I have a 3rd and 5th grader. I'm contemplating starting the 5th grader in the 4th grade book thinking she'll move somewhat quickly, but could use a lower level start.

Quick question for those of you who use R&S Spelling with children who are not "natural spellers".... Did you purchase the Teacher's Manual? If so, did you find it helpful? Were you children able to work and learn mostly independently?

Where do you order Rod and Staff products?

We're not at the HS level, yet. However, my plan is to incorporate SL Core 100 - American History in Depth, into the MOH-3 & MOH-4 (which should be out by then) We're starting the MOH cycle again next year and I'm planning to incorporate SL core packages as we go.

I found this great chronological listing for the Henty books: http://users.gobigwest.com/rosegate/HentyChron.pdf Does anyone have a similar listing for the Ballantyne books?

How about adding in a little computer fun? Sites like: http://www.classbraingames.com/2010/02/math-magician-games-2/ will have your child race against the clock or computer... Always a motivator for my children, since I limit their screen time...

Anyone have suggestions?

DD - 2 and DS - K will be working through the following science topics this year using God's Design Series as our spine: The Universe Our Planet Earth Weather and Water What reference books do you recommend to go along with these topics? Is there one that really knocks your socks off? Thanks for your input ...

I started 1A dd and ended up purchasing the HIG midway through the book. SO GLAD I did. I have a math minor and am pretty proficient in math. However, I don't know how to teach and Singapore teaches math in a different manner than I learned it. We complete 1A and 1B with the HIG's and I highly recommend them. They offer many methods of teaching the concept with manipulatives, number bonds, etc and I found the investment well worth the extra $$.. We also use the Intensive Practice and the Challenging Word Problems.

Can someone give me a comparison of Serl's Primary Language Lessons and Queen's Language Lessons for the Very Young? The 2 somewhat obvious areas are Black & White vs Color Teacher lead vs Workbook/student lead Any other insights that might be helpful in choosing?

SL LA-1 - Doesn't work for us. We're switching for 2nd and I may or may not use again with younger ds SL Readers - using again Reason for Handwriting - using again Phonics - Explode The Code - using again History - Mystery Of History 1 - Love it, using MOH -2 next year with SL books that coordinate with timeframe Science - AIG God's Design For Life - Great spine for science; using AIG God's Design for Heaven & Earth next year Singapore 1A & 1B - Love it, using 2A & 2B next year Bible - Day by Day Kid's Bible to read through the Bible chronologically. Supplementing with coloring pages, worksheets, crafts, etc.

We're completing MOH 1 for 1st grade and plan to move on to MOH 2 for 2nd grade. We have thoroughly enjoyed the program and have learned some geography along with it. The activities for younger children have worked well for dd. We've delved deeper into areas as she has been interested. We cover "local" things at holiday time - Thanksgiving, MLK, Memorial Day - and just in driving around. "Why is today tax day Mom? Why do we have to go to the Post Office?, etc.) HTH

Mystery of History does a great job of incorporating Bible and other world history. It reviews other world religions and provides a brief comparison to Christianity. You could definitely incorporate the full scripture readings when studying those portions. It does not do Bible in every lesson, so you may want to just plan to get a chronological Bible and read through. This will provide Bible study for you on days when you're not doing Bible in history. Vol I takes you from Genesis through the Resurrection. Vol II picks up where vol I leaves off. We're completing vol I this year and will be moving to vol II next year. We've thoroughly enjoyed it. It incorporates memory cards, timeline and geography as well.

Just a few thoughts... (I have dd finishing 1st and going into 2nd next year and ds going into k next year) We are finishing up AIG: God's Design For Life Series this year. I gave dd the choice of Heaven's & Earth or Animals, Humans, Plants... She chose the Life series. We've had lots of fun with it and have used it as a "spine" adding in many of the recommendations of WTM. We're currently studying plants and I really like some of the additional activities in Green Thumbs. We're looking forward to studying the Heaven & Earth series next year. I plan to keep dd and ds on the same topic for history and science so that I'm not teaching separately to each of them. I'll simply modify the activities as needed. So, ds (k) will be studying Heaven & Earth with us adn will pick up on the Life series when dd is in 5th grade doing biology again. We use the Mystery of History as our "spine" and lots of the SL readers and read-alouds. We're finishing up vol I and will be doing vol II next year. Again, I'm keeping dd and ds on the same time frame so that I don't go crazy !!! I do love the biblical focus of this series and enjoy the reinforcement that it gives our Bible time. This series says that it is written for 4th - 8th grade, but the activities for younger children work well for this age group. Just my 2 cents ...

Next year will be my 2nd year of hs. Dd will be in 2 and Ds will be in k. I'm using: Math: Singapore - love it, highly recommend the Home Instructor's Guides for info on using and creating your own manipulatives - you don't have to spend a fortune on manipulatives Science: Answers in Genesis: God's Design for Heaven & Earth as a "spine" with lots of additional reading from library and reference books. We use many of WTM recommendations for supplements. We're finishing up the God's Design for Life set this year. Handwriting: A Reason for Handwriting - LOVE IT !!! But I agree with a prior post - if your daughter is doing well with what she's already learning, stick with it. History: Mystery of History as a "spine" with lots of additional reading - use many of Sonlight's recommendations All About Spelling Grammar/Writing: I'm stuck here - still trying to decide. My current ponderings are centered on either Growing with Grammar and Just Write or Bob Jones English. A Beka doesn't have much writing and I really want more directed instruction to help her learn to organize her thoughts. Best wishes on your planning and first year of hs. We've had a blast ...