no suggestions of what else to use. My ds, 7th grade, will be doing Rainbow Science Year 1 this school year.

[Still ISO a Sonlight coupon code, anyone have one they won't be using?]

I'm sending you a pm!

[?? about SOTW history for middle school]

Sonlight does go thru SOTW very fast,though, so you wouldn't be on the same page (literally:-) ) as if you just did one book a year.

Yep, Sonlight goes through 2 a year for this age. I used SOTW 1 & 2 last year for my 6th grader. This year for 7th grade he will be doing SOTW 3 & 4. We do about a chapter a day. I also use the tests. (Sonlight does not use/schedule the tests.)

[Do you go to a family medical practice?]

I go to an OB/GYN for annual check-ups, but other than that, we've always gone to a family practice. My kids have never been to a pediatrician. In our experience, family practices have been far more laid back and gave me credit for making informed decisions versus pushing vaccines and exams I didn't think were necessary. It has worked well for our family.

This is exactly what we do too. I go to an OB/GYN once a year and ds has never been to a pediatrician. We've never had a problem.

[Teaching Textbooks question]

 

If your child was able to go though TT 7 without a problem you may find it might be better to go straight to TT Algebra 1. The Pre-Alg level is more for kids who had a tougher time with 7 and need the extra year of practice.

Thanks for the suggestion, but math is my son's weakest subject. He definitely needs the extra year of practice. =)

[Teaching Textbooks question]

I think your plan to use TT7 with your 6th grader should work out just fine. I used it this past school year with my 6th grader. For 7th grade, he will be doing TT Pre-algebra. This summer I am supplementing with Life of Fred Fractions and Decimals/ Percents.

[Tablet for kids? What do your kids/family have?]

My 9 year old DD is thinking of saving for a tablet. She already has a good chunk of change saved and could possibly buy one soon. I'm not sure which one though. We're an Apple family and have a lot of Apple products. But I think that an iPad is just too big of an investment for a nine year old. Plus, it would take her forever to save for that. So we're thinking of buying something on the Android platform.

 

I've been looking at the Google Nexus and the Samsung Galaxy. Anyone have either of these? Any advantages to one over the other? She wants to download apps, watch videos, take photos, do creative things, read books, etc. Any other tablets worth considering? She already has an iPod Touch, so she's very familiar with apps, etc. She would possibly be selling her iPod Touch if she gets a tablet though.

 

What about a Kindle? My ds has a Kindle Fire HD and it does everything you mentioned. I think it only has a forward facing camera though, so if taking pictures is a big deal, you might not like it. My nephews have ipad minis. My SIL and brother are an apple family also and wanted something that could use all the apps and stuff they had already invested in. The only apple device we have is an ipod touch. I was able to sync my son's music from iTunes with the kindle.

[Need phonics suggestions for my ds12]

I'm using this https://eps.schoolspecialty.com/products/details.cfm?seriesonly=3250AM with a dyslexic student who I tutor. You can buy the materials from Amazon or www.christianbook.com. "I think" it's easy to use. The lessons are scripted and give step by step instructions. Also, there are workbooks called Megawords that might work.

[If you've tested at home w/ ITBS...]

and mailed the test back to the provider, did you insure the package? Last year the Post Office wouldn't insure my package, saying that they could not insure tests. I get my tests from BJU, and right on the front of the return envelope it says, "insure your packages." The postal worker said, "No. They mean ensure that you've got everything in there and sealed up." I tried to explain the difference between insure and ensure, but she wouldn't insure them. I ended up going to UPS and had no problem. Anyone had a similar experience? We're testing this week and I'd like to use the Post Office b/c it's cheaper, but wondering if I'm wasting my time with them.

Thanks!

 

 

I've had the same problem. I just go to the UPS store.

[Disney World, What is the Appeal?]

We're not Disney people either. I really wanted to be. I even got a Disney Rewards Visa card when my ds was an infant to save for a trip. We finally got our chance a few years ago and went with my mother, brother, sil, and two nephews. This was the second trip for my brother's family and the first for the rest of us. I have NO desire to go back EVER! I felt like it was "hurry up and wait" for the whole trip. Hurry up and wait for the bus, hurry up and wait for the ride/show.

[ITBS vs. SAT testing]

Actually, you can test your own children with the Stanford as long as you are following your states rules. The rules keep changing so I contacted BJU Press just to make sure. Stanford works better for my guy (pdd-nos and anxiety) because it is not timed. You can purchase both at www.bjupress.com.

[Daily Scheduling TT]

I think it really depends on the kid and the lesson. I have two doing TT7. Both are non-mathy kids, so some lessons take 45mins. or an hour. They are more than half-way through and some of the lessons now allow them to use a calculator which helps with time. I mean when you're doing long division, converting fractions to decimals etc. it takes some time. At least it does my kids.

 

I think I would do a trial run and see how it goes. Time how long it takes each kid to do one lesson and go from there. (My kids do one lesson per day.)

[What do your children use to listen to audiobooks?]

Buy the ebook first and then you get a huge discount on the audiobook at audible.com. I have learned though to check for all of the unabridged whispersyn versions since some narrators are better than others and some audio books are cheaper than the discounted ones. I only use my credits for audiobooks more than $12 since with the platinum plan each credit is worth about $11. There are also free audiobooks to be had with whispersync or very inexpensive ones. The immersion feature is a huge hit here!

 

I forgot to add that I am mainly interested in the immersion feature for classic books which may be more challenging even though ds is a great reader. If a book is an everyday kid book like Percy Jackson, then I am mainly interested in the ebooks.

 

 

 

Yep, this is what we do too. Ds has a kindle fire hd. He uses it everyday for school.

[Helping a 13 yo boy become responsible]

Mine will be 13 in a couple of months and he constantly has to be reminded of his everyday stuff!!! Glad he's not the only one, but man is it annoying!!

[If you started in August, what day are you on?]

112 =)

[200 Sit-Ups challenge **Monday, Week One**]

My ds and I just completed Week 1 Day 2 of sit ups/crunches. Ummm...I need to add in the push-ups.

[Sonlight question re middle school]

I'm doing Core G with a 12 year old, but he's in 6th grade. Core G is the first part of World History, so if I was in your position, I would either start with Core G or Core W which is a condensed version of Core G/H.

[Testing at the end of the school year]

I use the Stanford 10. This year I will be ordering from www.bjupress.com. BJU sells both the Stanford and ITBS. The biggest difference between the two is that the Stanford is untimed, but the ITBS is timed. It's easy to become a qualified tester and you are allowed to test your own child as long as you are following your state's homeschooling laws.

[SOCIAL GROUP: Homeschooling a singleton]

I have a one and only. Ds is 12 almost 13 :crying: ! I am also a single parent, a widow. When you pile all that together, I homeschool, only have 1 child and I'm a widow. That makes us "triple" weirdos! :lol:

[Free Oregon Trail for Kindle Tablet]

Thank you!

[Homeschool Conventions Useful?]

I enjoy going. I have already registered for a convention that is about 2 1/2 hours away. It's the closest one. I mainly go to shop and look around. I "might" listen to a speaker or two, but that's not my main focus. I like to be able to actually put my hands on the curriculum/books etc. It's the only opportunity I have to see a large variety of homeschool stuff in one place. But really...you're the only one who can decide if it's worth it for you and your family. It is expensive with hotel costs and such, so if money is a major concern I wouldn't go.

[IEW - first KWO]

I agree with the pp. "It is a process." I started using IEW with my ds (very reluctant writer) when he was 8. He is now 12 and his writing has blossomed! Nothing says you have to stay on KWO for so long. If you think he's ready, move on to the dress ups.

[Middle School Science: Apologia or ?]

I'm using NOEO Chemistry II this year for 6th grade and I have not been impressed. It did come with some supplies, but for most experiments I have to hunt for the items to use. I'm thinking about using Rainbow for 7th and 8th grade. I like that it comes with everything I need and can be used independently. I feel your pain. I've had the worse luck with science this year.

[The Giver]

I didn't like it, but I read it such a long time ago that I can't remember why. :glare:

[Do we have a 7th grade thread for next year yet?]

Hmmm...I'm in the very early thinking stage.

 

 

Math: TT Pre-Algebra

 

Science: Rainbow Science (?)

 

History: SOTW 3 & 4

 

Literature: Lightning Lit. 7 or 8 or something else

 

Grammar: Easy Grammar Plus or IEW Fix it

 

Writing: IEW theme book, not sure which one

 

Vocab.: Wordly Wise Book 8 (?)

 

Latin: Latina Christiana (?)

 

Logic: Intro. to Logic (?)

 

Bible: not sure

 

Art: He takes an art class once a week.

 

P.E.: gym membership, He takes an exercise class once or twice a week.

 

Foreign Lang.: Rosetta Stone Spanish

 

Music: Piano Wizard (?)